Research Grant (BI), for the conduct of R&D activities by a graduate with a Master degree enrolled in a PhD or in a course non-leading to an academic degree ref.ª SAI/2024/05

There is an open call for applications for a Research Grant (BI), for the conduct of R&D activities by a graduate with a Master degree enrolled in a PhD or in a course non-leading to an academic degree, under reference SAI/2024/05  in the scope of the project Novartis - Myo SPA and JC-BIRD-1776269, at the institution Faculdade de Ciências Médicas|NOVA Medical School (FCM|NMS) from Universidade NOVA de Lisboa (UNL), supported by income from the above mentioned project financed by the Novartis - Myo SPA and JC-BIRD-1776269, under the following conditions:

Field of study: -Omic approaches (in particular transcriptomic and proteomic studies) to identify biomarkers related with muscle properties and biomarkers that allow the diagnosis of Rheumatoid arthritis, axial spondyloarthopathies and systemic lupus erythematosus independently of the level of inflammation.

Admission requirements(eligibility criteria):

• Master Degree in the area of Biology or related fields;
• Enrolment in a PhD or in a course non-leading to an academic degree, in the area of biology, biochemistry or related fields (The Proof of enrolment in a PhD or in a course non-leading to an academic degree could be obtained until contracting. The assessment made here will only take into account if the candidates meet the conditions for enrolling in a PhD or in a course non-leading to an academic degree.);
• Experience in bench techniques involving genetic and -omic techniques;
• Experience in informatic technologies in particular pathways analysis;
• Good level in English, oral and write; experience in writing scientific papers.

Work plan:

The scholarship holder will have to perform scientific research functions in the area of biomedicine. The objective of the project is related to the identification of genes and proteins (trough transcriptomic and proteomic approaches) allowing the diagnosis and several rheumatic conditions and the pathways involved. Additionally, the identification of biomarkers, related with muscle.

Legislation and applicable regulations:

The fellowship is legally framed by the Research Fellowship Holder Statute and the Universidade Nova de Lisboa Regulation for Research Studentships and Fellowships in force.

Place of work:

The work will be carried out at Rheumatic Diseases Lab Research Groupof Faculdade de Ciências Médicas|NOVA Medical School (FCM|NMS) from Universidade NOVA de Lisboa (UNL), under the scientific supervision of Doctor Fernando Pimental (MD, PhD).

Fellowship duration and predicted start date:

The fellowship will last for 6 months and is expected to start on 15^th of May, 2024.

Monthly Scholarship Amount:

The monthly amount of the fellowship corresponds to €1.259,64 (one thousand two hundred and fifty-nine euros and sixty-four cents), paid monthly by bank transfer, according to the table of stipend values.

Selection Methods:

The motivation letter and CV of the candidates will be evaluated according to the weighting of the factors indicated below.

Preferential Factors and assigned values in %:

• Master's degree and motivation for biomedical research - 20%;
• Curriculum in molecular and cellular biology techniques such as flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, western blotting, qPCR, assays using spectrophotometry - 20%;
• Curriculum in bioinformatic 40%;
• Proven experience in data analysis, general biostatistical -20%

(OPTIONAL: Candidates who have suitable expertise and skills sets for the position will eventually be invited for an interview accounting for 40% in the final classification.)

Selection Jury:

- President of the Jury – Fernando M Pimentel-Santos, Professor Associado com agregação, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas|NOVA Medical School (FCM|NMS) da Universidade NOVA de Lisboa (UNL), 

– 1st Effective Jury Member – Sofia Pereira, Professora Associada com agregação, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas|NOVA Medical School (FCM|NMS) da Universidade NOVA de Lisboa (UNL),

– 2nd Effective Jury Member – César Mendes - Investigador Principal, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas|NOVA Medical School (FCM|NMS) da Universidade NOVA de Lisboa (UNL),

– 1st Alternate Jury Member – Joana Batuca, Investigadora, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas|NOVA Medical School (FCM|NMS) da Universidade NOVA de Lisboa (UNL),

– 2nd Alternate Jury Member – Alexandre Sepriano, Professor Auxiliar convidado, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas|NOVA Medical School (FCM|NMS) da Universidade NOVA de Lisboa (UNL).

Form of publicizing/notifying the results:

The results of the evaluation will be sent by email to the candidates who submitted the application within the deadline. The candidates will also be notified by email that if they wish to comment at the prior hearing, they should present their comments by email within 10 working days.

Application deadline and form of presentation of applications:

The call is open from 29/04/2024 to 13/05/2024 (10 working days) and is published on https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/ and in https://www.nms.unl.pt/en-us/NMS/Join-NMS/Recruiting  (Portuguese and English versions on this website).

Applications have to be submitted by email, to rh.recrutamento@nms.unl.pt, mentioning the reference SAI/2024/05 in the Subject of the message.

Applications are formalized by sending a Letter of Motivation accompanied by the following documents: Curriculum vitae, Certificate of Qualifications, proof of enrolment in a PhD or in a course non-leading to an academic degree or statement on the CV or on the letter of motivation saying that the candidate wants to enter a PhD or a course non-leading to an academic degree, and other supporting documents deemed relevant.

FCM|NMS reserves the right not to award the proposed grant if the candidates do not meet the requirements indicated in this announcement.

Lisbon, April 29^th, 2024