Opportunity closes at
CALL FOR A RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP
Fellowship Reference GIMM/BI/13-2024
Gulbenkian Institute for Molecular Medicine (GIMM) opens a call for one research fellowship under the project “Hormone-like Bacterial Signaling Molecules as Mediators of Gut-Brain Dialogues” with the funding support fromHuman Frontier Science Program.
Scientific Area(s) Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Microbiology and related areas.
Fellowship recipients / Admission requirements: Any National, foreign and stateless candidate(s) that fulfill the necessary conditions to be enrolled in a non-academic degree coursecan 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 24th 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 Biology, or related areas;
– Previous experience working with Microbiology and Bacterial Genetics;
– Previous experience working with rodents.
Non-Mandatory Requirements:
– Preference will be given to candidates with experience in working with anaerobic bacterial culturing;
– The international experience of the candidates, although not a determining criterion for selection, will be valued.
Work Plan and Objectives:
Our laboratory is seeking for candidates interested in working our newly funded project “Hormone-like Bacterial Signaling Molecules as Mediators of Gut-Brain Dialogues”, which aims to investigate the role of quorum sensing molecules produced by gut microbes in host physiology and behavior. The selected candidate will work together with the other members of the team in culturing key members of the gut microbiota, measuring the signals produced by these bacteria, constructing mutants involved in quorum sensing, and on performing animal experiments involving colonization of the mouse gut with specific bacteria to test the impact of these signal molecules in animal physiology and behavior.
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).
Predicted start date, duration and renewal conditions: The fellowship contract is predicted to start in January 2025, for a period of 12 months on an exclusive basis, eventually renewable until the maximum stipulated in applicable regulations, not exceeding the eligibility period of the project (expected to be completed in September 2027).
Work place and Scientific orientation: The research activities will be developed at the Bacterial Signalling Lab of GIMM, under the supervision of Karina Xavier.
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 € 1.360,00. 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; – MSc certificate; – Contacts of at least 1 reference; – 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: The applications will be evaluated by a jury composed of Doctors Karina Xavier (GIMM), Isabel Gordo (GIMM), Sarela Santa-Maria (ITQB). Possible replacements: Tanja Dapa (Universidad Pablo de Olavide Seville, Spain).
Selection methods: CV and previous experience (50%), motivation letter (30%) and interview (20%). Only candidates with a score higher than 75% will be interviewed.
Deadlines and application process: The call will be open from November 18th until November 29th 2024.
Applications should be submitted to People & Culture Unit, through the email people@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.