A Research Fellowship (BI) (Reference REQUIMTE 2026-58) at Laboratório Associado para a Química Verde - Tecnologias e Processos Limpos - UIDB/50006/2020, with the financial support of the FCT/ MECI through national funds, is available at REQUIMTE.

Main research field: Analytical Chemistry 

Admission requirements: 

-Master's degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences or similar; with a minimum academic grade requirement of 16 out of 20;

- Enrollment in a Doctoral Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences/attendance of a non-degree course taught by a higher education institution in conjunction with an R&D unit;

- Demonstrated expertise in automation using Sequential Injection Analysis (SIA) and Lab-on-Valve (LOV) systems, focusing on the miniaturization and integration of multiple analytical process step;

- Proven experience in the development of enzymatic methodologies and inhibition studies, using synthetic compounds, natural products, ionic liquids, or related materials;

- Experience in the application of analytical methodologies for the detection of biomarkers associated with acute and chronic wounds;

-Proved knowledge in the required fields.

In case the Master degree was awarded by a foreign higher education institution, it must comply with the provisions of Decree-Law no. 66/2018 of August 16th, and all formalities established therein must be complied with at the signature of Fellowship contract.

Workplan:

1. Assessment of the activity and inhibition of enzymes of biomedical interest, namely human neutrophil elastase, cathepsin G, and myeloperoxidase using Sequential Injection Analysis (SIA) and Lab-on-Valve (LOV) systems.
2. Development of analytical methods for the detection of biomarkers associated with wounds, namely proteolytic enzymes, reactive oxygen species, and bacteria.
3. Evaluation of the efficacy of natural compounds (e.g., plant extracts) and synthetic compounds (e.g., ionic liquids, active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), and nanoGUMBOS) as potential modulators of enzymatic activity.
4. Data treatments and analysis.
5. Participation in the preparation of scientific articles and technical reports.
6. Other activities related to project development.

Applicable Legislation: 

Law nº.40/2004, 18th August (Research Fellow Statute) amended and republished by Decreto-Lei n.º 123/2019, 28th August; FCT Regulation for Research Studentships and Fellowships 

(https://www.fct.pt/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/RBi_Republicado_2025.pdf).

Workplace: 

The work will be developed in Faculty of Pharmacy/ Applied Chemistry Laboratory, under the scientific supervision of Maria Lúcia Saraiva, Auxiliary Professor.

Duration of the fellowship: 

The fellowship will last 6 months, may be renewable for equal additional periods, and is expected to start in November 2026. 

Monthly stipend: 

Monthly stipend is €1.359,64 according to the stipends established by FCT, I.P. in Portugal  (https://www.fct.pt/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Tabela-de-Valores-SMM-202…). Payment will be made by bank transfer on a monthly basis. The successful candidate will also be entitled to the reimbursement of Social Security payments (Seguro Social Voluntário) and work insurance.

Selection criteria: 

Curricular evaluation:

The selection shall focus on the following preference criteria: 

1. Academic and scientific curriculum:

1. Consistency and quality of CV - 25%;
2. Scientific writing: articles and articles review - 10%. 
3. Communications at scientific conferences - 10%;

2. Relevant experience, proven in the CV, in:

1. Experiências em automatização usando análise por injeção sequencial e lab-on-valve - 15%;
2. Experiência na automatização de ensaios de atividade e inibição enzimática - 15%;
3. Desenvolvimento de métodos analíticos para deteção de biomarcadores associados a feridas crónicas e à sua infeção – 15%

3. Letter of motivation - 10%.

Interview:

In the case of admitted candidates whose evaluation does not differ more than 10% from that obtained by the best positioned candidate, the jury will interview these candidates. 

The interviews will be intended to obtain clarification and explanations of the curricular elements presented and additional information, as well as to evaluate the attitude and motivation of the candidates.

The evaluation factors of the selection interview will be (scale from 0 to 20 points): 

1. Specific knowledge for the implementation of the work plan (0 to 10 points);
2. Attitude and availability (0 to 4 points);
3. Communication skills (0 to 3 points);
4. Motivation for the planned activities (0 to 3 points).

In this situation, the final classification will be obtained by the following formula: 0.7 x Curricular Evaluation + 0.3 x Interview, on a scale from 0 to 100 points.

The jury will not award the current scholarship to candidates with a final classification lower than 50%.

Jury composition: 

Maria de La Salette de Freitas Fernandes Hipólito Reis (Full Professor, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of do Porto; President), 

Maria Lúcia Marques Ferreira de Sousa Saraiva Maria Lúcia Marques Ferreira de Sousa Saraiva (Assistant Professor, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of do Porto; vowel). 

João Luís Machado dos Santos (Associated Professor, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of do Porto; vowel). 

Marieta Leite de Castro Passos (Researcher,  Faculty of Pharmacy, University of do Porto; substitute vowel).

Publicity and communication of results: The ranking of applications will be published at a visible and public area of REQUIMTE facilities, and all candidates will be informed by email about the result of their application.

Application: 

The call for applications is open between 07/10/2026 and 20/10/2026.

The applications are formalized at the electronic address bolsas@iceta.up.pt, containing in the subject the reference to which the candidate is applying (Reference REQUIMTE 206-58) with following documents in a digital form, in PDF format and will include Curriculum vitae, Motivation letter, Qualifications Certificate, and other documents deemed relevant.