Open Call for POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER

Reference GIMM/CT-6-2026

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  correspondent to the initial level according to the Applicable Regulation, under an Unfixed-term contract under the project “From Viral Invasion to Cellular Homeostasis: Dissecting the Impact of HSV-1 on Centrosome and Cilia Architecture and Regulation” – 2023.16724.ICDT (#LISBOA2030-FEDER-00863100) with the funding support from Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, IP.

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 108/2023, of 22nd November.

Work Plan Activities

Centrioles are microtubule (MT) based structures that form centrosomes, the major MT organising center (MTOC) in dividing cells, and template the formation of the cilium, which is important for signalling and exists in most our cells. Centrosomes and cilia form the CCC, crucial for development, regeneration, and health. Centriole number results from the controlled assembly, dilution, and stability of these structures across multiple cell cycles. However, attenuation of centrosome function, including full centriole disassembly, is often essential for differentiation, including in eggs and muscle, while other long-lived cells, such as neurons, maintain cilia, and thus centrioles at their base, to accurately sense environmental signals. Our published and preliminary data demonstrate HSV-1’s ability to destroy the CCC in its lytic phase in epithelial cells. This destruction is selective as centrosomes are maintained in infected neuronal cells. This differential interaction lays the innovative groundwork for our investigation into viral manipulation of CCC stability.

Members of the Jury:  According to article 28 nr 5 from REC and article 13 from Decree-Law nr 57/2016, from 28th of August, altered by Law nr 57/2017, from 19th of July,the jury is composed by Professors Monica Bettencourt-Dias, Maria João Amorim, Mariana Lince-Faria and  President of the Jury and Responsible for the Project ,Mónica Bettencourt-dias.and [.] (all PhD’s).

Start Date and workplace: The contract is expected to start in April of 2026 and will remain only for the necessary execution period of the work plan; the activities will be developed in GIMM installations in Oeiras and/or other necessary locations to their execution.

Monthly remuneration: Gross monthly Remuneration is 2679.17€, in accordance with subsection a), section 1, article 15 from Law nr 57/2017, 19th July, and with the remuneration position at initial level predicted in article 2 of Regulatory Decree nr 11-A/2017, of 29^th December, correspondent to level 38 at Tabela Remuneratória Única, approved by Order nr 1553-C/2008, 31^st December and updated by Decree-Law nr 108/2023, of 22nd November.

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

Mandatory: PhD in biology and related areas.

Desirable: Experience in data science, microscopy, viral biology and tissue culture.

Application process: The call is open from 2026-02-26 until 2026-04-08 (30 working days). Applications must be submitted through the link available on the GIMM careers platform. If you have any questions regarding this process, please send them to positions@gimm.pt with the ““GIMM/CT/06/2026” in the subject. Failure to comply with these requirements will result in the rejection of the application.

Mandatory Requirements:

Cover Letter; References; Declaration of Honor; Detailed Curriculum Vitae; Doctorate Degree

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.

First phase (70%):CV (50%), Cover Letter (10%), References (10%).

Second phase (30%): The jury will select for the second phase the candidates who obtained in the first phase the highest ranking, with a minimum of 65%. In the event of a tie, the decision will be responsibility of the chairman of the jury.

1. 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.
2. 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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