Open Call for Research Fellowship

Fellowship Reference GIMM/BI/28-2026

Gulbenkian Institute for Molecular Medicine (GIMM) opens a call for one research fellowship, under the project “Understand Drosophila-Wolbachia interaction through transcriptomics and a genome-scale metabolic model”, funded by core funding.

Scientific Area(s): Host-microbe interactions

Fellowship recipients / Admission requirements (indicate mandatory and preferential

requirements): Any National, foreign and stateless candidate(s).

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

Mandatory:

• Master’s in biomedical sciences or related fields;
• Previous working experience in Drosophila, Wolbachia, and host-microbe interactions;
• Previous working experience in bacterial genomics, transcriptomics, genome metabolic models;
• Previous experience in statistical analysis and creating graphics in R.

Desirable:

• Capacity to work independently;
• Capacity to work in a team;
• Good level of written and spoken English.

Work Plan and Objectives:

• Analyse dual transcriptomics data of Drosophila and Wolbachia;
• Identify gene expression patterns associated with host life stage, Wolbachia presence, variants, and phenotypes;
• Model a genome-scale metabolic model of Wolbachia.

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 in September 2026, for a period of 6 (six) months on an exclusive basis, eventually renewable until the maximum stipulated in applicable regulations, not exceeding the eligibility period of the project.

Workplace and Scientific orientation: The research activities will be developed at Laboratory Evolutionary Biology of GIMM, under the mentorship of Karina Xavier.

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:

• Motivatition Letter;
• Masters Certificate;
• Detailed Curriculum Vitae.

Note: The non-compliance with these requirements determines the immediate rejection of the application.

Jury evaluation and selection: Isabel Gordo (GIMM); Karina Xavier, (GIMM) and Luís Teixeira (Católica Biomedical Research Center)

Selection methods: The evaluation of applications and respective selection will be based on the following methods:

1. Curriculum Vitae Evaluation (60%);

• Motivation Letter (40%).