Brazil Nanotechnology Postdoc Fellowship 2027 Open at FAPESP
If your PhD background is in biotechnology, chemistry, nanotechnology or a related biomedical field, a new FAPESP-funded postdoctoral opportunity in Brazil is offering R$12,570 per month plus a dedicated research contingency fund.
The fellowship is based at the Institute of Physics of São Carlos, University of São Paulo (IFSC-USP) and focuses on developing biomimetic nanosystems for the treatment of glioblastoma, one of the most aggressive forms of brain cancer.
This is also an internationally open call: candidates of any nationality can apply.
What Will You Actually Research?
The project sits at the intersection of nanotechnology, cancer biology, immunology and drug delivery.
The selected postdoctoral researcher will work on biomimetic nanosystems based on cell membranes, with the aim of improving tumour targeting and antitumour effectiveness through immunomodulation.
The practical work is expected to include:
- Tumour-cell and T-lymphocyte culture
- Development of biomimetic drug-delivery nanosystems
- Nanomaterial synthesis and optimisation
- 3D cell-culture work
- Physicochemical and morphological characterisation
- In-vitro testing of the developed systems
The project uses techniques including DLS, NTA, AFM, TEM, SEM and Raman spectroscopy, so this is clearly intended for someone with strong laboratory experience rather than a purely computational nanotechnology background.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants must hold a PhD in Biotechnology, Science, Chemistry or a related field. The more important test, however, is whether your previous research experience matches the experimental work and candidates should already have experience in:
- Nanomaterial synthesis
- Cell culture
- 3D culture
- Spectroscopic characterization of nanomaterials
- Development of biomimetic systems
You should also have working knowledge of chemistry, cellular and molecular biology, and immunology. This makes the fellowship particularly suitable for researchers working across nanomedicine, drug delivery, biomaterials, cancer therapeutics or biomedical nanotechnology.
Can International Researchers Apply?
Yes. The opportunity explicitly states that applicants of all nationalities and all countries of residence are eligible. That is an important advantage for researchers looking for a postdoctoral route into Brazil, because nationality itself is not being used as an eligibility filter.
International applicants should still consider practical relocation requirements separately, particularly immigration documentation and the timing needed to begin research in São Carlos if selected.
How Much Does the FAPESP Fellowship Pay?
The selected researcher will receive R$12,570 per month through a FAPESP Post-Doctoral Fellowship. There is also a research contingency fund equal to 10% of the fellowship’s annual value.
That additional money is not simply extra personal income. It is intended for expenses directly connected with the research activity. This distinction matters: the R$12,570 monthly fellowship supports the researcher, while the contingency allocation helps support the actual project.
How Strong Does Your Profile Need to Be?
This looks less like a broad-entry postdoc and more like a technical match competition. Having a PhD in Chemistry or Biotechnology gets you through the academic door, but candidates will likely distinguish themselves through evidence that they have already handled the experimental methods required by the project.
A CV showing direct work with nanoparticle synthesis, biomimetic membranes, microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, tumour-cell models or drug-delivery systems will be much more persuasive than a general statement about interest in cancer nanotechnology.
Your application should therefore make technical alignment immediately visible.
How Do You Apply?
The application procedure is unusually simple.
Candidates should email [email protected] using the subject line:
PD Healthcare Scholarship – [First Name and Last Name]
The application should include a CV or résumé, together with links to the applicant’s Lattes CV and other relevant academic profiles.
Because the selection is likely to depend heavily on technical fit, your CV should clearly identify the laboratory techniques, nanomaterials, cell models and publications most relevant to this fellowship.
FAPESP Nanotechnology Postdoc Deadline
The last date to apply for the FAPESP Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Nanotechnology is 30 August 2026.
Applicants should avoid sending a generic academic CV at the last minute. A focused version showing direct alignment with biomimetic nanosystems, cell culture and nanomaterial characterisation will make the application easier to assess.
Questions Applicants Are Likely to Ask
Can researchers outside Brazil apply?
Yes. The opportunity is explicitly open to applicants of any nationality and residence.
Is this a salaried job or a fellowship?
It is a FAPESP Post-Doctoral Fellowship paying R$12,570 per month, rather than a standard employment contract.
Do I need a PhD specifically in Nanotechnology?
No. PhDs in Biotechnology, Science, Chemistry and related fields are accepted, provided the candidate has the required practical expertise.
Can a computational researcher apply?
Possibly, but the position is heavily experimental. The mandatory experience includes cell culture, nanomaterial synthesis, 3D culture and physical characterization techniques.
Is the research fund paid to the fellow personally?
The additional 10% contingency fund is intended for expenses directly related to the research activity, so it should not be treated as unrestricted personal income.
Not Sure Whether Your PhD Profile Matches?
If you are unsure whether your PhD field, nanomaterial experience, cell-culture background or laboratory techniques are close enough to the requirements, leave your question in the comments below the article. Mention your PhD topic and the main methods you have used, and we can help you judge whether this FAPESP nanotechnology postdoc is realistically worth applying for.