Researcher assistant under DL 124/99-Tier1-Index 140 (GeneT & CAPACITY2023)

Universidade de Coimbra; Portugal; On-site; EUR 21,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Coimbra, through GeneT and CiBB, invites applications for a Master Researcher Assistant under DL 124/99, Tier1, Index 140, integrated in the GeneT Center of Excellence. The role focuses on project management, regulatory affairs, grant writing, and monitoring CAPACITY 2023 activities within a multidisciplinary ecosystem.

Successful candidates will engage with international partners, support regulatory and institutional activities, prepare reports and deliverables, and help

Qualifications

• Master in Pharmaceutical Sciences or related field.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong written communication for reports, minutes and documentation.
• Experience in collaborative, international consortia.
• English proficiency (written and spoken).
• Interest in project management, regulatory affairs, clinical research or funding activities.
• Knowledge of regulatory frameworks for clinical trials or gene therapy.

Responsibilities

• Support GeneT and CAPACITY 2023 implementation and coordination across teams.
• Assist regulatory affairs, grant writing and project monitoring activities.
• Organise and follow up training opportunities, workshops, meetings and events.
• Coordinate communication with project participants, partners and regulators.
• Prepare progress reports, meeting minutes and deliverables on time.
• Identify funding opportunities and support grant applications.
• Contribute to dissemination and project communications.

Skills

Organisational skills

Written communication

International collaboration

Project coordination

Regulatory affairs

Grant writing

Report preparation

Education

Master in Pharmaceutical Sciences or related field

Job description

Organisation/Company Universidade de Coimbra Department GeneT, CNC-UC | CiBB Research Field Other Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions Master Positions Application Deadline 11 Nov 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Lisbon) Country Portugal Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe Reference Number GA 101059981 (GeneT) and GA 101145599 (CAPACITY 2023) Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? Yes

Offer Description

Position

Researcher assistant under DL 124/99-Tier1-Index 140

Description

The University of Coimbra, through GeneT (Gene Therapy Center of Excellence) and CNC-UC (Center of Neuroscience and Cell Biology) of CiBB (Centre for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology), is opening one position for researcher assistant to support project implementation, regulatory affairs and grant‑related activities connected with GeneT and the CAPACITY 2023 project.

This position is integrated within the GeneT Ecosystem framework, combining institutional development and international collaboration with the implementation of CAPACITY 2023: “Consortium for Developing Regulatory Capacity for Clinical Trials using Gene Therapy Products and Strengthening Pharmacovigilance in the Conduct of Clinical Trials in East Africa”. CAPACITY 2023 is funded by the European Union under the Horizon Europe programme through the Global Health EDCTP3 Joint Undertaking (HORIZON-JU-GH-EDCTP3-2023-01) and GeneT - The Gene Therapy CoE at the Center of Portugal, funded by the European Union under the Horizon Europe 4.1 programme (HORIZON-WIDERA-2022-ACCESS-01-two-stage).

The successful candidate will join a multidisciplinary and highly collaborative environment, contributing to the coordination and follow‑up of project activities, regulatory capacity‑building initiatives, training and stakeholder engagement, preparation of reports and deliverables, and the development of funding proposals and other project‑related documentation. The role is primarily project‑ and coordination‑oriented and does not focus on laboratory‑based basic or translational research.

Summary

The University of Coimbra has an open call for one Master‑holding position of Research Assistant under DL 124/99 -tier1 - Index 140, under the project CAPACITY 2023, to be integrated in the GeneT Center of Excellence at CiBB. The position will support the implementation and development of GeneT activities, with a specific focus on project management, regulatory affairs, grant writing and the coordination and monitoring of CAPACITY 2023 activities and other projects of the GeneT ecosystem.

The GeneT, located in Coimbra, results from a funded project between the University of Coimbra (Portugal), the University of Sheffield (UK), and University Eastern Finland (Finland), funded by the European Union within the Horizon Europe Teaming for Excellence action (DOI: 10.3030/101059981). GeneT acts as an (inter)national enabler of Gene Therapy research, innovation, manufacturing, and clinical trials located in the Center Region of Portugal, in Coimbra. Within the scope of the European Commission’s Teaming for Excellence action, GeneT has an ambitious 6‑year plan to develop its research and innovation activities, Viral‑vectors Production, and Clinical trials, with a long‑term sustainable strategy.

This position is framed within the activities of GeneT Ecosystem, namely on CAPACITY 2023 project, Consortium for Developing Regulatory Capacity for Clinical Trials using Gene Therapy products and Strengthening Pharmacovigilance in the Conduct of Clinical Trials in East Africa, funded by the European Union under HORIZON-JU-GH-EDCTP3-2023-01. The CAPACITY 2023 project aims to develop a framework for the oversight of clinical trials involving gene therapy products, strengthen the capacity of regulatory agencies to supervise clinical research using these products, strengthen the capacity of researchers and clinicians in the use of gene therapy and reinforce pharmacovigilance systems in the conduct of clinical trials in East Africa. Activities under this project include supporting the development of regulatory capacity, organization of events and training opportunities in the field of gene therapy, the evaluation and provision of feedback to participants and organisations involved in the project’s various initiatives, as well as the monitoring of projects at the University of Coimbra. He/she will also acquire skills in preparing reports and other project deliverables.

The successful candidate will work in a multidisciplinary and international environment, liaising with project partners and relevant stakeholders and supporting the effective delivery, documentation and sustainability of GeneT and CAPACITY 2023 activities.

Scientific Area: Gene Therapy, Project Management and Regulatory Affairs in Gene Therapy and Clinical Research

Objectives/Responsabilities

The recruited Research Assistant will support GeneT and CAPACITY 2023 implementation, contributing to:

• Follow up work plans, activities, timelines, milestones and deliverables, maintaining project documentation and supporting coordination across participating teams and partners
• Support research activities relating to regulatory frameworks for gene therapy products and clinical trials
• Help plan, organise and follow up training opportunities, workshops, webinars, meetings and other capacity‑building initiatives related to gene therapy research, regulation, clinical‑trial oversight and pharmacovigilance
• Support communication with project participants, partner organisations, regulatory agencies, and other relevant stakeholders
• Contribute to scientifical, technical and progress reports, meeting minutes, monitoring records and other project deliverables, ensuring that information is organised and submitted within agreed deadlines
• Contribute to the preparation of grant applications, concept notes, work plans, budgets or supporting documentation, and help identify funding opportunities relevant to GeneT’s mission and activities
• Support the preparation and coordination of project communications and dissemination outputs
• Collaboration with multidisciplinary teams across GeneT ecosystem partners

This call aims to strengthen GeneT’s capacity to manage collaborative projects and support regulatory and institutional activities, while contributing to CAPACITY 2023’s objectives on regulatory oversight of clinical trials involving gene therapy products and pharmacovigilance in East Africa.

Skills / Qualifications

• Master in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Biomedical Sciences, Health Sciences, or a related field
• Strong organisational skills, attention to detail and ability to manage several activities and deadlines concurrently
• Strong written communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear reports, meeting documentation, presentations and other formal project documents
• Experience working in collaborative, international consortia
• Proficiency in English (written and spoken)
• Demonstrated interest in project management, regulatory affairs, clinical research, gene therapy, pharmacovigilance or research and innovation funding
• Knowledge of regulatory frameworks relevant to clinical trials, advanced therapy medicinal products, gene therapy or pharmacovigilance
• Experience organising training activities, workshops, webinars or meetings
• Experience preparing technical reports, project deliverables, grant writing, funding‑opportunity identification, project monitoring or administrative coordination
• Familiarity with EU‑funded projects, work packages, milestones, deliverables, reporting requirements and dissemination obligations

The successful candidate will be hired by the University of Coimbra under up to a two years full‑time work contract.

Selection methods

The selection includes Curricular Evaluation (CE; 60%) and Interview (I; 40%)

Selection criteria

The Curricular Evaluation (CE) will consider the following criteria weighted according to the formula CE = 80%CV + 20%ML, where

CV: Curriculum Vitae (relevant education and experience; project coordination and implementation; reporting, grant writing, communication and organisational skills; and suitability for the functions and GeneT/CAPACITY 2023 missions) = 80%

ML: Motivation letter (motivation for the position and demonstrated understanding of the role and its relevance to GeneT and CAPACITY 2023) = 20%

The Interview (I), to which only candidates scoring above the 50 % threshold in the CE evaluation will be invited, will consider the following criteria weighted according to the formula

I = 80%PC + 20%MI, where

PC: Professional competencies relevant to the position, including project organisation and monitoring, analytical and critical‑thinking skills, written and oral communication;suitability of the candidate’s profile for the position and for the mission of GeneT = 80%

MI: Motivation and interest in the position and in GeneT and CAPACITY 2023 activities = 20%

Selection Panel:

Ana Santos Carvalho (GeneT, CNC-UC, University of Coimbra, Portugal) President

Laetitia da Silva Gaspar (GeneT, CNC-UC, University of Coimbra, Portugal)

Rui Nobre (GeneT, CNC-UC, University of Coimbra, Portugal)

The GeneT is committed to diversity and supports equal opportunities for all employees regardless of their origin, religion, ideology, disability, age, or sexual identity.

Beyond the academic realm, the city of Coimbra offers an exceptional quality of life. Nestled amidst breath‑taking landscapes and steeped in history (UC is World Heritage), it is a harmonious blend of old‑world charm and modern comfort, a very affordable European city, safe and with an inviting atmosphere to live, work and raise a family, with excellent weather all year round and a 45‑minute drive to the beach.

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute Universidade de Coimbra – CiBB (GeneT, CNC-UC) Country Portugal State/Province Coimbra City Coimbra Postal Code 3004-507 Street Rua Larga - Polo I Geofield