Open Call for a Research Fellowship
The Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência (IGC) is welcoming applications to a Master’s degree (BI)with a Research Fellowship, financed by Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian under the following
conditions:
1. Duration The fellowship duration according to the IGC Research Fellowship Regulation
approved by FCT is 12 months, with the possibility of renewal up to a maximum limit of 2years. The fellowship contract is expected to start by December 2023, under the exclusivenessregime as required by Research Fellowship Regulation of Fundação para a Ciência eTecnologia, IP (FCT).
2. Subject of Activities: The selected candidate will be involved in the research of theMicrobial Genomics and Symbiosis laboratory. The MGS lab studies how symbiotic
microorganisms affect the hosts with which they are associated with, and how these interactions
are mediated. In particular, we are currently investigating how the gut microbial community ofhoneybees impacts bee physiology and behaviour. The candidate will perform experiments totest these impacts as well as potential mechanisms mediating host-microbe interactions.
Additionally, there will be scope within this study for the candidate to gain technical experiencein bioinformatics, molecular biology, and microbiology. For more information on the lab, visit
www.kwonglab.com.
Scientific Areas: Biological Sciences.
3. Scientific Guidance: The selected candidate will join the Microbial Genomics andSymbiosis Laboratory (https://gulbenkian.pt/ciencia/researcher/waldan-kwong/) headed by Dr.
Waldan Kwong.
4. Academic Profile and Admission Requirements: Master in life sciences, with experienceor background in entomology, animal sciences, molecular biology, microbiology, biochemistry,or similar fields. The candidate will develop the project together with members of the MGS lab
but will also be expected to exercise independent initiative to carry the study forward.
Requirements:• Beekeeping experience, including working outdoors with hive boxes and live bees;• Expertise in microbiology techniques, including growth and maintenance of bacterial
cultures and in molecular biology, including qPCR;• Attention to detail, well organized, and ability to keep clear written records;• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team;• Experience in Science communication, good written and spoken English level.
According to article 3, point 2 of IGC Research Fellowship Regulation, the selected candidate
must be enrolled in PhD degree or 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 ofarticle
25.ºofDecree-Law
n.º66/2018,ofAugust16th(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
Financed by:foreign higher education institutions, and of paragraph e) of n.º 2 of article 4.º of Decree-Law
n.º 60/2018, of August 3rd, and any formalities established therein must be fulfilled by the dateof the hiring act. The jury reserves the right to invite the candidate ranked immediately after tothe position in question when the first ranked candidate is not recognized with the academic
degree after the aforementioned formalities have been fulfilled.
5. For Portuguese taxpayers: All candidates that where/are currently taxpayers in Portugal arerequired 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.º66/2018, of August 16th (Legal regime for recognition of academic degrees and diplomas ofhigher education awarded by foreign higher education institutions)
7. 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 amountcorresponding to the Voluntary Social Security contribution.
8. Deadline for applications and how to submit applications: Interested candidates should
send their applications to igcpositions@igc.gulbenkian.pt in a single PDF file, named“Applicant name_MSc Research Fellowship_BEE GEMS”, containing: Motivation Letter (2page max); Curriculum Vitae (2 pages max), two contacts for reference letters and proof ofdegree.
9. Methods of Selection and Evaluation: The selection procedure shall be as follows:
Curriculum (40%), motivation letter (20%) and contact information for 2 references (20%). If
considered necessary by the jury, the interview of the selected applicants will represent (20%)
of the final evaluation.
10. Jury Selection: Chairman: Dr. Waldan Kwong. Other members: Dr. Claudia Campos andDr. Dr. Rodney Eyles.
11. Form of Advertising / Notification of results: The assessment results will be sent to allcandidates by email. After being notified of the panel's decision, applicants shall have 10
working days to issue an opinion.
12. Application Period: From 27/11/2023 until 13/12/2023.
13. Non-discrimination and equal access policy: The Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência of theCalouste Gulbenkian Foundation actively promotes a non-discrimination and equal accesspolicy, wherefore no candidate can be privileged, benefitted, impaired or deprived of any rights
whatsoever, or be exempt of any duties based on ancestry, age, sex, sexual preference, marital
status, family and economic 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.
Financed by: