CALL FOR A RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP

Fellowship Reference GIMM/BI/6-2025

Gulbenkian Institute for Molecular Medicine (GIMM) opens a call for one research fellowship under the project “Validating the Synthetic Lethal Interactions of FANCM in Non-ALT Cells” with the funding support fromTessellateBIO.

Scientific Area(s): Cell and developmental biology.

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

Applicants must hold the following requirements:

– MSc degree holder in cell biology, biochemistry or related fields;

– Proven experience with telomere biology and genome stability maintenance in mammalian cells;

– Experience in cell biology including mammalian cell culture, CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, indirect immunofluorescence, RNA and DNA fluorescence in situ hybridization and cell transfections;

– Experience in molecular biology including nucleic acids extraction, northern and southern blotting, PCR and RT-PCR, TRAP assays, protein extraction and western blotting;

– Experience in microscopy including fluorescence and confocal microscopy;

– Publications in peer-reviewed journals are not necessary, but will be valued;

– Proficient in English, spoken and written;

– Good managing skills;

– Forward thinking, can-do, pro-active attitude.

Work Plan and Objectives:

1. Studying how telomeric transcripts support genome stability in mammalian cultured cells;

• Studying the formation of R-loops at telomeric repeats in mammalian cultured cells.

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 April 2025, for a period of 9 (nine) 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 Telomeres, long noncoding RNAs and genome stability Lab of GIMM, under the supervision of Claus M. Azzalin.

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 every day 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 1259.64€. 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; – Contacts of 2 references.  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: Doctors Claus M. Azzalin (FMUL/GIMM), Joana Rodrigues (GIMM) and Patrícia Abreu (GIMM).

Selection methods: CV (50%) and Motivation Letter (50%). Only applicants with at least a total of 90% will be shortlisted for this position.

Deadlines and application process: The call will be open from January 24^th until February 6^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 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 in PDF