Entry-Level PhD Researcher

Offer Description

NOTICE OF OPENING OF AN INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIVE SELECTION PROCEDURE FOR THE RECRUITMENT OF ONE ENTRY-LEVEL PhD RESEARCHER UNDER THE PROJECT “MITOCONEXÃO: INVESTIGATING THE MITOCHONDRIAL NEXUS IN ONCO-CARDIOLOGY” (REF. NORTE2030-FEDER-02713500), UNDER A FIXED-TERM EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT OF UNCERTAIN DURATION UNDER PRIVATE LAW, BEING CARRIED OUT AT THE FACULTY OF MEDICINE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PORTO (FMUP) – INVTERM-FMUP-26-28

By my order, dated 22 October 2026, issued in the exercise of the powers delegated under point 1.1(iii) of Order no. 9857/2026, published in the Official Gazette (Diário da República), 2nd Series, no. 150, of 5 August 2026, public notice is hereby given that an international competitive selection procedure is open for a period of 10 (ten) working days, counting from the working day following the publication of this Notice in the Official Gazette (Diário da República), under the Regulation on Research, Science and Technology Staff of the University of Porto under Private Law, Regulation no. 849/2026, published in the Official Gazette (Diário da República), 2nd Series, no. 129, of 7 July 2026 (hereinafter the "Regulation"), with a view to the recruitment of one Entry-Level PhD Researcher, under an individual fixed-term employment contract of uncertain duration, to carry out research activities in the scientific area of Biomedical Sciences, under the project MitOConexão: Investigating the Mitochondrial Nexus in Onco-Cardiology (Ref. NORTE2030-FEDER-02713500), co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), through the North Regional Programme 2021-2027 (NORTE 2030), under Portugal 2030, under way at FMUP.

1. Scientific area: Biomedical Sciences.

2. Applicable legislation:

The competition and the resulting recruitment are governed by the provisions of the following main legislation:

• Decree-Law no. 57/2016, of 29 August, which approves the regime for the recruitment of PhD holders aimed at stimulating scientific and technological employment, published in the Official Gazette (Diário da República), 1st Series, no. 165/2016, as amended by Law no. 57/2017, of 19 July, hereinafter the Legal Framework for Scientific Employment (RJEC);
• Regulation on Research, Science and Technology Staff of the University of Porto under Private Law, Regulation no. 849/2026, published in the Official Gazette (Diário da República), 2nd Series, no. 129, of 7 July 2026, as currently in force, hereinafter the Regulation;
• Decree-Law no. 63/2019, of 16 May, which approves the legal framework for institutions engaged in scientific research and development, published in the Official Gazette (Diário da República), 1st Series, no. 94, of 16 May 2019;
• Regulatory Decree no. 11-A/2017, of 29 December, which sets the remuneration levels provided for in the regime for the recruitment of PhD holders approved by Decree-Law no. 57/2016, of 29 August;
• Order no. GR 12/06/2021 of the Rector of the University of Porto, of 25 June 2021, issuing guidance on the general and specific admission requirements for international competitive selection procedures for the recruitment of PhD Researchers under individual fixed-term employment contracts, under the Labour Code;
• Disciplinary and scientific areas of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, republished by Order no. 7793/2022, of 1 June, published in the Official Gazette (Diário da República), 2nd Series, no. 121, of 24 June 2022, as rectified by Rectification Statement no. 450/2023, published in the Official Gazette (Diário da República), 2nd Series, no. 117, of 19 June 2023;
• Law no. 73-A/2025, of 30 December, which approves the State Budget for 2026;

and by the following subsidiary legislation:

• Labour Code, approved by Law no. 7/2009, of 12 February, as amended, hereinafter the CT;
• Code of Administrative Procedure, approved by Decree-Law no. 4/2015, of 7 January, as amended, hereinafter the CPA;
• Law no. 26/2019, of 28 March, which establishes the regime of balanced representation between men and women in senior management staff and in the bodies of the Public Administration;
• Order defining the regime of balanced representation in the appointment of the non-elected collegial bodies of FMUP, of 2 August 2023.

3. Admission requirements:

3.1. General admission requirements:

The competition is open to national, foreign and stateless persons who hold a PhD degree in Biomedicine or related areas and have a scientific and professional curriculum in the scientific areas of this competition demonstrating a profile suited to the activities to be carried out, pursuant to Article 12(1) of the RJEC and Article 8(3) of the Regulation, and in accordance with point 8 of this Notice.

3.2. Specific admission requirements:

For the purpose of determining the profile suited to the activity to be carried out, the specific requirements are as follows:

1. PhD degree obtained no more than 5 (five) years before the deadline for the submission of applications;
2. Postgraduate training and/or demonstrated experience in the scientific area of laboratory research in the cardiovascular, metabolism or obesity fields;
3. Experience in molecular laboratory work and proficiency in biomarker analysis by ELISA, transcriptomics, proteomics, lipidomics or metabolomics;
4. Experience in database management and bioinformatic analysis of data obtained from the high-throughput methodologies referred to above.

3.3. Failure to provide evidence of the requirements set out in points 3.1. and 3.2., cumulatively, shall result in the exclusion of the application.

4. Preferred selection criteria:

1. Complementary academic training in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Cell Culture and Histology, preferably including a practical component;
2. Experience in laboratory techniques for the assessment of cardiac function in vitro and/or in vivo, Molecular Biology (e.g. spectrometry and flow cytometry), or histological analysis (e.g. paraffin tissue preparation, immunohistochemistry, transmission electron microscopy);
3. Experience in the use of tools for the management of samples and the related data;
4. Experience in scientific research using animal models;
5. Scientific publications in the relevant areas in indexed peer-reviewed journals;
6. Good knowledge of Portuguese and English.

5. Remuneration:

5.1. The gross monthly base salary corresponds to the 1st remuneration position, level 3, pursuant to Article 53(1) of and Annexes I and II to the Regulation and Article 2(1) and (3) of Regulatory Decree no. 11-A/2017, under the exclusive dedication regime, amounting to €2,408.11, plus the meal allowance, pursuant to Article 53(7) of the Regulation.

5.2. Research staff shall, as a rule, perform their duties under the exclusive dedication regime and may, upon expressing their wish to do so, perform them on a full-time basis, corresponding to 35 (thirty-five) working hours per week, pursuant to Article 43(1) of the Regulation.

5.3. Research staff who opt for the full-time regime shall receive an amount corresponding to two thirds of the remuneration level they would receive under the exclusive dedication regime, pursuant to Article 53(5) of the Regulation.

6. Place of work:

The place of work shall be the premises of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto and/or other locations as may be required for the performance of the duties, with the Entry-Level PhD Researcher being assigned to RISE-Health – Rede de Investigação em Saúde [Health Research Network] (UID/06397/2025), hosted at FMUP.

7. Contractual regime:

The Entry-Level PhD Researcher shall be recruited under an individual fixed-term employment contract of uncertain duration, under Article 8(2)(a) of the Regulation, Article 6(1)(b) and (3) and Article 18(2) of the RJEC and the CT, on the grounds of the performance of a specific, precisely defined and non-permanent task, and shall remain in force only for the period necessary to carry out the tasks defined in the project identified above and shall never exceed the end date of the project, the available budget and/or the maximum limit of 6 (six) years, pursuant to Article 5(4) of the Regulation and Article 6(3) of the RJEC.

8. Activities to be carried out:

8.1. The duties of research staff comprise the following components, pursuant to Article 9(1) and Articles 10 to 13 of the Regulation:

1. Research;
2. Knowledge transfer and valorisation;
3. Science and technology management and communication, and other tasks;
4. Teaching and training activities, subject to the limit laid down in Article 13(3).

8.2. The Entry-Level PhD Researcher shall, pursuant to Article 8(2)(a) of the Regulation, regularly carry out research and development activities, as well as other scientific and technical activities within the mission of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto and, under the MitOConexão project, the following:

1. Performance of techniques for the assessment of mitochondrial and cardiac function in vivo and/or in vitro, including biochemical, molecular biology, cell culture and histology methodologies, as well as other laboratory techniques required for the production, analysis and optimisation of research in the cardiovascular, metabolic and mitochondrial fields, carried out at the Department of Surgery and Physiology of FMUP and/or other locations required for the implementation of the project;
2. Collection of biological samples (blood, tissues or cellular derivatives) in a hospital, laboratory or animal facility setting, and determination of the associated biomarkers;
3. Processing, storage and cataloguing of human or animal biological samples, ensuring the traceability and integrity of the samples within the MitOConexão project;
4. Collection, compilation and analysis of anonymised clinical data and experimental data, ensuring scientific rigour and the confidentiality of participants;
5. Support for the day-to-day management of the laboratories involved, including the reception and organisation of equipment, reagents and volunteers, budgeting and the placing of orders for consumables or equipment directly associated with the implementation of the MitOConexão project;
6. Collaboration in the preparation of applications for competitive research funding, within the strategic and collaborative activities of the laboratories participating in the MitOConexão project;
7. Support for the guidance and supervision of projects, dissertations or theses of undergraduate or postgraduate students of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto or of partner institutions whose work falls within the research lines of the MitOConexão project;
8. Support for the collection, organisation and updating of information on the MitOConexão research projects and associated projects, ensuring internal and external scientific communication;
9. Collaboration in the collection and organisation of the information required for external audits relating to research projects, occupational health and safety standards and compliance with environmental protection regulations.

9. Composition of the Selection Panel:

In accordance with Article 22(1)(g) and Article 25(4) and (5) of the Regulation and Article 13(3) and (4) of the RJEC, the Selection Panel shall be composed as follows:

Chair of the Selection Panel:

Professor Fernando Carlos de Landér Schmitt, Full Professor at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, in his capacity as Director of the host Research Unit RISE-Health, by delegation of the Director of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, pursuant to Article 25(5) of the Regulation, conferred by Order no. 13129/2026, published in the Official Gazette (Diário da República), 2nd Series, no. 208, of 27 October 2026.

Members of the Selection Panel:

1st full member: Dr. António de Sousa Barros, Assistant Researcher, Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto

2nd full member: Professor Fernando Maria Pacheco Cunha Osório Araújo, Invited Assistant Professor, Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto

3rd full member: Dr. Isabel Alexandra Marcos Miranda, Principal Researcher, Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto

4th full member: Professor Inês Maria Falcão Sousa Pires Marques, Full Professor, Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto

1st substitute member: Dr. Fábio Jorge Sousa Trindade, Assistant Researcher, FMUP

2nd substitute member: Dr. Rita Marisa Nogueira Ferreira, Entry-Level PhD Researcher, FMUP

10. Selection methods:

Pursuant to Article 29(1), (3) and (4) of the Regulation and Article 5(1) and (5) of the RJEC, the selection methods are as follows:

a) Assessment of the Scientific and Curricular Path of candidates (APCC) – 90%;

b) Interview (ENT), if the Selection Panel deems it necessary, pursuant to Article 26(2)(b) of the Regulation – 10%.

11. Assessment of the Scientific and Curricular Path (APCC):

11.1. The assessment of the scientific and curricular path takes into account the profile suited to the activity to be carried out and focuses on the relevance, quality and timeliness of the following criteria, which must be considered and weighted separately, pursuant to Article 31(1) and Article 16(6) of the Regulation and Article 5(2) of the RJEC:

1. The scientific and professional path, namely professional research experience in the scientific area(s) of the competition;
2. Scientific and technological output in the area(s) for which the competition is opened, and applied or practice-based research activities;
3. Knowledge extension and dissemination activities, management of science, technology and innovation programmes, or experience in the observation and monitoring of the scientific and technological system.

11.2. In assessing the criteria referred to in points (b) and (c) of the previous point, the activity carried out over the last 5 (five) years shall be taken into account, pursuant to Article 5(2) of the RJEC.

11.3. The 5 (five)-year period referred to in the previous point may be extended by the Selection Panel, at the candidate's request, where justified by the suspension of scientific activity for socially protected reasons, namely parental leave, prolonged serious illness and other legally protected situations of unavailability for work, pursuant to Article 5(3) of the RJEC.

11.4. The components, parameters and weightings of the Assessment of the Scientific and Curricular Path (APCC) are detailed below:

A. Criterion for the assessment of the Scientific and Professional Path (PCP) (5%):

A1. Scientific and professional path and specialised training in the area of clinical and/or laboratory research in the cardiovascular, metabolic, obesity-related or oncology fields, including attendance of practical courses or internships in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Cell Culture, Histology and Techniques for the Assessment of Mitochondrial and Cardiac Function (100%).

B. Criteria for the assessment of the Scientific and Technological Output (PCT) (90%):

B1. Scientific output and research results obtained through the application of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Cell Culture and Histology techniques and techniques for the assessment of mitochondrial and cardiac function (20%);

B2. Applied research activities in the storage and cataloguing of biological samples in biobanks, and the respective results (20%);

B3. Research results (publications, communications, technical reports or other) obtained through the performance of the laboratory techniques referred to in point 8.2, including biochemistry, molecular biology (electrophoresis, PCR, omics), cell culture, histology and experimental animal models (20%);

B4. Scientific publications in indexed peer-reviewed journals and participation in relevant research projects in the cardiovascular, metabolic and mitochondrial fields (20%);

B5. Scientific and technological output in data processing and analysis using statistical and bioinformatics tools and data and sample management systems, namely databases, tools or pipelines developed (20%).

C. Criterion for the assessment of Knowledge Extension and Dissemination Activities (AEDC) (5%):

C1. Participation in scientific and technological dissemination events and in supervision and training activities in the scientific area of the competition (100%).

11.5. The final APCC score is obtained using the following formula: APCC = (A × 0.05) + (B × 0.90) + (C × 0.05), where A = A1, B = (B1 × 0.20) + (B2 × 0.20) + (B3 × 0.20) + (B4 × 0.20) + (B5 × 0.20) and C = C1, each parameter being scored on a scale of 0 to 100 points.

12. Interview Assessment (ENT):

12.1. Up to a maximum of 3 (three) of the highest-ranked candidates in the Assessment of the Scientific and Curricular Path shall be admitted to the interview, should the Selection Panel deem it necessary, pursuant to Article 29(4)(b)(ii) and Article 26(2)(b) of the Regulation and Article 5(5) of the RJEC.

12.2. The sole purpose of the interview is to clarify aspects of the research carried out by the candidates, pursuant to Article 33(1) of the Regulation, and it comprises the following components, parameters and weightings:

1. Clarification of the results and aspects of the research carried out by the candidate (90%);
2. Clarity and communication skills in presenting the research carried out (10%).

12.3. The interview shall last a maximum of one hour, pursuant to Article 33(1) of the Regulation, and may be held by videoconference on the initiative of the Chair of the Selection Panel or at the reasoned request of the candidate, pursuant to Article 33(2) of the Regulation.

12.4. Failure to attend the interview stage shall be deemed a withdrawal from the competition, and the candidates concerned shall be excluded from the selection procedure, pursuant to Article 22(1)(c) and Article 29(3) and (4)(b)(ii) of the Regulation.

12.5. The ENT score is obtained using the following formula: ENT = (0.9 × D) + (0.1 × E).

13. Final Score (CF):

The Final Score (CF) of candidates is expressed on a scale of 0 to 100 points and is obtained by applying the following formula: CF = (0.9 × APCC) + (0.1 × ENT) or, where the Interview (ENT) method is not applied, the following formula: CF = APCC.

In the event of a tie in the final score, the candidate with the highest score in the Assessment of the Scientific and Curricular Path shall prevail and, should the tie persist, the candidate with the highest score in criterion B of that assessment; should the tie still persist, the Chair of the Selection Panel shall have the casting vote, pursuant to Article 27(7)(b) and Article 32(3) of the Regulation.

14. Scoring of the selection methods:

Pursuant to Article 34(1) and (2) of the Regulation, each member of the Selection Panel assesses the scientific and curricular path and, where applicable, the interview, on a scale of 0 to 100 points, scored to two decimal places.

15. Assessment methodology:

The methodology for ranking the applications, the voting rules and the drawing up of the respective minutes are governed by Articles 27 (Decisions of the Selection Panel) and 32 (Ranking of candidates – Assessment of the scientific and curricular path) of the Regulation, to which reference is hereby made.

16. Submission of applications:

16.1. Applications must be submitted within 10 working days, by 23:59 (mainland Portugal local time) on 11 November 2026, pursuant to Article 24 of the Regulation.

16.2. Applications must be submitted on the University of Porto recruitment platform, APPLY UP: https://app.apply.up.pt – Ref. INVTERM-FMUP-26-28.

16.3. Applications must be accompanied by the mandatory supporting documents evidencing the conditions set out in this Notice, pursuant to Article 22(1)(j) of the Regulation and Article 12(2) of the RJEC, namely:

1. Copy of the PhD degree certificate or diploma;
2. Curriculum Vitae (detailed), in Portuguese or English, containing all information relevant to the assessment of the application and to demonstrating compliance with the criteria set out in points 3 and 4 of this Notice, organised according to the APCC criteria set out in point 11.4;
3. Cover letter, containing:
   1. motivation for performing the duties;
   2. the most relevant scientific activities, under point 11 of this Notice; and
   3. evidence of availability to take up duties;
4. Supporting documents considered relevant for assessing the eligibility of the application and documents that the candidate considers relevant for the assessment of their merit, namely evidence of scientific skills, scientific and technological output, research activities, participation in projects and publications.

16.4. Failure to submit the documents referred to in points 16.3(a) to (d) shall result in the exclusion of the application.

16.5. The Selection Panel may, whenever it deems necessary, request candidates to submit additional documentation relating to the curriculum submitted, pursuant to Article 26(2)(a) of the Regulation.

17. Notifications and prior hearing of interested parties:

17.1. Notifications shall be made by publication on the APPLY UP electronic platform, pursuant to Article 112(1)(c) of the CPA, taking effect pursuant to Article 113(5) of the CPA, and pursuant to Article 22(1)(i) of the Regulation.

17.2. Candidates shall have a period of 10 working days in which, should they so wish, to submit their observations at the prior hearing of interested parties, under Articles 121 et seq. of the CPA and Article 35 of the Regulation, on the APPLY UP electronic platform.

18. Period of validity:

This competitive selection procedure is valid exclusively for filling the position(s) advertised and shall lapse once such position(s) have been filled. In the event of refusal, withdrawal or impossibility of recruiting the selected candidate, pursuant to Article 37(4) of Regulation no. 849/2026, the next candidates on the final ranking list may be called for the same position.

19. Other provisions:

FMUP actively promotes a non-discrimination and equal access policy, pursuant to Article 1(3) of the Regulation and Article 24(1) of the CT, whereby no application may be privileged, favoured, disadvantaged, deprived of any right or exempted from any duty on the grounds of, inter alia, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, family situation, economic situation, education, social origin or condition, genetic heritage, reduced work capacity, disability, chronic illness, nationality, ethnic origin or race, territory of origin, language, religion, political or ideological beliefs and trade union membership.

20. Approval of the Notice of Opening:

This Notice of Opening was approved by the Deputy Director of FMUP, Professor Filipa Abreu Gomes de Carvalho, in the exercise of the powers delegated under point 1.1(iii) of Order no. 9857/2026, published in the Official Gazette (Diário da República), 2nd Series, no. 150, of 5 August 2026, following a favourable opinion of the Scientific Council of FMUP, issued at its meeting of 21 October 2026, pursuant to Article 21(3) of the Regulation.

This notice is a translation of the original Portuguese version. In the event of any discrepancy between the Portuguese and English versions, the Portuguese version shall prevail.

Porto, 28 October 2026.

The Deputy Director of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto,

Professor Filipa Abreu Gomes de Carvalho.

The Portuguese acronyms used for the selection methods, assessment criteria and final score (e.g. APCC, ENT, PCP, PCT, AEDC and CF) have been retained in this English version so that the formulas are identical in both language versions.

If the doctorate was awarded by a foreign higher education institution, it must be recognised by a Portuguese higher education institution, pursuant to Article 25 of Decree-Law no. 66/2018, of 16 August, which approves the legal framework for the recognition of academic degrees and higher education diplomas awarded by foreign higher education institutions, and Article 4(2)(e) of Decree-Law no. 60/2018, of 3 August, and any formalities laid down therein must be completed by the date of recruitment.

Requirements

• Research Field: Medical sciences » Health sciences
• Education Level: PhD or equivalent

Work Location(s)

• Number of offers available: 1
• Company/Institute: Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto
• Country: Portugal
• City: Porto

Contact

• City: Porto
• Website: https://sigarra.up.pt/fmup/pt/noticias_geral.ver_noticia?p_nr=119124
• Street: Alameda Professor Hernani Monteiro
• Postal Code: 4200 - 319
• E-Mail: contratacaorh@med.up.pt