014/BI/2024 - Fellowship for Masters

Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier – ITQB NOVA

Application for a Master Fellowship

within the project HR22-00722

Applications are invited for a Master Fellowship (BI) in the scope of the project entitled “The BioPlaTTAR Platform for the Tailored and Rapid Development of Antiviral Biopharmaceuticals”, reference HR22-00722, funded by “La Caixa” Foundation and by Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia I.P./MCTES, through national funding (PIDDAC).

 

Main Scientific Areas & Sub-Research Fields: Biological Sciences – Biotechnology

Academic degree: We are seeking candidates with a Master in Biotechnology, Biochemistry or related areas with a classification of 18 (out of 20) or higher Bachelor degree in Biotechnology, Biochemistry or related areas with a Bachelor’s degree classification of 17 (out of 20) or higher.

 

Other requirements:

•    Experience in cloning, protein expression in mammalian and prokaryotic cells and protein purification;

•    Experience in the production and characterization of fragment antibodies (Fabs);

•    Experience in protein characterization using biophysical methods including Circular Dichroism, Dynamic Light Scattering and Biolayer Interferometry;

•    Experience in viral neutralization assays performed in BSL-3 labs;

•    Experience in screening methodologies by yeast display;

•    Being enrolled in a non-academic degree course (by the time of the signature of the contract), in accordance with number the Article 6th of “Regulamento de Bolsas de Investigação da Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P.”, law in force (Mandatory)

Work Plan: The successful candidate will implement a high-throughput assay using yeast display techniques to screen for proteins with high affinity towards specific viral targets. The candidate will also clone, express, purify and characterize selected lead proteins, as well as perform viral neutralization assays with the best leads.

 

Applicable Law and Regulations: Status of Scientific Research Fellow, approved by Law number 40/2004, of August 18th, changed and republished by Ordinance 202/2012 of August 27th and changed by Ordinance 233/2012 of October 29th and by Law 12/2013 of January 29th and by Ordinance 89/2013 of July 9th and by the Ordinance 123/2019 of August 28th.

Regulations for Research Fellowships from Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P., in force (https://former.fct.pt/apoios/bolsas/docs/RegulamentoBolsasFCT2019DR.pdf).

Working Place: The work will be carried out in the Proteome Regulation in Plants Lab at ITQB NOVA under the supervision of Doctor Isabel Abreu.

Duration of the fellowship: The fellowship will have a duration of 6 months, eventually renewable, expected to start in March 2024, on a full-time basis, according to Fellowship Regulations of Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia, I.P.

Stipend amount: EUR 1199.64 €, according to the table of values of grants awarded directly by the FCT, I.P. in the Country (https://www.fct.pt/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Tabela-de-Valores-SMM_202…) and payment will be made, monthly, through bank transfer.

Selection procedure: The evaluation procedure will be primarily based on analyzing the candidates´ CVs and, if necessary, an interview with the selected candidates may occur. In this case, the CV evaluation and the interview will have weights of 50% each.

Jury composition: Doctor Isabel Abreu (President); Doctor Diana Lousa (effective member); Doctor João B. Vicente (effective member); Professor Cláudio M. Soares (substitute member).

Application documents: The application should be formalized by sending by e-mail (to itqb.pessoal@itqb.unl.pt) as a single PDF file containing the following documents: i) a cover letter indicating the corresponding fellowship reference; ii) motivation letter including the names and e-mail addresses of two possible references; iii) detailed Curriculum Vitae; iv) degrees certificates. If the degrees have been conferred by a non-Portuguese higher education institution, the selected candidate must obtain the certificates of degree recognition, issued by the Portuguese Directorate General for Higher Education or by a Portuguese Public Higher Education Institution, until the signature of the contract. Regarding this issue, please consult the website of the Portuguese Directorate General for Higher Education: https://www.dges.gov.pt/en.

Notification of candidates: All the candidates will be informed of the final result by e-mail.

Deadlines and procedures for complaints and appeals: The candidates that were not selected have a period of 10 working days, after the disclosure Applicable Law and Regulations: Status of Scientific Research Fellow, approved by Law number 40/2004, of August 18th, changed and republished by Ordinance 202/2012 of August 27th and changed by Ordinance 233/2012 of October 29th and by Law 12/2013 of January 29th and by Ordinance 89/2013 of July 9th and by the Ordinance 123/2019 of August 28th;

Application period: From January 31 to February 13, 2024

Applications should be sent to:

Doctor Isabel Abreu

Email: abreu@itqb.unl.pt

Announcement Ref.: 014/BI/2024