Research Initiation Grant for Students Enrolled in a Master's or Integrated Master's Degree Programme

Offer Description

Applications are invited for the award of 1 (one) Research Initiation Grant for students enrolled in a Master's or Integrated Master's Degree Programme, within the scope of the project Bilirubin and Bile Acids of the Service Provision Unit (Bilirrubina e Ácidos Biliares do Núcleo de Prestação de Serviços), funded by Sector D of the Service Provision Unit (Núcleo de Prestação de Serviços) of the Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Lisbon, under the following conditions:

I. Scientific Area: Biochemistry

II. Admission Requirements:

• Beenrolled in an Integrated Master's Degree Programme in Pharmaceutical Sciences or a related field.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Laboratory experience in high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), thin-layer chromatography (TLC) separation, extraction by alkaline methanolysis, and the use of Sep-Pak C18 cartridges;
• Interest in clinical laboratory analysis.

III. Duration of the Grant: The grant will have a duration of 3 months, potentially renewable up to a maximum total duration of 1 year, with an expected start date in December 2026, on an exclusive basis, in accordance with the provisions of the Research Fellowship Regulations of the University of Lisbon.

IV. Work Plan: The work will consist of the quantification of bile acids by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and the determination of the bilirubin metabolic profile in biological samples from patients referred to the Service Provision Unit (Núcleo de Prestação de Serviços) of the Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Lisbon.

V. Workplace and Scientific Supervision: The work will be carried out at the Carlos da Silveira Building, in the Bilirubin and Bile Acids Sector, on the premises of the Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Lisbon, under the scientific supervision of Dr. Dora Maria Tuna de Oliveira Brites, Emeritus Researcher, and the co-supervision of Dr. Rui Fernando Marques da Silva and Dr. Ana Rita Vaz, both Assistant Professors, all affiliated with the Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Lisbon.

VI. Monthly maintenance stipend: The monthly maintenance stipend amounts to €701.12 and will be paid by bank transfer. The amounts established in the Research Fellowship Regulations of the University of Lisbon are determined and adjusted in accordance with the annual revision of monthly maintenance stipends carried out by FCT, IP.

In addition to the monthly maintenance stipend, the grant holder will also receive an amount corresponding to the first contribution bracket of the Voluntary Social Insurance scheme (Seguro Social Voluntario), should they opt to enrol in this scheme.

VII. Application Submission: Applications must be submitted in a non-editable format (PDF) to concursos@ff.ulisboa.pt, indicating the reference number of this notice. Applications submitted in paper format will not be accepted.

VIII. Application Period: The call for applications is open from 22 October to 4 November 2026 IX. (10 working days).

Where to apply

E-mail: concursos@ff.ulisboa.pt

Requirements

• Research Field: Pharmacological sciences » Pharmacy
• Education Level: Bachelor Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

Scientific Area: Biochemistry
Admission Requirements:
* Beenrolled in an Integrated Master's Degree Programme in Pharmaceutical Sciences or a related field.

Specific Requirements

Preferred Qualifications:

• Laboratory experience in high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), thin-layer chromatography (TLC) separation, extraction by alkaline methanolysis, and the use of Sep-Pak C18 cartridges;
• Interest in clinical laboratory analysis.

• Level: Good
• Research Field: Pharmacological sciences » Pharmacy
• Years of Research Experience: None

Internal Application form(s) needed

Notice n.º BII_9_FF_2026.pdf (English, 951.22 KB - PDF)

Additional Information

Benefits

Monthly maintenance stipend: The monthly maintenance stipend amounts to €701.12 and will be paid by bank transfer. The amounts established in the Research Fellowship Regulations of the University of Lisbon are determined and adjusted in accordance with the annual revision of monthly maintenance stipends carried out by FCT, IP.

In addition to the monthly maintenance stipend, the grant holder will also receive an amount corresponding to the first contribution bracket of the Voluntary Social Insurance scheme (Seguro Social Voluntario), should they opt to enrol in this scheme.

Eligibility criteria

IX. Candidate's Merit:

• Suitability of the Scientific Field of Study (AACF): Candidates will be ranked based on their academic performance in the Integrated Master's Degree Programme in Pharmaceutical Sciences or related fields, and in the Histology and Embryology course unit, with a maximum weighting of 20%;
• Training and Experience (FE): Candidates will be ranked based on their experience in extraction and separation methods using HPLC, particularly high-performance liquid chromatography, separation and extraction by alkaline methanolysis, and the use of Sep-Pak cartridges, with a maximum weighting of 50%;
• Specific Skills for the Proposed Work Plan (CEPTP): Candidates must have laboratory experience in clinical laboratory analyses related to liver diseases, particularly jaundice and cholestasis, with a maximum weighting of 30%.

Final Classification: The selection of the candidate for the position advertised will be based on the score obtained, calculated as the sum of the points awarded under the Candidate's Merit criteria. An individual evaluation form will be completed for this purpose.

X. Application Documents:

1. Application form containing the candidate's identification details (available on the FFUL institutional website);
2. Curriculum Vitae containing the information required for the evaluation of the application;
3. Proof of enrolment in an Integrated Master's Degree Programme in Pharmaceutical Sciences or a related field;
4. Declaration on honour stating that the applicant does not engage in any professional activity or provision of services that would violate the requirement of exclusive dedication (available on the institutional website);
5. Motivation letter;
6. Other supporting documents deemed relevant.

All templates required for the proper submission of applications are available on the FFUL institutional website at the following link: https://www.ff.ulisboa.pt/faculdade/recursos-humanos/recrutamento/bolsa-de-iniciacao-a-investigacao-projeto-bilirrubina-e-acidos-biliares-do-nucleo-de-prestacao-de-servicos

The documents supporting the application must be submitted in either Portuguese or English.

No document required at the application stage may be submitted after the deadline specified in the call for applications. Failure to meet the application deadline, as well as failure to submit or late submission of any of the documents referred to in this section, will result in exclusion from the selection procedure.

Selection process

IX. Candidate's Merit:

• Suitability of the Scientific Field of Study (AACF): Candidates will be ranked based on their academic performance in the Integrated Master's Degree Programme in Pharmaceutical Sciences or related fields, and in the Histology and Embryology course unit, with a maximum weighting of 20%;
• Training and Experience (FE): Candidates will be ranked based on their experience in extraction and separation methods using HPLC, particularly high-performance liquid chromatography, separation and extraction by alkaline methanolysis, and the use of Sep-Pak cartridges, with a maximum weighting of 50%;
• Specific Skills for the Proposed Work Plan (CEPTP): Candidates must have laboratory experience in clinical laboratory analyses related to liver diseases, particularly jaundice and cholestasis, with a maximum weighting of 30%.

Final Classification: The selection of the candidate for the position advertised will be based on the score obtained, calculated as the sum of the points awarded under the Candidate's Merit criteria. An individual evaluation form will be completed for this purpose.

XI. Composition of the Jury: The Jury responsible for the selection process will consist of the President, Dr. Rui Fernando Marques da Silva, Assistant Professor, and two full members, Dr. Dora Maria Tuna de Oliveira Brites, Emeritus Researcher, and Dr. Ana Rita Mendonça Vaz Botelho, Assistant Professor, all affiliated with the Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Lisbon.

Dr. Cristina Luiza Dias de Mello Sampayo, Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Lisbon, was appointed as an alternate member of the Jury.

XII. Publication/Notification of Results: All candidates will be notified by email of the results of the evaluation and will have 10 working days from the date of notification to submit their comments during the prior hearing procedure, in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Code. Following this notification, if no objections are submitted, the results will become final. If objections are submitted, the results will become final 10 working days after the objections have been accepted or rejected.

A complaint or appeal against the final decision may be submitted to the Director of the Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Lisbon, Professor Maria da Graça Tavares Rebelo de Soveral Rodrigues, within 10 working days from the date of notification.

XIII. Applicable Legislation and Regulations: Research Fellowship Regulations of the Foundation for Science and Technology, I.P., Regulation No. 950/2019, of 16 December, published in the Diário da República, 2nd Series, No. 241, of 16 December 2019, as amended by Regulation No. 643/2021, of 14 July, published in the Diário da República, 2nd Series, No. 135, of 14 July 2021, and the Research Fellowship Holder Statute (EBI), Decree-Law No. 123/2019, published in the Diário da República, 1st Series, No. 164, of 28 August.

Website for additional job details: https://www.ff.ulisboa.pt/categoria/faculdade/recursos-humanos/recrutamento/#futuro

Work Location(s)

• Number of offers available: 1
• Company/Institute: Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Lisbon
• Country: Portugal
• State/Province: Lisboa
• City: Lisbon
• Postal Code: 1649-003
• Street: Av. Professor Gama Pinto, s/n

Contact

• State/Province: Lisboa
• City: Lisboa
• Website: https://www.ff.ulisboa.pt/
• Street: Avenida Professor Gama Pinto
• Postal Code: 1649-003
• E-Mail: concursos@ff.ulisboa.pt