Research Fellowship for a PhD student at Católica Biomedical Research Centre - Nina Schmolka Lab

Universidade Católica Portuguesa; Portugal; On-site; EUR 14,000 - 17,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Insurance coverage

Monthly stipend

Job summary

Universidade Católica Portuguesa invites applications for a one-year Research Fellowship for a PhD student in Developmental Haematopoiesis. The project, funded under EMBO grant IG-6340, will be based at the Católica Biomedical Research Centre in Oeiras, Portugal, with supervision by Prof.

Nina Schmolka. The fellowship focuses on unraveling molecular control of embryonic blood development using stem cell models, CRISPR-Cas9 screens, and high-dimensional analyses.

Qualifications

• Must be enrolled in a doctoral program or pursuing a PhD.
• Master's degree in Molecular Biology, Immunology, Genetics or related field is required.
• Proficiency in English (spoken and written) and strong communication skills.
• Ability to work independently in a multidisciplinary, multicultural environment.

Responsibilities

• Carry out research activities in Developmental Haematopoiesis.
• Engage in in vitro stem cell models and CRISPR-Cas9 platforms.
• Contribute to data analysis and interpretation of functional genomic assays.

Skills

English proficiency

Independent work

Team collaboration

Education

Master's degree in Molecular Biology, Immunology, Genetics or related field

Enrolled in a course leading to a doctorate degree

Tools

CRISPR-Cas9

FACS analysis

Genome/RNA sequencing

Cell culture techniques

Job description

Organisation/Company Universidade Católica Portuguesa Department Católica Biomedical Research Centre Research Field Biological sciences » Biology Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Application Deadline 23 Nov 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 IG-6340 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

The Rector of Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Prof. Dr. Isabel Capeloa Gil, hereby announces the opening of an international call for applications for one Research Fellowship for a PhD student, under the terms of UCP's regulations on scientific research grants, to carry out research activities in the scientific field of Developmental Haematopoiesis, funded within the framework of the EMBO installation grant 2026 (IG-6340).

Research Topic: Unraveling the molecular control of embryonic blood development.

Background: Blood development in the embryo is a highly coordinated process involving several fate transitions that ultimately result in the generation of mature blood cells. Importantly, haematopoiesis in the embryo differs significantly from the adult and we are only starting to understand how embryonic blood commitment is achieved. Misregulations in early blood commitment are directly linked to foetal survival and serval blood populations arise during embryonic blood development that are maintained in the adult and are exclusively formed during this time window, including tissue-resident macrophages and unconventional lymphocytes. While molecular mechanisms in adult haematopoiesis have been extensively catalogued, the processes regulating embryonic blood development remain largely unexplored. We therefore aim to close this knowledge gap by applying unbiased and large-scale approaches and state-of-the art functional genomic techniques.

Techniques: In vitro haematopoietic differentiation models based on mouse embryonic stem cells and human induced pluripotent stem cells, CRISPR-Cas9 KO screens, genome engineering based on CRISPR-Cas9 technology, highdimensional FACS analysis, functional genomic assays including chromatin immunoprecipitations and ATAC seq, gene expression analysis employing single-cell and bulk RNA sequencing.

We offer:

• Exciting research project addressing relevant questions in the field of developmental haematopoiesis by making use of cutting-edge research technologies.
• Supportive environment with regular meetings and mentoring.

Stimulating research environment to boost scientific career.

WORK PLAN

We aim to investigate the contribution of transcriptional and chromatin-based mechanisms during embryonic blood development. Towards this, we combine pluriipotent stem cell- based differentiation models that closely recapitulates embryonic blood differentiation with large-scale, targeted CRISPR-Cas9 KO screens, in order to identify molecular regulators essential for lineage choice during early haematopoiesis. We furthermore aim at functionally and molecularly characterizing the newly identified regulators using high-dimensional FACS analysis, timely controlled knock-out strategies, gene expression analysis and chromatin-accessibility assays coupled with genome-wide binding analysis. We ultimately aim to discover novel molecular regulations in early btood development. Not only will these insights fill important gaps in our knowledge of this process but will pave the way for much-needed improvements to stem cell derivation/expansion protocols, with the potential to advance clinical applications of these cells for the treatment of blood diseases.

FELLOWSHIP'S DURATION AND START DATE

The fellowship will be awarded for a period of 12 months, in exclusive commitment. The fellowship may be renewed for equal periods up to the maximum duration permitted by the applicable regulations or the termination of the funding grant.

The fellowship is planned to start in January 2027.

WORKPLACE AND SCIENTIFIC GUIDANCE

The work will be developed at the Católica Biomedical Research Centre, of the Universidade Católica Portuguesa, located at Rua da Quinta Grande 6, Oeiras, Portugal, under the scientific supervision of Professor Nina Schmolka.

Where to apply

E-mail [e-mail]

Requirements

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

Skills/Qualifications

• Be enrolled in a course leading to a doctorate degree.
• Master's degree in Molecular Biology, Immunology, Genetics or related scientific field.
• At least one year of laboratory experience in a blood/ immune cell cultures.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English, and good communication skills presenting scientific work. Be able to work independently, in a collaborative, multicultural and multilingual scientific environment.

Specific Requirements

• Expertise in cell culture of either immune cells or pluripotent stem cells.
• Molecular and cell biology techniques including CRISPR-Cas 9 and cloning, advanced FACS analysis and/or computational analysis will be highly valued.

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.
• Master's degree in Molecular Biology, Immunology, Genetics or related scientific field.
• At least one year of laboratory experience in a blood/ immune cell cultures.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English, and good communication skills presenting scientific work. Be able to work independently, in a collaborative, multicultural and multilingual scientific environment.

Selection process

The candidates' final classification shall be presented on a scale of 0 to 100. Stage 1- Initial Assessment: Candidates will be assessed based on: A.Academic curriculum assessment (75%) B.Motivation Letter (25%) Only candidates obtaining a minimum score of 65/100 in Stage 1 will proceed to Stage 2, where they will be evaluated using the following criteria: If deemed necessary, the selection panel may invite up to the three highest-ranked candidates following Stage 2 for an interview. The interview with the selected candidates from stage 2 will represent 40% of the final grade. Final Score = (A >< 30%) + (B x 10%) + (C >< 20%) + (D >< 40%) If no interview is conducted, the final score will be calculated based on criteria A, Band C only, with the weights proportionally adjusted to total 100%. The selection panel reserves the right not to select any candidate if it considers that none of the candidates has the required profile.

COMPOSITION OF THE SELECTION PANEL

President of the Jury: Prof. Dr. Nina Schmolka

Effective Member: Dr. Marija Garcia

Effective Member: Prof. Dr. Claudio Franco

Effective Member: Prof. Dr. Joao Raimundo

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 his/her 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 unfavorable 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 Cat61ica 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.