What are the responsibilities and job description for the Postdoctoral/Auxiliary Researcher Position position at The RNA Society?
Posted on: July 25, 2026
University of Coimbra opens a call to hire one Postdoctoral/Auxiliary Researcher to join Cátia Igreja’s Lab at the Multidisciplinary Institute of Ageing – MIA-Portugal, co-funded by the European Horizon2020 TEAMING Program (reference: 857524), and the Operational Program of the Centro Region of Portugal (CCDRC Ref: CENTRO-45-2020-75), in the conditions described below. The full text of the Call is available at https://www.uc.pt/mia/open-positions/ or upon request to secretaria.mia@uc.pt.
Reference of the expression of interest: MIA-AR-2026-04
Scientific area: Life Sciences (cell biology or molecular biology), Health Sciences (biomedical sciences)
Work plan/objectives: The Post-Transcriptional Ageing Laboratory, led by Dr Cátia Igreja, will focus on how regulation of protein synthesis shapes gene expression. We are particularly interested in bridging molecular and organismal biology to explore the function of translation factors in the control protein synthesis and mRNA metabolism in ageing cells and organisms.
We are looking for a highly motivated individual with a strong passion for research to join our team. If you’re intrigued by our work and thrive in curiosity-driven research, we encourage you to reach out. This position offers an exceptional opportunity for both academic and professional growth, with collaborative opportunities across MIA-Portugal and the University of Coimbra.
The group uses a multidisciplinary approach integrating molecular, cellular, structural and organismal biology to study RNA metabolism and protein synthesis in cells and nematodes. We also routinely employ CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing and ribosome profiling, a high-throughput sequencing methodology that maps the position of translating ribosomes on transcripts with single nucleotide resolution. With these methodologies, we aim to comprehensively dissect the set of mRNAs actively translated into proteins (the translatome) upon alterations in the expression/activity of specific translational regulators that contribute to ageing and favour disease.
The project focuses on investigating the impact of specific translational regulators in cellular and organismal ageing. The successful candidate will employ a variety of techniques, including nematode genetic models, cellular and longevity assays, ribosome profiling, molecular and proteomic approaches, to further understand age-related changes in protein synthesis.
The successful candidate will benefit from a research secondment at the Max Planck Institute for Biology (Germany), gaining specialist expertise directly relevant to the project before joining the team at the Multidisciplinary Institute of Ageing (MIA-Portugal), University of Coimbra.
Skills/Qualifications: Successful candidates will have a PhD in molecular biology, cellular biology, biochemistry or other related fields. Passionate, self-motivated candidates with ability to work independently and an interest in RNA biology are encouraged to apply. Candidates with prior experience and strong expertise in one of the following techniques are desirable: ribosome profiling, nematode biology and bioinformatics.
Candidates must have defended their PhD thesis before the start of the contract and be fluent in English (oral and written).
Wages and Benefits: 3.575,56€ monthly gross salary. The successful candidate will be hired by the University of Coimbra until 31 December 2027. According to Portuguese legislation on public hiring of researchers (Decree-Law 124/99), the contract includes the following benefits:
CL – Cover letter (30%), where the candidate should state his/her motivations to join this research and why and how his/her profile, area(s) of expertise and skills are adequate for the position in question. Also include contact information for two references.
R – References (20%): two letters from researchers in the scientific area assessing the candidate’s overall scientific path, as well as their motivation, work capacity, ethics in science and interaction with colleagues. One of the letters preferably from your PhD supervisor or last employment.
The Final Classification (FC) Will Be Expressed On a Scale From 0 To 20 Points, Rounded To Two Decimal Places, And Calculated As Follows
Stage 1 Score (S1) = (CV × 70%) (Cover Letter × 30%)
Stage 2 Score (S2) = (References × 20%) (Interview × 80%)
The final classification (FC) will then be calculated as: FC = (S1 × 70%) (S2 × 30%)
Evaluation And Selection Jury
Doctor Cátia Igreja, Principal Investigator at MIA-Portugal
Professor Manuel António da Silva Santos, Scientific Director of MIA-Portugal
Doctor Joana Ferreira, Principal Investigator at MIA-Portugal
Expressions of Interest: Applications must be formalised by sending the documents indicated below in PDF format by e-mail to secretaria.mia@uc.pt with subject MIA-AR-2026-04. Please refer to https://www.uc.pt/mia/open-positions/ for more details.
Submission deadline date: 28/08/2026.
Additional information: The University of Coimbra, founded in 1290, is internationally recognized as a leading institution in higher education and scientific research. Situated in Coimbra, a vibrant student town, the University is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a symbol of academic excellence. Coimbra offers a unique academic culture and is a cost-effective European city compared to larger international towns. The city enjoys delightful weather year-round and is conveniently located just a 45-minute drive from the coast and an hour from Portugal’s main mountain ranges. It is a safe and well-equipped town, ideal for living, working, and raising a family.
The Multidisciplinary Institute of Ageing (MIA-Portugal) is a newly established institute funded by both the European Commission and Portuguese authorities. Its mission is to foster research excellence by providing state-of-the-art facilities, top-quality support for research groups, and the highest standards of training for early-career researchers. MIA-Portugal is committed to hiring and promoting leading scientists and supporting groundbreaking research in the field of ageing.
View All Job Postings >>
University of Coimbra opens a call to hire one Postdoctoral/Auxiliary Researcher to join Cátia Igreja’s Lab at the Multidisciplinary Institute of Ageing – MIA-Portugal, co-funded by the European Horizon2020 TEAMING Program (reference: 857524), and the Operational Program of the Centro Region of Portugal (CCDRC Ref: CENTRO-45-2020-75), in the conditions described below. The full text of the Call is available at https://www.uc.pt/mia/open-positions/ or upon request to secretaria.mia@uc.pt.
Reference of the expression of interest: MIA-AR-2026-04
Scientific area: Life Sciences (cell biology or molecular biology), Health Sciences (biomedical sciences)
Work plan/objectives: The Post-Transcriptional Ageing Laboratory, led by Dr Cátia Igreja, will focus on how regulation of protein synthesis shapes gene expression. We are particularly interested in bridging molecular and organismal biology to explore the function of translation factors in the control protein synthesis and mRNA metabolism in ageing cells and organisms.
We are looking for a highly motivated individual with a strong passion for research to join our team. If you’re intrigued by our work and thrive in curiosity-driven research, we encourage you to reach out. This position offers an exceptional opportunity for both academic and professional growth, with collaborative opportunities across MIA-Portugal and the University of Coimbra.
The group uses a multidisciplinary approach integrating molecular, cellular, structural and organismal biology to study RNA metabolism and protein synthesis in cells and nematodes. We also routinely employ CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing and ribosome profiling, a high-throughput sequencing methodology that maps the position of translating ribosomes on transcripts with single nucleotide resolution. With these methodologies, we aim to comprehensively dissect the set of mRNAs actively translated into proteins (the translatome) upon alterations in the expression/activity of specific translational regulators that contribute to ageing and favour disease.
The project focuses on investigating the impact of specific translational regulators in cellular and organismal ageing. The successful candidate will employ a variety of techniques, including nematode genetic models, cellular and longevity assays, ribosome profiling, molecular and proteomic approaches, to further understand age-related changes in protein synthesis.
The successful candidate will benefit from a research secondment at the Max Planck Institute for Biology (Germany), gaining specialist expertise directly relevant to the project before joining the team at the Multidisciplinary Institute of Ageing (MIA-Portugal), University of Coimbra.
Skills/Qualifications: Successful candidates will have a PhD in molecular biology, cellular biology, biochemistry or other related fields. Passionate, self-motivated candidates with ability to work independently and an interest in RNA biology are encouraged to apply. Candidates with prior experience and strong expertise in one of the following techniques are desirable: ribosome profiling, nematode biology and bioinformatics.
Candidates must have defended their PhD thesis before the start of the contract and be fluent in English (oral and written).
Wages and Benefits: 3.575,56€ monthly gross salary. The successful candidate will be hired by the University of Coimbra until 31 December 2027. According to Portuguese legislation on public hiring of researchers (Decree-Law 124/99), the contract includes the following benefits:
- Annual Wages: 14 months of pay, comprising 12 months of regular salary plus 2 additional months covering summer holidays and a Christmas allowance.
- Social Security Tax: Coverage under the Portuguese social security system.
- Food Allowance: Provision of a daily meal allowance.
CL – Cover letter (30%), where the candidate should state his/her motivations to join this research and why and how his/her profile, area(s) of expertise and skills are adequate for the position in question. Also include contact information for two references.
R – References (20%): two letters from researchers in the scientific area assessing the candidate’s overall scientific path, as well as their motivation, work capacity, ethics in science and interaction with colleagues. One of the letters preferably from your PhD supervisor or last employment.
The Final Classification (FC) Will Be Expressed On a Scale From 0 To 20 Points, Rounded To Two Decimal Places, And Calculated As Follows
Stage 1 Score (S1) = (CV × 70%) (Cover Letter × 30%)
Stage 2 Score (S2) = (References × 20%) (Interview × 80%)
The final classification (FC) will then be calculated as: FC = (S1 × 70%) (S2 × 30%)
Evaluation And Selection Jury
Doctor Cátia Igreja, Principal Investigator at MIA-Portugal
Professor Manuel António da Silva Santos, Scientific Director of MIA-Portugal
Doctor Joana Ferreira, Principal Investigator at MIA-Portugal
Expressions of Interest: Applications must be formalised by sending the documents indicated below in PDF format by e-mail to secretaria.mia@uc.pt with subject MIA-AR-2026-04. Please refer to https://www.uc.pt/mia/open-positions/ for more details.
- Detailed Curriculum Vitae, duly dated and signed.
- Copy of all qualification certificates or diplomas.
- Cover Letter including contact information for two references
- Other documents considered relevant by the candidates
Submission deadline date: 28/08/2026.
Additional information: The University of Coimbra, founded in 1290, is internationally recognized as a leading institution in higher education and scientific research. Situated in Coimbra, a vibrant student town, the University is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a symbol of academic excellence. Coimbra offers a unique academic culture and is a cost-effective European city compared to larger international towns. The city enjoys delightful weather year-round and is conveniently located just a 45-minute drive from the coast and an hour from Portugal’s main mountain ranges. It is a safe and well-equipped town, ideal for living, working, and raising a family.
The Multidisciplinary Institute of Ageing (MIA-Portugal) is a newly established institute funded by both the European Commission and Portuguese authorities. Its mission is to foster research excellence by providing state-of-the-art facilities, top-quality support for research groups, and the highest standards of training for early-career researchers. MIA-Portugal is committed to hiring and promoting leading scientists and supporting groundbreaking research in the field of ageing.
View All Job Postings >>