PUBLIC NOTICE FOR THE AWARD OF A RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP – 1 vacancy | Reference: ICVS_BI_2024_006(1)

School of Medicine of the University of Minho, Portugal

Updated: about 1 month ago

Deadline: 15 Apr 2024

26 Mar 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company: School of Medicine of the University of Minho
Department: Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), from the School of Medicine (EM) of the University of Minho
Research Field: Medical sciences » Health sciences
Researcher Profile: First Stage Researcher (R1)
Country: Portugal
Application Deadline: 15 Apr 2024 - 23:59 (Europe/Lisbon)
Type of Contract: Not Applicable
Job Status: Not Applicable
Offer Starting Date: 2 Apr 2024
Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?: Not funded by an EU programme
Reference Number: ICVS_BI_2024_006(1)
Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?: No

Offer Description

PUBLIC NOTICE FOR THE AWARD OF A RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP

Title: Research Fellowship for student enrolled in a PhD degree – 1 vacancy

Reference: ICVS_BI_2024_006(1)

A call for applications is now open for the attribution of 1(one) Research Fellowship for student enrolled in a PhD degree, within the scope of the R&D project “Development of over-inhibition of cortical circuits in Down Syndrome”, with the reference NEURON/0001/2021, funded by national funds through the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology, subject to the following conditions:

Scientific Area: Health Sciences

Candidate’s Category: Student enrolled in a PhD’s degree in the area of Health Sciences or in related scientific areas.

Requirements for the granting of the fellowship:

· Candidates may apply without prior registration in a degree course. The requirement for registration in a degree course must be verified on the date of contracting the fellowship.

· For the purpose of contracting the fellowship, the selected candidate must present a valid proof of registration in a degree course, issued by the respective academic services of the Higher Education Institution, with the indication of the current academic year or its duration (beginning and end).

Candidate’s Profile:

a) Mandatory requirement:

- Master’s degree in the area of Health Sciences or in related scientific areas;

b) Requirements in the contractualization phase:

- Presentation of the registration in a doctorate in the area of Health Sciences or in related scientific areas;

- Presentation of proof of academic qualifications*** completed until the deadline for the applications, including evidence resulting from academic degree recognition processes.

c) Preferential factors:

- Knowledge acquired along the path/academic training in: cell culture; animal experimentation, including compound administration and behavioral analysis; molecular biology and immunoenzymatic methods (ELISA, Western Blot, Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence).

***The documents proving the ownership of the academic degrees and diplomas, or their respective recognition, when awarded by foreign higher education institutions, may be waived during the application phase, being replaced by a declaration of honour of the candidate, with the verification of this condition occurring only in the fellowship contracting phase. The aforementioned declaration of honour of the candidate must attest to facts that occurred on a date prior to the application. In situations of discrepancy between the information contained in the declaration and the documentation delivered for the purpose of contracting the fellowship, only the information contained in the documentation delivered for the purpose of contracting the fellowship will be considered. If it is verified that the documents proving ownership of the academic degrees and diploma, or their respective recognition under the terms of the Decree-Law n.º 66/2018, of august 16th , do not correspond to the classifications attributed in the evaluation of the academic path and that it may, consequently, change the ranking of the candidate, the contracting of the fellowship will not be carried out.

Candidate’s eligibility: Candidates must meet the eligibility conditions set out in article 9 of the Regulation of Research Grants (2019) from the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), I.P.

Work plan and objectives to be achieved: aims to develop and consolidate the scientific training of the fellowship holder, through involvement in research work.

The project in which the research fellowship is part of focuses on clarifying the molecular changes that appear during brain development, leading to the malfunction of the cortical inhibitory circuitry, a mechanism essential for the development of intellectual abilities and cognitive function, using samples from Down Syndrome patients and mouse models, at several pre- and post-natal ages, through the application of histological analysis and molecular and cellular biology techniques. The work plan also intends to understand the involvement of DYRK1A, a gene overexpressed in Down Syndrome models, in the altered profile of cortical interneurons observed in the disease using induced pluripotent stem cells (hIPSCs) derived from Down Syndrome patients and their pharmaceutical and genetic modulation. The work plan includes the execution of the following R&D activities:

- The treatment of human and mice nervous system samples;

- Analysis of specific markers to characterize (morphologically and quantitatively) the different subtypes of interneurons;

- Validation of neuropathological biomarkers identified by transcriptomic analysis;

- Establishment, maintenance and characterization of a cellular culture containing different subtypes of interneurons derived from Down Syndrome patients hIPSCs and respective isogenic controls;

- The pharmaceutic and genetic (CRISPR/Cas9) modulation of DYRK1A levels in this cellular systems.

The following are identified as result indicators:

1- Execution of the tasks indicated above with quality and in safe conditions;

2- Detection of less than 10% of failures in the execution of the indicated tasks.

Applicable legislation and regulations: Statute of the Research Fellow, approved by the Law no. 40/2004, of August 18th , in its current version, published by Decree-Law no. 123/2019, of August 28th ; Regulation of Scientific Research Grants of the University of Minho, published in “Diário da República”, 2nd serie, no. 119, through dispatch no. 6524/2020, of June 22nd , rectified through the rectification statement no. 447/2021, of June 22nd ; and the Regulation of Research Grants, no. 950/2019, of December 16th , from the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT I.P.) - in force.

Host/contracting entity and scientific supervision: The work plan will be developed at the Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), from the School of Medicine (EM) of the University of Minho, located at the Gualtar Campus, in Braga, under the scientific supervision of Doctor Patrícia Espinheira da Sá Maciel.

Fellowship duration: The fellowship will last for 10 months, starting predictably in June 2024. The fellowship may eventually be renewed, after a positive evaluation, and may not exceed, with the renewal in question, the maximum period of duration for the type of fellowship in question, namely 4 (four) years (Research Fellowship for student enrolled in a PhD degree).

Amount of the Monthly Maintenance Allowance: The amount of the monthly maintenance allowance corresponds to 1259,64€/month, according to the table of values regarding the fellowships in the country from FCT I.P. (Annex I – Table of monthly maintenance allowances of the Regulation of Research Grants from FCT I.P.), the Annex II of the Regulation of Scientific Research Grants of the University of Minho, published in Diário da República, 2nd serie, n.º 119, dispatch n.º 6524/2020, of 22-06-2020, rectified through the rectification statement n.º 447/2021, of 22-06-2021, and remaining applicable regulations.

Payment is made until the 23rd of each month, through bank transfer to the Bank Identification Number of the fellowship holder indicated in the contracting process.

Other benefits: Reimbursement of the Voluntary Social Insurance, corresponding to the 1st Echelon of the contributory base (for fellowships with a duration equal to or greater than 6 months), and Personal Accident Insurance.

Exclusivity regime: The performance of functions as a research fellow is carried out on an exclusive basis, under the terms set out in article 5 of the Statute of the Research Fellow and applicable regulations of research grants.

Composition of the Selection Jury:

President :

– Professor Patrícia Maciel, Associate Professor at the Life and Health Sciences Research Institute from the School of Medicine of the University of Minho.

Effective Members :

– Doctor Sara Carina Duarte da Silva, Junior Researcher at the Life and Health Sciences Research Institute from the School of Medicine of the University of Minho;

– Doctor Marta Daniela Araújo Costa, Junior Researcher at the Life and Health Sciences Research Institute from the School of Medicine of the University of Minho.

Substitute Members :

– Doctor Andreia Teixeira Castro, Assistant Researcher at the Life and Health Sciences Research Institute from the School of Medicine of the University of Minho;

– Doctor Stéphanie Oliveira, Guest Assistant Researcher at the Life and Health Sciences Research Institute from the School of Medicine of the University of Minho.

In case of impediment of the President of the jury, he will be substituted by the first effective member, being appointed a substitute member to replace the first effective member.

In case of impediment of one of the effective members, a substitute member will be appointed to replace the effective member.

Evaluation and selection criteria and procedures: The evaluation of the applications will focus on the Merit of the Candidate, in which the following evaluation criteria will apply, valued on a scale of 0 to 5 values:

Merit of the Candidate - MC (100%):

AP - Academic Path (which reflects the classifications of the academic degrees), with a weight of 50%:

AP1 – Graduate average grade, with a weighting of 25%;

AP2 – Master average grade, with a weighting of 25%;

AP3 - Graduate training area, with a weighting of 25%;

AP4 - Master training area, with a weighting of 25%.

PC - Personal Curriculum (which reflects the scientific and professional path/curriculum), with a weight of 40%:

PC1 – Knowledge in animal experimentation (compound administration and behavioral evaluation), cell culture, microscopy and image analysis, molecular biology and immunoenzymatic methods, with a weight of 25%;

PC2 – Experience in the project area, with a weight of 25%;

PC3 – Publications in peer-reviewed journals and conferences, in the project area or related areas, with a weight of 25%;

PC4 – Presentations at international conferences, with a weight of 25%.

ML - Motivation Letter, with a weight of 10%.

The classification in the Merit of the Candidate will be obtained by applying the following formula:

MC=(AP×0,5)+(PC×0,4)+(ML×0,1),

in which AP = (AP1×0,25) + (AP2×0,25) + (AP3×0,25) + (AP4×0,25), and

in which PC = (PC1×0,25) + (PC2×0,25) +(PC3×0,25) +(PC4×0,25)

Reference table for defining the score for the Academic Path Criterion

Bachelor's degree + Master's degree (pre or post-Bologna) Integrated Master (300-360 credits)	Bachelor's degree - 180 credits (pre or post-Bologna)	Master's degree (90-120 credits) (pre or post-Bologna)
Classification	Score AP1	Classification	Score AP1	Classification	Score AP1
≥ 18	5	≥ 17	3,5	≥ 17	3
17	4,5	16	3	16	2,5
16	4	15	2,5	15	2
15	3,5	14	2	14	1,5
14	3	<14	1,5	<14	1
<14	2,5

The Final Classification (FC) of the candidate corresponds to the classification obtained in the Merit of the Candidate (MC), with a weight of 100% (MC = 100%).

The Fellowship will be awarded to the candidate ranked in the 1st position, by order of the final ranking.

Note: Candidates with degrees obtained abroad must present a proof of the recognition of their qualifications in Portugal and the conversion of the final classification obtained to the Portuguese classification scale or, alternatively, a declaration of honour of the candidate, attesting to the ownership of the academic degrees held and their final classification. Candidates who do not comply with one of these provisions will be awarded a score of “0 points” by the jury in what concerns the classification of the candidate’s academic degrees. Candidates will be evaluated on the remaining parameters.

Fellowship contracts with candidates with certificates/diplomas issued by foreign institutions will only be concluded upon presentation of proof of recognition of the academic degrees and of the conversion of the final classification to the Portuguese classification scale, under the terms of the applicable legislation.

The recognition of foreign academic degrees and diplomas, as well as the conversion of the final classification to the Portuguese classification scale, can be requested at any public higher education institution, or at the Direção-Geral do Ensino Superior (DGES, just for the case of automatic recognition). Regarding this matter, it is suggested the consultation of the DGES portal, through the following address: http://www.dges.gov.pt .

Announcement of the results: The project of the evaluation results, substantiated on a selection jury minute, will be sent to the candidates by email, in accordance with article 12 of the Regulation of Research Grants from FCT, I.P. (in force).

Candidates have a period of 10 (ten) working days to pronounce regarding the project of the evaluation results, if they so wish, in a prior hearing for the interested parties, under the terms of article 121.º and 122.º of the Code of the Administrative Procedure (Decree-Law no. 4/2015, of January 7th ).

Complaint and appeal procedures: The final results of the evaluation will be publicized through an ordered list, posted in a visible and public place of the Host Unit, as well as through an email message sent to all candidates, attaching, for this purpose, the minutes with the deliberations of the jury.

The selected candidate must express in writing the intention to accept the fellowship. In case of non-acceptance, the fellowship will be awarded to the candidate ranked in the following position, by order of the final ranking.

The final decision can be contested within 15 working days, by sending to the President of the jury the corresponding claim. Interested parties may also submit an optional hierarchical appeal, in the terms of the number 3 of article 13 of Regulation of Scientific Research Fellowships of the University of Minho (RBIC).

Deadline for applications and form of presentation of the applications: The call for applications is open from April 2nd 2024 till April 15th, 2024.

Applications must be formalized, obligatorily, by sending an application letter accompanied by the following documents (preferably in PDF format):

- Curriculum vitae (preferably: https://cienciavitae.pt/ );

- Qualifications Certificates with the indication of the final classifications obtained and, if possible, the classifications obtained in the curricular units, or a declaration of honour of the candidate, attesting to the ownership of the academic degrees held, in particular the required for this competition (at the deadline for the applications), and the final classification of the academic degrees held;

- Motivation Letter;

- Declaration of honour of the candidate, as defined in the attached model, attesting that the candidate meets the necessary conditions for the type of fellowship, in accordance with the application requirements (namely the requirements of paragraph b) of the point “Candidate’s Profile”);

- Other documents considered relevant to the evaluation process.

Applications must be sent by email to the address [email protected] , indicating the competition reference ICVS_BI_2024_006(1) in the Subject. Applications sent by other means or sent in breach of the application deadline stipulated in this Public Notice will not be admitted.

The lack of presentation of any of the aforementioned application documents, determines the exclusion of the respective application.

Fellowship contractualization: The granting of the fellowship takes place through the signing of a contract between the University of Minho and the fellowship holder, in accordance with the contract minute (Annex IV of the Regulation of Scientific Research Grants of the University of Minho, published in “Diário da República”, 2nd serie, no. 119, through dispatch no. 6524/2020, of June 22nd , rectified through the rectification statement no. 447/2021, of June 22nd ), and in accordance with point 2.4 of the FCT document: “Rules for Granting and Management of Grants within the scope of R&D projects, including infrastructure projects, the multi-annual financing program for R&D units and other FCT financing instruments (Version 2021) ”.

The contract can only be concluded after receipt of all required documentation depending on the type of fellowship in question, which must occur within a maximum period of 6 months (including proof of ownership of the academic degree or diploma required for the fellowship in question, or of its recognition in Portugal, and proof of registration in the course/cycle of studies that confers the academic degree, issued by the respective academic services of the Higher Education Institution, with the indication of the current academic year or its duration).

After receiving all the documentation, the contracting entity has a period of 60 working days to conclude the fellowship contract. In case of the fellowship contracts under the Regulation of Scientific Research Grants of the University of Minho, the deadline for the conclusion of the fellowship contract is of 15 working days, pursuant to paragraph 2 of article 15 of the aforementioned Regulation. Once received by the fellowship holder, he/she must return the contract duly signed within 15 working days.

Fellowship contracts can only begin after due authorization by the contracting entity.

Expiration and cancellation of fellowship contracts: Without prejudice to the other causes provided for in the applicable fellowship regulations (FCT and UMinho) and in the Statute of the Research Fellow, the fellowship ceases with the conclusion of the contracted Work Plan, as well as with the end of the period for which it was granted or renewed.

At the end of the fellowship, the fellowship holder is obliged to present a Final Report on the work carried out, in accordance with the objectives to be achieved by the fellowship holder and the evaluation criteria/result indicators defined with the scientific supervisor, within 30 days after the fellowship expiration.

The Final Report must be prepared in accordance with Annex I of the Regulation of Scientific Research Grants of the University of Minho, published in “Diário da República”, 2nd serie, no. 119, through dispatch no. 6524/2020, of June 22nd , rectified through the rectification statement no. 447/2021, of June 22nd .

ANNEX I

Declaration of Honour

__________________________________ (name), applicant to the research fellowship vacancy under the I&D project (title or reference), published in the Euraxess portal, with the reference ____________, declare on my honour that:

a) In the contractualization of the fellowship, I will present proof of:

a. Registration in a master’s degree in the area of _________________________ or in related scientific areas;

b. Academic qualifications completed until the deadline for the applications, including evidence resulting from academic degree recognition processes.

As this is true, this declaration will be dated and signed by me.

(Place), (date).

__________________________

(name)

Requirements

Research Field: Medical sciences » Health sciences
Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications