A competition is open for the attribution of a Research Scholarship for M.Sc holders (BI-Mestre) in the framework of the project “CYANCAN – Uncovering the cyanobacterial chemical diversity: the search for novel anticancer compounds”, with the reference PTDC/MED-QUI/30944/2017 (Poci-01-0145-FEDER-030944), co-financed by NORTE 2020, Portugal 2020 and the European Union through the ERDF, and by FCT through national funds, according to the following conditions:

 

1. Scientific area: Biological Sciences / Chemistry

 

2. Admission requirements: The candidates are required to hold a Master degree in a subject related to Chemistry, Pharmacy or Biological Sciences. The candidates should have experience in:

• Cultivation of cyanobacteria
• Extraction and purification of natural products, mainly HPLC.
• Cancer bioassays in spheroid models

 

In addition, candidates should have excellent academic credentials, have willingness for team work and be highly motivated and committed to work in the field of natural products chemistry and cancer multidrug resistance.

 

3. Work plan: The selected candidate will join our team under the CYANCAN project. This project aims to give its contribution through the search of new anticancer compounds, derived from cyanobacteria. The project integrates natural products chemistry and cancer screening assays (3D tumor spheroids).

 

4. Legislation and official rules: Law nº. 40/2004, 18th August (Research Fellowship and Studentship Regulation) amended and republished by Decreto-Lei n.º 202/2012, 27th August; Regulations for Studentships and Fellowships of the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P. — 2015 and CIIMAR Grants Regulation.

 

5. Work place: The selected candidate will be working under the supervision of Dr. Mariana Reis at the Blue Biotechnology and Ecotoxicology Team, headed by Prof Vítor Vasconcelos at CIIMAR (University of Porto). The laboratory is situated at CIIMAR’s headquarters, in the modern Cruise Ship Terminal of the Leixões Harbour, in Matosinhos.

 

6. Duration of the grant: The position has the maximal duration of 12 months, under the regime of exclusive dedication. The position is anticipated to start in December 2019.

 

7. Monthly maintenance stipend: The monthly maintenance allowance is 989,70 €, in agreement with the monthly maintenance stipend table of the grants directly attributed by FCT, I.P. within the country (https://www.fct.pt/apoios/bolsas/valores.phtml.pt)

 

8. Selection methods: A global assessment of the candidates will be carried out by evaluation of scientific and curricular achievements. The candidates will be ranked (1 to 10 values) according to the following criteria:

i) Experience in cultivation of cyanobacteria – 25%

i) Experience in natural products chemistry (extraction and isolation by HPLC) – 25%

ii) Experience in cancer bioassays – 25%

v) Motivation – 25%

 

In the case of a tie between the scores of the top candidates, an interview will be performed to these candidates to allow for the selection of a single candidate.

 

The position may not be awarded if the expected candidate quality is not met.

 

9. Composition of the jury:

President of the jury: Mariana Reis, PhD

Vogal:Ralph Urbatzka, PhD

Vogal: Marco Preto, PhD

 

10. Form of Advertising/notification of the results: The final results of the evaluation will be send through a list sorting the candidates according to their attributed mark, by e-mail and available in CIIMAR website; in case of disagreement, the candidates have a 10-working day term in which to contest the decision, if he/she so wishes, as provided for in the Código do Procedimento Administrativo in a preliminary hearing setting. The jury reserves the right to not assign the contract depending on the quality of the applications.

 

11. Deadline for application and presentation of applications:

The competition is open from 10^th October 2019 until 24^th October 2019. The applications must be formalized, compulsorily, by sending the following documents: cover letter emphasising past research activities and its relevance to the current project, Curriculum vitae, copy of the eligibility certificates by e-mail addressed to Mariana Reis (mreis@ciimar.up.pt) with CC to mgalvao@ciimar.up.pt with CYANCAN_Bi-Msc_2019-042 in the subject line. The applications that do not include all the elements previously indicated will not be considered.