ANNOUNCEMENT OF AN INTERNATIONAL CALL FOR THE SELECTION OF A PhD HOLDER RESEARCHER UNDER DECREE-LAW NO. 57/2016

Internal code:Researcher/IAPMEI/i3S/0608/2024

A call is opened for the position of a PhD holder, for an unfixed term work contract to carry out research duties within the project "Development of advanced topical and transdermal drug delivery systems", with reference PPS A2.1 - Health from Portugal, funded by IAPMEI - Agência para a Competitividade e Inovação IP.

Scientific Area: Medical Sciences, Bioengineering, Biomedical Engineering, Material Engineering.

1. Project summary and work plan 

The project PPS A2.1 aims to meet the needs of caregivers, patients with chronic diseases (such as diabetes, ulcers, and others), and the general public by developing highly innovative medical products, promoting their placement at the cutting-edge and reference level in the health area, and assuming that these will be the products that will be in high demand on the international market. Therefore, it is intended to develop a set of advanced systems for controlled drug release, bio-based, by topical and transdermal application within the context of this project. After this project, a wide range of products, such as functional textile structures and bioactive adhesives/patches, will be available for treating acute and chronic wounds, particularly as an adjunctive treatment for chronic diseases like diabetic foot ulcers and atopic dermatitis.  The work plan for the position associated with the PPS A2.1 project involves:

1- Characterization of pharmacological agents and biomaterials;

2- Performance evaluation of solutions developed in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo.

2. Applicable Portuguese legislation 

Decree no. 57/2016, of August 29 - Legal Regime of Scientific Employment RJEC - in its current wording

Portuguese Labor Code, in its current wording

3. Jury

Chairman: Fernando Jorge Monteiro; Other Members: Joana Alberta Barros, Maria Pia Ferraz Tavares; Substitutes Luísa Fialho.

4. Workplace

i3S - Rua de Alfredo Allen, 208 Porto, research group Biocomposites.

5. Professional category and monthly remuneration 

Junior Researcher

€2.294,95, corresponding to index 33 of the Tabela Remuneratória Única, whose application is intended for PhD holders with reduced post-doctoral experience or without a post-doctoral scientific curriculum. 

6. Obligatory requirements for admission

1. PhD in Medical Sciences, Bioengineering, Biomedical Engineering, Material Engineering, or other areas relevant to the project mentioned above subject.

2. Highly motivated candidates must show solid scientific experience in the characterization of biomaterials and drug delivery systems, advanced microscopy (TEM, SEM, and Scanning Confocal Microscopy), tissue engineering, and biological characterization (in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo) of innovative biomaterials for medical application namely in tissue engineering.

3. Candidates must hold the DGAV license for the animal science laboratory course (Functions A and D) or preferably FELASA C for animal experimentation, as well as effective and proven experience (in the last 2 years).

4. Relevant publications in international peer-reviewed journals in materials engineering for biomedical application.

5. Fluent in English (oral and written);

6. Good teamwork capability and interpersonal skills.

7. Immediate availability.

7. Evaluation of the applications and publication of the results

Under the terms of article 5 of RJEC, the evaluation of the scientific and curricular background of the candidates should focus on the activity of the last five years that the candidate considers most relevant. The five years may be extended by the jury, at the candidates' request, when justified by suspension of scientific activity for socially protected reasons, namely for reasons of parental leave, prolonged serious illness, and other situations of unavailability for work that are legally protected. 

Weight of the different curricular valuation criteria: 

a) Detailed CV (50% - maximum 10 pages): - Peer-reviewed publications in areas relevant to specific admission criteria, oral/poster presentations at national and international scientific meetings. Participation in national and international projects funded under competitive program calls.

b) Quality and impact of the research plan relevant to the specific admission criteria (30%).

c) Motivation letter in English (10% - maximum 1 page)

d) Interview (10%)

If the jury decides to obtain further clarifications and additional information about the curricular elements presented, the best five candidates classified on the basis of the curriculum may be called for an interview. 

Candidates are excluded from admission to this call if they do not fill out their application correctly or do not meet the obligatory admission requirements. If in doubt, the jury may ask any candidate additional documents in support of their statements. 

False statements made by candidates will be sanctioned in accordance with the law. 

The jury will draw up minutes of its meetings, which can be consulted at the candidate's request within 10 working days after the selection results are released.

The jury deliberates by means of a reasoned vote according to the evaluation criteria, with no abstentions allowed, and draws up a list of excluded and admitted candidates, ordered by respective classification. 

All candidates are notified of the selection results by email. After notification, candidates have 10 working days to comment.

In the 90 days following the deadline for submission of applications, the jury's final decision is communicated to the candidates. Subsequently, the institute Director, who is also responsible for the final decision of hiring, will ratify the decision of the jury. 

This call is intended exclusively to fill the indicated position on offer and may be canceled before the final ranking list of candidates is ratified by the Director. Accordingly, the position will no longer be available. 

8. Submission of applications

Applications must include all the documents proving that they fulfill the admission requirements, namely:

a) Copy of certificate or diploma; 

b) Detailed Curriculum Vitae; 

c) Motivation letter;

d) One article as the first author, with a summary of its meaning - and relevance to the advertised position.

e) Animal experimentation license.

The submission of applications is digital, in pdf format, from 6th to 20th August 2024 in the following link:

https://dozer.i3s.up.pt/applicationmanagement/#/addapplications/d2fdbbb3ed5d911b2fa53a417655c42

9. Start and duration of the contract 

The anticipated start date of the contract is 1/10/2024and is subject to budget availability. The maximum duration of the contract will be 31/12/2025, the end date of the project.

10. Non-discrimination and equal access policy

i3S actively promotes a policy of non-discrimination and equal access. No applicant shall be privileged, benefited, prejudiced, or deprived of any right or exempted from any duty on the basis of ancestry, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, family situation, economic situation, education, origin or social condition, genetic heritage, reduced work capacity, disability, chronic illness, nationality, ethnic origin or race, territory of origin, language, religion, political or ideological beliefs, or trade union membership. 

Within the framework of the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers, i3S adopts the Open, Transparent and Merit-based (OTM-R) principles for the recruitment of researchers, with the aim of conducting fair and transparent recruitment processes, bringing equal opportunities to all candidates.

11. Applicants with disabilities

Under the terms of Decree-Law 29/2001, of February 3, the candidate with a disability is given preference in equal ranking, which takes precedence over any other legal preference. Candidates must declare under oath their degree of disability, the type of disability and the means of communication/expression to be used in the selection process, under the terms of the aforementioned decree.