Research Grant | project Polina, 101129842, CICECO

Organisation/Company University of Aveiro Department CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials Research Field Chemistry Chemistry » Biochemistry Technology » Biotechnology Engineering » Materials engineering Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions Bachelor Positions Application Deadline 9 Oct 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Lisbon) Country Portugal Type of Contract Not Applicable Job Status Not Applicable Hours Per Week 35 Offer Starting Date 15 Oct 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe - EIC Reference Number 101129842 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

A tender is hereby opened for the award of 1 (one) Research Grant (RG) under POLINA - "Unprecedented photolithographic structuring of novel light-sensitive poly(amino acid) materials - a paradigm shift in delivering biocompatible devices", reference 101129842 of CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials, under the following conditions:

1. Scientific Area: Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Materials Science and Engineering

2. Financing Source HORIZON EIC Grants - 101129842
3. Admission Requirements:
3.1. 2. Students enrolled in master
3.2. 3. Bachelor's Degree in: Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Materials Science and Engineering

4. Other Requirements:
Experience in cell handling and culture, as well as in the production and characterization of biomaterials. Experience in cell metabolic engineering, 3D cellular systems, living materials fabrication, and the modification or functionalization of biomaterials with chemical groups will be particularly valued.

5. Eligibility: Applicants are eligible if they comply with paragraph a) of no.1 of article 2, of the Research Fellow Statute in the wording given by Decree-Law no. 123/2019, of August 28th, and also the provisions of article 9 of the Scientific Research Grant Regulations of the University of Aveiro.

6. Work plan: Develop and validate biofabrication systems based on a new library of “clickable” and photoresponsive poly(amino acid)s (PAAs) and human cells. Develop and optimize 3D cellular systems and living materials, exploring cell and metabolic engineering strategies and the integration of cells into biomaterial matrices. Evaluate the compatibility, functionality, and organization of cells within the developed biomaterials and explore the formation of 3D structures with light-controlled geometries and cell densities.

7. Applicable legislation and regulations: Research Fellow Statute, as amended by Decree-Law No. 123/2019, of August 28th; Scientific Research Grant Regulation of the University of Aveiro, Regulation No. 292/2020, published in Diário da República No. 61, Series II, of March 26th; Decree-Law No. 66/2018, of August 16th (Legal regime of recognition of academic degrees and diplomas of higher education awarded by foreign higher education institutions).

8. Workplace: The work will be carried out at Chemistry Department / CICECO of the University of Aveiro, under the scientific supervision of Professor Doctor Vítor Manuel Abreu Gaspar.

9. Duration of the grant(s): The grant duration will be 12 months, starting in October of 2026, and may be renewed for additional periods , up to the maximum limit of approved funding. Under no circumstances shall it exceed the limits defined in nos. 5 and 6 of article 9, of Regulation no. 292/2020, of February 28th, published in Diário da República, no. 61, Series II, of March 26th (Scientific Research Grant Regulation of the University of Aveiro).

10. Amount of monthly maintenance allowance: The amount of the grant corresponds to € 1.090,98, according to the table of values of monthly maintenance allowances, set out in Appendix III of the Scientific Research Grant Regulation of the University of Aveiro, subject to any updates that may occur and are applicable. The fellow may also be reimbursed for the amount corresponding to the Voluntary Social Security, in case of adherence to this plan.

11. Selection methods: The selection methods to be used will be the following: Experience in the production and handling of biomaterials and cells. Experience in cell metabolic engineering, 3D cellular systems, living materials fabrication, and the modification or functionalization of biomaterials with chemical groups will be particularly valued. and academic background, with the respective value of 70% for work experience and 30% for academic background.
The jury reserves the right not to hire any of the candidates if they do not obtain a score equal to or higher than 15 points on a scale of 0 to 20 points.

12. Composition of the Selection Jury: Chair of the Jury: Professor Vítor Manuel Abreu Gaspar, Assistant Professor at the University of Aveiro; Member 1: Professor João Filipe Colardelle da Luz Mano, Full Professor at the University of Aveiro; Me