Research Fellowship for MSc - GENE-BOOST

Offer Description

Work Plan: The aim of the work is the development of hybrid mechanistic/deep neural network models in the Python platform. The work implies the development of novel algorithms for efficient training of deep hybrid models and respective software implementation. The work also aims at the practical implementation of such hybrid models for the optimization of biologics production in animal cell culture, leveraged on lab and/or production experimental data.

Fellowship duration: The fellowship will last for 12 months, starting in November 2026. The fellowship contract may eventually be renewed within the term of the project.

Application deadline and form of application submission: The call is open from the 21st of October to the 03rd of November 2026.

Documentation to be provided at the time of application: Applications must be formalized, mandatorily, by sending the following documents:
i) Letter of application;
ii) Curriculum Vitae;
iii) Documents proving the academic degrees obtained and their classification* (in the application phase may be replaced by a declaration of honor as stated in point nº. 2).
iv) Proof of enrollment in a doctorate;

Note 1: For academic degrees conferred by a foreign higher education institution, it is mandatory to present the record of recognition of the academic degree and the conversion of the final classification to the Portuguese scale (process regulated by Decree-Law No. 341/2007, of 12 October), or alternatively, to obtain equivalence/recognition of academic degrees (process regulated by Decree-Law No. 283/83. of June 21).

Form of submission of applications: Applications must be sent by email to rmo@fct.unl.pt.

Documentation to be provided upon contracting: Proof of academic degrees or their equivalence when they have been awarded by foreign higher education institutions; Proof of enrollment in a doctorate.

Funded by European Commission

Where to apply

E-mail: rmo@fct.unl.pt

Requirements

• Research Field: Biological sciences » Biological engineering — Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
• Research Field: Technology » Biotechnology — Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
• Research Field: Chemistry » Biochemistry — Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

Recipients profile/category: Candidates must have:

• a master degree in Bioengineering, Biotechnology, Biochemistry or related areas.
• be enrolled in a doctorate;
• Submit the documents proving these situations, at the latest, until the contracting phase of the scholarship, which may be replaced by a declaration of honour, which is attached;
• not exceed, with the conclusion of this contract, a cumulative period of four years;
• Candidates must have experience in bioprocess modelling, preferably hybrid mechanistic/neural networks modelling and/or Machine Learning of bioprocesses.
• Experience in Python programming is a key requirement.

Additional Information

Benefits

Monthly maintenance allowance amount: The amount of the scholarship corresponds to €1 359,64, having as reference the table of values of the scholarships awarded directly by FCT, I.P. in Portugal, with payment made monthly by bank transfer.

Eligibility criteria

Recipients profile/category: Candidates must have:

• a master degree in Bioengineering, Biotechnology, Biochemistry or related areas.
• be enrolled in a doctorate;
• Submit the documents proving these situations, at the latest, until the contracting phase of the scholarship, which may be replaced by a declaration of honour, which is attached;
• not exceed, with the conclusion of this contract, a cumulative period of four years;
• Candidates must have experience in bioprocess modelling, preferably hybrid mechanistic/neural networks modelling and/or Machine Learning of bioprocesses.
• Experience in Python programming is a key requirement.

Selection process

Selection criteria:
The selection methods to be used and the respective weighting will be as follows:
a. Curricular assessment (grade from 1 to 20) weighting 50%;
b. Experience in the research area (score from 1 to 20) weighting 50%.

Score=50%×A+50%×B

All applications will be evaluated on a scale from 0 to 20 values.

Candidates who do not obtain a minimum grade of 15, as a result of the jury's evaluation according to the selection criteria, will not be hired.

Additional comments

Composition of the Selection Jury: Prof. Rui Oliveira (Effective Member), Prof. Rafael Costa (Effective Member), Dr. José Pinto (Effective Member), Prof. Filomena Freitas (Substitute Member) and Dr. Cristiana Torres (Substitute Member).

Form of advertising/notification of results: The evaluation results proposed by the juri will be notified, up to 90 days after the deadline for the submission of applications, by email, of the results proposed by the jury, with access to the minutes and the final ranking list.
After notification, candidates will have 10 working days to comment on the draft decision (prior hearing of interested parties, under the terms of the Code of Administrative Procedure). The final decision will be taken after the expiry of the prior hearing period, again notified to all candidates by e-mail. Of this final decision the candidates can file a complaint within 15 working days (to the e-mail address used for the notification), or an hierarchical appeal, within 30 working days, addressed to NOVA.ID.FCT's Board through the address coord1@novaidfct.pt.

Drafts: The drafts of: i) fellowship contract, ii) final report to be presented by the fellowship holder, iii) final report to be presented by the scientific advisor, and; iv) declaration on honor, can all be found on NOVA.id.FCT website.

Website for additional job details: https://www.novaidfct.pt/content/NOVAID.B542.EDI.pdf

Work Location(s)

• Number of offers available: 1
• Company/Institute: Department of Chemistry of the Faculty of Science and Technology of the Universidade Nova de Lisboa under the scientific guidance of Professor Rui Oliveira, with NOVA.id.FCT - Association for Innovation and Development of FCT being the contracting entity.
• Country: Portugal
• State/Province: Caparica
• City: Caparica

Contact

• City: Caparica
• Website: https://www.novaidfct.pt
• Street: Campus de Caparica
• Postal Code: 2829-516 Caparica