Master Degree Fellowship Advertisement – 1 vacancy

Within the project - EJPRD/0004/2020
Physpath-KS

Ref. ª: CCMAR/BM/0004/2020

The Centre for Marine Sciences (CCMAR) opens a position for a Master Degree fellowship (BM - Bolsa de Mestrado) within the research project: EJPRD19-290/Physpath-KS – Understanding the pathophysiology of Keutel syndrome: A path towards cure” reference EJPRD/0004/2020 funded by the European Joint Programme on Rare Diseases and by the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), under the following conditions:

Work Plan and Tasks to perform:
This fellowship (BM) is intended for research and development activities, carried out by students enrolled in a Master Degree preferably in Biomedical Sciences, with the purpose to consolidate their scientific training through the development of research work leading to the award of a master degree and associated tasks. Specifically:

The PhysPath-KS project will be focused on the study of the molecular mechanisms and gene pathwayss involved in the development of Keutel syndrome, using in vitro and in vivo approaches. 

The fellowship holder will be involved in the following tasks:

1)    Characterization of the phenotype of the heterozygotic and/or homozygotic MGP mutant zebrafish, at the levels of gene expression, protein accumulation, histomorphology and histology.
2)    Development of molecular tools to generate a MGP dominant negative approach to identify its effects in the early development of zebrafish.

The candidate will also be involved in presentation of results and in the preparation of scientific papers and reports.

Supervisor:
Professor Leonor Cancela and Doctor Paulo Gavaia

Work place:
The workplace is CCMAR (Gambelas Campus of the Algarve University, Faro, Portugal).
Requirements for the application:
1.    A BSc. Degree in Biomedical Sciences or related field with a final mark equal or higher than 14 points (in a scale 0-20).
2.    To be enrolled in a cycle study to obtain Master Degree, preferably in the field of Biomedical Sciences.
3.    Proven experience of at least 6 months working with laboratory animals.

Non-compliance with any of these requirements at the time of application invalidates the application. Provision of false documentation will be punished by law.

Evaluation criteria: 
Through analysis of the candidate’s Curriculum Vitae and motivation letter the evaluation criteria are as follows:
1)    BSc. Final Mark (40%) 
2)    Proven experience with laboratory work using in vivo models and molecular biology techniques (40%)
3)    Knowledge of bioinformatic tools, in particular for analysis of gene expression and data bases of gene sequences 10%)
4)    Knowledge of the English language (written and spoken, 10%)

The Selection Committee reserves the right to contact or interview applicants, if further information or clarification about their application is required.

In the event that no applicant has the necessary profile, the Selection Committee reserves the right to close the call without recruitment. If the applicant ranked first does not accept the position, or if the fellowship holder should resign, the Selection Committee reserves the right, upon convenience and opportunity, to select applicants from the same call following the position in the ranked list.  

Fellowship conditions: The fellowship will have an initial duration of 03 months, starting in November 2020 and is, eventually, renewable up to 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 rules of CCMAR fellowships https://www.dropbox.com/s/rrbuxs2xtcah0vk/Regulamento_Bolsas_CCMAR_2020_... 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.

Fellowship monthly maintenance allowance: A maintenance allowance of 798€/net (tax free) will be paid each month through inter-bank transfer in accordance with the fellowship amounts set by the CCMAR fellowship regulation https://www.dropbox.com/s/rrbuxs2xtcah0vk/Regulamento_Bolsas_CCMAR_2020_....

Application period: from 6th of October to 20th of October 2020.

Application submission process: Applications (in English) should include a motivation letter (in English), a detailed Curriculum Vitae (can include support documents), copy of the BSc. Diploma, the declaration of honour available in the application platform, copy of the enrolment in a Master Degree and the email contact of up to 3 referees. Only applications submitted through the CCMAR website will be considered: https://www.ccmar.ualg.pt/list/job. Applications are considered to be correctly submitted only after the candidate has received a confirmation e-mail from CCMAR.

Results and Preliminary Hearing: The judgement of the selection committee will be communicated in writing (by email) within 90 working days after the application deadline. After notification, candidates have 10 working days to contest the preliminary decision sending an email to the selection committee.

Candidates holding degrees awarded by a foreign university should have their degree recognized in Portugal no later than 10 days after receiving the communication of selection for a position. Non-compliance justifies exclusion from the procedure. Information about the recognition procedures can be obtained at any Portuguese university or here. The board of directors reserves the right, upon request from the candidate, to extend the compliance period provided it does not impact negatively in the programmed activities.

Selection Committee: 
Professor Leonor Cancela, Professor at Algarve University and researcher at CCMAR (President); Doctor Vincent Laizé, researcher at CCMAR (Member), Doctor Paulo Gavaia, researcher at CCMAR (Member) and Professor Natércia Conceição (substitute member).

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.  
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Faro, September the 2nd  2020