Open Call for Postdoctoral research fellowship contract

Fellowship Reference GIMM-BIPD-11-2026

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. 

What GIMM seeks: At this moment, GIMM is looking for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join the Peripheral Neuroimmunology Laboratory coordinated by Dr. Pavel Hanc, funded by GIMM Core Funding.

Work Plan and Objectives:

The post-doctoral fellow will work in the Peripheral Neuroimmunology Laboratory to study the molecular mechanisms through which nociceptors affect immune responses. They will utilize a combination of in vitro and in vivo techniques, integrating immunology, neuroscience, genomics, and cancer/cell biology to develop screening methods to identify the underlying neuroimmune communication mechanisms, perform experiments to delineate their functional relevance in biological systems, and assess their potential usefulness as clinical targets.

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

Applicants must hold the following requirements:

Mandatory:

• PhD in Immunology, Neuroscience or related areas;
• Less than 3 years of postdoctoral experience;
• Experience in cell culture techniques, mouse work, flow cytometry and microscopy;
• Good knowledge of spoken and written English;
• Ability to work independently as well as a part of a team.

Desirable:

• Experience in neuroimmunology;
• Attention to detail, good organization skills, and ability to keep clean written records.

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) and current Regulation of Fellowships of GIMM.

Predicted start date, duration and renewal conditions: The fellowship contract is predicted to start in July 2026, for a period of 12 months on an exclusive basis, eventually renewable until the maximum stipulated in applicable regulations, not exceeding the eligibility period of the project.

Application documents:

• Cover Letter explaining the candidate’s interest in the position, listing their past academic achievements and highlighting how their experience and expertise relate to the proposed project;
• Reference letters from at least 2 academic referees (1 from the candidate’s PhD mentor);
• Declaration of Honor indicating previous fellowships, if any, its typology and duration;
• Detailed Curriculum Vitae;
• Doctorate Degree Certificate.

Application process: The call will be open from 2026-05-15 until 2026-05-28. Applications must be submitted by email to positions@gimm.pt.

Failure to comply with these requirements will result in the rejection of the application.

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.

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 1901,00€. 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.

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: Applications will be evaluated by Pavel Hanč (President of the Jury), Marie-Louise Bergman, Elisa Jentho (all PhD’s), in accordance with the following method:

First phase:

Curricular and scientific evaluation (70%):

• Scientific track record, including publications and research experience (30%)
• Curriculum: (40%)
• Adequacy to the proposed work plan and profile of the position: (30%)

Second phase

Interview (30%) (for candidates who achieve a minimum score of 50 in the first phase)

1. 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.
2. 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