Open Call for a Master’s 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 2 years.
The fellowship contract is expected to start by January2024, under the exclusiveness regime asrequired by Research Fellowship Regulation of Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia, IP (FCT).
2. Subject of Activities: The selected candidate will be involved in the research of comparativegenomics. Advances in comparative genomics are revealing remarkable biodiversity in how
different organisms execute essential cellular functions. Notably, the discovery of organisms
lacking genes conventionally considered essential for viability challenges our establishedunderstanding of ubiquitous biological processes. For instance, certain protist species lack genesthat encode proteins involved in DNA replication, chromosome segregation, and cell cycle
progression, all of which are typically deemed essential. This raises the question of how thesegenes were lost while still maintaining organismal viability.
The goal of this project is to challenge the concept of gene essentiality, by perturbing conserved
cellular processes in S. cerevisiae. The obtained mutants will be experimentally evolved andsequenced. Ultimately, this project will lead to a deeper understanding of the biodiversity
involved in genome maintenance that is present in nature and understanding how it can beevolutionarily achieved.
Scientific Areas: Biological Sciences.
3. Scientific Guidance: The selected candidate will join the Genome Maintenance and Evolution
Laboratory (https://gulbenkian.pt/ciencia/research-groups/mfumasoni/), headed by Dr. MarcoFumasoni.
4. Academic Profile and Admission Requirements: We are currently seeking an MSc todevelop the offered project. The candidate should hold a master’s degree in biomedicalengineering and have a background in molecular biology. Practical experience in microbiology,
particularly S. cerevisiae manipulation is a prerequisite as well yeast genetic manipulation andevolution assays. Expertise or prior experience in flow cytometry and microscopy, especially live
imaging is considered advantageous.
We are specifically looking for a candidate who is proactive, curious, and capable of independent
contributions to the project. Skills related to lab organization are important and a strong emphasis
is placed on critical thinking. It is essential that applicants demonstrate English language skills
both oral and written. Attention to detail, well organized, and ability to keep clear written records;
According to article 3, point 2 of IGC Research Fellowship Regulation, the selected candidate
must be enrolled in a non-academic degree course integrated in the educational project of a highereducation 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 ofarticle25.º of Decree-Law n.º 66/2018, of Augustt16th(https://www.dges.gov.pt/en/pagina/degreeand-diploma-recognition), which approves the legal regime of recognition of academic degrees

and diplomas of Higher Education, attributed by foreign higher education institutions, and ofparagraph 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 date of the hiring act. The jury reserves the right toinvite the 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 havebeen 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 of August28th; FCT Legislation and Regulations for Fellowships and the Decree-Law n.º 66/2018, ofAugust 16th (Legal regime for recognition of academic degrees and diplomas of higher 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_S.cerevisiae Gene Essentiality”, containing: Motivation
Letter (2 page max); Curriculum Vitae (2 pages max), two contacts for reference letters and proofof degree.
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. Marco Fumasoni. Other members: Dr. Ana Garona and Dr.
Mario del Rosário.
11. Form of Advertising / Notification of results: The assessment results will be sent to all
candidates by email. After being notified of the panel's decision, applicants shall have 10 working
days to issue an opinion.
12. Application Period: From 27/12/2023 until 11/01/2024.
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, maritalstatus, 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.