Wages and Benefits: 3.427,59€ monthly gross salary. The successful candidates will be hired by the University of Coimbra until 31 December 2027. According to Portuguese legislation on public hiring of researchers (Decree-Law 124/99), the contracts include the following benefits:
• Annual Wages: 14 months of pay, comprising 12 months of regular salary plus 2 additional months covering summer holidays and a Christmas allowance.
• Social Security Tax: Coverage under the Portuguese social security system.
• Food Allowance: Provision of a daily meal allowance.
Work Location: University of Coimbra – Multidisciplinary Institute of Ageing (MIA-Portugal) and Graduate School of Medicine of Kyoto University
Scientific area: Molecular/cell/animal biology, biochemistry, genetics.
Work plan/objectives: The post holders will develop research activities within the scope of Marco Candeias’ Lab, located at the new Multidisciplinary Institute of Ageing at the University of Coimbra and at the Graduate School of Medicine of Kyoto University. The projects will center around the physiological roles of the p53 gene and its RNA and protein products, with particular focus on the processes that affect tissue and cell maintenance, regeneration, transformation and ageing. Many pathologies from dementia to heart failure, degenerative diseases, cancer and even the natural ageing process, all result from a loss of cell function in specialized tissues. p53 has been associated with all these conditions, but the mechanisms are unclear. In our lab we have observed that different cell types show unique and characteristic p53 product profiles and that manipulating them alters cell behaviour and fate. By investigating the presence, regulation and role of p53 (in all its forms) in different cells, tissues and organs, we want to gain insight on how p53 manages each different cell type. We hope to understand the exact role of the different p53 products and their regulation in specific cells and tissues in order to help protect these cells (and subsequently the organism) from disease, degeneration, transformation and ageing.
Skills/Qualifications: The following qualifications are relevant for the projects (candidates should possess at least one of them): experience in methods of cell biology, ideally including culture and manipulation of primary, stem, iPS cells and/or organoids; experience in methods of molecular biology, including DNA, RNA and protein methods; experience in live and confocal microscopy, preferentially of 3D/organoid cultures, single (protein, RNA) molecules and/or molecular activities and interactions. Candidates must have defended their PhD thesis before the start of the contract, be fluent in English (oral and written), and show flexibility to do research in both Portugal (MIA-Portugal, Coimbra) and Japan (associated laboratory in Kyoto University, Kyoto). Travel expenses between Portugal and Japan (about once a year) will be covered by MIA-Portugal. Productivity, independence, motivation and teamwork are key for success in this position.
Reference of the expression of interest: MIA-AR-2024-01
University of Coimbra opens a call to hire a Postdoctoral/Auxiliary Researcher to join Marco Candeias’ Lab at the Multidisciplinary Institute of Ageing – MIA-Portugal, co-funded by the European Horizon2020 TEAMING Program (reference: 857524), and the Operational Program of the Centro Region of Portugal (CCDRC Ref: CENTRO-45-2020-75), in the conditions described below. The full text of the Call is available below.
Selection criteria: The selection and ranking criteria for the Curricular Evaluation (CF) will be assessed on a scale of 0 to 20 points, according to the following formula:
CV (65%), motivation letter (15%), references (5%), critical review (5%) and interview (10%)
a) CV – Curriculum Vitae (65%), comprising education, previous positions and all types of research activity including but not limited to Master, PhD, internship and post-doctoral projects, methods used, skills acquired, publications, preprints and unpublished data of relevance, any funding and rewards acquired as well as public presentations, participation in editorial, evaluation or review committees, etc.
b) ML – Motivation letter (15%), where the candidate should state his/her motivations to join this project and why and how his/her profile, area(s) of expertise and skills are adequate for the position in question.
c) R – Contact information for two references (5%) where at least one should be a previous research supervisor.
d) CR – Critical Review (5%), where the candidate writes a critical review or opinion about a scientific article of choice (review or original research) from the field of molecular mechanisms of ageing (in English, maximum 1,500 words, text only, no figures).
e) I – Interview (10%): the jury will interview the three best ranked [in criteria a) to d)] candidates, for clarifications and improved explanations.
Evaluation and selection jury:
-Doctor Marco Candeias, Principal Investigator at MIA-Portugal and Graduate School of Medicine of Kyoto University
-Professor Manuel António da Silva Santos, Scientific Director of MIA-Portugal
-Doctor Luísa Romão, Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge
-Doctor Rieko Ohki, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Japan
Formalization of application: Applications must be formalised by sending the documents indicated below in PDF format by e-mail to secretaria.mia@uc.pt with subject MIA-AR-2024-01.
i. Detailed Curriculum Vitae, duly dated and signed.
ii. Copy of all qualification certificates or diplomas.
iii. Critical Review
iv. Copy of the 5 papers deemed by the candidates as the most representative of the career path
v. Motivation Letter including contact information for two references
vi. Other documents considered relevant by the candidates
Submission of applications: Between 5/08/2024 and 21/10/2024.
Submission deadline date: 21 Oct 2024 – 23:59 (Europe/Lisbon).
Additional information: The University of Coimbra, founded in 1290, is internationally recognized as a leading institution in higher education and scientific research. Situated in Coimbra, a vibrant student town, the University is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a symbol of academic excellence. Coimbra offers a unique academic culture and is a cost-effective European city. The city enjoys delightful weather year round and is conveniently located just a 45-minute drive from the coast and an hour from Portugal’s main mountain ranges. It is a safe and well-equipped town, ideal for living, working, and raising a family.
The Multidisciplinary Institute of Ageing (MIA-Portugal) is a newly established institute funded by both the European Union and Portuguese authorities. Its mission is to foster research excellence by providing state-of-the-art facilities, top-quality support for research groups, and the highest standards of training for young researchers. MIA-Portugal is committed to hiring and promoting leading scientists and supporting groundbreaking research in the field of ageing.
For complete application requirements and selection methods please consult the official notice:
marco lab 