Call for Research Grant Assignment | IN1633 | METRAJAKi | 1236092

Organisation/Company Universidade de Coimbra Department Divisão de Projetos e Atividades (Bolsas) Research Field Medical sciences » Health sciences Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Application Deadline 2 Nov 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Lisbon) Country Portugal Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 35 Offer Starting Date 20 Oct 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

The University of Coimbra opens a call for the assignment of a research grant, with 1 position(s), under the project .PEX, title METRAJAKi - Link between Metabolic Stress and Fatigue in Rheumatoid Arthritis. Role of Janus Kinase (JAK) Inhibitors.

The call is governed by this Notice of Opening, the University of Coimbra Research Grant Regulations (RBI-UC), subsidiarily by the Research Grant Regulations of the Foundation for Science and Technology (RBI-FCT), by the Research Fellow Statute (EBI), by the Norms for Grant Assignment and Management within R&D Projects, by the Code of Administrative Procedure (CPA), all in their current wording, and by other applicable national and community legislation.

Procedure Reference: IT

I.I - Grant Recipients:

Master’s degree holders in Biomedical Research, Cellular and Molecular Biology, Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, or related scientific fields enrolled in a doctoral degree.

OR

Master’s degree holders, in the scientific area of Biomedical Research, Cellular and Molecular Biology, Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, or related scientific fields, enrolled in a non‑degree‑granting course.

I.II - The non‑degree‑granting course must be related to the type of activity covered by the grant. Non‑degree‑granting courses are defined as those referred to in subparagraph e) of paragraph 3 of Article 4 of Decree‑Law No. 74/2006, in its current wording, provided that, under subparagraph e) of Article 3 of RBI‑FCT, they are developed in association or cooperation between the higher education institution and one or more R&D units.

I.III - Ineligible candidates:

Candidates enrolled in non‑degree‑granting courses who have already benefited from a grant contract and who, with this grant assignment, including possible renewals, exceed a total accumulated period of two consecutive or non‑consecutive years in this type of grant.

I.IV - Eligible for grant assignment if meeting the requirements:

a) Portuguese nationals or nationals of other EU Member States

b) Nationals of third countries

c) Stateless persons

d) Beneficiaries of political refugee status

When the work plan takes place, in whole or in part, in foreign institutions, only candidates who can prove permanent and habitual residence in Portugal at the start of the grant are eligible.

II - Grant location: Centre for Innovation in Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CiBB), University of Coimbra

IV - Work Plan / Goals to be achieved: To investigate immune metabolism in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and plasma samples from individuals with Rheumatoid Arthritis, Fibromyalgia, and healthy controls.

The activities to be conducted at the University of Coimbra include:

1. Isolation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and plasma;

2. Assessment of mitochondrial membrane potential, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and mitochondrial mass by flow cytometry;

3. Determination of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number by RT‑PCR;

4. Assessment of gene expression by RT‑PCR;

5. Evaluation of mitochondrial respiratory chain oxygen consumption and glycolytic activity using Seahorse assays;

6. Quantification of intracellular ATP levels using a chemiluminescence assay;

7. Analysis of energy substrate oxidation using MitoPlate assays.

V.I - Renewal Possibility: Non‑renewable

VI - Funding and financial conditions of the grant

VI.I - Monthly grant amount (paid by