Master's Fellowship – 1 vacancy

 

Within the project – Zfscreen

 

Project Ref.: 2022.06526.PTDC

 

Ref. ª: CCMAR/BM/21/2023

 

The Centre for Marine Sciences (CCMAR) opens one (01) Master's Fellowship (Bolsa de Mestrado), for applicants of any nationality, including stateless candidates, and holders of political refugee status, in the scientific field of biochemistry, biomedical sciences and biological sciences, within the research project Zfscreen – ref. 2022.06526.PTDC – “Screening for molecules capable of rescuing CDKL5 deficiency phenotypes using Zebrafish models.” funded by the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P./MCTES through national funding (PIDDAC) under the following conditions:

 

Host and Contracting Institution: CCMAR

This fellowship is intended for R&D activities, by a student with a bachelor degree enrolled in a Master's Degree, at the beginning of the fellowship, with a view to consolidating his/her scientific training, through the development of research work leading to the achievement of a Master's degree.

 

Work Plan, Tasks to perform and objectives:

The Zfscreen project is focused on  studying the zebrafish mutants deficient in the CDKL5 gene and its use as a first-line screening of molecules with the aim of improving the mutant’s phenotype.

 

The selected fellowship holder will be involved in the following tasks and objectives:

 

1. Contribution to the maintenance of zebrafish facilities within the project scope.
2. Histological and morphological analysis of mutant zebrafish structures treated with molecules of interest.
3. Molecular biology techniques applied to identify gene expression sites of interest associated with zebrafish development in WT, mutant, and transgenic specimens.
4. Screening of molecule banks in CDKL5 mutant fish and phenotypic, behavioural, histological, and molecular characterization of treated fish.
5. Analysis of phenotypes in transgenic fish using fluorescence microscopy.

 

Scientific Supervisor:

Professor Doctor Leonor Cancela, Full Professor at the Algarve University, group leader, coordinator of the project and researcher at CCMAR (President of the jury). 

 

Work place:

CCMAR (Campus de Gambelas da Universidade do Algarve, Faro, Portugal) and eventually other places necessary for the completion of the work plan.

 

Requirements for the application:

Applicants must meet the following conditions stated below:

 

1. Bachelor's degree in Biomedical Sciences or related fields with a minimum final grade of 15.
2. Documented laboratory work experience with zebrafish for a minimum of 12 months.
3. Proven experience (at least one year) in conducting histological techniques for bone and cartilage detection, immunolocalization techniques for protein detection in zebrafish, and molecular biology techniques.

 

Non-compliance justifies exclusion from the procedure.

 

Evaluation criteria:

Through the analysis of the application documents the evaluation criteria for the applications and their relative weight for ranking are as follows:

a) Bachelor degree final grade (40%);

b) Proven experience (at least one year) as described in the requirements criteria 60%);

 

The selection committee reserves the right to contact and interview candidates if additional information or clarification of any curricular aspect is necessary. In case it takes place, the interview aims to evaluate in more detail the curricular items used to grade the candidate according to the list above.

 

In the event that no applicant has the necessary profile, the selection committee reserves the right to close the call without any recruitment. In the event that the selected person does not take up the position because of failure to comply with documentary requirements or any other reason, or later during the contract if they resign, the jury reserves the right, upon convenience and opportunity, to assign the post to the next applicant in accordance with the ranking positions based on the selectable reservation list that can be used up to 06 months of the date of the present announcement.

 

Fellowship conditions: The fellowship will have an initial duration of 06 months, expected to start from January 2024 and eventually renewed for additional periods until the end of the project, and never exceeding a maximum of 24 months. The fellowship must be carried out under an exclusivity regimen, according to the FCT Fellowship Regulation (RBI) and of the  CCMAR fellowship regulations (see here) based on the Portuguese law 40/2004, of 18 of August (Scientific Research Fellowship holder statutes) amended by the Decree-Law 123/2019 of 28 of August. A maintenance allowance of 930.98€ will be paid monthly, through bank transfer, and will be updated as stipulated by the Foundation for Science and Technology (see here https://bit.ly/2ZcxUGJ).

 

Application period: from 4th of October 2023 to 19th of October 2023 at 23:59 (Lisbon time, Portugal).

 

Application process and mandatory documents:

Complete applications must be submitted online at https://www.ccmar.ualg.pt/list/job and must include at risk of exclusion, the following documents:

1. a motivation letter (in English);
2. a detailed Curriculum Vitae (in English);
3. a copy of the Bachelor degree Certificate.
4. the email contact of up to 3 referees.

 

Non-compliance with these documents/information determines the immediate rejection of the application.

 

Results and Preliminary Hearing: The admission and evaluation results will be communicated by email within 90 working days after the application deadline. After notification, candidates have 10 working days to contest the preliminary decision.

 

Selection Committee:

Professor Doctor Leonor Cancela, Full Professor at the Algarve University, group leader, coordinator of the project and researcher at CCMAR (President of the jury); Professor Doctor Natércia Conceição, Auxiliary Professor at the Algarve University and researcher at CCMAR (member); Professor Doctor Paulo Gavaia, Invited Auxiliary Professor at the Algarve University and researcher at CCMAR (member); Doctor Márcio Simão, Invited Auxiliary Professor at the Algarve University and researcher at CCMAR (substitute member).

 

Notes:

Hiring Documents

After the candidate is selected and for the hiring purpose the following documentation/information will be requested:

- proof of the enrolment (Certidão de inscrição/matricula) from the Academic Services in a Master’s Degree as mentioned above.

- Declaration of commitment stating the exclusivity regime.

- Civil, fiscal and social security Identification (if applicable).

- Account Number – IBAN

- Ciência ID: https://www.ciencia-id.pt/CienciaID/HomePage.aspx

 

Fellowship Agreement model

After the candidate selection and all information is received, it will be signed a fellowship agreement in accordance with the model  here

 

Fellowship holder Assessment

At the end of each period of duration of the fellowship contract, the activity developed by the fellowship holder will be evaluated by the supervisor, by applying the following criteria, in accordance with the model below.

 

Criterion 1 – Dedication and motivation to carry out the proposed work (40%)

Criterion 2 – Quality of results obtained in carrying out the work according to the study plan (60 %)

 

Supervisor report model here

 

Fellowship holder report

By the end of each fellowship period the fellowship holder must present a report. You can find the fellowship holder final report model here

 

 

The board of Directors reserves the right, due to a change in circumstances at the date of the present announcement, to cancel the present call without any recruitment.

 

 

Disabled candidates shall be preferred in a situation of equal ranking, and said preference supersedes any legal preferences. Candidates must declare, on their honour, their respective disability degree, type of disability and communication / expression means to be used during selection period on their application form, under the regulations above.

 

CCMAR’s non-discrimination and equal access opportunities policy – No candidate can be privileged, benefited, jeopardised or be deprived of any right or exempt of any claim in regards to descendent, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, economic situation, origin, social economy, genetic heritage, disability, chronic disease, nationality, ethnicity, territory of origin, language, religion, politics, ideology or union membership. 

Faro, September 29th   2023