FCUP | One Research Grant – Master’s Degree - VIIAFOOD (B2) Porto

Overview

Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto — Researcher position in Chemistry under project VIIAFOOD (PRR-Agendas Mobilizadoras-C644929456-40). This call is for 1 Master’s Degree research grant within the framework of a project financed by the Portuguese Recovery and Resilience Plan. Location: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, FCUP. Beginning date: 1 November 2025. Grant duration: 8 months, renewable up to project end (30/06/2026). Monthly maintenance allowance: 1309, 64 € (FCT values).

Responsibilities / Work to be developed

1. Extraction and purification of polyphenols from
   - based food matrices and identification of main compounds involved in enzymatic colour degradation (e. g. , anthocyanins, catechins, phenolic acids).
2. Enzymatic studies to assess kinetics of enzymes involved in colour degradation using identified compounds as substrates (determine parameters such as Vmax and Km).
3. Inhibition assays to investigate the effect of yeast protein extract (EPL) on enzymatic activity, varying substrate and inhibitor concentrations.
4. Expansion of substrates to include other relevant polyphenols in inhibition studies and interaction mechanism assessments.
5. Practical application: Correlate results with colour stability and quality of food products and propose strategies to prevent browning.

Eligibility / Admission requirements

• Master’s degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Food Science and Technology, or related areas.
• To be enrolled in a Ph
  D in Chemistry or related fields or in courses that do not confer an academic degree; enrollment at application is not required, but proof of enrollment must be presented upon contracting the grant.
• Preferences: experience in extraction/characterization of bioactive compounds from
  - based matrices and physicochemical techniques (HPLC, MS, NMR, UV-Vis, fluorescence).

Hiring / Enrollment considerations

• Foreign qualifications must be recognized by a Portuguese higher education institution as required by law.
• Applicants enrolled in
  - degree courses may compete on equal footing with
  - enrolled candidates.

Conditions and benefits

• Workplace: FCUP, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry; supervision by Prof. Victor de Freitas, Prof. Susana Soares, and Dr. Joana Oliveira.
• Maintenance allowance: 1309, 64 € per month (directly from FCT).
• Voluntary social insurance: FCUP may support contributions within the first tax bracket during grant, with responsibilities for higher coverage if chosen.
• Personal accident insurance: provided during the grant period.

Selection procedure

• Evaluation uses: X = Master’s degree average grade (0–20), Y = CV evaluation (0–20).
• CF = X*30% + Y*70%.
• Shortlisted candidates undergo an interview (weight 10%), and final CF is CF*90% + E*10% where E is interview score.
• Foreign degree recognition: required if applicable; documents must be provided for evaluation purposes.
• Minimum final classification to contract: 16 points.

Application information

• Deadline: 15 October 2025 (deadline window 02/10/2025 to 15/10/2025).
• Applications must be submitted via Infociências with required documents: detailed CV, certificates, eligibility declaration, and other relevant documents; documents must be uploaded as a single ZIP file.
• Documents for the contract: biographic form, passport/residency permit copies, Portuguese IBAN/NIB, foreign degree recognition (if applicable), exclusivity declaration, and other supporting materials as listed.

Notes

Legal references include Law no. 40/2014 and related decrees and regulations concerning the Statute of Scientific Research Grant Holders and University of Porto grant policies. The host entity may replace the selected grantee if the candidate withdraws, within one year.

Advertisement of final decision: Final results will be published by email; standard legal timeframes apply for challenges and appeals.

Call period: The call is open from 02/10/2025 to 15/10/2025.