Postdoctoral Researcher in Agricultural Sciences – Wheat Microbiome Project (GreenUPorto, University of Porto) University of Porto in Portugal

The Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto (FCUP) and its GreenUPorto – Sustainable Agrifood Production Research Centre announce an international call for the recruitment of one postdoctoral researcher for the Horizon Europe-funded project ‘Wheatbiome: Unravelling the potential of the wheat microbiome for the development of healthier, more sustainable and resilient wheat-derived food & feed products’. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research in agricultural sciences, focusing on plant physiology, microbiology, and molecular biology within the context of European wheat cultivation.

The successful candidate will join a multidisciplinary team at GreenUPorto, working under the supervision of Full Professor Ana Cristina Moreira Freire (Dean of FCUP) and a selection committee comprising experienced academics and researchers. The research will involve determining the soil and plant microbiome in wheat grown across different European regions, conducting laboratory-scale trials to validate microbial consortia for crop resilience, and participating in the communication and dissemination of scientific results. The role also includes supporting the writing of scientific articles and preparing periodic project reports. There is a possibility to contribute to teaching and training programs at FCUP, with up to four teaching hours per week on average.

The position is fully funded by the European Commission’s Horizon Europe programme (HORIZON-CL6-2022-FARM2FORK-01-09), offering a 12-month full-time contract with a gross monthly salary of €2,351.53, renewable up to a maximum of six years. Employment includes social security and benefits as per Portuguese law. The workplace is located at the University of Porto – Pólo do Campo Alegre, in Porto, Portugal.

Eligibility requires a PhD degree (awarded within the last 5 years) in agricultural sciences, plant physiology, microbiology, molecular biology, or related fields. Candidates with foreign PhDs must complete Portuguese degree recognition procedures before hiring. Applicants should demonstrate solid experience in plant physiology under stress conditions, proven expertise in microbiology (especially beneficial microorganisms for crop resilience), proficiency in English, and a strong publication record as first author. International experience, scientific independence, and the ability to work in multidisciplinary teams are highly valued. The selection process is competitive, based on scientific and academic career evaluation, previous experience, and motivation letter, with only candidates scoring at least 75 points considered for hiring.

Applications must be submitted exclusively via the official web portal (https://sigarra.up.pt/fcup/pt/cnt_cand_geral.concursos_list) within the application window from December 23, 2025, to January 15, 2026. Required documents include a signed application form, PhD certificate/diploma, detailed CV, and a brief description of relevant scientific activities from the last 5 years. Incomplete applications or failure to meet requirements will result in exclusion. For further information or queries, candidates may contact [email protected].

FCUP and GreenUPorto are committed to non-discrimination and equal access policies, ensuring fair treatment for all applicants regardless of background. The selection committee will notify candidates of decisions throughout the process, and final results will be published on the FCUP website. This is an excellent opportunity for early-career researchers to advance their expertise in sustainable agriculture and microbiome research within a leading European research environment.