Open Call for Research Fellowship

Fellowship Reference GIMM/BI/31-2026

Gulbenkian Institute for Molecular Medicine (GIMM) opens a call for one research fellowship under a strategic project with the reference “UID/PRR/04551/2025”, with the funding support from Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia.

Scientific Area(s): Plant Molecular Biology

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

Applicants must hold the following requirements:

Mandatory Requirements:

– BSc In Biology or related fields.

Desirable Requirements:

– Experience in molecular biology, Arabidopsis work, and plant pathogen interactions.

Work Plan and Objectives:

The aim of this project is to investigate whether specific splicing regulators from the conserved SR protein family contribute to the regulation of plant immune responses.

Using Arabidopsis thaliana as a model system, reverse genetics approaches will be used to analyze multiple-order mutant lines for an entire SR protein subfamily. Plants will be challenged with the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae to assess disease susceptibility and pathogen proliferation. The mutant will be further analyzed to determine whether disruption of these splicing regulators affects the expression or alternative splicing of genes involved in plant immune signaling. This work will provide insight into how splicing regulators contribute to plant immune responses and may help reveal molecular mechanisms underlying plant resilience to pathogen infection.

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 inOctober 2026, for a period of 3 (three) 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 Plant Molecular Biology

 Lab of GIMM, under the supervision of Dr. Paula Duque.

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 is open 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 of1090.98€ [One thousand and ninety euros and ninety-eight cents] in accordance with the defined in FCT table Tabela de Valores FCT_atualizacao 2026.pdf. 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 regime, 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; – BSc certificate; 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 assessed by a jury composed of Dr Paula Duque (GIMM), Dr. Diogo Godinho (GIMM) and Dr. Ana Confraria (ITQB).

Selection methods: Motivation Letter (40%) and CV (60%).  

Deadlines and application process: The call will be open from 20^th of August 2026 until 02^nd of September 2026.

Applications should be submitted to People & Culture Unit, through the email positions@gimm.pt, with the reference “GIMM/BI/31-2026” in the subject. 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 MSc degree course.

Applicants with academic degrees obtained abroad will be required to present a certificate of recognition in accordance with the applicable regulation. This document is mandatory only in the contracting phase.

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.