In a time marked by profound scientific, technological, and social transformations, Bioethics stands as an essential space for critical reflection and ethical commitment to the future of humanity. The Faculty of Medicine and the Institute of Bioethics at Universidade Católica Portuguesa announce the opening of applications for the Postdoctoral Program in Bioethics, designed for national and international PhD researchers.

This program fosters a transdisciplinary approach, grounded in the values of human dignity, human rights, and intergenerational responsibility, bridging science, ethics, and society. More than an academic path, it is an invitation to build responsible knowledge capable of guiding scientific progress toward a fairer, more humane, and sustainable future.

The Faculty of Medicine and the Institute of Bioethics of Universidade Católica Portuguesa invite national and international PhD researchers to develop advanced research programs that bring together science, ethics, and society.

What is this program?

A Postdoctoral Program is an individual research path, supervised by professors or researchers at UCP, with the possibility of external co-supervision. It is a space to think and act on the major ethical challenges emerging from new technologies, genetics, artificial intelligence, Social and Life Sciences.

The activities organized within the scope of UCP’s postdoctoral programs are designed as transversal spaces for learning and dialogue, open to all researchers who participate in them. These moments reflect our commitment to collaborative knowledge building and transdisciplinarity, acting as true ‘communicating vessels’ between different scientific fields and experiences. By fostering shared pathways across disciplines and academic units, these initiatives enhance not only the quality and innovation of research but also its scientific and social impact, contributing to more integrated responses to contemporary challenges. This dynamic is strengthened through collaboration with CADOS UCP – Doctoral School, which ensures a structured and articulated approach to advanced training, promoting synergies among programs and researchers.

How long does it last?

Flexible and tailored to your project:

• Minimum: 6 months
• Maximum: 3 years (with exceptional extension up to 6 years)
• Start date: from January 2025
• Compatible with research grants

“In a world marked by overwhelming scientific and technological advances, Bioethics emerges as a field of knowledge that seeks to reconcile unstoppable progress with universal human values.”

Freitas, M., & Brites, M. (2024). Bioética. In I. Baltazar & F. Pacheco (Coords.), Dicionário dos valores e cidadania europeia (p. 102). Lisboa: Petrony. ISBN 978-972-685-347-3.