Research Scholarship – BI/007/2026 -Bolsa de Investigação para Mestre -Bioelectronic devices to measure astrocyte-neuron communication (AstroCircuit)

Summary: A call is open for the award of one (1) Research Scholarship (“Bolsa de Investigação”) at Instituto de Telecomunicações, in the scope of project AstroCircuit. This project has the objective to develop a bioelectronic platform to measure bioelectrical communication signals between two types of biological cells: astrocytes and neurons.

The main objective of the work is to test a bioelectronic sensing platform designed to measure the bioelectrical communication between two different types of biological cells: neurons and astrocytes. The cell populations should be seed on the surfaces of the devices, their viability should be inspected using biological assays as well as impedance-based techniques (ECIS). During experiments the cell cultures should be exposed to drugs. The effects of the chemical stimulation on the cell electrophysiological response should be monitored and interpret using ion-channel models and mechanisms of long-range communication in cell tissues.

The researcher to hire should be involved in the following tasks:

Correlation between astrocyte signals and neuron signal patterns;

Procedures to stimulate the astrocyte-neuron network;

Develop methodologies for consistent and reproducible external stimulation with the astrocyte-neuro network;

Establish correlations between the identified bioelectronic signals and the intricate molecular and biochemical mechanisms within cells.

Project UID/50008/2025 funded by FCT-Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia.

Scientific Area:

Basic Sciences and Enabling Technologies

Group:

Organic Electronics - Co

Admission Requirements:

Eligibility Requirements:

Candidates for this Scholarship must:

i) Hold a Master’s degree in Biotechnology or related fields.

ii) Be enrolled in a doctoral program or in in non-degree courses that are part of the educational programme of a higher education institution, developed in association or cooperation with one or more R&D units.

iii) Willingness to work in the experimental recordings of electrophysiological signals in astrocytes populations.

iv) It is desirable that the candidate has some familiarly with maintenance of cell culture and handling cell populations

v) the biological essays, namely, knowledge of electrical techniques to monitor cell proliferation namely cell-substrate electrical impedance (ECIS), standard biological assays to characterize cell populations, mainly, multiple sequence alignments (MSA) and phylogenetic analysis, expression analysis (qPCR) and tissue histology;

vi) Proficiency in the English language (written and spoken)

Work Objectives:

The researcher will be involved in the following tasks:

Correlation between astrocyte signals and neuron signal patterns;

Procedures to stimulate the astrocyte-neuron networks;

Develop methodologies for consistent and reproducible external stimulation with the astrocyte-neuro network;

Establish correlations between the identified bioelectronic signals and the intricate molecular and biochemical mechanisms within cells.

Applicable legislation:

A fellowship will be celebrated according to “Estatuto do Bolseiro de Investigação”, Law no. 40/2004, dated on 18th of August (Status of Scientific Research Fellow - https://dre.pt/dre/legislacao-consolidada/lei/2004-58216179), in its actual redaction, by Fellowship Regulation of Fundação para Ciência e Tecnologia (https://fiIes.dre.pt/2s/2019/12/241000000/0009100105.pdf), according to Reg. 950/2019, dated on 16th of December, and also by “Regulation of Instituto de Telecomunicações’ fellowships”.

Place of work:

The work will be developed at the premises of Centro de Ciências do Mar da Universidade do Algarve, and Department of Electrical Engineering and Computers of the University of Coimbra and also at the and Instituto de Telecomunicações at University of Coimbra, under the supervision of Prof. Henrique Leonel Gomes and Profª Deborah Mary Power

Duration:

1 year, renewable subject to satisfactory performance of the fellow. The maximum duration of this type of scholarship is 2 years. Start date: October 2026 or soon thereafter.

Monthly salary:

The scholarship amount corresponds to €1.359,64 according to the table of monthly maintenance grant values (https://www.fct.pt/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Tabela-de-Valores-SMM-2026.pdf), plus social security contributions. Payment will be made via bank transfer.

Selection criteria:

• C1 (40%)

Curriculum vitae / Academic evaluation: Assessment of the candidate’s academic background, scientific and technical training, research experience, publications and other elements of the curriculum considered relevant to the position

• C2 (60%)

Suitability of the candidate’s profile to the work programme and admission requirements: Assessment of the candidate’s previous experience, knowledge, technical skills and scientific experience in relation to the activities foreseen in the work programme.

Candidates may be interviewed for clarification of any aspect related to the above criteria

Candidates may be interviewed for clarification of any aspect related to the above criteria

Each criteria, and the final classification F will be evaluated in a scale (0-20). The candidates will be ordered according to:

F = C1 x 40% + C2 x 60%

In case of a tie, the tied candidates will be ordered according to C1, then C2...

The Jury has the right to not admit any of the candidates that applied for this position whenever they consider that no candidate meets the minimum requirements for the position.

Jury:

• Prof. Henrique Leonel Gomes, Universidade de Coimbra (President of the jury)
• Prof. Maria do Carmo Raposo de Medeiros, Universidade de Coimbra
• Prof. Maria do Carmo Raposo de Medeiros, Universidade de Coimbra
• Prof. Youssef Elamine, Universidade de Coimbra (Substitute)

Communication of the results:

Candidates will be notified by email.

Required Documents:

Required Documents:

• Motivation letter explaining interest in the position;

• Detailed Curriculum Vitae with transcripts;

• Degree certificates:

a) Applicants holding a degree obtained abroad must, by the end of the application period, provide proof of recognition, or proof of having requested it, under Decree-Law No. 66/2018, of 16 August. Failure to present recognition of the degree at the time of hiring will result in exclusion.

b) For duly justified reasons, supporting documents for degrees or recognition may be waived at the application stage, replaced by a declaration of honour. Nevertheless, submission of the required proofs is mandatory by the scholarship contracting stage, under penalty of exclusion.

• Proof of enrolment in a higher education program or declaration of intent to enrol in a doctoral program. This proof, issued by the higher education institution, must be presented at the latest at the scholarship contracting stage.

Apply online clicking on the “Apply Now” button in this form:

https://www.it.pt/Positions/OtherResearchPosition/8402

After notification of the results, candidates have 10 working days to appeal the decision.

Applications sent by email will not be considered.

Note: Degrees obtained abroad are recognized by a Portuguese higher education institution under Decree-Law No. 66/2018, of 16 August, and Ordinance No. 33/2019, of 25 January. More information at: https://www.dges.gov.pt/en/pagina/degree-and-diploma-recognition

All the selection process is conducted through the IT web portal. No actions outside this platform are valid.

Application Period:

02-09-2026 to 15-09-2026

Assistance:

Send Email

Published on:

01-09-2026