Open Call for Research Fellowship

Reference GIMM/BI/62-2025

GIMM Foundation – Gulbenkian Institute for Molecular Medicine opens a call for one research fellowship within the project “IMM-Care- Boosting Clinical Research for the Benefit of Society” – HORIZON-WIDERA-2022 – ACCESS-01-01-two-stage” funded by the European Commission.  

Scientific Area(s): Microbiology / Immunology of Cancer

Fellowship recipients / Admission requirements: Any National, foreign, and stateless candidate(s) that fulfil the necessary conditions to be enrolled in a PhD study cycle in an area related to the work plan) can apply.

Profile of Candidate:

1. Master’s degree in Biology or related areas;
2. Previous experience in the field of microbe-host interactions;
3. Experience in bacterial genetics/genomics and microbiome;
4. Knowledge of essential bacterial manipulation techniques;
5. Knowledge and experience in immunology, including flow cytometry;
6. Experience in R and data analysis;
7. Excellent command of written and spoken English;
8. International experience of candidates, while not a decisive criterion for selection, will be valued.

Work Plan and Objectives: The PhD student will investigate how diet, the gut microbiome, and immune responses interact to influence health and disease. The work combines analysis of clinical data, multi-omics approaches (e.g., microbiome and metabolite profiling), and experimental validation using advanced in vitro models.

Main objectives:

• Identify patterns linking nutrition, microbiome composition, and intestinal barrier integrity;
• Characterize immune signatures and molecular pathways influenced by microbial metabolites;
• Test strategies to modulate these interactions and improve therapeutic outcomes;
• Contribute to the development of predictive tools for personalized interventions;
• The candidate will gain experience in laboratory techniques, computational analysis, and translational research, with opportunities for publication and interdisciplinary collaboration.

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 GIMM.

Predicted start date, duration, and renewal conditions: The scholarship contract is expected to start on January 2026 and will last for 12 (twelve) months, on an exclusive basis, renewable for equal periods until the maximum stipulated in applicable regulations, not exceeding the eligibility period of the project. 

Workplace and Scientific orientation: The work will be carried out at the Microbiome in Health and Disease Translational Laboratory at GIMM, under the supervision of Dr Ana Santos Almeida.

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 every day from 09:00 AM to 11:00 AM at People & Culture Unit Office.

Fellowship financial conditions: The fellow will benefit from a monthly stipend in the amount of 1.309,64€ in accordance with the applicable regulation. In addition to the monthly stipend, GIMM will pay a supplement allowance, currently defined in the amount of 150.36€ 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. The Fellow will also benefit from GIMM Health Insurance Policy conditions.

Application documents: – Motivation Letter; – Detailed CV; – MSc degree 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: The applications will be assessed by a jury composed of Ana Santos Almeida (GIMM), Luís Valente (GIMM) and Marc Veldhoen (FMUL / GIMM).

Selection methods: Curricular Analysis (80%) and Motivation letter (20%). In the event of a tie, an interview will be conducted. In this scenario, the Curricular Analysis will score 60%, the Motivation Letter 20% and the Interview 20%.

Deadlines and application process: The call will be open from 20^th of November until 4^th December 2025. Applications should be submitted to People & Culture Unit, through the email positions@gimm.pt. 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 MSc study cycle course.

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