Open Call for Research Fellowship – GIMM/BI/17-2026

Fellowship Reference GIMM/BI/17-2026

Gulbenkian Institute for Molecular Medicine (GIMM) opens a call for one research fellowship under the project “Trafficking mechanisms and physiological factors mediating a direct gut microbiota-brain neuron interaction” with the funding support from EU funding and co-funded by its own resources.

Scientific Area(s): Biology – Gut-brain axis

Fellowship recipients / Admission requirements (indicate mandatory and preferential requirements): Any National, foreign and stateless candidate(s).

Applicants must hold the following requirements:

– Master’s degree in biology or similar;

– Authorization to work with mice;

– Experience in light sheet microscopy, 3D brain imaging, and ovariectomy;

– Fluency in English.

 Desirable requirements:

– Ability to work well both as part of a team and independently;

– Knowledge on hormone regulation and gut-brain communication.

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

Work Plan and Objectives:

– The candidate selected will conduct the project aiming to understand the impact of sex hormones on the sensing of bacterial-derived compounds in the brain. It will involve designing and conducting experiments with mice and the analysis of the results. It will involve brain imaging and behaviour experiments in addition to taking care of a mouse colony.

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) and current Regulation of Fellowships of GIMM.

Predicted start date, duration and renewal conditions: The fellowship contract is predicted to start inSeptember 2026, for a period of 12 (twelve) months on an exclusive basis, not exceeding the eligibility period of the project.  

Work place and Scientific orientation: The research activities will be developed at the Neuronal Responses to Bacterial Signals Laboratory of GIMM, under the supervision of Ilana Gabanyi.

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 1.359,64€. 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. 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 Ilana Gabanyi (GIMM), Júlia Pinho (GIMM), and António Seixas (GIMM).

Selection methods: CV (50%), and motivation letter (50%).

Deadlines and application process: The call will be open from 2^nd of July until 15^th of July 2026.

Applications should be submitted to People & Culture Unit, through the email positions@gimm.pt, with the reference “GIMM/BI/17-2026” 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), and a document proving the required academic degree.

For each Fellowship period an Activity Report must be prepared by the fellow as well as the Report by the supervisor.

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