Position for PhD holder in Oncobiology

Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde da Universidade do Porto (i3S); Portugal; Presencial; EUR 23 000 - 31 000; Tempo integral

Resumo da oferta

Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde da Universidade do Porto (i3S) procura Doutor(a) em Oncobiologia para posição de investigador(a) júnior, com contrato de trabalho não definido, 35 horas semanais. O projeto foca-se na imunobiologia de linfomas não Hodgkin e envolve avaliação de terapias com anti-PSGL-1, combinando com outras modalidades terapêuticas.

O candidato deverá ter doutoramento, publicação relevante e disponibilidade para iniciar o trabalho na equipa Intercellular

Qualificações

• Doutoramento em Oncobiologia ou áreas relacionadas.
• Publicações em revistas com revisão por pares.
• Licença para trabalhar com animais de laboratório (DGAV).
• Fluência oral e escrita em inglês.
• Disponibilidade imediata para começar.

Responsabilidades

• Conduzir atividades de investigação no âmbito do projeto de doença linfática e biologia tumoral.
• Contribuir para a análise de resultados, preparação de artigos e apresentação de dados à equipa de investigação.

Conhecimentos

Inglês fluente

Trabalho em equipa

Publicações científicas

Formação académica

Doutoramento em Oncobiologia

Descrição da oferta de emprego

Organisation/Company Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde da Universidade do Porto (i3S) Research Field Medical sciences » Health sciences Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Application Deadline 8 Oct 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Lisbon) Country Portugal Type of Contract To be defined Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 35 Offer Starting Date 24 Sep 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Reference Number https://dozer.i3s.up.pt/fileupload/downloadfile/viewpdfnewta Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

NOTICE OF OPENING OF AN INTERNATIONAL CALL FOR THE SELECTION OF A PhD HOLDER RESEARCHER

Internal code: Researcher/FCT/i3S/2409/2026

A call is opened for the position of a PhD holder, for an unfixed term work contract to carry out research duties within the project “PSGL-1 immune checkpoint protein antibody blockade as a strategy to treat non-Hodgkin lymphoma”,with reference 2023.17791.ICDT,funded by national funds through FCT - Foundation for Science and Technology, I.P.

Scientific Area:Oncobiology

1. Project summary and work plan

The immune system plays a central role in cancer prevention, progression, and treatment. Despite the success of immune checkpoint blockade therapies in certain cancers, non-Hodgkin lymphomas remain largely resistant to such approaches. This highlights the urgent need for novel immune checkpoint targets. P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1), a glycoprotein implicated in immune regulation and lymphoma pathogenesis, has emerged as a promising candidate. We showed that PSGL-1 blockade with a monoclonal antibody (mAb) enhances T cell activation, alters the lymphoma immune microenvironment, and improves CAR-T cell efficacy in preclinical models. The SPECIFIC AIMS of this project are: 1) to determine the impact of PSGL-1 blockade on the immunophenotype and transcriptional programs of immune cells infiltrating lymphomas; 2) to evaluate the effectiveness of anti-PSGL-1 therapy alongside existing immunotherapeutic and other therapeutic modalities.

To accomplish AIM 1, we will treat the A20 mouse lymphoma syngeneic model with anti-mouse PSGL-1. The lymphoma microenvironment spatial composition and immune cell activation states will be characterized by advanced techniques. We also plan to determine whether the anti-tumoral effect of PSGL-1 blockade is mediated by T cells, by treating T cell-deficient lymphoma-bearing mice with anti-PSGL-1. To assess the impact of anti-PSGL-1 treatment on T cells infiltrating patients’ lymphomas, we will perform autologous co‑cultures with or without anti-PSGL-1 treatment.

To accomplish AIM 2, we will assess the therapeutic value of combining the administration of anti-PSGL-1 with anti‑CD20, which is a standard targeted immunotherapy (rituximab) for B‑cell lymphomas, versus each one alone. Also, we will treat A20 lymphoma mice with anti-PSGL-1 in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors, and determine the impact of combination therapy versus each agent alone on lymphoma growth. Since anthracycline chemotherapeutic drugs can induce immunogenic cell death, we will assess whether doxorubicin treatment combined with anti-PSGL-1 improves the anti‑tumor immune response and reduces tumor growth. Since radiotherapy was shown to induce immunogenic cell death and its combination with ICB therapy was shown to improve anti‑lymphoma T‑cell responses and tumor regression, we will treat A20 lymphoma-bearing mice with low-dose radiation and anti‑PSGL-1. Multiparameter flow cytometry will be performed to assess how the combination of anti‑PSGL-1 therapy with each therapy improves anti‑lymphoma immune responses.

Decree No. 57/2016, of August 29 – Legal Framework for Scientific Employment (RJEC) – in its current version.

Portuguese Labor Code, in its current wording.

3. Jury

the Jury will be composed of members with expertise and experience related to the scope of the project and, where deemed relevant, members from other research institutions and academic bodies. Each jury member will be requested to read the submitted dossiers and provide an objective assessment of the candidate’s academic profile and research experience, the alignment of the candidate’s research interests with the goals and objectives described in the statement, as well as the value that the research profile brings to i3S.

the Jury will be composed of members with expertise and experience related to the scope of the project and, where deemed relevant, members from other research institutions and academic bodies. Each jury member will be requested to read the submitted dossiers and provide an objective assessment of the candidate’s academic profile and research experience, the alignment of the candidate’s research interests with the goals and objectives described in the statement, as well as the value that the research profile brings to i3S.

i3S - Rua de Alfredo Allen, 208 Porto, research group Intercellular Communication and Cancer.

5. Professional category and monthly remuneration

Junior Researcher

€2.408,11, corresponding to index 33 of the Tabela Remuneratória Única, whose application is intended for PhD holders with reduced post-doctoral experience or without a post-doctoral scientific curriculum.

6. Requirements for admission

Mandatory:

• PhD degree inOncobiology or related areas;
• Relevant publication record in peer-reviewed journals in oncobiology;
• License to work with laboratory animals issued by the DGAV for A+D functions, in accordance with Decree-Law No. 113/2013;
• Fluency in written and spoken English;
• Good teamwork and interpersonal skills;
• Immediate availability to start the contract.

Preferential:

• License to work with laboratory animals issued by the DGAV for A+B+D functions, in accordance with Decree-Law No. 113/2013;
• Experience in managing research projects will be valued.

7. Evaluation of the applications and publication of the results

The evaluation of the scientific and curricular background of the candidates should focus on the activity of the last five years that the candidate considers most relevant. The five-year period may be extended by the jury, at the candidate’s request, when justified by suspension of scientific activity for socially protected reasons, namely for reasons of parental leave, prolonged serious illness, and other situations of unavailability for work that are legally protected.

Weight of the different curricular valuation criteria:

• Detailed Curricula (80%);
• Interview (10% - facultative )

If the jury decides to obtain further clarifications and additional information about the curricular elements presented, the 2 (two) best candidates classified on the basis of the curriculum may be called for an interview. The final classification system of the candidates is expressed on a scale of 0 to 100. Candidates who are not interviewed will have their maximum score limited to 90% of the evaluation.

Candidates who submit their application incorrectly or fail to meet the required qualifications for this competition will be excluded from admission.

The jury reserves the right to request any candidate, in case of doubt, to provide supporting documents for their statements.

False statements made by candidates will be sanctioned in accordance with the law.

The jury will draw up minutes of its meetings, which can be consulted at the candidate's request within 10 working days after the selection results are released.

The jury deliberates by means of a reasoned vote according to the evaluation criteria, with no abstentions allowed, and draws