A call is open for the award of a Research Scholarship (BI) for the development of R&D activities to be carried out by a Master’s degree holder enrolled in a non-degree awarding course, with reference SAI/2025/04, under the scope of the project TransNet – Extracellular vesicles in transcellular regulation of proteostasis in Age-Related Macular Degeneration - 2022.08649.PTDC, at the Faculdade de Ciências Médicas|NOVA Medical School (FCM|NMS) of Universidade NOVA de Lisboa (UNL), funded by the project mentioned above and financed by the FCT (Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia, I.P.), under the following conditions:

Scientific Area:

Cell Biology and Biomedicine

Admission Requirements(eligibility criteria):

- Master’s degree, completed at the time of application submission, in the fields of Biomedical Research, Biology, Biochemistry, Health Sciences, or related areas;

- Enrollment in a non-degree awarding course in Biomedical Research or related areas.

Work plan:

The selected scholar will be integrated into the project as a researcher and will undertake the following tasks under the scientific supervision of the Project’s Principal Investigators:

1. Characterization of extracellular vesicle contents and assessment of their role in mitigating proteotoxic stress and promoting cell survival using 2D and 3D cell culture models, including retinal organoids.
2. Cell culture, western blotting, confocal microscopy, and nanoparticle tracking systems.
3. Participation in writing scientific papers and reports.
4. Preparation of an application for a PhD Scholarship from the FCT or another funding body, with the aim of developing a PhD project integrated into the laboratory’s research activities.

Place of work:

The work will be carried out at the premises of the Faculdade de Ciências Médicas|NOVA Medical School (FCM|NMS), Unversidade NOVA de Lisboa (UNL), within the “Proteostasis and Intercellular Communication” Research Group under the scientific supervision of Dr. Paulo Pereira and Dr. João Ferreira, and in other locations as required for the preparation and execution of project activities.

Scholarship Duration and Expected Start Date:

The initial duration of the Scholarship is 6 months, with an estimated start date of April 1, 2025. The Scholarship contract may be renewed for an equal or different period until the end of the project, provided that, at the time of renewal, the conditions for its award remain valid.

Monthly maintenance Allowance:

The monthly allowance amounts to €1.309,64 (one thousand three hundred and nine euros and sixty-four cents), in accordance with the scholarship values table set out in Annex I of the Research Scholarship Regulations of NOVA University Lisbon. In addition to this amount, the Scholarship also includes personal accident insurance and voluntary social security corresponding to the first level, if the scholar opts for it and if the initial duration exceeds 6 months. Payment will be made via bank transfer.

Applicable Legislation and Regulations:

The Scholarship is legally framed by the Research Scholar Statute (Law No. 40/2004, of August 18), available at https://diariodarepublica.pt/dr/legislacao-consolidada/lei/2004-58216179, and by the Research Scholarship Regulations of NOVA University Lisbon (No. 9484/2023, of August 14), available at https://diariodarepublica.pt/dr/detalhe/despacho/9484-2023-221611620.

Selection Methods:

1. The selection methods include the evaluation of the “scientific and curricular background” weighted at 60% and the “professional selection interview” weighted at 40%.
2. The application of the selection methods will be phased as outlined below.

3. The evaluation of the “scientific and curricular background” will consider the relevance, quality, timeliness, specific knowledge, and proven prior experience based on the submitted documents according to the following criteria:

   a) Academic background in the scientific area of the call – 35%;

   b) Research experience, including publications in the scientific area of the call – 35%;

   c) Motivation letter, oriented to the Work Plan and considering the project area – “Extracellular vesicles in transcellular regulation of proteostasis in Age-Related Macular Degeneration” – 30%.

4. The evaluation of the “scientific and curricular background” is expressed on a numerical scale from 0 to 20.
5. The evaluation process includes a "professional selection interview," aiming to gather clarifications and explanations regarding the elements contained in the application.

6. In the «professional selection interview», which lasts up to 20 minutes, the following parameters and evaluation criteria will be applied:

   a) Communication and verbal expression– 20%;

   b) Fluency in English – 20%;

   c) Analysis and critical thinking – 30%;

   d) Motivation and interest in developing research in the specific area to which the candidate is applying – 30%.

7. The evaluation of the «professional selection interview» is expressed on a numerical   scale from 0 to 20 points.
8. The interview may be waived by unanimous and well-justified decision of the Jury, in which case the “scientific and curricular background” evaluation will be weighted at 100%.
9. The Jury will make a reasoned decision through nominal voting based on the evaluation criteria, and abstentions are not allowed.
10. The final ranking of each candidate is determined by the average score assigned by all Jury members.  To be selected, the candidate must achieve a final score of 15 or higher. In case of a tie, the Jury Chair will make the final decision.
11. The Jury reserves the right not to award the Scholarship if it determines that none of the candidates meets the required profile.

Composition of the Selection Jury:

- Jury Chair – Paulo Pereira, FCM|NMS;

- 1st Full Member – João Ferreira, FCM|NMS;

- 2nd Full Member – Rune Mathiessen, FCM|NMS;

- 1st Substitute Member – Sandra Tenreiro, FCM|NMS;

- 2ns Substitute Member – Rita Teodoro, FCM|NMS.

Application Submission:

Applications, which may be submitted in Portuguese or English, must be sent via email to recrutamento.investigacao@nms.unl.pt, with the reference SAI/2025/04 in the subject line, and must include the following documents in PDF format:

1. Motivation letter (max. 500 words);
2. Updated and detailed CV;
3. Degree certificate;
4. Proof of enrollment in a non-degree awarding course or a declaration in the CV or motivation letter stating the intention to enroll;
5. Application Form – https://www.nms.unl.pt/pt-pt/faculdade/junte-se-a-nms/recrutamento?category=4348;
6. Other relevant documents for evaluating the candidate’s suitability.

Note 1: In the case of academic degrees and higher education diplomas awarded by foreign higher education institutions, the recognition of these degrees must be presented in accordance with Decree-Law No. 66/2018, of 16 August, and Ordinance No. 33/2019, of 25 January. If recognition is not available at the time of application, a sworn statement must be provided, declaring that the recognition process will be completed before the scholarship contract is signed, should the candidate be selected.

Nevertheless, the recognition of foreign qualifications will be mandatory before the scholarship contract is formalised. More information can be found at: https://www.dges.gov.pt/pt/pagina/reconhecimento?plid=374.

Note 2: Proof of enrolment in a non-degree course may be submitted up until the contract is signed.

Application Deadline:

The call is open from 21/02/2025 to 06/03/2025 and is published on https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/ and https://www.nms.unl.pt/en-us/NMS/Join-NMS/Recruiting (in English and Portuguese, respectively).

Publication/Notification of Results:

Under Article 15 of the Research Scholarship Regulations of Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, evaluation results will be communicated by email to all candidates within 60 business days after the application submission deadline.

Candidates whose applications are unsuccessful may respond within 10 business days to the notification during the preliminary hearing, under the provisions of the Portuguese Administrative Procedure Code. Otherwise, the result will constitute the final decision.
Appeals or complaints regarding the final results may be submitted within 10 business days after their communication and must be addressed to the Dean of FCM|NMS.

Additional information:

1. In the event of withdrawal or resignation by the selected candidate or failure to submit the required recognition of qualifications or proof of enrollment, the next highest-ranked candidate may be contacted to sign the Scholarship contract, provided all requirements in this Notice are met.

2. Scholarships may be renewed for additional periods, up to the following maximum durations:

   a) One year for Scholarship awarded to bachelor’s or master’s degree holders enrolled in non-degree programs;

   b) Two years for master’s degree students;

   c)Four years for doctoral students.

3. If the academic degree or diploma is awarded during the Scholarship contract period, the Scholarship may continue under the terms specifically defined in the contract.
4. Research Scholarships granted to bachelor’s or master’s degree holders enrolled in non-degree programs may only be awarded to candidates who do not exceed a total accumulated period of two years in this scholarship category, whether consecutive or intermittent.

Non-discrimination and equal access policy:

The Faculdade de Ciências Médicas|NOVA Medical School, a unit of Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, actively promotes a policy of non-discrimination and equal access. No candidate will be privileged, benefited, disadvantaged, deprived of any rights, or exempted from any duties based on ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, family situation, economic status, education, social origin or condition, genetic heritage, reduced work capacity, disability, chronic illness, nationality, ethnic or racial origin, territory of origin, language, religion, political or ideological beliefs, or trade union membership.

Lisboa, February 21, 2025