Open Call for PhD Student Research Fellowship

Reference GIMM/BI/42-2026

Gulbenkian Institute for Molecular Medicine (GIMM) opens a call for one research fellowship with the funding support from GIMM Core Funding.

Scientific Area(s): Parasitology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry

Fellowship recipients / Admission requirements: Any National, foreign and stateless candidate(s) that fulfill the necessary conditions to be enrolled in a PhD academic degree course can apply.  

Applicants must meet the following mandatory requirements:

• MSc degree holder in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Biology, Biophysics, or related areas;
• Hands-on experience with in vitro work with Trypanosoma brucei;
• Experience with molecular biology techniques, including genetic manipulation, gene knockout/knockdown approaches, RT-qPCR, luciferase-based reporter assays, and related methodologies;
• Knowledge and experience in Nanopore sequencing library preparation, data analysis, and interpretation of sequencing results.

Work Plan and Objectives:

• Generation of T. brucei knockout cell lines targeting individual poly(A) polymerases and validation of gene depletion by RT-qPCR;
• Preparation of Nanopore sequencing libraries to investigate the roles of individual poly(A) polymerases in mRNA polyadenylation, followed by sequencing data analysis;
• Generation and characterization of T. brucei reporter cell lines using luciferase assays and RT-qPCR;
• Establishment of time-course experiments to investigate polyadenylation dynamics and subsequent analysis of samples by Nanopore sequencing.

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 January 2027, for a period of 6 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 Luisa Figueiredo’s Lab of GIMM, under the supervision of Luisa Figueiredo.

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 of1359.64€. 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: – Motivation Letter; – Detailed CV; – MSc certificate; 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: Applications will be evaluated by a jury composed of PhD holders Luisa M Figueiredo (GIMM, president of the Jury), Michal Malecki (GIMM) and Joana Ricardo (GIMM).

Selection methods: Curricular evaluation 80%, Motivation letter 20%

Deadlines and application process: The call will be open by a minimum period of 10 working days, from 16^th until 27^th of November 2026.

Applications should be submitted to People & Culture Unit, through the email positions@gimm.pt with the reference “GIMM/BI/42-2026” 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 PhD study cycle.

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.