Open Call for a Master’s Research Fellowship
The Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência (IGC) is welcoming applications to a Master´s ResearchFellowship (BI), within the project “ERC-2023-StG-101116569”, with the title“MicrobiotaNeuroTalk”, financed by ERC- Horizon Europe / European Commission, 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, with the possibility ofrenewal for a maximum of 2 years. The fellowship contract is expected to start by March 2024,under the exclusiveness regime as required by Research Fellowship Regulation of FCT.
1.

Subject of Activities: The Neuronal Responses to Bacterial Signals group is looking for a
motivated candidate to help the projects we developed to better understand the mechanism behindthe communication between gut microbiota derived compounds and brain neurons, focusing on
direct interactions and the external factors that can impact this communication known as themicrobiota-gut-brain axis.
2.

We use mouse models and tools from different disciplines, such as stereotaxic injections and 3D
imaging, to be able to disentangle the many factors involved in this gut-brain crosstalk. The projects
currently available in the lab come from follow up questions from the post-doc work (Gabanyi etal., Science 2022) and evolve around 3 axis: 1) Sex and age aspects; 2) Gut-Brain trafficking and3) New bacterial compounds.
This is a unique opportunity to join a project funded by the ERC and a starting group with lots ofenergy and different projects still available. Our goal is to create an inclusive, supportive, andmotivating science environment where input from different expertise and background are welcome.
3.

Scientific Area: Microbiology - Neuroscience - Physiology

Scientific Guidance: The selected candidate will join the Neuronal Responses to Bacterial
Signals Laboratory (https://gulbenkian.pt/ciencia/researcher/ilana-gabanyi/), headed by Dr. IlanaGabanyi.
4.

Academic Profile and Admission Requirements: We are seeking for motivatedcandidates with a BSc and MSc in biology, biochemistry, neuroscience, immunology or similar, inparticular with knowledge in rodent work and a strong motivation to push projects. The candidatewill help in different steps of the ongoing projects in the lab. Particularly performing
immunostaining in brain slices and clearing protocols and 3D images of the brain and the gut.
5.

We value highly motivated candidates eager in performing and analyzing experiments as well as
high ability to work and achieve results inside and outside their team. Candidates must enjoy
interdisciplinary work and interact with team members and collaborators as well as to learn anddevelop new procedures. The candidates must be able to work in a team as well as independently
and most of all be motivated to understand gut-brain axis mechanisms.
According to point 2 of article 3º of the IGC Research Fellowship Regulation, the selected candidate

must be enrolled in a non-academic degree course integrated in the educational project of a higher
education institution.
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 thecandidate 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.
6.

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).
7.

8.
Subsidy Month Stipend: 1.300,00€/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 will be reimbursed for the amount corresponding
to the Voluntary Social Security contribution.

How to submit applications: Interested candidates should send their applications toigcpositions@igc.gulbenkian.pt in a single PDF file, named “ApplicantName_NBL_tech”
containing:9.

i)

Cover letter explaining why you are interested in our laboratory and which strengths
scientifically and personally you can bring to help expand your area of interest in ourlaboratory (please state which of the 3 axis of the lab you are most interested in);ii) Copy of the Master's certificate or diploma indicating the date of completion;iii) Curriculum Vitae with at least 1 contacts for reference (Name, position, address, contactand email address)iv) Other documents relevant to the assessment of qualifications in a related scientific area.
After a pre-analysis of applications, selected candidates will be invited for an interview.
Methods of Selection and Evaluation: The selection procedure shall be as follows: The
first selection will be based on the CV (60%) and motivation letter (40%), those that are ranked
here will be then selected for an online interview, after the interview if the jury consider relevant
reference letters might be asked. The final evaluation will be done based on CV (35%), motivation
letter (15%) and interview and reference letters (50%).
10.

Jury Selection: Chair: Dr. Ilana Gabanyi, Vowels: Dr. Giulia Ghedini and Dr. MartaLourenço. Substitute: Dr. Moritz Treeck.
11.

12.
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, through the same application email.
13.

Application Period: From 09/02/2024 until 23/02/2024.

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
capacity, disability, chronic illness, nationality, ethnic origin or race, origin territory, language,
religion, political or ideological convictions and union membership.
14.