International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory Careers

Research Assistant (MSc) – Development of Nanoactuators to Probe Cell Mechanobiology

Job Reference: Ref.01.26.448

Employer: International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL)

Location: Braga, Portugal

Group/Unit: Domingues Research Group

Number of Vacancies: 1

Employment Type: Full time

Contract Duration: 12 months

Open Date for Applications: January 26th, 2026

Closing Date for Applications: February 15th, 2026, 23h00m (Lisbon Time)

Key words: #magneticnanoactuators #molecularimprinting #mechanobiology #biophysics #bioengineering

Overview

The Domingues Research Group is dedicated to advancing nanobiomaterials, biofabrication, and regenerative medicine, with a focus on developing advanced materials and platforms that interface with living systems and human health. By integrating smart biomaterials, synthetic biology, tissue engineering concepts, and nanoscale biointerfaces, the group aims to create next generation nanotherapies, microphysiological systems, and bioengineered grafts for regenerative medicine, with particular emphasis on musculoskeletal and soft tissue disorders.

We are looking for a qualified Assistant Researcher to join our team in the development of cell nanoactuators to control cell mechanobiology under the project WI-PI - Wireless platform of abiotic nanoactuators to probe PIEZO receptors mechanobiology, funded by FCT with the code 2022.05526.PTDC.

SR&TD project specifications: INL participates in the WI-PI funded by National Funds through the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT):

a)     Name of the project: WI-PI - Wireless platform of abiotic nanoactuators to probe PIEZO receptors mechanobiology

b)     Reference number: 2022.05526.PTDC

c)      Description: Wi-Pi intendeds to develop a new wireless platform of abiotic nanoactuators to probe PIEZO receptors mechanobiology. For this, it will apply molecularly imprinting nanoparticles functionalised with and advanced magnetic nanomaterial to produce synthetic antibodies targeting region-specific sites of PIEZOs ultrastructure for their effective wireless magnetomechanical activation. This platform will be applied to uncover the mechanotransduction effects of these receptors in tendon derived cells and to assess its potential as therapeutic targets.

d)     Scientific Area: Nanotechnology

Description of the functions and key primary responsibilities: 

The successful candidate will work on the tasks of the SR&TD project, and will be assigned the following working plan:

• Synthesis and characterisation of magnetic nanomaterials with different physicochemical properties
• Synthesis and characterisation of molecularly imprinted polymeric (MIP) nano/microparticles.
• Predicting force transmission using finite element modelling (FEM) to simulate how MIPs physically interface with cell receptors and how much mechanical stress they exert during magnetic actuation.
• Use molecular dynamics to simulate in silico the molecular imprinting process and the specificity of the MIPs for their targets.
• Producing and characterising biopolymer hydrogels to be used for cell culture and encapsulation.
• Culturing and manipulating different types of cells and bioengineered tissue constructs, and assessing their mechanobiology responses by cellular and molecular biology techniques.

Specific Eligibility Conditions:

Candidates must meet the following conditions, as they are required by the nature of the duties the candidate will be required to perform:

• MSc Degree in the field of Nanoscience, Biomedical Engineering, Biophysics, Soft Matter Physics, Bioengineering, Computational Biophysics, Physics or related areas.  
• Proficiency and autonomy in the use of tools like COMSOL (for biomechanics/FEM) or Python (for biophysical simulations).
• Relevant experience in the synthesis and characterisation of nanomaterials, preferably magnetic nanoparticles and MIPs.
• Experience in culture and manipulation of human cell lines, stem cells or tissue engineered constructs.
• Background in mechanobiology is an advantage.
• Expertise in cellular and molecular biology characterization techniques (e.g. qPCR, Western blot, ICC/IHC, flow cytometry, RNA-sequencing, ELISA, multiplex immunoassay).
• Ability to work both as part of an international team and autonomously.
• Good oral and written communication skills.
• Proficiency in English (spoken, written and reading comprehension).

The call describes the requirements in terms of qualifications and professional experience deemed appropriate for the position. If a candidate has additional qualifications and professional experience, they can only be recruited at the job category and profile specified.

Applications that do not meet these conditions will not be considered.

Supervision: The work plan will be developed at the INL under the scientific guidance of Dr. Rui Domingues. The successful candidate will be integrated in the Domingues Research Group.

Selection Committee:

The selection of candidates will be carried out by a Selection Committee consisting of the following persons:

Dr. Rui Domingues

Dr. Simão Teixeira

Dr. Sara Abalde

Catarina Gomes – People & Culture

Duration of the contract

The total duration of the employment contract shall be 12 months and may be renewed based on the performance of the individual. In any case the contract cannot exceed the duration of the project. The expected starting date is March 2026.

General Eligibility conditions, required qualifications and expertise:

Candidates must comply with the following requirements:

1. Hold a MSc Degree within the field of the selected vacancy;
2. Be a Portuguese citizen, a European Union citizen, a non-European Union Citizen, or a stateless person with a scientific and professional curriculum that demonstrates an appropriate profile for the activity to be performed;
3. Fluency in English is required.

How to Apply

The application must be in English and include the following mandatory documents:

a)     Cover letter;

b)     Curriculum Vitae;

c)      Academic and/or Professional diplomas;

d)     At least one recommendation letter;

e)     Recognition of academic degrees (only academic degrees awarded by non-Portuguese higher education institutions)*.

* The selected candidate(s) with an academic degree granted by a non-Portuguese higher education institution must present, for hiring purposes, the certificate of recognition of that degree(s), issued by the Portuguese Directorate General for Higher Education or by a Portuguese Public Higher Education Institution. Please consult the website of the Portuguese Directorate General for Higher Education: https://www.dges.gov.pt/en.

Online application instructions:

1. The application is made online by clicking the “Apply” button below;
2. The candidate must complete all required sections of the online application form;
3. The candidate must submit the mandatory documents mentioned above in pdf format by including them in the “Additional files” section using the “Add portfolio” button.

Important note:

Incomplete applications including the failure to provide mandatory documents or providing inaccurate information will result in the application not being considered.

How the Selection Process works

A. Applications eligibility check

This stage will be carried out on the basis of the mandatory requirements, education, experience and technical skills defined for the job, as well as the validation of the mandatory documents. Only candidates who meet the eligibility criteria will move forward to the next stage.

B. CV Assessment

The Selection Committee will evaluate the eligible applications based on their CV and other submitted documents and the suitability for the position, and shall focus on the relevance, quality and up-to-date of the following items:

• Scientific and Technological Production (‘STP’);
• Applied and Practice-based Research Activities (‘RA’);
• Activities  related to the Dissemination of Knowledge (‘DK’);
• Activities related to the Management of Science, Technology and Innovation programmes (‘MSTI’).

The research experience will be assessed according to the following criteria:

• STP (65%): Academic Qualifications (AQ) – 25%; Scientific Profile (SP) – 25%; Research Quality (RQ) – 10%; RTI Funding (RF) – 5%;
• RA (15%): Development, operation and maintenance of scientific facilities “instrumentation and/or equipment”  (DOM) – 2%; Conferences, symposia and scientific cooperation activities (CSS) - 3%; Professional activities (PA) – 5%; Mobility and Interdisciplinarity (MI) – 5%;
• DK (5%): Transfer to other areas of society (TS) – 3%; Promotion of the public understanding of science (PPUS) – 2%;
• MSTI (5%): Laboratory facilities and equipments (LFE) – 5%.

This criteria will have a total valuation of 90%. The minimum threshold for this stage is 60%.

The top four ranked candidates will be shortlisted for interview, provided however that they pass the threshold mentioned above.

C. Interview(s)

The interview(s) may be done in different formats: video recording, online or onsite.

The question based interview will evaluate the match between the candidate’s profile and the requirements for the position, including the technical and personal skills. To better support this stage, the candidate may be requested to prepare a short presentation.

This criterion will have a total valuation of 10%.

D. Assessment

The Selection Committee will draw up the minutes of the R&S process in which candidates will be ranked according to their evaluation scores.

E. Nomination

The selected candidate will be nominated and formally offered the position, including the disclosure of the contractual conditions. 

Our Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Tax benefits and 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
• 30 working days of annual leave

Financial Benefits

INL offers an attractive financial package appropriate to an international research organization. Due to INL special legal status as intergovernmental organization, financial benefits are exempt for national income tax. Apart from the salary, INL may offer, depending on the personal situation, additional allowances and benefits for families and non-residents.

Additional Information

Applicable legal and regulatory framework, taking into consideration the international status of the Organisation

The contract will be subject to the INL’s Staff Rules, as amended from time to time, as well as to all other relevant instructions issued by the Organisation. For this purpose, a copy of the Staff Rules shall be provided. The contract may also be supplemented by the terms and conditions of the Financing Contract between the Organisation and the FCT governing the implementation of the FCT Project.

Disputes between the Organisation and the Employed Member of the Personnel shall be settled in accordance with the INL´s Staff Rules.

Notification of results

Each candidate notified via email of the result of their individual application. If the first candidate refuses the offer, the Human Resources will send an offer to the second candidate on the ranking, and so on until the vacancy is filled.

We highly value the interest shown from applicants wishing to become a part of the INL experience. It is important for us to maintain good communications with candidates. No matter the outcome of the application, we always send the applicant an answer. 

Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Principle

INL follows a non-discrimination and equal access principle, wherefore no candidate can be privileged, benefited, impaired or deprived of any rights whatsoever, or be exempt of and duties based on any possible discriminatory issues.

The advertisement deadline may be extended at any time without previous notice in order to improve the suitability and effectiveness of the recruitment process.

About INL

The International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory – INL (http://www.inl.int), is the first and only Intergovernmental Organisation in the world entirely focused on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology.

It was founded under an international legal framework to perform interdisciplinary research, deploy and communicate nanotechnology for the benefit of society. INL aims to be a recognised leading global nanotechnology innovation hub.