Fellowship Reference GIMM/BIPD/31-2025

Gulbenkian Institute for Molecular Medicine (GIMM) opens a call for one research fellowship under the project “Hormone-like Bacterial Signaling Molecules as Mediators of Gut-Brain Dialogues” with the funding support from “Human Frontier Science Program”

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

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

Applicants must hold the following requirements:

– PhD degree holder in Biology, or related areas;

– Accreditation for animal experimentation according to FELASA.

– Previous experience working with Microbiology and Bacterial Genetics;

Non-Mandatory Requirements:

– Preference will be given to candidates with experience in working with anaerobic bacterial culturing;

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

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

Work Plan and Objectives:

• Our laboratory is seeking for candidates interested in working our newly funded project “Hormone-like Bacterial Signaling Molecules as Mediators of Gut-Brain Dialogues”, which aims to investigate the role of quorum sensing molecules produced by gut microbes in host physiology and behavior.

• The selected candidate will work together with the other members of the team in culturing key members of the gut microbiota, measuring the signals produced by these bacteria, constructing mutants involved in quorum sensing, and on performing animal experiments involving colonization of the mouse gut with specific bacteria to test the impact of these signal molecules in animal physiology and behavior.

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 inJuly 2025, for a period of 9 (nine) 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 Bacterial Signalling Laboratory of GIMM, under the supervision of 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, 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 2000€. 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; – Proof of PhD degree; – Contacts of 2 references who can provide reference letters upon request; – 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: Karina Xavier (GIMM); Tanja Dapa (Universidad Pablo de Olavide Seville, Spain), Sarela Garcia Santa Marina (ITQB).

Selection methods: CV and previous experience (50%), motivation letter (30%), and interview (20%). Candidates with a score above 75% will be interviewed.

Deadlines and application process: The call will be open from 09^thJune 2025 until 25^th June 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.

Download the Job Offer