Reference GIMM/CT/34-2025

The GIMM – Gulbenkian Institute for Molecular Medicine is a pioneering Portuguese private research foundation with an ambitious vision for fundamental scientific exploration and its profound impact on global health and well-being. Founded in 2023, GIMM is the result of the merge of two leading research institutes: Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes (iMM) and Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência (IGC) and dedicates to unraveling the fundamental mysteries of life and aims to be at the forefront of transdisciplinary research. 

GIMM opens a call to hire a Researcher with PhD, corresponding to the category of Assistant Researcher according to the Scientific Research Career Statute in Portugal, under an Unfixed-Term Employment contract, within the scope of the project LISBOA2030-FEDER-00677700 – “RANKIT: Lipid nanosystems for RANK pathway inhibition in breast cancer-targeted therapy”, co-financed by the Foundation for Science and Technology and the Lisbon 2030 Regional Program (FEDER Funds).

Regulation

• Decree-Law nr 57/2016, from 29^th August, altered by Law nr 57/2017, from 19^th July, that approves a Doctoral Hiring regime to stimulate Scientific and Technological Employment in all knowledge areas (RJEC).
• Portuguese Labor Law, approved by Law nr 7/2009, from 12th February in its current writing.  
• Regulatory Decree Nr 11-A / 2017, of 29th December.
• Decree-Law nr 1/2025, of 16^th January.

Work Plan Activities

a) Evaluation of the molecular efficacy of the nanosystem (in vitro models);

b) Evaluation of the therapeutic efficacy of the nanosystem (in vivo models);

c) Scientific supervision of the research team;

d) Dissemination and scientific communication of results.

Members of the Jury:  According to article 28 nr 5 from REC and article 13 from Decree-Law nr 57/2016, from 28^th of August, altered by Law nr 57/2017, from 19^th of July,the jury is composed by Professors Luis Costa (President of the Jury), Cláudia Faria and João Barata (all PhD’s).

Start Date and workplace: The contract is expected to start in July 2025 and will remain only for the necessary execution period of the work plan; the activities will be developed in GIMM installations in Lisboa/ Oeiras and/or other necessary locations to their execution.

Monthly remuneration: Gross monthly Remuneration is 3,501.28€, corresponding to the 1^st level of the Assistant Researcher Category of the Scientific Research Career in an exclusive dedication regime, in accordance with the provisions of n. 1º and 2º of art. 2^nd of Regulatory Decree no. 11-A/2017, of December 29, updated by Decree-Law No. 1/2025, of 16^th January.

Profile of Candidate: Any National, foreign and stateless candidate(s) that hold the following requirements can apply:

1. PhD in Molecular Biology or a closely related scientific field.
2. Proven experience in molecular biology techniques, with a minimum of 6 years of work in the area;
3. Proven experience in cell culture, with at least 6 years of practical expertise;
4. Holder of a license issued by the Portuguese Directorate-General for Food and Veterinary (DGAV) as a Principal Investigator;
5. Demonstrated experience (minimum 6 years) with animal models of breast cancer, including orthotopic, xenograft, PDX, and syngeneic models, as well as molecular and histopathological analysis of these models;
6. Documented experience supervising PhD and Master’s students (mandatory);
7. A minimum of three first-author (mandatory) or senior-author (preferred) publications in international peer-reviewed journals in the field of breast cancer research.

Application process: The call is open from 19^th of May until 1^st of July 2025 (30 working days), and the application documents (indicated below) should be submitted, in PDF format, to People & Culture Team through the email positions@gimm.pt, by identifying the reference of the position in the “Subject”:

1. Motivation Letter in English;
2. Detailed CV;
3. PhD Certificate;
4. Other documents that applicant may consider to be relevant to prove the scientific course (Optional).

Note: Candidates who incorrectly formalize their application or do not submit the documents proving the compliance with the requirements indicated in the call will be excluded. The jury has the right to require to any candidate, in case of doubt, to present documents proving their statements.

Non-discrimination and equal access policy: GIMM promotes a non-discrimination and equal access policy, wherefore no candidate can be privileged, benefited, impaired or deprived of any rights whatsoever, or be exempt of any duties based on their ancestry, age, sex, sexual preference, marital status, family and economic conditions, instruction, 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.

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.

Pursuant to Decree-Law nr 29/2001 of 3^rd February, disabled candidates shall be preferred in a situation of equal classification, and said preference supersedes any legal preferences. Candidates must declare, on their honour, their respective disability degree, type of disability and communication / expression means to be used during selection period on their application form, under the regulations above.

Evaluation criteria: The admitted applications will be evaluated taking into account the quality, timeliness and relevance of the scientific path (scientific production and research experience) and curriculum of each candidate (a) and their adequacy to the proposed work plan.

• Analysis of the Curriculum Vitae (70%) and Cover Letter (30%) – Based on the Curriculum Vitae, it will be analyzed qualitatively, and in relation to its content and relevance for the functions to be performed, in particular: scientific works carried out and/or published in areas related to the work plan (20%); research experience and relevant knowledge in the area of ​​the proposed work plan as described in the candidate profile (30%); experience in supervising Doctoral and Masters students (20%). Based on the Cover letter, motivation and interest in the activities to be carried out (15%) will be assessed, as well as written communication in English (15%).
• After evaluation of all admitted applications, the jury will write a meeting minute with all process of recruitment, evaluation and selection including an ordered short list of approved candidates (alphabetic order) and their respective classification.
• The final decision of the jury shall be validated by the Head of the Institution, who is also in charge of deciding about the hiring.

Results: 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.

The present call is exclusively aimed at filling the indicated vacancy and may be terminated until the homologation of the final candidates’ ranking list and expires with the respective occupation of the position on offer.

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