Postdoctoral Fellow in Microalgae Biotechnology and Phytohormones Full-time NEW

Postdoctoral Fellowship in Microalgae Biotechnology and Phytohormones

A postdoctoral fellowship funded by the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) is available at the Institute of the Sea (IMar), Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), Santos, São Paulo, Brazil, under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Elen Aquino Perpetuo.

The position is linked to a FAPESP Regular Research Grant and focuses on the extraction, identification, and characterization of phytohormones produced by microalgae and their potential agricultural and biotechnological applications.

Research activities

The selected fellow will conduct research involving microalgal cultivation and strain selection, optimization of metabolite extraction and purification methods, chromatographic analyses using HPLC and/or LC-MS, and plant bioassays to evaluate the biostimulant activity of microalgal extracts. Activities will also include experimental design, statistical analysis, interpretation of results, preparation of scientific reports and manuscripts, and participation in the research activities of the group.

Required qualifications

Applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences and a PhD in Biotechnology or have a PhD defense scheduled before the fellowship starting date. Candidates must have demonstrated experience in microalgal cultivation, extraction and/or characterization of compounds of biotechnological interest, and plant bioassays and/or plant growth biostimulation.

International research experience and a scientific publication record appropriate to the candidate’s career stage are required. Applicants must also meet FAPESP eligibility requirements.

The position requires full-time, on-site dedication (40 hours per week) at the Institute of the Sea, UNIFESP, in Santos, São Paulo, Brazil.

Preferred qualifications

Preference will be given to candidates who have recently completed their PhD, preferably within the last two years, or who are currently completing it. Experience with microalgal cultivation under different experimental conditions, metabolite extraction and recovery, HPLC and/or LC-MS, experimental design and statistical analysis, international scientific publications, scientific writing in English, and multidisciplinary teamwork will be considered advantageous.

Fellowship information

• Position: Postdoctoral Fellow

• Institution: Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP)

• Location: Santos, São Paulo, Brazil

• Funding agency: São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP)

• Duration: 12 months

• Expected start date: January 2027

• Workload: 40 hours per week, on site

• Monthly fellowship: BRL 12,570, according to the current FAPESP Postdoctoral Fellowship rate

Application documents

Applicants must submit an updated Lattes CV; a cover and motivation letter (maximum two pages); a recommendation letter from a faculty member or researcher who participated in their academic training or research supervision; a diploma in Biological Sciences; proof of PhD completion or expected defense date; proof of international research experience; and a list of up to five scientific publications most relevant to the position.

The selected candidate will be nominated for the FAPESP Postdoctoral Fellowship. Final implementation of the fellowship is subject to FAPESP approval and compliance with the Foundation’s eligibility requirements.

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