1 (one) Research Fellowship (BI) for BSc enrolled in a non-degree course

1 Research Fellowship(s) (BI) is(are) open at the FCiências.ID – Associação para a Investigação e Desenvolvimento de Ciências, for the project “PTSuppress – Novel lead compounds as potential suppressor drugs for CFTR PTC mutations”, financed by CF Trust, under the following conditions:

1. Scientific Area: Biochemistry, Biology, or related areas.
    
2. Admission requirements: Bachelor's degree.
    
3. Additional optional skills and qualifications: Experience in mammalian cell culture and/or fluorescence microscopy.
    
4. Contracting requirements: Presentation of the academic qualifications and/or diplomas. Enrolment in   non-degree course developed in association or cooperation between a High Education Institution and one or multiple research units, namely, in Methods and Techniques of Scientific Investigation. 
    
5. Work plan: 
   General Objective: To contribute to the maintenance, expansion and characterization of cell cultures (including primary cultures and patient-derived organoids), in compliance with quality standards and good laboratory practices.
   Main Activities
   1. Handling of primary cell cultures, including isolation and adaptation to in vitro conditions. Preparation and expansion of patient-derived organoids, ensuring their viability and integrity.
   2. Carrying out morphological analyses by microscopy. Application of cell viability assays (e.g. Live/Dead). Collection of samples for molecular analysis (e.g., RNA/DNA extraction, Western blot).
   3. Development and validation of culture protocols for different types of primary cells and organoids. Implementation of cryopreservation methods.
   4. Recording the project’s laboratory activities in laboratory notebooks and/or digital platforms. Organization of project databases with information on stocks of biological materials and their respective origin.
   5. Participation in essential project meetings to discuss results and plan experiments. Regular monitoring of culture room equipment, essential for the project.
    
6. Legislation framework: Research Fellowship Holder Statute, in accordance with Law 40/2004, of 18 August, in its current version and the FCT Regulation for Research Studentships and Fellowships, in its current version  (Reg. 950/2019 published in DR on 16th  December: https://dre.pt/application/file/a/127230968,  or at the FCT website: https://www.fct.pt/apoios/bolsas/regulamento.phtml.pt), and FCiências.ID Fellowship Regulation, as approved on 12th May 2020 (available at Regulamento de Bolsas de Investigação Científica da FCiências.ID).
    
7. Place of work: The work will be developed at the BioSystems & Integrative Sciences Institute in Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon, under the scientific supervision of Professor Margarida Amaral.
    
8. Fellowship duration: This position is initially opened for 6 months due to start in March 2025. The fellowship contract may be potentially renewed for 6 months, in accordance with the provisions of Regulation of Research Fellowships from the Foundation for Science and Technology, I.P and FCiências.ID Fellowship Regulation. 
    
9. Monthly allowance: The fellowship amounts to € 990,98, according to table values of the FCiências.ID Fellowship Regulation. The fellowship holder will have a personal accident insurance and can ensure the right to social security through adherence to the voluntary social insurance scheme, if not covered by any other social protection scheme, pursuant to Código dos Regimes Contributivos do Sistema Previdencial de Segurança Social.
   The fellowship will be paid monthly by bank transfer.
    
10. Evaluation and selection process: Candidates will be assessed by CV (50%); motivation letter (10%); Interview (20%); experience in the areas described in paragraph 3 Additional optional skills and qualifications (20%).
    Applicants whose application is scored with a final classification of less than 60 points are not eligible for granting a fellowship.
     
11. Selection Committee: Margarida Amaral (President of the jury); Prof. Hugo Botelho and Luka Clarke (effective members); Carlos Farinha and Ines Pankonien (alternate members).
     
12. Publication/notification of results: All the candidates will be notified by e-mail, sent by the call holder, with the selection meeting minutes enclosed.
     
13. Deadlines: This call for applications is open from 03/02/2025 to 11/02/2025.
     
14. Application: Applications should be sent via e-mail to mdamaral@fc.ul.pt, by attaching the following documents: 
    a) Curriculum vitae;
    b) Certificate of completion of previous degree Note 1, 2;
    c) Motivation letter;
    d) Other relevant supporting documents.
     
15. Processing of personal data: FCiências.ID – Associação para a Investigação e Desenvolvimento de Ciências, as the controller under the General Data Protection Regulation, collects and processes the personal data requested in the context indicated in paragraph 14., under the legitimate interests in ensuring the award of the research fellowship to candidates with the indicated profile.
    The personal data will be kept for the period necessary for the execution of the purposes for which they are intended, being ensured the processing and protection in an appropriate and diligent way, the confidentiality and integrity of these data, through appropriate technical and organizational measures.
    Personal data may be transmitted to third parties, namely the entity funding the research project, solely for the purposes specifically established. In this sense, whenever the transfer of personal data to countries outside the European Union and/or international organizations is necessary, compliance with the applicable legal provisions is ensured.
    You have the right to request access, rectification, elimination, limitation of processing, the right to object and also data portability (if technically feasible), through the e-mail address: dpo@fciencias-id.pt. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the National Data Protection Commission. 
    For more information, we recommend consulting the Internal Rules of Data Protection of FCiências.ID - Association for Research and Development of Sciences at https://fciencias-id.pt/.
     
16. Time limits for the appeal procedure: In case of negative decision, the candidates have 10 business days, after the date of announcement of the results of the candidates evaluation, to pronounce their disagreement in accordance with the Código do Procedimento Administrativo. Appeals against the final decision may be submitted to the Administration Board of FCiências.ID (fciencias.id@fciencias-id.pt) within 15 business days after the notification date.

Note 1: The documents that prove the entitlement of the academic qualifications and diplomas can be dismissed during the application period and replaced by a declaration on their honour from the applicant (Minuta PT, Minute EN). Their delivery is mandatory for the fellowship contractualization.

Note 2: Please note that - higher education degrees and diplomas awarded by foreign higher education institutions  need to be  recognized by a Portuguese higher education institution, pursuant to the Decree-Law nr. 66/2018 (August 16) and the Ministerial Order nr. 33/2019 (January 25). The presentation of the recognition certificate is mandatory for contract signature. More information can be obtained at: https://www.dges.gov.pt/en/pagina/degree-and-diploma-recognition.