Research fellowship

Organisation/Company

Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde da Universidade do Porto (i3S)

Research Field

Medical sciences » Other

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Positions

PhD Positions

Application Deadline

6 Feb 2026 - 00:00 (Europe/Lisbon)

Country

Portugal

Type of Contract

Other

Type of Contract Extra Information

Research fellowship

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

35

Offer Starting Date

26 Jan 2026

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by a EU programme

Reference Number

Fellow_BI/COM_Proj2025/i3S/26010602/2026

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

i3s – Institute for Research and Innovation in Health (hereinafter i3) is opening a call to award a grant for the development of R&D activities by doctoral students, enrolled in doctoral programs, within the project - “Co-design of a genetic counselling program for the responsible implementation of an expanded carrier screening in Portugal: a patient, healthcare professionals and researchers’ innovation project”, ref. - COMPETE2030-FEDER-00685400, Operation No. 15747, funded by COMPETE2030 and national funds (FCT) under Notice no. MPr-2023-12.

Host Institution: i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Porto, Portugal.

Scientific Area: Genetic counselling. Medical Genetics.

Project Title: “Co-design of a genetic counselling program for the responsible implementation of an expanded carrier screening in Portugal: a patient, healthcare professionals and researchers’ innovation project”.

Workplan: 

Patient engagement in healthcare is a priority and an essential component of clinical practice. Health research is, in fact, the foundation for building this engagement. By involving patients, clinicians, and researchers, this project aims to co-design a genetic counseling program for the implementation of a new healthcare service in Portugal: expanded carrier screening. The program will be developed in a scientifically sound, ethically rigorous, and socially responsible manner. The project's main objective is to generate the scientific knowledge still lacking, enabling the co-design and implementation of a national Genetic Counseling Program for Preconceptional Expanded Carrier Screening (GenCECS). The ultimate goal of this program is to empower couples at reproductive age, increasing their informed reproductive choices and autonomy. 

Research Plan and Methods: The experience gained will ultimately serve to build a roadmap for the responsible implementation of a national Genetic Counseling for Preconceptional Expanded Carrier Screening (GenCECS) program. 

- A survey will be conducted on attitudes among different groups of couples of reproductive age to assess acceptance and the anticipated impact of implementing this service. 

- The evidence obtained will support the development of a genetic counseling protocol, addressing the needs and expectations of couples and healthcare professionals, and proposing best practice guidelines.

- Finally, we will pilot and begin implementing a national Extended Preconception Carrier Screening program, for which we will develop appropriate communication materials, promote genetic education for healthcare professionals and the general public, and conduct various outreach activities.

- Quantitative and qualitative data analyses will utilize sound statistical methods and tools.

Admission Requirements:

Mandatory:

• Candidate must have Bachelor's degree in Life sciences or related fields;
• Candidate must have Master´s degree in Genetics Counseling;
• Candidate must be enrolled in a PhD program preferably in Biomedical Sciences, or a related field, at a higher education institution; Or:
• An honor statement of capacity to enroll in the aforementioned cycle of studies until the grant is contracted;

 Preferential: Experience and solid knowledge in the following points:

• Research in the field of genetic counseling;
• Solid experience in quantitative and qualitative research methodologies;
• Relevant publications in the field of Genetics services in Portugal;
• Fluent in English (spoken and written);
• Good teamwork and interpersonal skills;
• Immediate availability to start the contract;

Legislation and other applicable regulations: Research Fellowship Holder Statute enacted by Law no. 40/2004 of August 18th, as amended; FCT Research Grants Regulation, approved by way of Regulation nr. 950/2019, published in the II Series of DR of December 16th, 2019; i3S Research Grants Regulation.

Place: The research activities will be hosted at i3S, under the scientific coordination of Professor Milena Paneque, in the The Center for Predictive and Preventive Genetics Group.

Length time: The duration of the fellowship is 12 months, eventually renewable, and the expected starting date is March 1st, 2026, upon availability of the financed funds. 

Monthly maintenance stipend: €1.309,64, according to the values table of FCT, at Portugal (https://www.fct.pt/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Tabela_valores_SMM_2025.pdf ). The payments will be made by bank transference. 

Research grants may also include other components, such as the voluntary social insurance, under the terms of the Research Fellowship Holder Statute, article 10. 

The host Institution may also assume the payment of a monthly allowance, relating to academic fees associated with obtaining an academic degree.

Evaluation Criteria: Selection will be made through curriculum evaluation (70%), taking into account prior experience in the areas described in the Admission Requirements, Letter of Motivation (30%).

An evaluation will be carried out (on a scale of 1 to 100), followed by a ranking of candidates based on the score obtained in the criteria defined above. 

Evaluation Pannel: President – Milena Paneque; members – Jorge Oliveira and João Parente Freixo.

Information and Publicity of Funding Granted: The results of the evaluation will be notified by email to all candidates. After notification, candidates have 10 working days to comment and, within that period, a complaint may be submitted by email to rh.i3s@i3s.up.pt .

Applications: The call will be open between January 26th, 2026 and February 6th, 2026. 

The applications must be submitted electronically at:

https://dozer.i3s.up.pt/applicationmanagement/#/addapplications/f55787baefeebd311f979d1db55e544

The required documents for the application are: Certificate of Qualifications (Bachelor and Master), detailed Curriculum Vitae, letter of motivation in English, proof of enrolment in a PhD program or an honor statement of capacity to enroll in the aforementioned cycle of studies until the grant is contracted, and other documents, considered as relevant by the candidate. 

Documents to be provided at the time of contracting: in addition to those mentioned in the previous point, it is necessary to present proof of enrolment in the study cycle.

Full announcement at: https://dozer.i3s.up.pt/fileupload/downloadfile/viewpdfnewtab/bdd74daff…

Website

https://dozer.i3s.up.pt/applicationmanagement/#/addapplications/f55787baefeebd3…

Research Field

Biological sciences » Biology

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Admission Requirements:

Mandatory:

• Candidate must have Bachelor's degree in Life sciences or related fields;
• Candidate must have Master´s degree in Genetics Counseling;
• Candidate must be enrolled in a PhD program preferably in Biomedical Sciences, or a related field, at a higher education institution; Or:
• An honor statement of capacity to enroll in the aforementioned cycle of studies until the grant is contracted;

 Preferential: Experience and solid knowledge in the following points:

• Research in the field of genetic counseling;
• Solid experience in quantitative and qualitative research methodologies;
• Relevant publications in the field of Genetics services in Portugal;
• Fluent in English (spoken and written);
• Good teamwork and interpersonal skills;
• Immediate availability to start the contract;

Website for additional job details

https://dozer.i3s.up.pt/fileupload/downloadfile/viewpdfnewtab/3bafb62ffdc92d995…

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

i3S

Country

Portugal

Geofield

City

Porto

Website

http://www.i3S.up.pt

Street

Rua Alfredo Allen 208

Postal Code

4200-135

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