CALL FOR POS-DOCTORAL RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP – Lugus 996195 – Kinder-GUT Project – HR22-00754

8 May 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Universidade de Coimbra

Department

Divisão de Projetos e Atividades (Bolsas)

Research Field

Other

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Portugal

Application Deadline

4 Jun 2024 - 23:59 (Europe/Lisbon)

Type of Contract

Permanent

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

35

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

University of Coimbra opens a call for one Pos-Doctoral research fellowship, in the framework of the Kinder-GUT project “Role of micronutrientes in intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes and inytestinal defence at early-life” (reference: HR22-00754), financed by Fundação “La Caixa” - CaixaResearch Health 2022, in the following conditions:

Scientific area: Immunology, Immunophysiology, Molecular Biology, Biomedical Sciences or related areas relevant to the project.

Skills/Qualifications/Admission requirements: Applicants must hold a PhD Degree in immunology, immunophysiology, molecular biology, biomedical sciences, or related areas relevant to the project, recently graduated or with less than 3 years of post-graduation knowledge in academic or industrial environment .

The recipient of the fellowship must cumulatively meet the requirements provided for in paragraph 3 of article 7 of the RBIFCT:
a) The doctoral degree obtained in the 3 years prior to the date of submission of the application;
b) Investigation be carried out in a host organization other than that in which the degree was obtained;
c) Research activities do not require post-doctoral experience;
d) The research activities have a development and execution term equal to or less than three years;
e) The fellowship holder does not exceed, with the conclusion of the fellowship contract in question, including possible renewals, an accumulated period of three years in this type of fellowship, consecutive or interpolated.

For the assessment of paragraph e) it is important the candidate(s) verifies(y) whether they have already held this type of fellowship under Regulation No. 950/2019, of December 16, as well as in the previous regulatory period, financed directly or indirectly by the FCT.

Work plan/ Objectives: The position is available to highly motivated candidates interested in carrying out research within the scope of the Kinder-GUT project. The selected candidate will carry out studies to explore how innate-like T cells sense dietary cues and how such signals are integrated in their development and function.

The selected candidate will employ state-of-the-art research tools, including genetic, cellular and molecular, to identify, quantify and manipulate micronutrient signaling and explore intracellular downstream signaling axes in unconventional T cells. By modulating micronutrient signals, the candidate will determine its impact in unconventional T cell generation and function.
The candidate will use genetic loss-of-function models to target intrinsic micronutrient signaling. Based in transcriptome profiling data, the candidate will identify micronutrient downstream pathways critical for unconventional T cells. In vitro genetic manipulation or available genetic Cre/LoxP systems, are examples of methodologies. By employing intestinal pathogen in vivo infection models, candidate will address the role of micronutrient-regulated
unconventional T cells in gut.
In brief, the selected candidate will be responsible of combining the use of genetically modified mouse models with cellular and molecular biology methods (e.g. flow cytometry, in vitro assays, retroviral gene transduction, real time PCR). The selected candidate will also use in vivo models of bacterial or protozoal infection in combination with quantitative methods of infection burden..

Regime: The attribution of the fellowship does not generate or entitle a relation of a legallabour nature, and the fellowship is undertaken in an exclusive dedication regime. The fellowship holder is awarded the Fellowship Statute of the UC, in its current wording, according to the Research Fellowship Holder Statute , and according to the Regulation for Research Fellowships of the Foundation for Science and Technology, both in their current wording.

Location: UC-Biotech, Cantanhede – Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular at the University of Coimbra.

Duration: 12 (twelve) months.

Renewal: Eventually renewable, and cannot exceed the end date of the project.

Scientific orientation: Manuela Cristina Fernandes Ferreira.

Financial conditions: The amount of the fellowship is € 1.801,00 corresponding to the monthly compensation stipulated in the FCT table
(https://www.fct.pt/en/financiamento/programas-de-financiamento/bolsas/ ), plus social security (Seguro Social Voluntário, first level contributions) and personal accidents insurance.
The payment will be made by bank transfer. This amount will not be increased during the entire period of the fellowship duration.

Selection methods: Curricular Evaluation (80%) and Interview (20%).

Selection criteria: The following criteria will be considered in curricular evaluation:
- Scientific performance of the candidate in the research area(s) for which the position is open
(Scientific, technological, cultural or artistic production; Adequacy of the candidate's profile to
the work plan to be developed) – 80%;
- Outreach and management activities in the area(s) for which the position (Outreach and
dissemination of knowledge activities; Participation and management of science, technology
and innovative activities in scientific projects, as well as coordination and organization of
academic activities) – 20%

On the Interview, the following criteria will be considered:
- Motivation and interest – 20%;
- Knowledge and profile appropriate to the functions to be developed – 80%

The candidates must demonstrate interest in the scientific area of the project and be able to
develop teamwork in a multidisciplinary and multicultural environment.
The candidate should be an enthusiastic and motivated scientist with strong sense of curiosity
and willingness to explore body barrier immunophysiology.
The candidates should present documented knowledge in immunology, with practical
experience in evaluation of immune cell populations using genetically modified mouse models.
Practical experience with multiparametric flow cytometry, cell sorting and
immunohistochemistry / immunofluorescence microscopy is a merit.
Documented knowledge in T cell biology, including retroviral and/or lentiviral transduction of
primary T cells is also attractive.
Documented knowledge in mouse handling skills and surgical procedures (intraperitoneal,
subcutaneous, retro orbital) (with certificate) is valued.
Documented knowledge in molecular biology (for example: real time PCR and chromatin
immunoprecipitation), in analysis of RNA sequencing data and/or bioinformatics is beneficial.

Further criteria include publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals, participation in
scientific projects and national and international oral communications (oral and written
proficiency in English).
The Selection Jury reserves the right not to select any candidate if it is verified that none has
the appropriate profile to carry out the functions.

Jury responsible for selection:
President: Manuela Cristina Fernandes Ferreira
Efective Vowel: Isaura Isabel Gonçalves Simões
Efective Vowel: Maria da Conceição Venâncio Egas
Substitute Vowel: Pedro Cunha
Substitute Vowel: José Teixeira.

Formalization of application: Applications must be formalized by sending the following documents:
- Certificate of qualifications;
- Curriculum Vitae;
- Motivation letter;
- References;
- Copy of 2 (two) most relevant documents (scientific articles or thesis);
- Other documents that the candidate deems relevant; and,
- Declaration mentioned bellow..

Declaration on the honor of the candidate(s) with the indication of the fellowship(s) of the
typology to which the contest was held and the respective duration(s).

Applicants with academic degrees obtained abroad will be required to present a Certificate of Recognition in accordance with applicable law. This document is mandatory only in the contractualization phase.

Applications submission: Applications must be submited in the https://apply.uc.pt .

Submission of applications: Between 08/05/2024 and 04/06/2024.

Submission deadline date: 04/06/2024.
 
Additional information: The evaluation results will be announced within 90 working days
after the end of the applications submission deadline, by notifying the applicants via email.
After the announcement of the results, candidates are considered automatically notified to, if
they wish to do so, comment on the results on a preliminary hearing period within 10 days
after that date. After this, the selected candidates will have to declare in writing their
acceptance. Unless a justification worthy of consideration is presented, if the declaration is not
submitted within the referred period, it is considered that the candidate waivers the fellowship.
In case of resignation or withdrawal of the selected candidate, the next candidate with the
highest evaluation score will be notified immediately.
Once the selection process is completed, the fellowship contract will be drawn up in accordance
with the draft contract provided by the FCT.
After the contracted period, the fellowship holder and supervisor must prepare the final report
in accordance with the respective assessment criteria that were established.
Pursuant to subparagraph h) of Article 9 of the Portuguese Constitution, the University of
Coimbra, as employer, actively promotes a policy of equal opportunities between men and
women in access to employment and professional development, and acts to prevent each and
every kind of discrimination.
Therefore, no one can be privileged, benefited, harmed or deprived of any right or immune
from any duty on account of, in particular, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, gender, marital
status, family, economic situation, education, origin or social condition, genetic heritage,
reduced work capacity, disability, chronic illness, nationality, ethnic or racial origin, territory
of origin, language, religion, political or ideological beliefs and trade union membership.
Selection reserve list: A selection reserve list will be constituted for a perid of 3 (three)
months

Requirements

Research Field

Other

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Additional Information

Website for additional job details

https://app-2.0.apply.uc.pt/procedure/IT137-24-202

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Universidade de Coimbra

Country

Portugal

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://apply.uc.pt

Contact

City

Coimbra

Website

https://www.uc.pt/administracao/dpa

Street

Rua Larga Edifício, FMUC, 1.º piso, Polo I;

Postal Code

3004-504

E-Mail

[email protected]

STATUS: EXPIRED