Open Call for a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship

The Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência (IGC) is welcoming applications to a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (BI-PD) within the project ERC-2018-COG-819046 - makingtheretina, entitled: “Principles of retinal neuronal lamination from zebrafish to humans” financed by Horizon 2020, with the following conditions:

1.               Duration: The fellowship duration, according to the IGC Research Fellowship Regulation approved by Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia, IP (FCT) is 12 months, renewable for up to 3 years. The fellowship contract is expected to start in October 2023, under the exclusiveness regime as required by the Research Fellowship Regulation of FCT.

2.               Subject of Activities: The selected candidate will work on the project entitled “Principles of retinal neuronal lamination from zebrafish to humans”. This project aims to discover the objective to dissect the molecular and mechanical influences on vertebrate retinal lamination using foremost human organoids but also zebrafish as model systems. The project will involve the generation,  manipulation and imaging of human retinal organoids. Cell and tissue dynamics will be assessed using long-term live microscopy. Comparative studies involve zebrafish imaging and manipulation.

3.               Scientific Guidance: The selected candidate will join the Cell Biology of Tissue Morphogenesis laboratory (https://gulbenkian.pt/ciencia/research-groups/cnorden/ ), headed by Dr. Caren Norden.

4.               Academic Profile and Admission Requirements: Doctoral degree (PhD) in Biology or related scientific area, awarded less than three years ago at time of contract (essential):

i)               Excellent knowledge of English, spoken and written (essential);

ii)             Extensive experience and proven track record with the use of high-resolution microscopy confocal, light sheet, etc and image analysis (essential);

iii)            Knowledge and track record in cell and/or developmental and cell biology (essential). Experience with CRISPR and other genetic manipulation systems will be positively considered. Molecular biology experience will be positively considered;

iv)            Knowledge in human iPSCs and human organoid culture will be positively considered. Experience with other model organisms is a plus;

v)              Internationally peer-reviewed and/or pre-printed publications are required.

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 16th (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.

5.               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.

6.           Applicable legislation and Regulation: All candidates must comply with the IGC Research Fellowship Regulation; Research Fellowship Statutes amended by Decree nº 123/2019of August 28th; FCT Legislation and Regulations for Fellowships and 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).

7.           Subsidy Month Stipend: 2.000,00€/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 may be reimbursed the amount corresponding to the contribution to Voluntary Social Security.

8.           How to submit applications: Interested candidates should send their applications to igcpositions@igc.gulbenkian.pt with subject “Applicant Name_BI-PD_ERC-2018-COG-819046 makingtheretina”, with a single PDF file named “Applicant Name_BI-PD_ERC-2018-COG-819046 makingtheretina.pdf” containing:

a.      Motivation Letter (1 page max);

b.     Curriculum Vitae;

c.      Doctoral certificate and Summary of research achievements (1 page);

d.     Contacts of 3 references (name, email and phone number);

e.      Other documents relevant for the evaluation of the application.

9.           Methods of Selection and Evaluation: Applications will be evaluated according to Curriculum and previous experience (60%), motivation letter (20%). References nominated by the candidates shall be consulted, if necessary (10%). In case of a tie, the candidates in this situation will be interviewed (10%) focusing on the research outcomes of the candidate. The decision is made by nominal vote of the selection panel members, in accordance with eligibility and selection criteria, with no abstentions allowed. The final results will be presented on a scale from 0 to 100.

10.                 Jury Selection: Chair: Dr. Caren Norden., Vowels: Dr. João Coelho s and Dr. Raquel Oliveira. Substitute: Dr. Moritz Treek.

11.         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.

12.         Application Period: From 09/06/2023 until 10/07/2023.   

13.         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.