PhD Grant in Non-academic Environment

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

The company ICNAS PHARMA Unipessoal, Lda opens a call for the assignment of a PhD Grant in a non-academic environment, with the following characteristics:

Number of scholarships: 1

Scientific field: Medicinal Chemistry; Radiochemistry

Type of activity: Development and preclinical evaluation of theranostic radioembolic agents for cancer therapy

Funding: The scholarship is funded by ICNAS PHARMA Unipessoal, Lda.

Eligibility: Applicants must hold a Master’s degree in one of the scientific fields listed above or in a related field and enrolled in a PhD’s degree course in the scientific area of this call (Medicinal Chemistry or Radiochemistry)

Work plan:

1. Optimization of radiolabeling conditions for Lipiodol with different radioisotopes intended for radioembolization, and evaluation of the radiochemical properties of the resulting radioembolic agents.
2. Formulation development and optimization, including stability assessment and quality control of the final radioactive formulations, to support their translation into preclinical studies.
3. In vivo evaluation in mammalian models, including biodistribution, dosimetry, imaging, and preclinical safety studies.
4. Processing, analysis, and interpretation of the data generated to support the selection and optimization of the most promising radioembolic candidates.

Place of work: ICNAS PHARMA Unipessoal, Lda., located at the Instituto de Ciências Nucleares Aplicadas à Saúde, Pólo das Ciências da Saúde da Universidade de Coimbra, Coimbra

Duration of the scholarship: 4 years.

Renewal: The scholarship may be renewed, subject to the applicable conditions.

Financial conditions: The scholarship provides a monthly stipend of €1,359.64, in accordance with the rates established by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, FCT). The stipend will be paid by bank transfer at the end of each month. In addition, personal accident insurance will be provided. If the scholarship holder opts to enroll in the voluntary social security scheme, the corresponding contribution at the first contribution level will also be covered. The monthly stipend will remain unchanged throughout the entire scholarship period.

Terms of the scholarship: The award of the scholarship does not establish or constitute an employment relationship. The scholarship must be undertaken on a full-time, exclusive basis, and the scholarship holder shall be subject to the status of research scholarship holder, in accordance with the FCT Research Fellowship Regulations (Regulation No. 950/2019, published in Diário da República, 2nd Series, No. 241, of 16 December 2019, as amended by Notice (extract) No. 412/2026/2, published in Diário da República, 2nd Series, No. 4, of 7 January 2026), the provisions available at https://www.fct.pt/financiamento/programas-de-financiamento/bolsas/, and Law No. 40/2004 of 18 August, as amended by Decree-Law No. 233/2012 of 27 October.

Selection procedure: Applications will be assessed on the basis of curriculum vitae and suitability for the position, weighted at 60% and 40%, respectively.

Application requirements: Applicants must submit a motivation letter, a curriculum vitae including their academic record, and copies of their academic degree certificates and proof of enrolment in a PhD degree.

Submission of applications: Applications must be submitted either by email to icnasp@uc.pt or by post to:

ICNAS PHARMA Unipessoal, Lda
Pólo Ciências da Saúde da Universidade de Coimbra
Azinhaga de Santa Comba
3000-548 Coimbra

Scientific supervisor: Professor Antero José Pena Afonso de Abrunhosa

Selection panel: Professor Miguel de Sá e Sousa de Castelo Branco, Professor Antero José Pena Afonso de Abrunhosa, and Professor Francisco José Cerqueira Alves

Application period: 21/10/2026 a 04/11/2026

Publication date: 21/10/2026

Application deadline: 04/11/2026

Notification of results: The results of the evaluation will be announced within 90 working days of the application deadline. Applicants will be notified by email. Following publication of the results, applicants shall be deemed to have been formally notified and may, if they so wish, submit representations during the prior hearing procedure within a maximum of 10 working days from the date of notification. Once this period has elapsed, the selected candidate must formally accept the scholarship in writing and indicate the intended start date. Unless an acceptable justification is provided, failure to submit the acceptance within the specified period shall be deemed a waiver of the scholarship. In the event that the selected candidate declines or withdraws from the scholarship, the next-ranked candidate will be notified.

Where to apply

E-mail: icnasp@uc.pt

Requirements

Research Field: Chemistry

Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications: Applicants must hold a Master’s degree in one of the scientific fields listed above or in a related field and enrolled in a PhD’s degree course in the scientific area of this call (Medicinal Chemistry or Radiochemistry)

Specific Requirements: Applicants must submit a motivation letter, a curriculum vitae including their academic record, and copies of their academic degree certificates and proof of enrolment in a PhD degree.

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available: 1

Company/Institute: ICNAS PHARMA Unipessoal, Lda

Country: Portugal

City: Coimbra

Postal Code: 3000-548

Street: Polo das Ciências da Saúde da Univ. Coimbra

Contact

City: Coimbra

Website: https://www.uc.pt/icnas/icnaspharma/

Street: Edifício do ICNAS, Polo III da Univ. Coimbra

Postal Code: 3000548

E-Mail: icnasp@uc.pt