Job advertisement – Reference InnovPP052/2022 |Researcher for the Department – 5. Formulations and Process Development |Collaborative Laboratory “InnovPlantProtect – Association”

We are looking for a passionate and resourceful candidate able to integrate into an ambitious organization aiming to develop innovative products and services to protect crops against pests and diseases.

The ideal candidate must be able to demonstrate a solid understanding of microbiology, biochemistry or related relevant fields, preferably in the context of formulation of bioprotectants within biomaterial matrices.

Main responsibilities

The researcher shall report directly to the Director of the Department of Formulations and Process Development and will have the following responsibilities:

• Identify appropriate matrices for the formulation of bioprotectants of interest;   
• Establish protocols and experimentally evaluate efficiency, viability and stability of bioprotectant formulations while meeting program timelines and budgets;
• Interact and collaborate diligently with personnel from other departments;
• Register, interpret and report experimental results.

Specific requirements

• Masters degree in Microbiology, Biochemistry or related relevant fields;
• Experience in molecular biology;
• Interest in biomaterial-microbial interactions;
• Ability to work as a member of multidisciplinary, project-oriented teams, with demonstrated problem-solving skills and flexibility to succeed in a dynamic and changing environment;
• Fluency in English, spoken and written.

InnovPlantProtect is a private non-profit association

InnovPlantProtect aims to create innovation for the protection of crops, seeds and post-harvest products through:

• Development of innovative technologies and knowledge creation, as well as improvement of existing technologies for crop protection;
• Applied scientific research to create novel intellectual property developed technologies in the market, and to develop processes and products;
• Provide technical support to public or private companies and entities, assisting them in the introduction of biotechnological strategies, methods and processes, and in the orientation and implementation of industrial research and development, directed towards the protection of crops, seeds and post-harvest products;
• Collaboration with (inter)national public and/or private institutions, in their areas of activity.

Workplace

The work location will be at the headquarters of InnovPlantProtect, situated in INIAV (Elvas), at the former National Plant Breeding Station.

Salary and contract

A full-time contract, starting 1^st February, 2023 will continue until 31st December, 2023 with a trial period of one month. The contract may be renewed annually for a further two years depending on performance and further financial support. All the activities to be developed will be subject to confidentiality clauses. Gross remuneration will be €1,544 (14 months – €21,616/year) and €5,2 for daily lunch subsidy).

Financial Support

This contract is co-financed by the European Social Fund and Alentejo 2020, under the Operation: Highly qualified employment in companies - Hiring Highly Qualified Human Resources (PME or CoLAB).

How to Apply 

To the care of the Chief Executive Officer of InnovPlantProtect Collaborative Lab, Professor Pedro Fevereiro (inpp@iplantprotect.pt).

 To apply for this position, the following documents should be sent in a single PDF document, with the reference “InnovPP052/2022” in the subject: :

• Curriculum vitae (CV)
• Motivation letter
• Two reference contacts
• Statement of honour that CV content is accurate.

(Please note that Degrees obtained in foreign countries need a Portuguese Recognition issued by a Portuguese high degree Institution, according to the Decree-Law nr. 66/2018, of August 16th and the Ministerial Order nr. 33/2019, of January 25th. The presentation of such Recognition is mandatory for contract signature. More information can be obtained in: https://www.dges.gov.pt/en/pagina/degree-and-diploma-recognition.)

Deadlines

This call is open from November 11^th 2022, to January 17^th, 2023, with a decision expected by January 27^th.

General rules of data protection (GDPR)

With the entry into force of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 April 2016, commonly known as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and in order to ensure a fair and transparent treatment of the holder of the data, InnovPlantProtect informs that by applying for this position you are authorizing InnovPlantProtect to (1) collect and process your personal data deemed necessary and relevant to this recruitment process, (2) to disclose the results of the evaluation in accordance with the legislation in force.