NOTICE N.º 053/2024

OPEN CALL FOR RESEARCH GRANT APPLICATION WITHIN THE TERMS LAID DOWN OF THE REGULATIONS FOR RESEARCH SCHOLARSHIPS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ALGARVE

TITLE:  One Postdoctoral Research Grant

It is now open a call for one Postdoctoral Research Grant within the project “AgeTech - Investigação de Novos Compostos para o Desenvolvimento Inovador de Produtos Cosméticos de Anti-Envelhecimento”, number 17413, funding by Programa Inovação e Transição Digital e Programa Regional do Algarve, with the following conditions:

Research Field: Biological Sciences

Admission Requirements: PhD in Life or Health Sciences or related areas. Experience with cell culture, toxicity/viability testing, and drug efficacy testing. Experience with DNA damage assessment assays (e.g. comet assay) and experience with models derived from induced pluripotent cells will be valued.

Work Plan: The project's main objectives are to: (1) study and identify compounds that have cell regeneration, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and rejuvenating properties; (2) select active compounds that bring together the best properties for the development of new cosmetic formulations. Thus, the fellow is expected to develop research activities related to the proposed objectives, namely, cellular viability, efficacy and toxicity assays, as well as other relevant laboratory activities. The fellow will also be responsible for preparing project progress reports, as well as any scientific publications or provisional patent applications.

Applicable legislation and regulations: Statute of the Scientific Research Fellow, approved by Law nº 40/2004, of August 18, in the current wording conferred by Decree-Law nº 123/2019, of August 28 and the Regulation of Research Grants of the University of Algarve (https://files.dre.pt/2s/2021/10/210000000/0013700149.pdf).

Working place: The work will be developed at the Algarve Biomedical Center Research Institute (ABC-Ri) from the University of Algarve, jointly with the Professor Clévio Nóbrega, principal investigator of the project.

Duration of the grant: The grant will have a first contract of 12 months duration, beginning on 02-01-2025. The contract may be renewed until until the end of the project.

Value of monthly maintenance allowance: The monthly maintenance allowance corresponds to 1.801,00 euros. The maintenance allowance will be paid monthly by bank transfer, Regulation of Research Grants of the University of Algarve (taking into account the Research Grants Regulations of the University of Algarve (https://files.dre.pt/2s/2021/10/210000000/0013700149.pdf)). 

Selection criteria will be as follows: In accordance with nº2 of the article 11º of the UALG Research Grants Regulation, the selection criteria will be:  candidate's merit assessed by the CV presented, relevant experience for the project and proposed objectives and also motivation to develop work independently, with the respective scoring of 20%, 50% and 10%, respectively.

The evaluation process may include one interview, to all or some candidates selected by the panel, weighting a maximum of 20% of the total score.

The tender jury shall comprise the following members:

-   Clévio Nóbrega, Professor Auxiliar com Agregação, FMCB (President)

-   Carlos Matos; Professor Auxiliar Convidado, FMCB (Effective member) 

-   Sara Carvalhal, Investigadora Auxiliar, ABC-Ri (Effective member)

-   Raquel Andrade, Professora Auxiliar, FMCB (Substitute member)

Publication and notification of the results: Final results will be publicized through an ordered list according to the final grade and posted in a conspicuous and public local of the Algarve Biomedical Center Research Institute and communicated to the applicants by e-mail to the addresses indicated by each candidate.

Deadline for applications and submission forms: the call is open from 07/11/2024 to 29/11/2024

Applications must be accompanied by the following documents:

Official identification document (simple copy or legal equivalent). If you have a nationality other than Portuguese, you should present a residence permit, permanent residence certificate or long-term resident status, valid on the scholarship start date, any of which may be replaced, in its absence, by a declaration of commitment. However, one of the previous must be delivered at the contracting phase, under penalty of forfeiture of the granting of the scholarship;

Copy of the qualification certificates of the academic degrees held, specifying the final classification and, if possible, the classifications obtained in all subjects taken;

If the doctorate has been awarded by a foreign higher education institution, it must conform to the rules established in Decree-Law no. 66/2018 of August 16, and all required formalities must be complied with up to the date of termination deadline for submission of the application. If the completed process is not found until the end of the application deadline, the candidate must prove that he / she has requested the recognition of the degree.

Curriculum Vitae;

Passport or identification card for European applicants (copy);

Taxpayer Identification Number (NIF), if you have a nationality other than Portuguese, it must be submitted during the scholarship contracting phase, under penalty of forfeiture of the scholarship award; 

Other documents considered important, including a motivation letter.

The Application Request, dated and signed, must be addressed to the President of the Evaluation Panel (https://www.ualg.pt/sites/default/files/documentos/2022-12/anexo-iii-requerimento-para-candidatura-bolsa-en.pdf).

 for the following address: Universidade do Algarve, , Buildg. 2, FMCB, office 2.59, campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Reference 053/2024or by email to the Scientific Coordinator at mngt@ualg.pt. If the Application Request is sent by email, the applicant must duly express his/her consent that ll notifications regarding this application are sent to the email address given.

-Supporting documents stating that the applicant gathers all the requirements for this grant, namely the enrolment certificate in an awarding degree study cycle or in a postgraduate course;

-Supervisor Declaration taking the responsibility for the Work plan supervision, according to article 5º-A of the Statute of Scientific Research Fellow, as well as assuring the necessary conditions for the development of the work plan and in compliance with article 13 º of the Statute of Scientific Research Fellow;

-Declaration of the Grant acceptance;

-Declaration of commitment stating the exclusivity regime

Complaints and Appeal Deadlines and procedures 

On the decision for granting the Research Grant, candidates may, if they wish, comment on the hearing of interested parties, within 10 working days, under the terms provided for in the Administrative Procedure Code.

From the practice or omission of any act of the evaluation panel, candidates can complain to the body, within 10 working days.

The final decision of the evaluation panel can be appealed to the Rector within 15 working days after the respective notification.

scholarship contractWith the applicant selected, and after receiving all the required documentation, a scholarship contract will be signed in accordance with the attached model.Assessment of the scholarship holder(s)At the end of each period of duration of the scholarship contract, the activity developed by the scholarship holder(s) is evaluated by the supervisor, by applying the following criteria, in accordance with the attached model:

a) Development of the project and objectives achieved

b) Personal attitude

c) Collaboration in laboratory tasks

The University of the Algarve reserves the right to cancel this application procedure if by any means the contract celebration with the funding entity is not established.

University of Algarve, 28th of October 2024

Scientific Coordinator

Doutor Clévio Nóbrega