Post-Doctoral Research Grant (BIPD) – SUSTAiN: Intelligent System for Adaptive and Sustainable Cultivation Instituto Politécnico de Bragança in Portugal

The Instituto Politécnico de Bragança invites applications for a Post-Doctoral Research Grant (BIPD) within the SUSTAiN project, an initiative focused on developing intelligent systems for adaptive and sustainable cultivation. The project is funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and NORTE2030 under the Portugal 2030 Program, and aims to advance sustainable agriculture through the optimization of hydroponic systems, integrating IoT technologies and artificial intelligence to enhance the nutritional, chemical, and bioactive quality of fruits produced in controlled environments.

The research will be conducted at CIMO-IPB under the scientific supervision of Dr. Maria Inês Dias and Dr. Carla Pereira. The main tasks include developing innovative methodologies to evaluate the impact of smart cultivation conditions on the chemical and bioactive composition of hydroponically grown fruits, identifying and quantifying primary and secondary metabolites with nutritional and functional relevance using advanced chromatographic and spectrometric techniques, correlating physicochemical and bioactive parameters with environmental variables, validating the antioxidant and preservative potential of extracts, and promoting scientific and technological dissemination of results.

Applicants must possess a PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences and a Master's degree in Food Quality and Safety. Essential qualifications include experience in the chemical and nutritional characterization of natural matrices, extraction and chemical characterization of natural compounds (such as phenolic compounds, pigments, and other bioactive metabolites from plant matrices), proficiency in chromatographic (HPLC, GC, LC-MS) and spectrometric techniques (mass spectrometry, UV-Vis spectrophotometry), conducting assays for bioactivity evaluation, scientific writing and technical dissemination evidenced by publications in indexed international journals, patent development, and proficiency in written and spoken English. Academic degrees obtained abroad must be recognized by a Portuguese institution. Good command of Portuguese and English is valued for international scientific communication and collaboration.

The grant offers a monthly maintenance allowance of €1,851.00, personal accident insurance, and the option to join a voluntary social security scheme if not already covered. The initial duration is 12 months, with the possibility of renewal up to a maximum of 24 months. The selection process includes curriculum evaluation, assessment of relevant experience, and scientific writing skills. Applications are accepted from 06/03/2026 to 20/03/2026 via the IPB application portal. Required documents include a Curriculum Vitae, academic qualifications certificate, and a letter of motivation. Results will be published on the portal or notified by email.

This opportunity is ideal for researchers with expertise in food technology, chemistry, sustainable agriculture, and advanced analytical techniques, seeking to contribute to innovative solutions in sustainable cultivation and food quality enhancement.