Opportunity closes at
CALL FOR A RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP
Fellowship Reference GIMM/BI/20-2025
Gulbenkian Institute for Molecular Medicine (GIMM) opens a call for one research fellowship under the project “The role of Biliverdin Reductase A in Malaria” with the funding support from GIMM.
Scientific Area(s): Molecular Biosciences
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 related to the work plan – PhD in Molecular Biosciences) can apply.
Applicants must hold the following requirements:
– MSc degree holder in Cellular and Molecular biology (mandatory);
– Experience in rodent models of malaria (mandatory);
– Experience in in vitro models of malaria (mandatory);
– Experience in Redox biology related to lipid peroxidation (preferential);
– Experience in advanced imaging protocols (TEM, confocal microscopy) and software for imaging analysis (preferential);
– Proficiency in cellular and molecular biology protocols (preferential);
– Experience in data analysis software (preferential);
– Accreditation, by the national authorities (DGAV) to work with rodents (mandatory);
– Proficiency in English (mandatory).
We seek to investigate the role of Biliverdin Reductase A (BVRA) and/or bilirubin in the establishment of disease tolerance to malaria.
The selected candidate will aim at the following objectives:
– Assess the involvement of BVRA and bilirubin in the pathogenesis of acute kidney injury (AKI) in vivo and in vitro;
– Assess the involvement of BVRA and bilirubin in the regulation of ferroptosis.
To this end, the selected candidate will perform renal proximal tubule epithelial cells (RPTEC) ex-vivo cultures as well as in vivoexperiments using mouse models of malaria. Kidney dysfunction/damage will be evaluated using different techniques, including confocal microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, serology, histology, and bulk RNA-seq analysis to monitor transcriptional changes in the absence or presence of BVRA/bilirubin.
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 May 2025, for a period of 6(six) months on an exclusive basis, eventually renewable until the maximum stipulated in applicable regulations, not exceeding the eligibility period of the project.
Workplace and Scientific orientation: The research activities will be developed at the Inflammation Laboratory of GIMM, under the supervision of Miguel Soares.
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 1.309,64€. 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, including a Summary of Research Achievements (2 pages, maximum);
– Detailed CV;
– MSc certificate;
– Contacts of 2 references;
– 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: Miguel Soares (GIMM); Rui Martins (GIMM); Jamil Kitoko (GIMM).
Selection methods:
– CV and previous experience (60%);
– Motivation letter and SRA (20%);
– If necessary, indicated references shall be consulted (10%).
In case of a tie, the candidates in that situation will be interviewed, focusing on the scientific experience of the candidates (10%).
Deadlines and application process: The call will be open from April 07th 2025 until April 21st 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.