Open Call for Postdoctoral Researcher 

CALL FOR A RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP

Fellowship Reference GIMM/BIPD/54-2025

Gulbenkian Institute for Molecular Medicine (GIMM) opens a call for one research fellowship under the project “Computational Analysis of the Evolution of Microtubule Organising Centres” with the funding support from “Moore Grant – UBC- GR021323 CC00976 FD200”.

Scientific Area(s): Bioinformatics, Comparative Genomics, Phylogenetics, Structural Biology, Cell Evolution

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

Applicants must hold the following requirements:

• PhD in a field relevant to bioinformatics (obtained less than 3 years ago); 
• Experience in programming and in some of the following areas: comparative genomics, phylogenetics ancestral sequence/trait reconstruction, and structural bioinformatics; 
• Interest in data visualization and/or web development will be considered an asset.

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 the morphological and molecular constraints that have shaped the evolution of microtubule organising centres (MTOCs). The fellow will apply computational and comparative approaches to analyse genomic and proteomic data from representative organisms across the tree of life. The work will include the construction of community-based resources and data extraction to study the evolution of cell division and motility mechanisms.

The project involves collaborations with the laboratories of Pedro Beltrão (ETH-Zurich), Patrick Keeling (UBC, Canada), Holy Goodson (UND, USA), and Jeremy Wideman (ASU, USA). 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 December 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 Joana Ferreira (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 November 15^th 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