Postdoctoral Research Fellowship: In vivo Retinal Optical Coherence Elastography for Early Neurodegeneration Detection

The ADDF – Associação para o Desenvolvimento do Departamento de Física, in partnership with the University of Coimbra, invites applications for a postdoctoral research fellowship in the context of the R&D project 'In vivo retinal optical coherence elastography for early neurodegeneration detection' (COMPETE2030-FEDER-00842900). This project is co-financed by COMPETE 2030, Portugal 2030, and the European Union, and aims to advance the early detection of neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer's disease, through innovative retinal imaging techniques. The successful candidate will join the CIBIT - Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research, located at Polo 3 of the University of Coimbra. The research will focus on optimizing swept-source optical coherence tomography (OCT) for improved axial resolution and signal-to-noise ratio, developing image processing algorithms to correct retinal movements, evaluating passive retinal OCE using oculocardiac pulse excitation, and participating in proof-of-concept studies with animal models (wild-type and 3×TG-AD mice). Scientific supervision will be provided by Professors Miguel Morgado (Associate Professor, Physics Department, FCTUC), Custódio Loureiro (Auxiliary Professor, Physics Department, FCTUC), and João Cardoso (Associate Professor, Physics Department, FCTUC). The fellowship is for 12 months, with the possibility of renewal up to 30 months, subject to project completion and applicable legislation. Funding includes a monthly subsistence allowance of €1,851.00, voluntary social insurance, and personal accident insurance, with payments made by bank transfer. The position is full-time (35 hours/week) and requires exclusivity. Applicants must hold a PhD degree awarded within three years prior to the application date, and the fellowship must be conducted at a host entity different from the institution where the doctoral research was completed. Preferential qualifications include expertise in fast data acquisition systems, Python and C++ programming, and instrumentation/data analysis for optical coherence tomography and elastography. Recognition of foreign degrees by a Portuguese institution is mandatory by the application deadline. A letter of recommendation is also required. The selection process involves evaluation of scientific and curricular background (70%), including curriculum relevance and recommendation, followed by interviews for the top candidates (30%). All applicants will be notified of results via email, and the selected candidate must confirm acceptance and start date in writing. Applications must be submitted by email to [email protected] and [email protected], explicitly referencing 'Application to Postdoctoral Fellowship within the project COMPETE2030-FEDER-00842900'. Required documents include a personal data form, declaration for communication of results via email, detailed CV, doctoral degree certificate or proof of request, recognition of foreign degrees, and a letter of recommendation. The application window is open from 10 to 27 March 2026. ADDF and the University of Coimbra are committed to non-discrimination and equal access policies. For further details, visit the official position page or Euraxess .