Notice for a Research Grant for Masters or Masters students under the project EU-WISH: Wastewater Integrated Surveillance for Public Health Referência GA#: 101140460

The conditions for opening the research grant call are as follows:

Scientific Area: Health Sciences

Specialized Scientific Area: Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Biology, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences or Pharmacy, and other compatible areas of expertise.

Admission Requirements:

Only applications meeting the following requirements will be considered:

• Holding a degree, according to article 6 of the Research Grant Regulations of the Foundation for Science and Technology, IP;
• Students, enrolled in a master's degree or already holding a master's degree, or enrolled in postgraduate courses, in the scientific areas indicated above. These candidates should be aiming at consolidating scientific training in R&D project participation by conducting research work leading to or not an academic degree.

The following will be preference factors:

Skills in working in molecular biology, namely nucleic acid extraction, PCR, RT-PCR and qPCR;

Skills in Project Management;

Good computer knowledge from the user's perspective;

Excellent knowledge of the English language (written and oral);

Organization and results orientation;

High sense of responsibility;

Good skills on relationship, communication and teamwork;

Immediate availability.

The monthly value of the scholarship will correspond to the candidate's degree, according to the current values of scholarships awarded by the Foundation for Science and Technology (https://www.fct.pt/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Tabela-de-Valores-SMM_atualizacao-2024.pdf). The value of the Voluntary Social Insurance (1st stage) is also added to this amount, with annual Personal Accident Insurance being paid by the contractor.

Students, enrolled in a master's degree or already holding a master's degree, or enrolled in postgraduate courses, in the scientific areas indicated above. These candidates should be aiming at consolidating scientific training in R&D project participation by conducting research work leading to or not an academic degree.

Candidates who do not meet the beforementioned admission criteria will be excluded. Candidates who do not present a graduation certificate with their final grade will also be excluded.

The evaluation process will focus on assessing academic training and professional experience in the areas indicated above. The evaluation process will include two phases. Firstly, the candidate's CV and motivation will be assessed. Subsequently, candidates who achieve, in this first assessment, a rating of no less than 12 points, on a scale of 0 to 20 points, will be called for an interview to assess their knowledge and skills. The weighing to the final evaluation will be 50% for the curricular evaluation and 50% for the interview.

The candidate with the highest score will be selected. If the first selected candidate is unable to accept the scholarship, the second-ranked candidate will be chosen (and so on) according to the list ordered by the recruitment process jury. However, the jury reserves its right to decide if none of the available candidates meets the minimum requirements to fill the open position, in which case a new recruitment process must be carried out.

Work plan:

(i) Implementation of laboratory procedures for the preparation of wastewater samples, essentially aiming for PCR tests or reverse transcription tests, as well as for genomic sequencing;

(ii) Operationalization of the “flowthrough” associated with the biological samples that will be submitted for analysis;

(iii) Collaboration in the collection of information foreseen within the scope of the project;

(iv) Collaboration in the dissemination of results at scientific meetings and in the writing of scientific reports and articles;

(v) Collaboration in project management, namely in organizing documentation, preparing reports, communicating with the teams involved, processes for acquiring reagents, materials and equipment.

Composition of the Selection Jury:

The jury is composed of Elisabete Valério Ph.D (President of the Jury), Dr. Helena Rebelo and João Brandão Ph.D (effective members). Dr. Silvia José and Dr. Carina Menezes will be alternate members.

Deadline and form of submission of applications:

Applications must be formalized, indicating the reference of the notice for a research grant and be accompanied by the following documents:

i) Detailed and signed Curriculum Vitae (academic education, experience and professional training, publications, participation in national and international projects);

ii) Plain copies of qualification certificates, plain copies of professional training certificates;

iii) motivation letter in English (one page maximum).

Applications must be sent by 15/04/2024, by electronic mail (e-mail) to the following address:

EU-WISH – Elisabete Valério

E-mail: bolsas@insa.min-saude.pt  e elisabete.valerio@insa.min-saude.pt

Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge,I.P.

Departamento de Saúde Ambiental

Avenida Padre Cruz | 1649-016 Lisboa | Portugal

Applicants who send applications by email must keep the delivery and/or reading receipt as proof of receipt.