Open Call for Postdoctoral Researcher

CALL FOR A RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP

Fellowship Reference GIMM/BIPD/66-2025

Gulbenkian Institute for Molecular Medicine (GIMM) opens a call for one research fellowship under the project “Physical bioenergetics of microbial growth and maintenance” with the funding support from SLOAN Foundation.

Scientific Area(s): Theoretical Biophysics, Nonequilibrium Thermodynamics.

Fellowship recipients / Admission requirements (indicate mandatory and preferential requirements): Any National, foreign and stateless candidate(s).  

Applicants must hold the following requirements:

– Doctorate must have been obtained less than 3 years ago (mandatory);

– PhD in physics or equivalent;

– Demonstrated experience in nonequilibrium thermodynamics and metabolism. 

The international experience of the candidates, although not a determining criterion for selection, will be valued.

Work Plan and Objectives: 

The candidate will work within the scope a Sloan foundation collaborative project between the group’s of Pablo Sartori and Shashi Thutupalli. The candidate is expected to develop new methodologies for the analysis of experimental aimed at quantifying the dissipative cost of microbial growth and maintenance. In addition, the candidate will develop mathematical models based on the principles of nonequiibrium thermodynamics that provide a quantitative explanation for experimental observations.

Legislation and Applicable Regulation: Estatuto do Bolseiro de Investigação (Lei n.º 40/2004, de 18 de Agosto, republished in attachment to Decreto-Lei n.º 202/2012, de 27 de Agosto, changed by Decretos-Leis n.º 123/2019, 28 de Agosto e nº 65/2024, 1 de outubro). 

Predicted start date, duration and renewal conditions: The fellowship contract is predicted to start in February 2026, for a period of 36 (thirty-six) months on an exclusive basis, not exceeding the eligibility period of the project.  

Workplace and Scientific orientation: The research activities will be developed at the Living Physics Laboratory of GIMM, under the supervision of Pablo Sartori.

Non-discrimination and equal access policy: GIMM undertakes to ensure compliance with the principles of non-discrimination and equality and to that extent, provides that no candidate can be privileged, benefited, harmed or deprived of any right or exempted from any duty due in particular ancestry, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, economic status, education, social origin or condition, genetic heritage, reduced working capacity, disability, chronic disease, nationality, ethnic origin or race, place of origin, language, religion, political or ideological convictions and trade union membership.

International environment and experience: Diversity is a fundamental aspect of the essence of GIMM, where researchers and non-researchers of different nationalities, backgrounds and areas of study work together, promoting the exchange of experiences and interactions, contributing to the personal and professional development of each person and to the existence of an international, inclusive and stimulating environment.

Research Fellows Support Centre: The Research Fellows Support Centre works everyday from 09:00AM to 11:00AM at People & Culture Unit Office.

Fellowship financial conditions: The fellow will benefit from a monthly stipend in the amount of 2.260,00€. The amount will be paid by wire transfer at the end of each month. The fellow will also benefit from a personal accident insurance to execute the proposed research activities as well as the right to Social Security through Voluntary Social Insurance regimen, if wanted, under the terms of Código dos Regimes Contributivos do Sistema Previdencial de Segurança Social, and the contributions costs will be supported by the research project. 

Application documents: – Motivation Letter; – CV; PhD certificate.

The non-compliance with these requirements determines the immediate rejection of the application.

In case the applicant does not have yet the required degree certificate, a declaration of honor stating the conclusion of the necessary qualifications for the purposes of this process will be accepted and must be sent by the end date of the call. 

Jury evaluation and selection: The applications will be evaluated by a jury consisting of Doctors Pablo Sartori, Tiago Paixão and Caren Norden (GIMM). 

Selection methods: Applications will be evaluated according to Curriculum (50%) and interview (50%). 

Interview will only be carried for candidates with a CV ranked above 40%.

Deadlines and application process: The call will be open from December 11^th 2025 to December 29^th 2025. 

Applications should be submitted to People & Culture Unit, through the email positions@gimm.pt .

The non-compliance with these requirements determines the immediate rejection of the application.

Notification of results: Within 90 days after the termination of the applications submission deadline, both admitted and excluded candidates list and final classification list shall be communicated to all admitted candidates through email.

Preliminary Hearing and Final Decision Deadline: After notification, all candidates have 10 working days to respond. Panel’s final decisions are pronounced within a period of 90 days, from application deadline.

Fellowship contracting: The Fellowship is granted through the signature of a contract between GIMM and the selected fellow and after the fellow send the following mandatory documents: copy of identification document (in case of non-European citizens is mandatory the work visa / valid resident permit), document proving the required academic degree. 

For each Fellowship period an Activity Report must be prepared by the fellow as well as the Report by the supervisor.

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