Open Call for Fellowship Reference GI MM/BI/32-2026

Gulbenkian Institute for Molecular Medicine (GIMM) opens a call for one research fellowship
under the project “Underlying mechanisms of telomere elongation in the context of spinal cord
regeneration” with the funding support from Core Funding.

Scientific Area(s): Developmental biology and regenerative biology

Fellowship recipients / Admission requirements (indicate mandatory and preferential requirements): Any National, foreign and stateless candidate(s) that fulfill the necessary conditions to be enrolled in a non -academic degree course (in a rea related to the work plan) can apply. Are considered “Non-academic degree courses” the ones referred in paragraph e) of number 3 of article 4 of Decree-Law nr 74/2006, from 24th March, in its current version, as long as they are developed in association and cooperation between a higher education institution and at least one R&D Unit in accordance with the provisions of paragraph e) of Article 3 of FCT Fellowship Regulation.

Applicants must hold the following requirements:

– Master’s Degree in Biological Sciences

– Good knowledge of Cell and Developmental Biology

– Experience with zebrafish

Desirable requirements:

– Proficient in spinal cord injuries and behavioral tests in adult zebrafish, and larvae.

– Specialization in confocal microscopy. Experience in quantitative biology.

– Experience with the TERT mutant line of zebrafish.

– The international experience of the candidates, not constituting a decisive criterion for the
selection, will be valued.

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

Work Plan and Objectives:

– Animal genotyping through PCR -based analysis

– TRAP (Telomer Repeat Amplification Protocol), including protein extraction

– TRF (terminal restriction fragment analysis), including genomic extraction of DNA

– Acquisition and analysis of images of RNA -FISH data

– Cardiac injection of dextran to assess the integrity/permeability of the Bloody Barrier– Spinal Cord
(BSCB)

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 Agostoe 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 november 2026, for a period of 6 (six) months on an exclusive basis, eventually renewable
until the maximum stipulated in applicable regulations, not exceeding the eligibility period of the
project.

Workplace and Scientific orientation: The research activities will be developed at Leonor Saúde
Lab of GIMM, under the supervision of Leonor Saúde.

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, rel igion, political or ideological
convictions and trade union membership.

International environment and experience: Diversity is a fundam ental aspect of the essence of
GI MM, 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 C entre 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
1359.64€. 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 re gimen, if wanted, under the terms
of Código dos Regimes Contributivos do Sistema Previdencial de Segurança Social, and th e
contributions costs will be supported by the research project.

Application documents: – Motivation Letter ; – Detailed CV ; MSc certificate (please check the
“NOT E” in Fellowship recipients ); – Candidate’s declaration of honor indicating previous
fellowships, if any, its typology and duration. 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: Leonor Saúde, Luísa Lopes e Edg ar Gomes.

Selection methods: Motivation Letter (20%); Experience with zebrafish genetic models (30%);
Experience in tissue processing for high -resolution confocal imaging (30%); Experience with
machine learning image analysis (20%) .

Deadlines and application process: The call will be open from September 7 until September 18 2026. Applications should be submitted to People & Culture Unit, through the email people@gimm.pt with “GIMM/BI/32-2026” in the subject . 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 and the document proving the enrollment in a non-academic degree course.

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

Download the Job Offer