A competition is open for the attribution of a Research Scholarship for BSc holders (BI-Lic) in the framework of the project “HALVERSITY – Genetic and chemical diversity of a novel halogenase class”, with the reference PTDC/BIA-BQM/29710/2017, supported by Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, FCT – I.P., COMPETE2020 and PORTUGAL2020, according to the following conditions:

1. Scientific area: Biological Sciences / Biochemistry

2. Admission requirements: The candidates are required to hold a BSc degree in a subject related to Chemistry, Biochemistry or Biological Sciences. 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 in the field of microbial natural products chemistry and enzymology.

3. Work plan: The selected candidates will join our team under the HALVERSITY project. The ultimate goal of this project is to study a novel halogenase class from Cyanobacteria, from both chemical and biochemical perspectives. The project integrates natural products chemistry, biosynthesis and enzymology.

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. and CIIMAR 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 selected 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 periods not larger than 12 months up to the project deadline (30 Jun 2021). The position is anticipated to start in early 2020.

7. Monthly maintenance stipend: The monthly maintenance allowance is 752.38€ (seventy hundred fifty two Euros and thirty eight cents – free of taxes), 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 as well as their perceived motivation to undertake the project and valued (1 to 10 values, integers). If the top ranking applicants obtain the same classification, they will be called for an interview, which will take place either in person or over Skype. The jury will select one candidate to fill in the position taking into account the scientific and curricular achievements, and eventually the performance in the interview (if interviews were conducted by the jury). In such a case, the curricular/scientific achievements will have a relative weight of 90% while the interview will have a relative weight of 10%.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, on the CIIMAR website and by e-mail; 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. After the interviews, the final results of the shortlisted applicants will be published on the CIIMAR website and communicated by e-mail. The jury reserves the right to not assign the grants depending on the quality of the applications.

Deadline for application and presentation of applications: If you are interested in this position, you are encouraged to apply from 4^th until 17^th December 2019, by sending: i) copy of the eligibility certificates and academic transcripts, ii) a CV with a list of up to two referees (name, e-mail and position), iii) 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 HALVERSITY – Scholarship in the subject line.