Organisation/Company Centro de Biotecnologia Agrícola e Agro-Alimentar do Alentejo Department Bioactive Compounds Research Group Research Field Biological sciences » Other Chemistry » Biochemistry Agricultural sciences » Other Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Country Portugal Application Deadline 17 Jun 2025 - 23:59 (Europe/London) Type of Contract To be defined Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 40 Offer Starting Date 7 Jul 2025 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Other EU programme Reference Number ALT2030-FSE+-01783000 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No
Offer Description
The Centre for Agricultural and Agro-Food Biotechnology of Alentejo (CEBAL) is launching a call for the recruitment of a PhD researcher, under the internal reference CBL004/RHAQ, within the scope of the project entitled “CEBAL for Research, Transfer, and Sustainable Action (CITAS) – RHAQ Programme: Strengthening Research and Knowledge Transfer for Sustainable Development” (REF: ALT2030-FSE+-01783000), funded by the Alentejo Regional Operational Programme (Alentejo 2030) – “Recruitment of Highly Qualified Human Resources in Scientific Infrastructures, Scientific and Technological Institutions, and Collaborative Laboratories” (ALT2030-2024-12), through the European Social Fund Plus (FSE+).
The duties to be performed will focus on the thematic line of clean technologies and bioproducts, aiming at the systematization of non-conventional extraction processes and methodologies, both those already included in CEBAL’s portfolio and new ones to be developed and optimized, in order to scale their application across different sectors. This will involve the development of complementary approaches to maximize the biological potential of bioproducts in two main areas:
* Agriculture (e.g., biofertilizers, bioherbicides, and biocides);
* Food biotechnology (e.g., new ingredients with greater oxidative and microbiological stability, enriched extracts with nutraceutical potential, shelf-life extension, and enhancement of organoleptic properties).
The Postdoctoral researcher will also be responsible for complementary activities inherent to the position, namely: development of knowledge and technology transfer activities; organization and statistical treatment of results; preparation of technical reports and dissemination materials, among others.
Where to apply
E-mail fatima.duarte@cebal.pt
Requirements
Research Field Agricultural sciences » Other Education Level PhD or equivalent
Research Field Chemistry » Biochemistry Education Level PhD or equivalent
Research Field Biological sciences » Other Education Level PhD or equivalent
Skills/Qualifications
* Experience in non-conventional extraction processes, namely Pulse Field Ultrasound;
* Proven experience in chemical characterization of extracts, with proficiency in analytical methodologies, particularly HPLC, as well as other methods for chemical characterization and quantification;
* Experience in the development and characterization of nanoemulsions, and evaluation of their stability;
* Experience in the evaluation of biological activities of extracts and formulations, namely the determination of antioxidant, antimicrobial, and phytotoxic potential, with expertise in the associated laboratory techniques;
* Excellent oral and written communication skills;
* Strong results-oriented mindset and ability to work effectively in a team;
* Valid driving license and own vehicle;
* In case of equal conditions, residence in the Alentejo region and immediate availability will be considered a strong preference factor.
Specific Requirements
Candidates will be admitted if they cumulatively meet the following requirements:
* PhD degree in Biochemistry, Agro-Food Resources, Biotechnology or related fields;
* Minimum of five years of professional experience in experimental research in bioprocesses and bioproducts, with expertise in clean technologies, specifically in extraction processes from plant resources and agro-food by-products, using non-conventional, low-energy extraction methodologies oriented towards industrial scale-up, fractionation of extracts, formulation of bioactive solutions, and evaluation of their application potential in the agricultural and/or food sectors;
* Driving license for light vehicles (Category B);
* Good knowledge of English and Spanish languages, and full proficiency (written and spoken) in Portuguese is mandatory.
Languages PORTUGUESE Level Mother Tongue
Languages ENGLISH Level Excellent
Languages SPANISH Level Excellent
Research Field Biological sciences » OtherAgricultural sciences » OtherChemistry » Biochemistry Years of Research Experience 4 - 10
Additional Information
The hiring will be carried out through an open-ended fixed-term contract under private law, to be concluded pursuant to paragraph h) of Article 140(2) of the Portuguese Labor Code, and in accordance with the applicable legislation. The monthly base salary is €2,523.37, in line with the Scientific Research Career, index 140, and subject to possible updates under the current Unified Remuneration Table (TRU). It should be noted that the employee is also entitled to a meal allowance for each day of actual work, as well as holiday and Christmas bonuses, in accordance with current legislation.
Selection process
The selection criteria will be as follows, with the respective weightings:
* Curriculum assessment (evaluation of the Curriculum Vitae, according to the admission requirements) – 40%;
* Degree of alignment between the candidate’s curriculum and the duties to be performed – 60%.
The jury may determine the need to conduct an individual interview with the top-ranked candidates. In this context, the selection criteria and their respective weightings will be as follows:
* Curriculum assessment (evaluation of the Curriculum Vitae, according to the admission requirements) – 30%;
* Degree of alignment between the candidate’s curriculum and the duties to be performed – 60%;
* Individual interview – 10%.
In case that none of the candidates meets the required profile, the jury reserves the right to close the recruitment process without selecting a candidate.
Additional comments
Applications must be formally submitted with the following mandatory documents:
* Detailed Curriculum Vitae;
* Copy(ies) of academic degree certificate(s) (If the academic degrees were awarded by a foreign higher education institution, they must comply with the provisions of Decree-Law No. 66/2018, of August 16. Compliance with any formalities established therein must occur by the application deadline);
* Documents demonstrating relevant experience for the duties to be performed (up to a maximum of 3 documents, compiled into a single PDF file).
Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute CEBAL - Alentejo Biotechnology Center for Agriculture and Agro-food Country Portugal City Beja Postal Code 7801 - 908 Street Rua Pedro Soares, Apartado 6158 #J-18808-Ljbffr