A competition is open for the attribution of 1 (one) Postdoctoral Scholarship in the framework of the project ERC Starting grant “FattyCyanos” (Grant agreement no: 759840), according to the following conditions:

1. Scientific area: Biochemistry

2. Admission requirements: The candidates are required to hold a PhD degree in a subject related to Biochemistry, Microbiology or Metabolic Engineering. The PhD degree must have been obtained in the past 3 years (exceptions are duly justified and documented maternity, paternity or sick leave periods). Applicants that conducted their PhD research work with CIIMAR as the host institution are not eligible. All nationalities are welcome to apply (subject to visa restrictions). Applicants should be proficient in English. No knowledge of Portuguese is required.

In addition, candidates should have excellent academic credentials, have willingness for team work and be highly motivated and committed to work with microbial natural products. Due to the multidisciplinary character of this project, candidates should be willing and motivated to expand their expertise beyond their background discipline(s).

In the event the doctorate degree was awarded by a foreign higher education institution, said degree must comply with the provisions of Decree-Law no. 66/2018 of 16th August until the signature of the contract.

3. Work plan: The selected candidate will join our team under the ERC Starting grant “FattyCyanos”. The project integrates natural products chemistry, metabolomics, biosynthesis and enzymology, and focuses on fatty acid metabolism in cyanobacteria.

4. Legislation and official rules: Law nº. 40/2004, 18th August (Research Fellow Statute) amended by Decrew-Law n.º 123/2019, de 28 august; FCT Regulation for Research Studentships and Fellowships and CIIMAR  Research Grants Regulation.
5. Work place: The selected candidate will be working under the supervision of Dr. Pedro Leão at the Cyanobacterial Natural Products Team 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, greater Porto area. The candidate will work in a multidisciplinary environment strongly connected to the Sea and will have access to state-of-the-art analytical instrumentation and modern laboratory facilities.

6. Duration of the grant: The position has the duration of six months, under the regime of exclusive dedication, and can be renewed for a period not larger than 12 months. The position is anticipated to start in Spring 2020.

7. Monthly maintenance stipend: The monthly maintenance allowance is 1600€ (one thousand six hundred Euros), 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.en)

8. Selection methods: A global assessment of the candidates will be carried out by evaluation of scientific and curricular achievements according to their career stage (0 to 7 values) as well as their perceived motivation to undertake the project (0 to 3 values). Candidates will be further considered only if their combined score is above 7.9. For those scoring above 7.9, a maximum of three candidates may be shortlisted and consequently called for a personal interview (via Skype if the candidate is located outside Portugal). The jury will select one candidate to fill in the position taking into account the scientific and curricular achievements, and the performance in the interview (if interviews are carried out, these will be valued from 0 to 1). The position may not be awarded if the expected candidate quality is not met.

9. Composition of the jury:

President of the jury: Pedro Leão, PhD

Vogal: Mariana Reis, PhD

Vogal: Joana Almeida, PhD

10. Form of Advertising/notification of the results: The final results of the first step of the evaluation will be published through a list sorting the candidates according to their attributed mark, which will be communicated to the candidates by e-mail (and referenced to in CIIMAR’s website); in case of disagreement, the candidates have a 10-working day term in which to contest the decision, if the candidate so wishes, as provided for in the Código do Procedimento Administrativo in a preliminary hearing setting. In case interviews are conducted, the notice of release of the results of the shortlisted applicants will be published on the CIIMAR website and the results sent to the shortlisted applicants by e-mail. The jury reserves the right to not assign the grant depending on the quality of the applications.

11. Deadline for application and presentation of applications: If you are interested in this position, you are encouraged to apply from 10 until 23 march 2020, by sending: i) a CV, ii) two reference letters (name, e-mail and position), iii) academic certificates attesting the degrees held by the participant and the corresponding academic transcripts, as well as iv) a short (one-page) description of your past achievements, research interests and motivation to undertake this position. The application documents and any specific informal inquiries (encouraged) should be addressed to Dr. Pedro Leão (pleao@ciimar.up.pt) with CC to mgalvao@ciimar.up.pt with FattyCyanos – Postdoctoral Researcher in the subject line.