Open Call for RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP

Reference GIMM/BI/25-2026

Gulbenkian Institute for Molecular Medicine (GIMM) opens a call for one research fellowship under the project “EvoInHi – Evolution in the Gut in Health and Disease” financed by Research Council Executive Agency, under the program Horizon Europe.

Scientific Area(s): Microbiology

Fellowship recipients / Admission requirements (indicate mandatory and preferential

requirements): Any National, foreign and stateless candidate(s).

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

Mandatory:

• Master’s degree holder in Biological Engineering or Microbiology;
• Good knowledge of spoken and written English.

Desirable:

• Experience in experimental microbiology (e.g. culturing, DNA extraction, PCR);
• Experience in genomic data analysis;
• Experience with ELISA, cell culture.

Work Plan and Objectives:

The Research Fellow will work closely with experimentalists in Isabel Gordo’s lab to study patterns of bacterial evolution under competition for resources and will contribute to laboratory activities, including microbial culturing, DNA extraction, PCR, and other molecular biology techniques, as well as data processing and analysis. The fellow will perform experimental evolution studies in E. coli strains, phenotypic assays of evolved clones, and data analysis to support the interpretation of experimental results.

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 September 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.

Workplace and Scientific orientation: The research activities will be developed at Laboratory Evolutionary Biology of GIMM, under the mentorship of Isabel Gordo.

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 1.359,64€. 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 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:

• Cover Letter;
• References;
• Detailed Curriculum Vitae;
• 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.

Jury evaluation and selection: Isabel Gordo (GIMM); Marta Lourenço, Elsa Seixas (GIMM) e Alicia Calvo (GIMM)

Selection methods: The evaluation of applications and respective selection will be based on the following methods:

Document Evaluation (65%) – In this phase, the candidates’ Curriculum Vitae and motivation letter will be assessed;

Laboratory experience (35%).

Deadlines and application process: The call will be open from 2026-07-03 until 2026-07-17.

Applications should be submitted to the GIMM People & Culture Unit via email at positions@gimm.pt.

The email subject line must include the reference “GIMM-BI-25-2026”.

Failure to comply with these requirements will result in the 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