Open Call for a Research Fellowship
The Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência (IGC) is welcoming applications to a Postdoctoral Research
Fellowship (BI-PD) within the project 223192/A/21/Z, entitled: “A systems-biology approach toidentify Toxoplasma effectors that co-opt host cell transcription and their function in immune
system suppression” financed by The Wellcome Trust Investigator Award in Science, with thefollowing conditions:
Duration: The fellowship duration, according to the IGC Research Fellowship Regulation
approved by Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia, IP (FCT) is 12 months, renewable for up to 3years. The fellowship contract is expected to start in September 2023, under the exclusivenessregime as required by the Research Fellowship Regulation of FCT.
1.

Subject of Activities: We are looking for a postdoc with a recent PhD interested to workon host-pathogen interaction. We are interested to find out how various strains of Toxoplasma can
infect a wide range of hosts. More speficically, we are interested in identifying the proteins theparasite secretes into its host cell, how they alter the host cell behaviour to their need, and whichof these are specific to certain hosts. In this project we want to identify novel host-celltranscriptional regulators the parasite exports into the host cell using state-of-the-art single cell
PerturbSeq methods we developed in the lab. To identify the function of selected effectors we use
cell biology and biochemistry techniques and investigate their relevance in a natural infection
model using immunology methods. We are building a diverse team of cell biologists,immunologists and computational biologists for this Wellcome Trust funded work. We are looking
for teamplayers that can drive their individual project to develop their niche. We provide astimulating and supportive research environment.
2.

Scientific Guidance: The selected candidate will join the Cell Biology of Host-Pathogen
Interaction laboratory (https://gulbenkian.pt/ciencia/research-groups/mtreeck/ ), headed by Dr.
Moritz Treeck.
3.

Academic Profile and Admission Requirements: A recent PhD (< 3 years) in live
sciences is essential. We are looking for candidates with:
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Experience in innate immunology biology, cell biology/ transcriptonal control,
biochemistry and genetic modifications of mammalian cells is desired;
Candidates must be able to work in a team as well as independently;
Applicants must supply a specific cover letter detailing whey they are interested in thisproject and where they think they can bring strenghts, and areas they would like todevelop;
Effective verbal and written communication skills in English.

If the qualification has been conferred by a foreign higher education institution it must berecognized by a Portuguese higher education institution, under the terms of the provisions of article
25.º of Decree-Law n.º 66/2018, of August 16th (https://www.dges.gov.pt/en/pagina/degree-anddiploma-recognition), which approves the legal regime of recognition of academic degrees anddiplomas of Higher Education, attributed by foreign higher education institutions, and of paragraphe) of n.º 2 of article 4.º of Decree-Law n.º 60/2018, of August 3rd, and any formalities establishedtherein must be fulfilled by the date of the hiring act. The jury reserves the right to invite theFinanciado por:candidate ranked immediately after to the position in question when the first ranked candidate is
not recognized with the academic degree after the aforementioned formalities have been fulfilled.
For Portuguese taxpayers: All candidates that where/are currently taxpayers in Portugal
are required to present evidence of the fulfillment of their individual obligations towards thePortuguese Tax Authority and Social Security. Failure to comply with this requirement will beconsidered as a criteria for exclusion from the recruitment process.
5.

Applicable legislation and Regulation: All candidates must comply with the IGC
Research Fellowship Regulation; Research Fellowship Statutes amended by Decree nº 123/2019 ofAugust 28th; FCT Legislation and Regulations for Fellowships and the Decree-Law n.º 66/2018,of August 16th (Legal regime for recognition of academic degrees and diplomas of higher education
awarded by foreign higher education institutions).
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Subsidy Month Stipend: 2.200,00€/month according to the table of monthly maintenanceallowance amounts set out in Annex I of IGC Research Fellowship Regulation. The payment will
be made by bank transfer. The selected candidate may be reimbursed the amount corresponding to
the contribution to Voluntary Social Security.
8.
How to submit applications: Interested candidates should send their applications toigcpositions@igc.gulbenkian.pt with subject “Applicant Name_BI-PD_ 223192/A/21/Z”, with asingle PDF file named “Applicant Name_BI-PD_ 223192/A/21/Z.pdf” containing:

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Motivation Letter (1 page max);
Curriculum Vitae;
Doctoral certificate and Summary of research achievements (1 page);Contacts of 3 references (name, email and phone number);
Other documents relevant for the evaluation of the application.

9.
Methods of Selection and Evaluation: Applications will be evaluated according toCurriculum and previous experience (60%), motivation letter (20%). References nominated by thecandidates shall be consulted, if necessary (10%). In case of a tie, the candidates in this situation
will be interviewed (10%) focusing on the research outcomes of the candidate. The decision is madeby nominal vote of the selection panel members, in accordance with eligibility and selection
criteria, with no abstentions allowed. The final results will be presented on a scale from 0 to 100.
10.
Jury Selection: Chair: Dr. Moritz Treeck, Vowels: Dr. Vera Martins and Dr. MariaJoao Amorim. Substitute: Dr. Walden Kwang.
11.
Form of Advertising / Notification of results: The assessment results will be sent to all
candidates by email. There will be 10 working days for complaints/appeals after the date ofpublication of the Selection Minute.
12.

Application Period: From 09/05/2023 until 08/06/2023.

13.
Non-discrimination and equal access policy: The Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência of theCalouste Gulbenkian Foundation actively promotes a non-discrimination and equal access policy,
wherefore no candidate can be privileged, benefitted, impaired or deprived of any rights whatsoever,or be exemptof any duties based on ancestry, age, sex, sexual preference, marital status, family andeconomic conditions, education, origin or social conditions, genetic heritage, reduced work

Financiado por:capacity, disability, chronic illness, nationality, ethnic origin or race, origin territory, language,religion, political or ideological convictions and union membership.

Financiado por: