Fellowship Reference GIMM/BIPD/30-2025

Gulbenkian Institute for Molecular Medicine (GIMM) opens a call for one research fellowship under the project “Retinal formation and lamination, aspects of growth and symmetry” with the funding support from “ERC-2018-COG-819046 – makingtheretina” by H2020 – ERC”

Scientific Area(s): Biology or related scientific area

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

Applicants must hold the following requirements:

• Doctoral degree (PhD) in Biology or related scientific area, awarded less than three years ago at time of contract (essential);
• Excellent knowledge of English, spoken and written (essential);
• Extensive experience with model organisms, vertebrates or invertebrates;
• Experience on questions of developmental morphogenesis, vertebrates or invertebrates
• Extensive experience and proven track record with the use of fixed and live imaging (confocal, spinning disk, light sheet, etc) and image analysis (essential);
• Knowledge and track record in cell and/or developmental biology (essential);
• Experience with CRISPR and other genetic manipulation systems will be positively considered. Molecular biology experience will be positively considered;
• Internationally peer-reviewed and/or pre-printed publications are required.

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

Work Plan and Objectives:

• The project aims to understand how bilateral symmetry is established and maintained during optic cup formation (OCF) in zebrafish.
• The objectives are to quantify naturally occurring asymmetry during unperturbed development, determine how it evolves over time, and identify conditions under which it is resolved.
• The work will also assess the effects of external perturbations, such as elevated temperature and targeted interference in one eye, on the dynamics of OCF and the symmetry of outcomes.
• Imaging approaches will include fixed and live light-sheet microscopy combined with quantitative image analysis to measure optic cup volume, curvature, and cell number.
• Experimental perturbations will involve laser ablation, optogenetic interference with actomyosin contractility, and mechanical manipulations. The potential for inter-eye communication in compensatory responses will be evaluated. Transcriptomic profiling and candidate-based functional interference (e.g. CRISPR) will be used to identify and test signalling pathways involved in symmetry regulation.
• In parallel, a related objective will explore whether and how bilateral symmetry is preserved during the onset and propagation of retinal neurogenesis.

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 inSeptember 2025, for a period of 7 (seven) 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 Cell Biology of Tissue Morphogenesis Lab of GIMM, under the supervision of Caren Norden.

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 of2260€. 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 (1 page max); – Detailed CV; – PhD certificate and Summary of research achievements (1 page); – Contacts of 3 references (name, email and phone number); – Other documents relevant for the evaluation of the application; – 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: Caren Norden, Moritz Treek and João Coelho (GIMM).

Selection methods: Applications will be evaluated according to their Curriculum and previous experience (60%), and motivation letter (20%). References nominated by the candidates shall be consulted, if necessary (10%). In case of a tie, the candidates in this situation will be interviewed (10%) focusing on the research outcomes of the candidate. The decision is made by nominal vote of the selection panel members, in accordance with eligibility and selection criteria, with no abstentions allowed. The final results will be presented on a scale from 0 to 100.

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.

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