There is an open call for applications for two Research Grants (BI), for the conduct of R&D activities by a graduates with a Master degree enrolled in an academic degree, under reference SF/2025/09 in the scope of the Laboratório Associado Life Sciences for a Healthy and Sustainable Future (LS4FUTURE) project under reference LA/P/0087/2020-LS4F project, at the institution Faculdade de Ciências Médicas|NOVA Medical School (FCM|NMS) from Universidade NOVA de Lisboa (UNL), supported by income from the above mentioned project, financed by the FCT (Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia, I.P.), under the following conditions:

Field of study

Biomedicine / Cell Biology

Admission requirements(eligibility criteria)       

- Master's degree completed by the application submission date in Biology, Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences, Biomedicine or related fields;

- Enrollment in a course non-leading to an academic degree, in the area of Biomedicine, Bioinformatics or related fields.

Work plan

The selected fellow will join the project as a researcher and perform the following tasks under the scientific guidance and supervision of the project’s Principal Investigators:

• Profile 1: Membrane Trafficking in Disease – 1 position

The selected fellow will be integrated into the project as a researcher and will perform the following tasks under the scientific guidance and supervision of the Principal Investigator, Dr. Duarte Barral:

a) Study of the molecular mechanisms involved in lysosome secretion in cancer cell lines;
b) Identification of compounds that modulate lysosomal secretion in cancer cell lines;
c) Evaluation of migration and invasion of cancer cell lines after modulation of lysosomal secretion.

• Profile 2: Stem Cells and Development – 1 position

The selected fellow will be integrated into the project as a researcher and will perform the following tasks under the scientific guidance and supervision of the Principal Investigator, Dr. José Belo:

a) Implementation of a protocol for the effective development of a cardiac organoid derived from the differentiation of human iPSC cells;
b) Confocal microscopy analysis and isolation of extracellular vesicles from these organoids.

Place of work

The work will be carried out at the facilities of the Faculdade de Ciências Médicas | NOVA Medical School (FCM|NMS), Universidade NOVA de Lisboa (UNL), in the research group corresponding to the indicated profile, as well as other locations necessary for the preparation and implementation of the project activities.

Duration and start date

The fellowship will have an initial duration of 6 months, with an estimated start date of May 8, 2025. The fellowship contract may be renewed for an equal or different period until the project ends, provided the eligibility requirements for its granting are met at the time of renewal.

Monthly maintenance allowance

The fellowship stipend is 1.309,64€ (one thousand three hundred nine euros and sixty-four cents) per month, in accordance with the fellowship values listed in Annex I of the Universidade NOVA de Lisboa Research Fellowship Regulation. This amount includes personal accident insurance and, if applicable, voluntary social security corresponding to the first contribution tier, provided the fellowship duration is longer than 6 months. Payment will be made via bank transfer.

Legislation and applicable regulations:

The fellowship is legally governed by the Research Fellow Statute (Law no. 40/2004, of August 18), available at https://diariodarepublica.pt/dr/legislacao-consolidada/lei/2004-58216179, and the Universidade NOVA de Lisboa Research Fellowship Regulation (Dispatch 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 focus on the relevance, quality, timeliness, specific knowledge, and proven prior experience, based on the application documents and in accordance with the following criteria:

3.1. Profile 1: Disease Membrane Trafficking – 1 position

a) Previous experience with the methods and techniques required for the execution of the work plan – 50%;

b) Previous experience in the research group's scientific field – 30%;

c) Publications, including theses and presentations at scientific meetings – 20%.

3.2. Profile 2: Stem Cells and Development – 1 position

a) Proven experience in the culture and cardiac differentiation of human iPSC cells – 30%;
b) Proven experience in the development of cardiac organoids using human iPSC cells – 50%;
c) Proven experience in the isolation and study of Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) – 20%.

4.    The evaluation of the "scientific and curricular background" will be expressed on a numerical scale from 0 to 20.

5.    The evaluation process includes a "professional selection interview," in which all information submitted in the application will be reviewed to obtain any necessary clarifications and explanations. This stage is part of the final assessment.

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

a) Motivation and interest in developing research in the specific field of application – 50%;
b) Analytical skills and critical thinking – 20%;
c) Communication and verbal expression – 15%;
d) Fluency in English – 15%7.    The evaluation of the «professional selection interview» is expressed on a numerical scale from 0 to 20 points.

8.    The evaluation method involving the "professional selection interview" may be waived by the unanimous and duly justified decision of the Jury, in which case the evaluation of the "scientific and curricular background" will account for 100%.

9.    The Jury will deliberate through a nominal vote based on the evaluation criteria. Abstentions are not permitted.

10.   Each candidate's final score will be the average of the scores assigned by each Jury member.  To be selected, the candidate must achieve a final score of 15 or higher. In case of a tie, the Jury Chair will decide.

11.   The Jury reserves the right not to award the scholarship if it considers that no candidate meets the required profile.

Selection Jury

- President of the Jury – Paulo Pereira, FCM|NMS;

– 1st Effective Jury Member – Gabriela Silva, FCM|NMS;

– 2nd Effective Jury Member – Teresa Barona, FCM|NMS;

– 1st Alternate Jury Member – José Ramalho, FCM|NMS;

– 2nd Alternate Jury Member – Ana Sofia Falcão, FCM|NMS.

Formalization and submission of applications

Applications, which may be submitted in Portuguese or English, must be sent by email to  recrutamento.investigacao@nms.unl.pt, with the following reference in the subject line SF/2025/09, indicating the Profile (Profile 1: Membrane Trafficking in Disease or Profile 2: Stem Cells and Development, the following documents must be included in PDF format, under penalty of exclusion:

1. A motivation letter of up to 500 words;
2. A detailed and updated Curriculum Vitae that meets the application requirements;
3. Academic degree certificates;
4. Proof of enrollment in a non-degree course, or a statement in the CV or Motivation Letter indicating the candidate's intent to enroll in such a program;
5. Application form – https://www.nms.unl.pt/pt-pt/faculdade/junte-se-a-nms/recrutamento?category=4348;
6. Other relevant documents for assessing the requested profile.

Note 1: Each candidate may submit only one application and must clearly indicate the research profile for which they are applying. Failure to comply with this criterion will result in exclusion from the recruitment process.

Note 2: For academic degrees and diplomas issued by foreign higher education institutions, candidates must present recognition of these degrees under Decree-Law No. 66/2018 of August 16 and Ordinance No. 33/2019 of January 25; or, in the absence of such recognition at the time of application, a sworn statement declaring that recognition will be obtained before the scholarship contract is signed if selected. 

However, recognition of foreign qualifications must be provided before signing the scholarship contract. More information can be found at: https://www.dges.gov.pt/pt/pagina/reconhecimento?plid=374.

Note 3: The proof of enrollment in a non-degree course may be obtained until the contract is signed

Application period

The competition is open from 27/03/2025 to 09/04/2025 and is published at https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/ and https://www.nms.unl.pt/en-us/NMS/Join-NMS/Recruiting (English and Portuguese versions, respectively).

Result announcement/notification

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 scholarships 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, March 27, 2025 - The Director, Professor Helena Canhão.