Open Call for a Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship under the Project 101042912 - BEE_GEMS- ERC-2021-STG
The Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência (IGC) is welcoming applications to a Post-Doctoral ResearchFellowship (BI-PD), within the project 101042912 - BEE_GEMS - ERC-2021-STG, entitled: “Geneticfactors Enabling Microbiome Symbioses: Bees as a natural model system”, financed by the European
Research Council Executive Agency, with the following conditions:1.
Duration: The fellowship duration according to the IGC Research Fellowship Regulation
approved by Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia, IP (FCT) is 12 months, with the possibility ofrenewal for a maximum of 3 years. The fellowship contract is expected to start by March 2023, underthe exclusiveness regime as required by Research Fellowship Regulation of FCT.

Subject of Activities: The selected candidate will participate in the European Research Council (ERC)funded project 101042912-BEE_GEMS ERC-2021-STG. The aim of this project is to understand how
stable microbial communities form and how their constituent members interact, using the honey bee gut
microbiome as a model. Firstly, we will determine how the microbiome influences gene regulation andphysiological properties of the host, using transcriptomic, metabolomic and proteomic approaches.
Secondly, we will use comparative genomics methods to elucidate the functional variability of gut
microbial communities in order to infer the processes behind community assembly and interactions withthe host. There will be considerable intellectual freedom for the candidate to develop their own research
directions within the scope of the lab.
2.
Scientific Guidance: The selected candidate will join the Microbial Genomics and Symbiosis
Laboratory (https://gulbenkian.pt/ciencia/research-groups/wkwong/, www.kwonglab.com), headed by
Dr. Waldan Kwong.
3.
Academic Profile and Admission Requirements: PhD-holder in informatics, computational
biology, biotechnology, genomics, microbiology, evolution & ecology, or related disciplines.

We are looking for candidates:• Proficient in R, Python, and Unix command-line interfaces;• Experience & knowledge in bacterial genetics/genomics;• Experience in one or more of: prokaryotic and eukaryotic genomic and transcriptomic
analyses; amplicon sequencing surveys; single-cell RNAseq; metagenomics; proteomics;metabolomics;• Ability to help with basic bench work (e.g., DNA extractions, library preps) as needed;• Ability to incorporate principles of microbial ecology and evolution into analysing andinterpreting the results of their work;• Strong initiative, self-motivation, and work ethic;• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively;• Actively contribute to the intellectual environment of the lab and the institute;• Prepare and present scientific progress in seminars, conferences, and peer-reviewedpublications;• Work with the PI and institutional resources on professional development and preparation
for next career steps;• Effective verbal and written communication skills in English.
According to point 3 of article 3º of the IGC Research Fellowship Regulation, the doctoral degree musthave been obtained in the three years prior to the date of submission of the fellowship application.

If the qualification has been conferred by a foreign higher education institution it must be recognized
by a Portuguese higher education institution, under the terms of the provisions of article 25.º of DecreeLaw n.º 66/2018, of August 16th (https://www.dges.gov.pt/en/pagina/degree-and-diploma-recognition),
which approves the legal regime of recognition of academic degrees and diplomas of Higher Education,
attributed by foreign higher education institutions, and of paragraph e) of n.º 2 of article 4.º of DecreeLaw n.º 60/2018, of August 3rd, and any formalities established therein must be fulfilled by the date of
the hiring act. The jury reserves the right to invite the candidate ranked immediately after to the positionin question when the first ranked candidate is not recognized with the academic degree after theaforementioned formalities have been fulfilled.
4.
For Portuguese taxpayers: All candidates that where/are currently taxpayers in Portugal arerequired to present evidence of the fulfillment of their individual obligations towards the Portuguese
Tax Authority and Social Security. Failure to comply with this requirement will be considered as acriteria 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 of August 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).
6.
Subsidy Month Stipend: 1.900,00€/month according to the table of monthly maintenanceallowance amounts set out in Annex I of IGC Research Fellowship Regulation. The payment will bemade by bank transfer. The selected candidate will be reimbursed for the amount corresponding to theVoluntary Social Security contribution.
7.
How to submit applications: Interested candidates should send their applications toigcpositions@igc.gulbenkian.pt in a single PDF file, named “Applicant Name_BI_PD_BEE GEMS”
containing:i) Motivation Letter (1 page max);ii) Curriculum Vitae (2 pages max);iii) Two reference letters indicating the name, email and phone number of the referee.
After a pre-analysis of applications, selected candidates will be invited for an interview.
8.
Methods of Selection and Evaluation: The selection procedure shall be as follows:
Curriculum (35%), motivation letter (15%), interview and reference letters (50%), if considerednecessary by the jury, of the selected candidates.
9.
Jury Selection: Chair: Dr. Waldan Kwong, Vowels: Dr. Karina Xavier and Dr. Luís Teixeira.
Substitute: Dr. Rodney Eyles.
10.
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 of publicationof the Selection Minute, through the same application email.
11.

Application Period: From 09/01/2023 until the position is filled.

12.
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, orbe exempt of any duties based on ancestry, age, sex, sexual preference, marital status, family andeconomic conditions, education, origin or social conditions, genetic heritage, reduced work capacity,disability, chronic illness, nationality, ethnic origin or race, origin territory, language, religion, politicalor ideological convictions and union membership.