The Polytechnic of Leiria is offering a Postdoctoral Research Scientific Fellowship (BIPD-185144) within the ESSLei project, titled "From Concept to Certification: A Digital Tool for Chrononutrition Interventions." This 15-month fellowship, potentially renewable, is scheduled to start on 1 May 2026 and is funded by the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) through national funds. The position is based at ESSLei under the scientific supervision of Professor Sara Simões Dias.

The research focuses on the development and validation of a digital platform designed to support chrononutrition interventions for individuals with obesity. The project aims to optimize the application for monitoring dietary and circadian patterns, support chronotype characterization, and collect clinical, behavioral, and circadian data. Additionally, the fellow will contribute to mapping regulatory compliance requirements, including GDPR, EU AI Act, and European Medical Device Regulation (MDR 2017/745), preparing the platform for certification as Software as a Medical Device (SaMD).

Key objectives include: supporting chronotype characterization and data collection, contributing to platform development and usability, mapping regulatory requirements for certification, and participating in data analysis and scientific dissemination. The fellowship will help establish scientific, technological, and regulatory foundations for future clinical validations and the safe implementation of digital tools in personalized nutrition.

Applicants must hold a PhD in Nutrition Sciences or related fields, obtained within the last three years. Candidates with foreign degrees must ensure recognition and conversion to the Portuguese classification scale, or provide a declaration of honour at the application stage. The selection process involves curriculum evaluation and interview, with minimum scores required for progression. Eligible candidates include national citizens, EU citizens, third-country nationals, stateless persons, and beneficiaries of political refugee status.

The financial package includes a monthly maintenance allowance of €1851, Voluntary Social Security if applicable, and Personal Accident Insurance. Payment is processed monthly by bank transfer. The activity regime is exclusive, in accordance with applicable regulations.

Applications must be submitted online via the Polytechnic of Leiria recruitment portal, accompanied by proof of academic degree, CV, and relevant certifications. The application window is open from 4 March 2026 to 17 March 2026. For further information on degree recognition, visit the Directorate-General for Higher Education website.

Successful candidates will be notified of provisional results by email within 90 working days after the application deadline, with opportunities for comment and complaint as per administrative procedures. An internal recruitment reserve may be constituted for future needs during project eligibility.

This fellowship offers an excellent opportunity for early-career researchers in nutrition sciences to contribute to innovative digital health solutions and regulatory frameworks in personalized nutrition.