Open Call for Postdoctoral Researcher 

CALL FOR A RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP

Fellowship Reference GIMM/BIPD/55-2025

Gulbenkian Institute for Molecular Medicine (GIMM) opens a call for one research fellowship under the project “Evolution of Centrosome Abnormalities in the Context of Cancer” with the funding support from “CCR – Cell Cycle Regulation Laboratory”.

Scientific Area(s): Cell Biology, Molecular Oncology, Genomics, Bioinformatics, Cellular Evolution

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

Applicants must hold the following requirements:

• PhD in a field relevant to cell biology, oncology, or computational data analysis (obtained less than 3 years ago); 
• Experience with cancer-related cell models or data analysis in oncogenesis; 
• Background in microscopy, computational biology, or gene expression analysis will be considered an advantage. 

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

Work Plan and Objectives: 

This project builds upon Dias-Louro et al., 2024 (bioRxiv), which uncovered adaptive mechanisms of human cell populations exposed to different levels of centriole amplification. The goal is to investigate how centrosome abnormalities evolve and propagate in cancer contexts, and how they influence cellular plasticity, genomic instability, and tumour progression.

The fellow will:

• Study the evolutionary dynamics of centrosome alterations in cancer cell models with different levels of PLK4 and other regulatory proteins;
• Integrate transcriptomic, proteomic, and imaging data to identify mechanisms of cellular adaptation and selection;
• Explore the relationship between cellular adaptation, aneuploidy, and tumour aggressiveness;
• Contribute to developing experimental and computational approaches to predict the impact of chronic perturbations in centriole regulators.

The project may be extended beyond the initial 8 months at the Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG) in Barcelona, where the group will relocate.

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 November 2025, for a period of 8 (eight) 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 Cycle Regulation Laboratory of GIMM, under the supervision of Mónica Bettencourt-Dias. 

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 2.260,00€. 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 (including contact information for two references); – PhD certificate; – Contacts of at least two previous supervisors who can provide reference letters upon request; – Candidate’s declaration of honor indicating previous fellowships, if any, its typology and duration (one PDF file).

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: Mónica Bettencourt-Dias (GIMM), Mariana Lince-Faria (GIMM) and Diana Santos (GIMM).  

Selection methods: Evaluation will be based on the analysis of the CV (50%), motivation letter, and the match between the applicant’s profile and the work plan (50%).  Shortlisted candidates may be invited for an interview.

Deadlines and application process: The call will be open from October 20^th 2025 until October 31st 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 Job Offer in PDF