CALL FOR A RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP – GIMM CALL FOR A RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP – GIMM
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Open Call for CALL FOR A RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP

Open Call for CALL FOR A RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP

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Fellowship Reference GIMM/BI/14-2026

Gulbenkian Institute for Molecular Medicine (GIMM) opens a call for one research fellowship under the project “Exploring the role of HOXA9 in B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia: beyond the canons” funded by national funds through the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT), under project reference 2023.17735.ICDT, and by the European Union through the Lisbon Regional Programme 2021–2027 (LISBOA2030-FEDER-00687100), co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER).

Scientific Area(s): Oncobiology, Cancer

Fellowship recipients / Admission 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 24th 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:

– MSc degree holder in the area of biomedicine or biomedical research (mandatory);

– MSc degree holder with a focus on Oncobiology, Cancer Biology, Oncology or related fields (particularly valued);

– High sense of responsibility, organization and method;

– Pro-active personality;

– Ability to work independently but also with team spirit;

– Excellent knowledge of English, both spoken and written;

Although not mandatory, cumulative experience in the following will be highly valued:

– Signal transduction pathways;

– Mammalian cell culture, preferably human cells in suspension;

– Molecular biology techniques (DNA and RNA extraction, qRT-PCR, RT-PCR, Western blot);

– Production and handling of viral supernatants, and infection of human or mouse cells;

– Flow Cytometry;

– Colony management;

– Functional in vivo assays

Work Plan and Objectives: B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) is an aggressive blood cancer. HOXA9, a known oncogene, is overexpressed in acute leukemias, including some B-ALL cases. Based on exciting preliminary data, we will, however, explore the paradigm-shifting hypothesis that HOXA9 acts as tumor suppressor in most B-ALL subtypes, using B-ALL mouse models (e.g., see Almeida et al. Nat Commun 2021) and culture of mouse and human leukemic cells. In doing so, we will provide novel insights into the genesis of B-ALL and identify and test new avenues for therapeutic intervention.

The successful candidate will be a highly organized, motivated and pro-active person that will participate in the different experiences needed to evaluate and characterize the role of HOXA9 in B-ALL, being also involved in tasks such as the following:

– Molecular biology techniques (DNA and RNA extraction, RT-PCR, qRT-PCR, cloning, Western blot);

– Flow Cytometry analysis;

– Production and handling of viral supernatants;

– Transduction of mouse and/or human cells;

– Cell culture of B-ALL primary samples and cell lines, whether human or mouse;

– In vivo work with animal models;

– Mouse genotyping (DNA extraction and PCR) and colony management;

In addition to these activities, the selected candidate will perform the following essential laboratory organization duties:

– Preparation of broad-use lab solutions.

– Maintenance of the overall organization and operation of the lab.

– Management of the inventory and reagents database.

– Processing orders and liasing with suppliers.

– Administrative and secretarial support to the Principal Investigator (PI).

Legislation and Applicable Regulation: Estatuto do Bolseiro de Investigação approved by Law nr 40/2004, from 18th August in its current form (altered by Decree Law nr 123/2019, 28th 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 16th December).

Predicted start date, duration and renewal conditions: The fellowship contract is predicted to start inJuly 2026, for a period of 12 months.

Workplace and Scientific orientation: The research activities will be developed at Signaling in Cancer Laboratory Coordinated by Prof. Doctor João Barata and under his supervision.

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 of1359.64€ in accordance with the defined in FCT. 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 degree certificate; – 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. The application may be supplemented by a maximum of two letters of recommendation, which are optional.

Jury evaluation and selection: Applications will be evaluated by Doctors João Taborda Barata (FMUL/GIMM), Carolina Peixoto (GIMM) and Rita Fragoso (GIMM).

Selection methods:

First phase: Curriculum Analysis (60%) and Motivation Letter (10%). The Curriculum will be analyzed qualitatively, and in what concerns its content and relevance for the tasks to be performed, namely: executed and/or published scientific work, with special emphasis on 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 (40%). The letter of motivation will be evaluated in what concerns the motivation and adequacy for the activities to be performed (5%), and command of the English language (5%).

Second stage: The jury will select for the interview (evaluation: 30%) 5 candidates who obtained in the first phase the highest ranking, with a minimum of 50%. If less than 5 candidates obtained a minimum rating of 50% those with at least 50% will all be interviewed. No interviews will be conducted if none of the candidates achieves a score of at least 50% in the first phase.

Deadlines and application process: The call will be open from June 1st until June 16th 2026.

Applications should be submitted to People & Culture Unit, through the email positions@gimm.pt with the reference “GIMM/BI/14-2026” 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 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.

Lisbon, May 29th 2025