Junior PhD Researcher in MitOConexão Project (Biomedical Sciences) Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto in Portugal

Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto (FMUP) is recruiting one Junior PhD Researcher for the MitOConexão project, titled Investigating the Mitochondrial Nexus in Onco-Cardiology (ref. NORTE2030-FEDER-02713500). This is a research appointment in Biomedical Sciences hosted at the University of Porto in Porto, Portugal, within the RISE-Health research network. The post is an entry-level PhD researcher role under a fixed-term employment contract of uncertain duration, linked to the project timeline and available budget.

The position focuses on laboratory and translational research at the interface of cardiovascular biology, metabolism, mitochondrial function, and oncology. The successful candidate will work with techniques for assessing mitochondrial and cardiac function in vivo and/or in vitro, including biochemical methods, molecular biology, cell culture, and histology. Responsibilities also include biological sample collection and processing, biomarker determination, storage and cataloguing of human or animal samples, anonymised clinical and experimental data analysis, lab management support, and contribution to research funding applications, communication, and student supervision.

Eligibility is strict: applicants must hold a PhD in Biomedicine or a related area, with the doctorate obtained within the last 5 years before the deadline. Relevant background in laboratory research in cardiovascular, metabolism or obesity fields is required, together with experience in molecular laboratory work and biomarker analysis by methods such as ELISA, transcriptomics, proteomics, lipidomics, or metabolomics. Experience in database management and bioinformatic analysis of high-throughput data is also required. Preferred qualifications include practical training in biochemistry, molecular biology, cell culture, and histology, plus experience with cardiac function assays, flow cytometry, histological techniques, animal models, and publication output in indexed peer-reviewed journals. Good knowledge of Portuguese and English is desirable.

The gross monthly base salary is €2,408.11, plus meal allowance. The role is normally carried out under an exclusive dedication regime, with a full-time option corresponding to 35 hours per week. The project is co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through NORTE 2030 under Portugal 2030.

Applications must be submitted on the APPLY UP recruitment platform using reference INVTERM-FMUP-26-28 by 11 November 2026, 23:59 (Europe/Lisbon). Required documents include a copy of the PhD diploma, a detailed CV in Portuguese or English, a cover letter outlining motivation and relevant scientific activities, and any supporting documents relevant to eligibility and merit assessment.