Call for a Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship – Cell Biology of Host – Pathogen

Open Call for a Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship

The Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência (IGC) is welcoming applications to a Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship (BI-PD), under the project CR2023/030/2132, with the title “Host-Pathogen Interaction”, financed by the Francis Crick Institute transition grant award, with the following conditions:

1. Duration The fellowship duration according to the IGC Research Fellowship Regulation approved by FCT is 12 months, with the possibility of renewal up to a maximum limit of 3 years.   The fellowship contract is expected to start by August 2024, under the exclusiveness regime as required by Research Fellowship Regulation of Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia, IP (FCT).

2. Subject of Activities: We are looking for a postdoc to study the interaction of Toxoplasma with its host cell. The postdoc will investigate how Toxoplasma infections can be cleared in some cells, but not in others. The postdoc will develop reporter assays to measure innate immunity response elements and the metabolic state of the cell.

3. Scientific Areas: Host-pathogen interaction/ cell biology/ immunology.

4. Scientific Guidance: The selected candidate will join the laboratory of Cell Biology of Host – Pathogen Interaction (https://gulbenkian.pt/ciencia/research-groups/mtreeck/), headed by Dr. Moritz Treeck.

5. Academic Profile and Admission Requirements: The candidate must hold a doctoral degree in life sciences. Experience in large scale, multiplex image analysis is essential. Knowledge of host metabolism is essential. A very good knowledge of mammalian host cell biology is essential. Candidates are required to have an outstanding track record supported by publications in peer-reviewed journals, or the promise to obtain these.

According to point 3 of article 3º of the IGC Research Fellowship Regulation, the doctoral degree must have been obtained in the three years prior to the date of submission of the fellowship application.

If the qualification has been conferred by a foreign higher education institution it must be recognized by a Portuguese higher education institution, under the terms of the provisions of article 25.º of Decree-Law n.º 66/2018, of August 16^th (https://www.dges.gov.pt/en/pagina/degree-and-diploma-recognition), which approves the legal regime of recognition of academic degrees and diplomas of Higher Education, attributed by foreign higher education institutions, and of paragraph e) of n.º 2 of article 4.º of Decree-Law n.º 60/2018, of August 3rd, and any formalities established therein must be fulfilled by the date of the hiring act. The jury reserves the right to invite the candidate ranked immediately after to the position in question when the first ranked candidate is not recognized with the academic degree after the aforementioned formalities have been fulfilled.

6. For Portuguese taxpayers: All candidates that where/are currently taxpayers in Portugal are required to present evidence of the fulfillment of their individual obligations towards the Portuguese Tax Authority and Social Security. Failure to comply with this requirement will be considered as a criteria for exclusion from the recruitment process.

7. Applicable legislation and Regulation: All candidates must comply with the IGC Research Fellowship Regulation; Research Fellowship Statutesamended by Decree nº 123/2019of August 28^th; FCT Legislation and Regulations for Fellowshipsand the  Decree-Law n.º 66/2018, of August 16th (Legal regime for recognition of academic degrees and diplomas of higher education awarded by foreign higher education institutions)

8. Subsidy Month Stipend: 2.260,00 €/month according to the table of monthly maintenance allowance amounts set out in Annex I of IGC Research Fellowship Regulation. The payment will be made by bank transfer. The selected candidate will be reimbursed for the amount corresponding to the Voluntary Social Security contribution.

9. Deadline for applications and how to submit applications: Interested candidates should send their applications to igcpositions@igc.gulbenkian.pt in a single PDF file, named “Applicant Name_Host Pathogen Interaction”,  containing: Motivation Letter (2 page max); Curriculum Vitae (2 pages max), contact of at least two previous supervisors who can provide reference letters upon request and proof of degree.

10. Methods of Selection and Evaluation: The selection procedure shall be as follows: Curriculum (40%), motivation letter (20%), reference letters (20%). If considered necessary by the jury, the interview of the selected applicants will represent (20%) of the final evaluation.

11. Jury Selection: Chairman: Dr. Moritz Treeck. Other members: Dr. Marco Fumasoni and Dr. Maria João Amorim. Substitute Member: Waldan Kwong.

12. Form of Advertising / Notification of results: The assessment results will be sent to all candidates by email. There will be 10 working days for complaints/appeals after the date of publication of the Selection Minute, through the same application email.

13. Application Period: From 24/05/2024 until 07/06/2024.

14. Non-discrimination and equal access policy: The Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation actively promotes a non-discrimination and equal access policy, wherefore no candidate can be privileged, benefitted, impaired or deprived of any rights whatsoever, or be exempt  of any duties based on ancestry, age, sex, sexual preference, marital status, family and economic conditions, education, 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.