Postdoc - Microfluidics Meets Women's Health

Opening Link:https://jobs. jobvite.com/inl/job/o6Byyfwx

Employer:International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL)

Location:Braga, Portugal

Group/Unit:Diéguez
Research Group

Supervior:Carlos Honrado

Contract Duration:24months

Open Date for
Applications:October24th, 2025

Closing Datefor Applications:November 16th, 2025, 23h00m (Lisbon Time)

Key words:#microfluidics#flowcontrol#systemintegration#cellsorting#dnacapture#electronics

Overview

The
Diéguez
Research Group(Medical Devices)focuses on the development of advanced technologies for impactful applications in the life sciences. We are currently seeking a highly motivatedPostdoctoral Researcherto contribute to the fight against Endometriosis by leading the development of a microfluidic platform for the processing of menstrual fluid samples.

The successful candidate will join the SENSOPAD project, funded by the EU HORIZON programme (Grant Agreement ID: 101130516), which aims to drastically reduce the average diagnosis time for endometriosis - from eight years to just a few days. This transformative goal will enable earlier intervention, mitigate symptom progression, improve infertility care, and streamline patient pathways within healthcare systems.

As part of the team, the successful candidate will play a key role in advancing the project by designing and optimising an automated benchtop system capable of processing menstrual fluid, performing cell sorting, and recovering DNA for downstream analysis. This “sample-in, DNA-out” approach will enable the clinical assessment of menstrual fluid as a
- invasive diagnostic tool for endometriosis.

Job
Duties

The jobduties will be the following:

• Design, optimise, fabricate and integrate microfluidic devices forcell isolation and DNA recovery;
• Implement microfluidic systems with controllable and automatable
  - controls;
• Develop integrated systems capable of performing full menstrual fluid sample processing (i. e. , sample preparation, sortingof cells and extraction of DNA - “sample-in, DNA-out” approach);
• Design and implement electronic systems capable ofautomatisingsampleprocessing for a benchtop setup;
• Participate in research planning and experimental design activities;
• Contributeto the group’s core activities;
• Contribute to the dissemination of scientific results in high quality journals and by participating in national and international conferences;
• Contribute to project reports and documentation.

Education

• Ph
  D in Biomedical Engineering, Bioengineering, or other applied sciences engineering areas.

Experienceand Technical Skills

• Microfluidic devices and systems, including designing, fabrication, implementation and optimisation;
• Integration of microfluidic devicesin larger systems and platforms;
• Experience with complex fluidic control andautomatisationof microfluidic systems.

Other
Valued
Skills

• Knowledge in microcontroller and electronicsystem design is highly valued;
• Experience with cell(or particle) sorting is a plus;
• Experience with DNAcapture and recovery is a plus;
• Capability to use rapid prototyping tools to accelerate system development and optimization (e. g. , 3D printing,
  - cutting, CNC machining);
• Programming skills in a variety of languages (e. g. , MATLAB, Python, Arduino) is highly advantageous;
• Knowledge and experience working with biological samples (e. g. , blood), cell samplesand biological assays is a plus;
• Knowledge and experience in working with surface functionalisation is a plus;
• Knowledge regarding FET sensors in microfluidics is a plus.

Personal Skills

• “Hands-on” approach together with a high commitment in respecting deadlines;
• Analyticalmindsetwith a proactive approach to
  - solving;
• Capacity to work independently while contributing effectively to a multidisciplinary and international team;
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with capability to liaise with collaborators with different backgrounds;
• Skilled in communicating across disciplines and engaging with collaborators fromdiverse scientific backgrounds;
• Excellent data management practices, ensuring accuracy, reproducibility, and integrity;
• Willingness to support and mentorjunior researchers and students;

Our Benefits

• Competitive salary;
• Tax benefitsand other Diplomatic privileges;
• Private health insurance;
• Family allowances (according to family situation);
• Free nursery service at INL premises(subject to availability);
• Support for education fees of dependent children;
• Relocation support;
• 30workingdays of annual leave.

How to Apply

The applicationmust bein Englishandinclude thefollowingmandatorydocuments:

a)Cover letter

b)Curriculum Vitae

c)Academicand/or Professionaldiplomas