Postdoc in Staphylococcus aureus Intracellular Lifestyle in Universidade de Coimbra – Portugal

Summary

The University of Coimbra in Portugal is offering a postdoctoral research grant for one position under the intraSTAPH project, focusing on investigating Staphylococcus aureus intracellular lifestyle to inform antibiotic selection. The successful candidate will be responsible for phenotypic profiling of S. aureus mutants, validating intracellular profiles, and testing antibiotic activity against intracellular S. aureus. Applicants must hold a doctoral degree in Cell Biology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, or a related field, obtained within three years prior to the grant start date, with their doctoral research conducted at a different institution. The grant offers a monthly salary of 1901.00 EUR, plus social security and accident insurance, and is funded by the La Caixa Foundation. The initial contract duration is 12 months, with a possibility of renewal, up to a cumulative maximum of three years. The application deadline is October 20, 2026.

Key Facts

Department	Divisão de Projetos e Atividades (Bolsas) – UC-Biotech, Biocant Park, Cantanhede – Centro Neurociências e Biologia Celular, Universidade Coimbra – CNC – Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology
Position Type	Postdoc
Discipline	Biological sciences, Chemistry, Cell Biology, Microbiology, Biochemistry
Research Area	Staphylococcus aureus Intracellular Lifestyle, Antibiotic Selection, Phenotypic Profiling, Fluorescence Microscopy-based Infection Assays, Automated Image Analysis, Host Cell Types, Subcellular Localization, In Vivo Efficacy
Degree Required	Doctoral degree in Cell Biology, Microbiology, Biochemistry or a related scientific field
Experience	Doctoral degree obtained within three years prior to the start date of the grant, with research work leading to the degree carried out at a host institution different from the current grant's institution.
Salary	1901.00 EUR per month, plus voluntary social security (SSV) if opted for, and mandatory personal accident insurance.
Funding	La Caixa Foundation as part of Health Research Programme 2025 intraSTAPH Project reference HR25_00467
Contract Duration	12 months, possibly renewable, with a cumulative period of three years maximum for this type of grant.
Deadline	2026-10-20
Employer Address	UC-Biotech, Biocant Park, Cantanhede – Centro Neurociências e Biologia Celular, Universidade Coimbra, Rua Larga, Coimbra, Portugal
Employer Contact	Researcher Ana Sofia Bregieiro Eulálio

About the Project

The intraSTAPH project aims to investigate the intracellular lifestyle of Staphylococcus aureus to inform antibiotic selection. The research involves phenotypic profiling of a library of S. aureus single mutants in macrophages using fluorescence microscopy and automated image analysis. It also includes validating intracellular profiles of selected mutants, generating complemented strains, performing complementary assays in various host cell types, and analyzing S. aureus subcellular localization. Furthermore, the project will test the activity of different antibiotics against intracellular S. aureus, including concentration-response curves and evaluating their in vivo efficacy.

Key Responsibilities

• Phenotypic profiling of the intracellular lifestyle of a library of S. aureus single mutants in macrophages using fluorescence microscopy-based infection assays followed by automated image analysis.
• Validation of intracellular profiles of S. aureus mutants selected from screening, including generation of corresponding complemented strains, complementary assays in various host cell types, and analysis of S. aureus subcellular localization.
• Testing the activity of different antibiotics against intracellular S. aureus, including concentration-response curves and evaluating their in vivo efficacy.
• Contributing to experimental planning, task execution, and data interpretation.

Who Should Apply

This position is suitable for researchers holding a doctoral degree in Cell Biology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, or a related scientific field, obtained within the last three years. Candidates whose doctoral research was conducted at an institution other than the University of Coimbra are eligible. The role requires dedication to experimental planning, task execution, and data interpretation related to Staphylococcus aureus intracellular lifestyle and antibiotic efficacy.

Benefits

• Monthly grant amount of 1901.00 EUR paid by bank transfer.
• Inclusion of voluntary social security (SSV) if the grant duration is six months or more and the candidate opts for it.
• Mandatory personal accident insurance.

About the Employer

The University of Coimbra is opening a call for a postdoctoral research grant under the intraSTAPH project. The grant is located at UC-Biotech, Biocant Park, Cantanhede – Centro Neurociências e Biologia Celular, Universidade Coimbra. The project is funded by the La Caixa Foundation as part of the Health Research Programme 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the project about?

The project, intraSTAPH, focuses on investigating the intracellular lifestyle of Staphylococcus aureus to inform antibiotic selection.

What is the required academic qualification for this position?

Applicants must hold a doctoral degree in Cell Biology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, or a related scientific field.

What is the duration of the grant?

The initial grant duration is 12 months, with a possibility of renewal, up to a cumulative maximum of three years for this type of grant.

What is the monthly grant amount?

The monthly grant amount is 1901.00 EUR, paid by bank transfer at the end of each month.

Who is funding this research grant?

The grant is funded by the La Caixa Foundation as part of the Health Research Programme 2025.

Where will the research be conducted?

The research will be conducted at UC-Biotech, Biocant Park, Cantanhede – Centro Neurociências e Biologia Celular, Universidade Coimbra.