Research Fellowship for a PhD student at Católica Biomedical Research Centre

Universidade Católica Portuguesa; Portugal; On-site; EUR 15,000 - 16,000; Full time

Job summary

Universidade Católica Portuguesa invites applications for a Research Fellowship for a PhD student in Biomedical Sciences, funded by Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) under the project "Exploring Spiro-β-lactams as Therapeutic Agents Against RNA Virus-Induced Respiratory Infections" (ref. 2023.16671.ICOT).

The fellowship runs for 12 months, starting January 2027, and involves in vivo studies of antiviral compounds, biosafety-compliant work, and contribution to reports and publications.

Qualifications

• Enrolled in a course leading to a doctorate.
• Not have benefited from a research grant for a doctoral student for more than four years, including the maximum duration of the grant to be awarded in this call.

Responsibilities

• Evaluation of antiviral efficacy in a mouse model of influenza A virus infection.
• In vivo experiments under biosafety conditions and approved project authorization.
• Monitoring of disease progression and treatment efficacy.
• Data collection and processing of biological samples and experimental data.
• Data analysis and interpretation.
• Contribution to scientific reports, conference presentations and publications.

Skills

Enrolled in doctoral course

Experience with viruses

Education

Master's degree in Biomedical Sciences or related area

Job description

Organisation/Company Universidade Católica Portuguesa Department Católica Biomedical Research Centre Research Field Biological sciences » Biology Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions Master Positions Application Deadline 30 Oct 2026 - 17:00 (Europe/Lisbon) Country Portugal Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 40 Offer Starting Date 1 Jan 2027 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Other EU programme Reference Number 2023.16671.ICOT Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

he Rector of Universidade Cat6Iica Portuguesa, Prof. Dr. Isabel Capeloa Gil, hereby announces the opening of an international ca II for applications for one Research Fellowship for a PhD student, under the terms of Fundação para a Cincia e a Tecnologia (FCT) regulations on scientific research grants, to carry out research activities in the scientific field of Biomedical Sciences and related areas, funded by the Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia through national funds, within the project entitled "Exploring Spiro-13-lactams as Therapeutic Agents Against RNA Virus-Induced Respiratory Infections", reference number 2023.16671.ICOT.

Fellowship's Duration and Start Date

The fellowship will be awarded for a period of 12 months, in exclusive commitment. The fellowship is planned to start in January 2027.

Work Plan

• Evaluation of the in vivo antiviral efficacy of selected spiro-β-lactam compounds in a mouse model of influenza A virus infection.
• In vivo experimental work under appropriate biosafety conditions and in accordance with the approved project authorization.
• Monitoring of disease progression and treatment efficacy.
• Collection and processing of biological samples and experimental data.
• Data analysis and interpretation.
• Contribution to scientific reports, conference presentations and publications.

Requirements

Research Field Biological sciences » Biology Education Level Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

• Be enrolled in a course leading to a doctorate degree.
• Not have benefited from a research grant for a doctoral student for more than four years, including the maximum duration of the grant to be awarded in this call.

Specific Requirements

• a)Hold a Master's degree in Biomedical Sciences or a related area.
• b)Demonstrate previous experience working with viruses in Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) laboratory facilities.
• c)Hold certified training in Laboratory Animal Science for (EU functions A and D).
• d)Be available to carry out the activities foreseen in the work plan.

Failure to comply with any of the above requirements will result in exclusion from the selection process.

Languages ENGLISH Level Excellent

Research Field Biological sciences » Biology

Additional Information

The fellowship's maintenance allowance is 1.359,64€ per month, paid monthly by wire transfer.

The fellowship holder will be covered by work accident insurance.
If not covered by any social protection scheme, the fellowship holder can ensure the right to Social Security through adherence to the Voluntary Social Security scheme, pursuant to "Código dos Regimes Contributivos do Sistema Previdencial de Segurança Social". Provided that the awarded fellowship has a minimum duration of 6 months, the fellowship holder will be entitled to be reimbursed, by UCP, of the charges resulting from the contributions that apply to the first bracket referred to in article 36 of Decree-Law no. 40/89, of 1 February, with the increase in charges arising from the option for the payment of a higher incidence base being paid by the fellow.

Eligibility criteria

• Be enrolled in a course leading to a doctorate degree.
• Not have benefited from a research grant for a doctoral student for more than four years, including the maximum duration of the grant to be awarded in this call.

Selection process

SELECTION METHOD

A.Academic curriculum assessment (40%): academic background and outputs (classification, papers published, conferences attended, outreach activities).
B.Previous experience (40%): research experience relevant to the work plan, in particular in virology and in BSL-2 facilities.
C.Motivation (20%): motivation letter and interest in the project.

COMPOSITION OF THE SELECTION PANEL

President of the Jury: Professor Marta Alenquer
Effective Member: Professor Maria Joao Amorim
Effective Member: Professor Nelson Martins

DELIBERATION AND RELEASE OF THE RESULTS

The selection panel deliberates in accordance with the adopted and disclosed selection criteria. Minutes of panel meetings shall include a summary of the meeting content. After the application of the selection criteria, the panel shall prepare a ranked list of approved candidates and their respective classifications.
The final results of the evaluation will be sent by e-mail to all applicants within 90 working days after the deadline for the applications.
In the 10 working days after the communication of the final decision, the selected candidate must confirm in writing their availability to initiate the fellowship on the proposed date. In case of unavailability, the offer will be made to the next candidate in the ranked list.

PRIOR HEARING, COMPLAINTS AND APPEALS

In case of unfavourable decision, candidates will have 10 working days after notification to pronounce in a prior hearing, should they wish it, under the terms of the Code of Administrative Procedures. The final decision may be subject to a complaint within a period of 15 working days or, alternatively, of an appeal within a period of 30 working days, with both durations beginning on the date of the initial notification. The complaint or appeal should be addressed to the Rector's Office (Reitoria) of Universidade Católica Portuguesa. After this notification, and in case there are no allegations, the results will become definitive. Ineligible candidates will be notified by email, with details of the missing eligibility elements.