Open Call for Research Fellowship

Fellowship Reference GIMM/BI/2-2026

Gulbenkian Institute for Molecular Medicine (GIMM) opens a call for one research fellowship under the project “Evolutionary Neurobiology and Cognitive Ecology of the Social Brain: an experimental and comparative approach using teleost fish” with the funding support fromFundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, IP.P. / MCTES through national funds (PIDDAC), 2023.17326.ICDT.

Scientific Area(s): Bioinformatics, Biology, or related areas

Fellowship recipients/Admission requirements (indicate mandatory and preferential 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:

– BSc degree holder in Bioinformatics, Biology, or related areas.

– The desired candidate should have experience in bioinformatics and be familiar with molecular biology methods and techniques.

The international experience of the candidates, although not a determining criterion for selection, will be valued.

Work Plan and Objectives:

This project investigates how variation in social behavior shapes cognitive and brain evolution. Teleost fish are an ideal model due to their exceptional diversity of social phenotypes. We will compare brain organization in high- and low-sociality phenotypes using two complementary systems: closely related cichlid species that differ in sociality, and zebrafish lines artificially selected for divergent social behavior. The fellow will be responsible for brain tissue collection, sequencing and bioinformatic analyses, contributing to an integrative understanding of the neural and molecular correlates of sociality.

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 inFebruary 2026, for a period of 12 (twelve) 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 Integrative Behavioural Biology Laboratory of GIMM, under the supervision of Rui Oliveira.

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 1040.98€ in accordance with the defined in FCT table. 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; – Curriculum Vitae; – BSc certificate; – Two recommendation letters; – 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: Rui Oliveira, Magda Teles and Kyriacos Kareklas (GIMM).

Selection methods: CV (50%), Motivation Letter (30%), Recommendations (10%) and Interview (10%), if necessary.

Deadlines and application process: The call will be open from 27^th January 2026 until 09^th February 2026.

Applications should be submitted to People & Culture Unit, through the email positions@gimm.pt, including the call reference 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 non-academic 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.