The Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência (IGC) is welcoming applications to a Bachelor’s Research Fellowship (BI), with the following conditions:

1. Duration The fellowship duration according to the IGC Research Fellowship Regulation approved by FCT is 9 months. The fellowship contract is expected to start by October 2024, under the exclusiveness regime as required by Research Fellowship Regulation of Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia, IP (FCT).

• Subject of Activities: The selected candidate will join the Plant Molecular Biology Laboratory (https://gulbenkian.pt/ciencia/research-groups/pduque/), headed by Dr. Paula Duque, and will make use of reverse genetics in Arabidopsis thaliana to explore the potential roles of different SR proteins in the response to infection by the bacteria Pseudomonas syringae, a well-established model for studying host-pathogen interactions. Upon genotyping and verifying SR protein transcript levels, a collection of Arabidopsis knockout or knockdown SR protein mutants will be screened for disease symptoms and pathogen growth, with their responses compared to those of wild-type plants. Mutants displaying hypersensitive and hypertolerant phenotypes will undergo analysis of the expression and splicing of target genes involved in the plant’s immune response.

• Scientific Areas: Biological Sciences.

• Academic Profile and Admission Requirements: Bachelor degree in Biological Sciences or related areas, with research experience in autotrophic organisms and interest in host-pathogen interactions. Good written and spoken English level.

According to article 3, point 2 of IGC Research Fellowship Regulation, the selected candidate must be enrolled in a non-academic degree course integrated in the educational project of a higher education institution.

If the qualification has been conferred by a foreign higher education institution it must be recognized by a Portuguese higher education institution, under the terms of the provisions of article 25.º of Decree-Law n.º 66/2018, of August 16^th (https://www.dges.gov.pt/en/pagina/degree-and-diploma-recognition), which approves the legal regime of recognition of academic degrees and diplomas of Higher Education, attributed by foreign higher education institutions, and of paragraph e) of n.º 2 of article 4.º of Decree-Law n.º 60/2018, of August 3rd, and any formalities established therein must be fulfilled by the date of

the hiring act. The jury reserves the right to invite the candidate ranked immediately after to the position in question when the first ranked candidate is not recognized with the academic degree after the aforementioned formalities have been fulfilled.

• For Portuguese taxpayers: All candidates that where/are currently taxpayers in Portugal are required to present evidence of the fulfillment of their individual obligations towards the Portuguese Tax Authority and Social Security. Failure to comply with this requirement will be considered as a criteria for exclusion from the recruitment process.

• Applicable legislation and Regulation: All candidates must comply with the IGC Research Fellowship Regulation; Research Fellowship Statutes amended by Decree nº 123/2019 of August 28^th; FCT Legislation and Regulations for Fellowships and the  Decree-Law n.º 66/2018, of August 16th (Legal regime for recognition of academic degrees and diplomas of higher education awarded by foreign higher education institutions)

• Subsidy Month Stipend: 1.085,00 €/month according to the table of monthly maintenance allowance amounts set out in Annex I of IGC Research Fellowship Regulation. The payment will be made by bank transfer. The selected candidate will be reimbursed for the amount corresponding to the Voluntary Social Security contribution.

• Deadline for applications and how to submit applications: Interested candidates should send their applications to igcpositions@igc.gulbenkian.pt in a single PDF file, named “Applicant Name_ Research Fellowship_Arabidopsis”, containing: Motivation Letter (2 pages max); Curriculum Vitae (2 pages max), two reference letters and proof of degree.

• Methods of Selection and Evaluation: The selection procedure shall be as follows: Curriculum (40%), motivation letter (20%), reference letters (20%). If considered necessary by the jury, the interview of the selected applicants will represent (20%) of the final evaluation.

1. Jury Selection: Chairman: Dr. Paula Duque. Other members: Dr. Diogo Godinho and Dr. Dóra Szakonyi. Substitute: Dr. María Niño-González.

1. Form of Advertising / Notification of results: The assessment results will be sent to all candidates by email. There will be 10 working days for complaints/appeals after the date of publication of the Selection Minute, through the same application email.

1. Application Period: From 13/09/2024 until 26/09/2024.

1. Non-discrimination and equal access policy: The Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation actively promotes a non-discrimination and equal access policy, wherefore no candidate can be privileged, benefitted, impaired or deprived of any rights whatsoever, or be exempt  of any duties based on ancestry, age, sex, sexual preference, marital status, family and economic conditions, education, origin or social conditions, genetic heritage, reduced work capacity, disability, chronic illness, nationality, ethnic origin or race, origin territory, language, religion, political or ideological convictions and union membership.

The employment relationship to be established with the selected candidate will be formalized

with the GIMM – Gulbenkian Institute for Molecular Medicine, which will assume the position of employer and the consequent ownership of the set of rights and duties that make up the content of employment relationships.

For more information on GIMM and the merger between IGC and iMM, visit: https://gimm.pt/.

If you have any questions, please contact people@gimm.pt.

Download the job offer in PDF