Open Call for Postdoctoral Researcher

Reference GIMM/CT/18-2026

The GIMM – Gulbenkian Institute for Molecular Medicine is a pioneering Portuguese private research foundation with an ambitious vision for fundamental scientific exploration and its profound impact on global health and well-being. Founded in 2023, GIMM is the result of the merge of two leading research institutes: Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes (iMM) and Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência (IGC) and dedicates to unraveling the fundamental mysteries of life and aims to be at the forefront of transdisciplinary research. 

GIMM opens a call to hire a Postdoctoral Researcher correspondent to the initial level according to the Applicable Regulation, under an Unfixed-term contract under the project “MicroRNA regulators of gd T cell subset differentiation and response to malaria infection” with the funding support from FCT (2023.17920.ICDT), through national funds, co-funded by the Lisbon Regional Programme 2030 (ERDF funds) (LISBOA2030-FEDER-00687500), operation 15768.

Regulation

• Decree-Law nr 57/2016, from 29^th August, altered by Law nr 57/2017, from 19^th July, that approves a Doctoral Hiring regime to stimulate Scientific and Technological Employment in all knowledge areas (RJEC).
• Portuguese Labor Law, approved by Law nr 7/2009, from 12th February in its current writing.  
• Regulatory Decree Nr 11-A / 2017, of 29th December.
• Decree-Law nr 108/2023, of 22nd November.

Work Plan Activities

γδ T cells comprise two major effector subsets defined by IL-17 (γδ17) or IFN-γ (γδIFN) production, which perform important and non-redundant functions in infection and cancer. In particular, we have shown that these γδ T cell subsets play strikingly distinct roles during malaria infection. Using preliminary data identifying miRNAs differentially expressed between the two γδ T cell subsets, the candidate will:

1. modulate candidate miRNAs in vitro and in vivo;
2. Identify their direct mRNA targets through Ago-IP, bioinformatic prediction, and luciferase assays;
3. validate key findings in γδ T cells activated with Plasmodium spp.

Complementing this post-transcriptional regulatory axis and based on our previous transcriptomic data, we propose that intracellular organelle organization and vesicular trafficking constitute an additional mechanistic layer governing γδ T cell specialization. To address this question, the candidate will:

1. integrate quantitative transmission electron microscopy data with transcriptomic analyses to define the vesicular and organelle architecture of immature, γδ17, and γδIFN subsets;
2. associate ultrastructural features with the expression and function of genes controlling membrane trafficking and selective autophagy pathways.

Members of the Jury:  According to article 28 nr 5 from REC and article 13 from Decree-Law nr 57/2016, from 28th of August, altered by Law nr 57/2017, from 19th of July,the jury is composed by Professors Anita Q. Gomes (President of the Jury and Responsible for the Project), Bruno Silva-Santos and Daniel Inácio (all PhD’s).

Start Date and workplace: The contract is expected to start in September 2026 and will remain only for the necessary execution period of the work plan; the activities will be developed in GIMM installations in Lisboa/Oeiras and/or other necessary locations to their execution.

Monthly remuneration: Gross monthly Remuneration is 2408.11€, in accordance with subsection a), section 1, article 15 from Law nr 57/2017, 19th July, and with the remuneration position at initial level predicted in article 2 of Regulatory Decree nr 11-A/2017, of 29^th December, correspondent to level 33 at Tabela Remuneratória Única, approved by Order nr 1553-C/2008, 31^st December and updated by Decree-Law nr 108/2023, of 22nd November.

Profile of Candidate: Any National, foreign and stateless candidate(s) that hold the following requirements can apply:

1. PhD in Biological Sciences (including Biology, Biochemistry, Biomedicine, or related fields);
2.  Less than 3 years of postdoctoral experience;
3. Solid experience in molecular biology, particularly RNA studies.

Desirable: Experience in primary cell culture, transfection, or transduction, ideally lymphocytes, background in Immunology, experience with murine models, experience in flow cytometry.

Application process: The call is open from 24^th of April until 5^th of June 2026 (30 working days), and the application documents (indicated below) should be submitted, in PDF format, to People & Culture Team through the email positions@gimm.pt, by identifying the reference “GIMM/CT/18-2026” of the position in the “Subject”:

• Detailed CV, including a full list of publications;
• Motivation Letter;
• PhD degree certificate;
• Contacts of 2 references.

Note: Candidates who incorrectly formalize their application or do not submit the documents proving the compliance with the requirements indicated in the call will be excluded. The jury has the right to require to any candidate, in case of doubt, to present documents proving their statements.

Non-discrimination and equal access policy: GIMM promotes a non-discrimination and equal access policy, wherefore no candidate can be privileged, benefited, impaired or deprived of any rights whatsoever, or be exempt of any duties based on their ancestry, age, sex, sexual preference, marital status, family and economic conditions, instruction, origin or social conditions, genetic heritage, reduced work capacity, disability, chronic illness, nationality, ethnic origin or race, origin territory, language, religion, political or ideological convictions and 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.

Pursuant to Decree-Law nr 29/2001 of 3^rd February, disabled candidates shall be preferred in a situation of equal classification, and said preference supersedes any legal preferences. Candidates must declare, on their honour, their respective disability degree, type of disability and communication / expression means to be used during selection period on their application form, under the regulations above.

Evaluation criteria: The admitted applications will be evaluated taking into account the quality, timeliness and relevance of the scientific path (scientific production and research experience) and curriculum of each candidate (a) and their adequacy to the proposed work plan.

• First phase: Curriculum Analysis (40%) and Motivation Letter (20%);
• Second phase: The jury will select for the interview (evaluation: 40%) the candidates who obtained in the first phase the highest ranking, with a minimum of 50%.

After evaluation of all admitted applications, the jury will write a meeting minute with all process of recruitment, evaluation and selection including an ordered short list of approved candidates (alphabetic order) and their respective classification.

1. The final decision of the jury shall be validated by the Head of the Institution, who is also in charge of deciding about the hiring.

Results: 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.

The present call is exclusively aimed at filling the indicated vacancy and may be terminated until the homologation of the final candidates’ ranking list and expires with the respective occupation of the position on offer.

Download the job offer.