CALL FOR A RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP

Fellowship Reference GIMM/BI/15-2025

Gulbenkian Institute for Molecular Medicine (GIMM) opens a call for one research fellowship under the project “IL7R hijacking by lung cancer cells: contribution for cancer development, metastasis and resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy”, with the funding support fromFundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, IP.P. / MCTES through national funds (PIDDAC).

Scientific Area(s): Oncobiology, Signaling in Cancer.

Fellowship recipients / Admission requirements: Any National, foreign and stateless candidate(s) that fulfill the necessary conditions to be enrolled in a non-academic degree course (in area related to the work plan) can apply.  Are considered “Non-academic degree courses” the ones referred in paragraph e) of number 3 of article 4 of Decree-Law nr 74/2006, from 24^th March, in its current version, as long as they are developed in association and cooperation between a higher education institution and at least one R&D Unit in accordance with the provisions of paragraph e) of Article 3 of FCT Fellowship Regulation.

Applicants must hold the following requirements:

– MSc degree holder in biomedical research with focus in Oncobiology;

– Previous expertise in signaling transduction pathways namely in IL-7/IL-7R signaling (highly valued);

– Previous experience in cell culture of solid tumor cell lines (mandatory);

– Previous experience in molecular biology techniques (DNA and RNA extraction, qPCR, RT-PCR, Western blot) (mandatory);

– Previous experience in the production and handling of viral supernatants (mandatory);

– Previous experience in invasion and migration assays (highly valued);

– Previous experience in Flow Cytometry analysis (mandatory);

– Previous experience with in vivo work (highly valued);

– Previous experience in animal colony management and genotyping (mandatory);

– High sense of responsibility, organization and method;

– Pro-active personality;

– Ability to work independently but also with team spirit;

– Excellent knowledge of English, both spoken and written.

Work Plan and Objectives:

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the major lung cancer subtype, accounting for 85% of all cases. Interleukin (IL)-7 and its receptor (IL-7R) are critical for T-cell development, survival of naïve T-cells, and generation and maintenance of memory T-cells, being essential for efficient immune anti-tumor responses. However, in the current project, funded by FCT and based on our preliminary data, we wish to demonstrate that IL-7R can have an oncogenic role in lung cancer. The successful candidate will be a highly organized, motivated and pro-active person that will participate in tasks such as the following:

• Molecular biology techniques (DNA and RNA extraction, PCRs, RT-PCR, cloning, Western blot);
• Flow Cytometry analysis;
• Cell culture of cancer cell lines and primary cancer cells;
• In vivo work with animal models of lung cancer;
• Preparation of broad-use lab solutions;
• Mouse genotyping (DNA extraction and PCR) and colony management.

Legislation and Applicable Regulation: Estatuto do Bolseiro de Investigação approved by Law nr 40/2004, from 18^th August in its current form (altered by Decree Law nr 123/2019, 28^th August) and current Regulation of Fellowships of Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia Regulamento Bolsas FCT 2019.pdf (approved by Regulation nr 950/2019, from 16^th December).

Predicted start date, duration and renewal conditions: The fellowship contract is predicted to start inApril 2025, for a period of 9 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 Signaling in Cancer Lab of GIMM, under the supervision of Prof. Doctor João Barata.

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 of1309,64€ in accordance with the defined in FCT table (Tabela de Valores FCT_atualizacao 2025). 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; – 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: Applications will be evaluated by Doctors João Taborda Barata (FMUL/GIMM), Marta Fernandes (GIMM) and Rita Fragoso (GIMM).

Selection methods: Curriculum Analysis (50%) and Motivation Letter (50%). The Curriculum will be analyzed qualitatively, and in what concerns to its content and relevance for the tasks to be performed, namely:  research experience and relevant knowledge in the area of the proposed work plan as described in the candidate profile (50%). The letter of motivation will be evaluated in what concerns the motivation and adequacy for the activities to be performed (35%), and command of the English language (15%).

Deadlines and application process: The call will be open from February 25^th until March 11^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 non-academic degree course.

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