RESEARCH SCHOLARSHIP FOR A MASTER'S DEGREE HOLDER WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THE PROJECT 'NEURODEGCOV19: NEURODEGENERATIVE COMPLICATIONS AFTER COVID-19' (REFERENCE: PTDC/SAU-EPI/6275/2020), AT THE INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC HEALTH, UNIVERSITY OF PORTO

A call is open for the award of a research scholarship for a master's degree within the scope of the project 'NeurodegCoV19: Neurodegenerative Complications after COVID-19,' reference PTDC/SAU-EPI/6275/2020, at the Institute of Public Health, University of Porto, funded by the Foundation for Science and Technology under the following conditions.:

Application Deadline: January 30 to February 12, 2024

1. Scientific Area(s): Public Health

2. Applicable Legislation and Regulations

Research Fellowship Holder Statute, approved by Law No. 40/2004 of August 18^th, as amended by Decree-Law No. 123/2019 of August 28^th; Regulation No. 950/2019 of November 29^th, published in the Diário da República, No. 241, 2nd Series, of December 16^th (Regulation of Research Scholarships of FCT, I.P.); Decree-Law No. 66/2018 of August 16^th (Legal framework for the recognition of academic degrees and diplomas of higher education awarded by foreign higher education institutions); Administrative Procedure Code (CPA), approved by Decree-Law No. 4/2015 of January 7^th.

3. Admission Requirements

This scholarship is open to all individuals of legal age who meet the following requirements:

1. Portuguese native-speaker – essential for conducting in-person interviews of the participants of the project (Portuguese subjects);
2. Master's degree in the area of Health Sciences, Social Sciences or Public Health;
3. Enrolled in a Doctoral program, a requirement to be verified upon hiring;

or

3. Enrolled in a non-academic degree course integrated into the educational project of a higher education institution, developed in partnership or collaboration with one or more R&D units, a requirement to be adequately verified upon hiring.

If the qualification was awarded by a foreign higher education institution, it must be recognized by a Portuguese higher education institution, in accordance with the provisions of Article 25 of Decree-Law No. 66/2018 of August 16^th, which approves the legal framework for the recognition of academic degrees and diplomas of Higher Education awarded by foreign higher education institutions, and paragraph e) of Article 4(2) of Decree-Law No. 60/2018 of August 3^rd, with all formalities established therein being fulfilled by the date of the hiring process.

4. Preferred Conditions

Experience in epidemiological research projects will be valued, including:

1. Carrying out structured interviews with participants;
2. Data computerization;
3. Managing participant contacts and scheduling assessments;
4. Database management;
5. Statistical analysis of results;
6. Presentation and publication of results of scientific research work.

5. Functions to be Performed

The main tasks to be performed within the scope of the scholarship will be:

1. Assessment of adult participants with a structured interview, the application of screening instruments for cognitive impairment, Parkinson's disease and REM sleep behavior disorder, the application of the Timed Up&Go test and self-administered questionnaires;
2. Scheduling participant assessments;
3. Data computerization;
4. Participation in the production of reports and communications in magazines and scientific meetings.

6. Workplace and Supervision

The work will be carried out at the Institute of Public Health, University of Porto (ISPUP), under the supervision of Dr. Vítor Tedim Cruz.

7. Duration of the Scholarship

The scholarship will have a maximum duration of 6 months, starting on March 01, 2024, under an exclusive arrangement, non-renewable, and not exceeding the project completion date (31/08/2024).

Note: In the case of master's degree holders enrolled in non-academic degree courses, the scholarship can only be awarded to those who, with the signing of the relevant scholarship contract, including possible renewals, do not exceed a cumulative period of two years in this type of scholarship, whether consecutive or intermittent.

8. Monthly Maintenance Allowance

The scholarship amount is 1199.64€ (one thousand one hundred ninety-nine euros and sixty-four cents), in accordance with the table of values for scholarships directly awarded by FCT, I.P. in the country.

9. Selection Methods

Selection will be based on curriculum evaluation (CE) and, if deemed necessary by the jury, a selection interview (SI) with the top 3 candidates whose score in the curriculum evaluation is equal to or greater than ten points. The final score will be calculated using the following formula: 0.6 x CE + 0.4 x SI, on a scale of 0 to 20 points/100. If no interview is conducted, the final score will be the same as the CE score. In the event that none of the candidates demonstrate the required profile for the execution of the work plan, the jury reserves the right not to award the scholarship.

The criteria for curriculum evaluation are (0 to 20 points):

a. Master’s final classification – maximum 2 points;

b. Experience in carrying out epidemiological studies, taking into account the participation in different projects and the duration of the activities described in the following paragraphs a to d – maximum 12 points:

1. In-person or telephone recruitment of participants – maximum 3 points;
2. Carrying out semi-structured interviews – maximum 3 points;
3. Contact management and scheduling participant evaluations – maximum 3 points;
4. Experience in data computerization – maximum 3 points, according to experience.

c.Production of communications for scientific congresses and publications in scientific journals – maximum 6 points:

1. Poster presentation only – 1 point;
2. Presentation of oral communications as co-author and without articles – 2 points;
3. Presentation of oral communications as first author and without articles – 4 points;
4. At least one article as co-author without articles as first author – 5 points;
5. At least one article in a magazine as first author – 6 points.

[Note: non-cumulative award of points]

The criteria for the selection interview, if conducted, will be (0 to 20 points):

1. Specific knowledge for the execution of the work plan – maximum 9 points
2. Motivation for the proposed activities – maximum 5 points
3. Communication skills – maximum 3 points
4. Attitude – maximum 3 points

10. Composition of the Selection Jury

President – Vítor Tedim Cruz

1^st Effective member – Ana Rute Costa

2^nd Effective member – Natália Araújo

1^st Alternate member – Joana Pais

2^nd Alternate member – Nuno Lunet

11. Submission of Applications

11.1. The call is open until February 12, 2024.

11. 2. Applications must be submitted exclusively via email to the address candidaturas@ispup.up.pt, with the reference "BI – Master | NeurodegCoV19" in the subject line, accompanied by the following mandatory documents:

1. Motivation letter;
2. Curriculum Vitae;
3. Supporting documents demonstrating that the candidate meets the requirements for the type of scholarship being applied for, including certificates of qualifications with final grades, degree recognitions (if applicable), and proof of enrolment in a Doctoral Program or in a non-academic degree course; The recognition must be duly proven until the act of hiring. If the recognition of the degree is under review, you should send proof of the request;
4. Other documents considered relevant by the candidate.

11.3 Failure to submit the above-mentioned documents as part of the application will result in the administrative exclusion of the candidates.

12. Publication/Notification of Results

1. The final assessment results will be disclosed by sending minute(s) via the email provided during the application process.
2. Candidates have a period of 10 working days, starting from the day of the notification, to provide their comments, if desired, during the prior hearing process.

13. Non-Discrimination and Equal Access Policy

ISPUP actively promotes a policy of non-discrimination and equal access, ensuring that no candidate may be privileged, favoured, disadvantaged, or deprived of any right or exempt from any duty based, in particular, on ancestry, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, family situation, economic status, education, origin or social condition, genetic heritage, reduced working capacity, disability, chronic illness, nationality, ethnic origin or race, place of origin, language, religion, political or ideological beliefs, and union membership.

14. Privacy and Data Protection Policy

ISPUP is committed to complying with personal data protection legislation in order to safeguard the data and privacy of employees, students, and partners. As the data controller, ISPUP commits to process all data collected during the application process in accordance with the procedures defined by data protection legislation and in accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Policy.