Postdoctoral Researcher Sustainable and Active Materials for Food Packaging

Postdoctoral Researcher –Sustainable and Active Materials for Food Packaging

Job Reference: Ref.09.25.432/1

Employer: International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL)

Location: Braga, Portugal

Group/Unit: Pastrana Research Group

Supervisor: Miguel Cerqueira

Number of Vacancies: 1

Employment Type: Full time

Contract Duration: 18 months

Open Date for Applications: July 23rd, 2025

Closing Date for Applications: August 5th, 2025, 23h00m (Lisbon Time)

Key words: #foodpackaging #activepackaging #sustainablematerials #materialscharacterisation

Overview

The Pastrana RG is dedicated to developing nanotechnology-based solutions for food processing, packaging, and personalisation, with the aim of creating a more sustainable, healthier, and digitally-enabled trusteed food system.

We are looking for a qualified Postdoctoral Researcher to join our team in the development and characterisation of sustainable and active materials for food packaging applications under the project SmartPack, with the code 55.951

Job Duties

The job duties will be the following:

• Responsible for planning and performing the required experimental work for the project;
• Write technical reports and scientific publications to communicate the results and outcomes of the research;
• Attend meetings with partners of the project and assisting with the project management;
• Work in a cross-functional team and with other research groups.

Mandatory Qualifications

Education

• PhD in Materials Science, Chemistry and Physics of Materials, or a related area.

Experience

• Bio-based materials and inorganic materials for the development of active and intelligent packaging;
• Characterisation of active and intelligent packaging;
• Developing of active materials with responsive properties (e.g., based in inorganic materials, carbon dots);
• Printing and coating technologies for the development of functional flexible materials;
• Film characterisation, including barrier testing, mechanical properties, and surface morphology assessment using nano-characterisation techniques.

Technical Skills

• Synthesis of multifunctional materials using sputtering technologies;
• Expertise in microbiological tests of food contact materials;
• Knowledge of physical and chemical characterisation techniques (i.e., DLS, liquid chromatography, AFM, TEM, SEM, XRD, XPS and Raman spectroscopy);
• Expertise in conducting migration testing to ensure regulatory compliance of food contact materials;
• Data analysis, statistical analysis, and modelling.

Other Skills

• Experience in coating technologies for packaging (i.e., atomisation, lamination);
• Experience in composite production using extrusion and non-extrusion technologies.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated international research track record;
• Demonstrated high degree of autonomy while carrying out research;
• Project management skills and experience in coordinating collaborative activities between multidisciplinary teams;
• Experience in projects with industry;
• International mobility experience.

Personal Skills

• “Hands-on” approach together with a high commitment in respecting working deadlines;
• Very organised and dynamic;
• Problem Solving ability;
• Customer orientation;
• Ability to work independently and as team player;
• Good communication skills.

Our Benefits

• Competitive salary;
• Tax benefits and other Diplomatic privileges;
• Private health insurance;
• Family allowances (according to family situation);
• Free nursery service at INL premises (subject to availability);
• Support for education fees of dependent children;
• Relocation support;
• 30 working days of annual leave.

How to Apply

The application must be in English and include the following mandatory documents:

a)     Cover letter;

b)     Curriculum Vitae;

c)      Academic and/or Professional diplomas;

d)     Recognition of academic degrees (only academic degrees awarded by non-Portuguese higher education institutions) *

*Candidates with the PhD awarded by a non-Portuguese higher education institution must present the certificate of recognition issued by the Portuguese Directorate General for Higher Education or by a Portuguese Public Higher Education Institution. Failing to do so will result in the application not being considered.

Online application instructions:

1. The application is made online by clicking the “Apply” button below;
2. The candidate must complete all required sections of the online application form;
3. The candidate must submit the mandatory documents mentioned above in pdf format by including them in the “Additional files” section using the “Add portfolio” button.

Important note:

Incomplete applications including the failure to provide mandatory documents, or providing inaccurate information, will result in the application not being considered.

How the Selection Process works
 

A. Applications eligibility check

This stage will be carried out on the basis of the mandatory requirements, education, experience and technical skills defined for the job, as well as the validation of the mandatory documents. Only candidates who meet the eligibility criteria will move forward to the next stage.

B. CV Assessment

The Selection Committee will evaluate the eligible applications based on their CV and other submitted documents and the suitability for the position. The best ranked candidates will be shortlisted for the interview stage(s).

C. Interview(s)

The interview(s) may be done in different formats: video recording, online or onsite.

The question based interview will evaluate the match between the candidate’s profile and the requirements for the position, including the technical and personal skills. To better support this stage, the candidate may be requested to prepare a short presentation.

D. Nomination

The selected candidate will be nominated and formally offered the position, including the disclosure of the contractual conditions. 

Additional Information

Application feedback

We highly value your interest in becoming part of the INL experience and it is important for us to maintain good communications with all candidates. No matter the outcome of your application, we will always provide you with feedback.

Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Principle

INL follows a non-discrimination and equal access principle, wherefore no candidate can be privileged, benefited, impaired or deprived of any rights whatsoever, or be exempt of and duties based on any possible discriminatory issues.

The advertisement deadline may be extended at any time without previous notice in order to improve the suitability and effectiveness of the recruitment process.

About INL

The International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory – INL (http://www.inl.int), is the first and only Intergovernmental Organisation in the world entirely focused on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology.

It was founded under an international legal framework to perform interdisciplinary research, deploy and communicate nanotechnology for the benefit of society. INL aims to be a recognised leading global nanotechnology innovation hub.