Open Call for Postdoctoral Researcher

CALL FOR A RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP

Fellowship Reference GIMM/BIPD/45-2025

Gulbenkian Institute for Molecular Medicine (GIMM) opens a call for one research fellowship under the project “Pyrazinones as novel Quorum Sensing signals mediating interspecies signaling in the gut Microbiota” with the funding support from Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, IP.P. / MCTES through national funds (PIDDAC), (PIDDAC) (REF: LISBOA2030-FEDER-00759400; FCT: 2023.16983.ICDT; SGO2030: 16426).

Scientific Area(s) : Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Microbiology and related fields

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

Applicants must hold the following requirements:

– PhD degree holder in Biology or related areas (obtained less than 3 years ago);

–  Previous experience working in Microbiology and Molecular Biology; 

– Preference will be given to candidates with previous experience working with rodents for microbiota studies.

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

Work Plan and Objectives: 

The main objective of this project is to investigate how Bacteroides respond to pyrazinone quorum sensing signals in the context of different diets. The selected candidate will be responsible for executing the animal experiments to address this aim. The selected candidate will also construct mutants in Bacteroides in genes related to diet adaptation upon colonization of the mouse gut.

Legislation and Applicable Regulation: Estatuto do Bolseiro de Investigação approved by Law nr 40/2004, from 18^th August in its current form (altered by Decree Law nr 123/2019, 28^th August) and current Regulation of Fellowships of Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia Regulamento Bolsas FCT 2019.pdf (approved by Regulation nr 950/2019, from 16^th December).

Predicted start date, duration and renewal conditions: The fellowship contract is predicted to start in November 1^st 2025, for a period of 24 (twenty four) months on an exclusive basis, eventually renewable until the maximum stipulated in applicable regulations, not exceeding the eligibility period of the project.  

Work place and Scientific orientation: The research activities will be developed at the Bacterial Signalling Laboratory of GIMM, under the supervision of Doctor Karina Xavier. 

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, sexualorientation, 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 €1.851,00 in accordance with the defined in FCT table. 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; – Detailed CV; PhD certificate; – Contacts of two references; – 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: Doctors Karina Xavier (GIMM), Tanja Dapa (Universidad Pablo de Olavide) and Sarela Garcia Santa-Maria (ITQB-Nova).

Selection methods: Candidates will be evaluated on a scale from 0 to 10 based on the following categories:

• motivation letter (40%); 
• CV (including previous experience) (40%); 

Only candidates who obtain a score above 80% in the first stage will be selected for an interview, which will carry a weight of 20%.

Deadlines and application process: The call will be open from September 16^th 2025 to September 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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