If you are looking for a research opportunity in Europe that combines veterinary science, molecular biology, immunology, and practical laboratory training, the University of Lisbon Veterinary Research Scholarship 2027 deserves serious consideration. This opportunity is particularly attractive to graduates who want to strengthen their research profile before pursuing a PhD or developing a career in veterinary immunology, vaccine research, molecular biology, or related disciplines.
The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Lisbon in Portugal is recruiting one research scholarship holder for a project investigating how cattle develop strong and long-lasting antibody responses. The successful applicant will receive a monthly scholarship of €1,359.64 for an initial period of 10 months. Subject to the applicable conditions and continuation of the project, the scholarship may be renewed for a maximum period of 12 months.
One of the most interesting features of this research scholarship is its broad academic eligibility. Applicants with a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree can be considered, while current PhD students in relevant fields may also apply. This makes the opportunity suitable for researchers at different stages of their academic careers.
The scholarship is based at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, with research activities taking place at the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health (CIISA).
| Scholarship Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Institution | Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon |
| Country | Portugal |
| Available Positions | 1 |
| Research Area | Veterinary Sciences, Biology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry |
| Eligible Applicants | Bachelor’s, Master’s graduates and current PhD students |
| Monthly Scholarship | €1,359.64 |
| Initial Duration | 10 months |
| Maximum Duration | Up to 12 months |
| Workload | Full-time, 35 hours per week |
| Research Location | CIISA, University of Lisbon |
| Selection Process | CV, motivation, experience and possible interview |
| Application Deadline | 7 September 2026, 11:59 PM Lisbon time |
Although only one position is available, the research experience offered through the project could provide significant value to candidates intending to build an academic career.
The research project is titled “Deciphering the cellular mechanisms underlying high-affinity long-lasting antibody responses in cattle.”
The central focus is understanding the cellular mechanisms responsible for producing durable and high-quality antibody responses in cattle. Research of this kind is important because understanding how immune responses develop and persist can contribute to improvements in animal health and vaccination strategies.
The project therefore sits at the intersection of several scientific disciplines. These include veterinary medicine, immunology, molecular biology, cellular biology, biochemistry, and animal health research.
For an applicant interested in pursuing a future PhD, this type of practical research environment can be especially valuable. Rather than simply completing theoretical coursework, the selected researcher will participate directly in laboratory and experimental activities.
This is a hands-on research scholarship rather than a conventional classroom-based study programme. The successful candidate is expected to contribute to laboratory experiments and other research activities associated with the project.
Depending on the specific research tasks assigned, the work may involve:
The researcher may therefore gain experience with several techniques that are highly relevant to modern biomedical and veterinary research.
This is an important consideration for applicants. If your long-term goal is to become a research scientist, laboratory experience can strengthen your profile considerably. Skills in flow cytometry, sequencing, cell culture, immunological assays, and molecular biology can also be relevant when applying for future doctoral and research positions.
The successful candidate is also expected to contribute to scientific publications and conference presentations. This could provide an opportunity to develop academic communication skills while contributing to research with potential applications in animal health and vaccination.
The University of Lisbon Veterinary Research Scholarship has relatively broad academic eligibility requirements.
Applicants may be considered if they hold a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Veterinary Medicine, Biology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, or another closely related field.
Current PhD students working in relevant scientific areas may also qualify.However, prospective applicants should pay close attention to the enrolment requirements.
Bachelor’s and Master’s graduates are required to be enrolled in a non-degree course that meets the applicable requirements. Candidates may initially provide a sworn declaration confirming their intention to enrol, but formal evidence of enrolment will be required when the scholarship agreement is signed.
Applicants who are already pursuing a PhD must provide appropriate evidence of their PhD enrolment.International applicants should also examine degree-recognition requirements as early as possible. Academic qualifications obtained outside Portugal may need to undergo formal recognition. Candidates whose final grades have not been converted to the Portuguese grading scale may also be assessed according to the rules specified in the call.
Starting these administrative requirements early can prevent unnecessary delays later in the application process.
Applicants should take the language requirement seriously. The call requires excellent English and excellent Portuguese.
Importantly, the scholarship information does not specify a minimum IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent English-language test score. Applicants should therefore avoid assuming that a particular IELTS or TOEFL score is mandatory unless the university separately requests it.The requirement for strong Portuguese is particularly important because this is a research position based in Lisbon and involves practical work within a university research environment.
Candidates should ensure that their application demonstrates their ability to work effectively in the required languages and should carefully follow any language-related documentation requirements included in the official call.
The selection criteria provide useful insight into how applicants should prepare their applications.
The CV accounts for 60% of the total assessment, making it the most important component of the initial evaluation.
The CV assessment is divided into several areas:
The motivation letter contributes 10%, while other relevant experience, including conference participation, contributes another 10%.The interview accounts for the remaining 20%.
Only the three highest-ranked candidates following the initial assessment are expected to progress to the interview stage. Applicants who receive a score below 9.5 out of 20 are excluded from further consideration.
This structure provides a clear lesson for prospective applicants. Do not treat the CV as a simple list of degrees and employment history. Your application should clearly demonstrate how your academic training and laboratory experience relate to the research project.
If you have worked with immunology, molecular biology, sequencing, flow cytometry, microscopy, cell culture, ELISA, animal models, or related techniques, make those experiences easy for the selection committee to identify.
A strong application should connect your previous experience directly to the objectives of the research project.
Begin by reviewing your academic background and identifying subjects, laboratory courses, research projects, dissertations, internships, or employment experiences that relate to veterinary science, immunology, molecular biology, or biochemistry.
Your CV should present these experiences clearly. Instead of simply writing “laboratory experience,” identify the techniques you have actually used and, where appropriate, describe the type of research you performed.
The motivation letter should also explain why the project fits your academic and professional goals. For example, applicants interested in future doctoral research can explain how the opportunity would help them develop advanced laboratory skills and establish a research specialization.
Scientific publications can strengthen an application, but candidates without publications should not automatically assume they have no chance. The selection criteria also place considerable weight on academic performance and relevant laboratory experience.
Applicants should prepare their documents carefully before submitting the application.
The application package should include the completed application form, motivation letter, signed and dated CV, academic certificates with final grades, relevant degree-recognition documents for foreign qualifications, and evidence or a declaration of the required enrolment status.
Where applicable, candidates may also need to provide professional-status declarations and other documents specified in the official call.Recommendation letters are optional.
Because international applicants may need additional documentation for recognition of foreign qualifications, waiting until the final days can create avoidable problems.
Applications must be submitted by email to:candidatura.rh@fmv.ulisboa.ptApplicants should use the following reference in the subject line:BI_001_LMED_2024.17538.PEX
Before submitting, carefully check that all required documents are complete, signed where necessary, and presented in the required format.
Candidates should also verify the latest application instructions directly with the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine before sending their application.
The application deadline is 7 September 2026 at 11:59 PM Lisbon time.
Prospective applicants should avoid waiting until the final day. This is especially important for candidates applying from outside Portugal because degree recognition, enrolment arrangements, translations, and other administrative requirements can take time.
Start by preparing the academic documents and checking your eligibility. Then work on the CV and motivation letter, ensuring that your research experience is clearly connected to the project.
The University of Lisbon research scholarship offers more than a monthly financial allowance. The €1,359.64 monthly scholarship can provide financial support while the successful candidate gains practical research experience in a European university environment.
The opportunity may be particularly suitable for graduates interested in veterinary immunology, animal health, molecular biology, vaccine development, cellular biology, and biomedical research.
The possibility of working with advanced techniques such as single-cell RNA sequencing, flow cytometry, microscopy, ELISA, antigen purification, and immune-cell co-culture makes the position especially relevant to candidates who want to strengthen their laboratory portfolio.
It can also serve as a useful stepping stone for researchers considering a future PhD or other advanced research career.