University of Coimbra opens a call for four post-doctoral research fellowship, in the framework of the  project 7131 - “Technological Hub for Innovation, Translation and Industrialization of Complex Injectable Drugs”, financed of the PRR - Recovery and Resilience Plan and by the European Next Generation EU Funds, following NOTICE N.º 02/C05-i01/2022, Component 5 – Capitalization and Business Innovation - Mobilizing Agendas for Business Innovationin the following conditions:

Scientific area: Biology, Biotechnology, Biochemistry or related areas.

Skills/Qualifications/Admission requirements: Doctorates in Biology, Biotechnology, Biochemistry or related areas.

Candidates must be enrolled in a non-degree course relevant to the development of activities included in this project.

Knowledge in the following areas is advantageous:

- Knowledge with in vivo tumor models;

- Knowledge of molecular cloning techniques;

- Knowledge in the discovery and development of new drugs based on small molecules;

- Knowledge of RNA-based therapies and experience in in vitro transcription.

- Knowledge of immunological assays, including antigen presentation assays;

- Knowledge of proteomeric or immunopeptidomeric approaches;

- Knowledge with bioinformatics and computational approaches.

The recipient of the fellowship must cumulatively meet the requirements provided for in paragraph 3 of article 7 of the RBIFCT:

a) The doctoral degree obtained in the 3 years prior to the date of submission of the application;

b) Investigation be carried out in a host organization other than that in which the degree was obtained;

c) Research activities do not require post-doctoral experience;

d) The research activities have a development and execution term equal to or less than three years;

e) The fellowship holder does not exceed, with the conclusion of the fellowship contract in question, including possible renewals, an accumulated period of three years in this type of fellowship, consecutive or interpolated.

For the assessment of paragraph e) it is important the candidate(s) verifies(y) whether they have already held this type of fellowship under Regulation No. 950/2019, of December 16, as well as in the previous regulatory period, financed directly or indirectly by the FCT.

Work plan/Objectives: The Pereira Lab focuses on cell reprogramming, hematopoiesis, and the development of cell and gene immunotherapeutic strategies. In this project we will:

•          Harness the unique power of the reprogramming platform for advancing cancer immunotherapy.

•          Discovery of new immunotherapeutic technologies based by mRNA, peptides and small molecules.

•          Novel tumor immunogenic approaches and targets to induce tumor immunity that will serve as basis for a high-value translational pipeline.

During the project we will establish several syngeneic tumor models to test and characterize the impact of the discovered approaches. These will include low immunogenic models that do not respond to current immunotherapeutic strategies such and immune checkpoint inhibitors (anti-PD-1, anti-CTLA4) and immunogenic models as well as orthotopic and spontaneous genetic models. We will also greatly benefit from the expertise of the partners in producing and delivering mRNA, peptides and small molecules in vivo. The current proposal brings together a cross-disciplinary team that spans distinct fields and this synergy will result in powerful new ways to elicit anti-tumor immunity..

Regime: The attribution of the fellowship does not generate or entitle a relation of a legal-labour nature, and the fellowship is undertaken in an exclusive dedication regime. The fellowship holder is awarded the Fellowship Statute of the UC, in its current wording, according to the Research Fellowship Holder Statute , and according to the Regulation for Research Fellowships of the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P., both in their current wording.

Location: UC-Biotech Cantanhede at the University of Coimbra.

Duration: 12 months.

Renewal: Possibly renewable.

Scientific orientation: Carlos Filipe Ribeiro Lemos Pereira.

Financial conditions: The amount of the fellowship is € 1686€  corresponding to the monthly compensation stipulated in the FCT table (https://www.fct.pt/apoios/bolsas/valores.phtml.en), plus social security (Seguro Social Voluntário, first level contributions) and  personal accidents insurance. The payment will be made by bank transfer. This amount will not be increased during the entire period of the fellowship duration.

Selection methods: Curriculum assessment - 70% and Interview - 30%.

Selection criteria: The assessment of the curriculum evaluation will focus on the following parameters:

Absolute merit of the curriculum vitae – 50%

Adequacy of the candidate's profile to the work plan to be developed - 50%

The assessment of the interview will focus on the following parameters:

Knowledge and profile suitable for the functions to be developed – 50%

Motivation and interest – 50%.

The conclusion of this tender procedure and the consequent contracting are dependent on the approval of the financing of the respective Project.

Jury responsible for selection: Carlos Filipe Ribeiro Lemos Pereira; Cristiana Pires; Lavínia Romera.

Formalization of application: Applications must be formalized by sending a Letter of Motivation, Curriculum Vitae and Certificate of Qualifications.

The aforementioned Declaration must be formalized in a specific form on the apply.uc.pt platform.

Declaration on the honor of the candidate(s) with the indication of the fellowship(s) of the typology to which the contest was held and the respective duration(s).

Applicants with academic degrees obtained abroad will be required to present a Certificate of Recognition in accordance with applicable law. This document is mandatory only in the contractualization phase.

Applications submission: Applications must be submitted via https://apply.uc.pt.

Submission of applications: Between 05/01/2023  and 06/02/2023.

Submission deadline date: 06/02/2023.

Additional information: The evaluation results will be announced within 90 working days after the end of the applications submission deadline, by notifying the applicants via email. After the announcement of the results, candidates are considered automatically notified to, if they wish to do so, comment on the results on a preliminary hearing period within 10 days after that date. After this, the selected candidates will have to declare in writing their acceptance. Unless a justification worthy of consideration is presented, if the declaration is not submitted within the referred period, it is considered that the candidate waivers the fellowship. In case of resignation or withdrawal of the selected candidate, the next candidate with the highest evaluation score will be notified immediately.

Once the selection process is completed, the fellowship contract will be drawn up in accordance with the draft contract provided by the FCT.

After the contracted period, the fellowship holder and supervisor must prepare the final report in accordance with the respective assessment criteria that were established.

Pursuant to subparagraph h) of Article 9 of the Portuguese Constitution, the University of Coimbra, as employer, actively promotes a policy of equal opportunities between men and women in access to employment and professional development, and acts to prevent each and every kind of discrimination.

Therefore, no one can be privileged, benefited, harmed or deprived of any right or immune from any duty on account of, in particular, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, gender, marital status, family, economic situation, education, origin or social condition, genetic heritage, reduced work capacity, disability, chronic illness, nationality, ethnic or racial origin, territory of origin, language, religion, political or ideological beliefs and trade union membership.

Selection reserve list: NA