There is an open call for applications for a Research Grant (BI), for the conduct of R&D activities by a graduate with a Master degree enrolled in a course non-leading to an academic degree, under reference SF/2025/11 in the scope of the 2022.01305.PTDC project, at the institution Faculdade de Ciências Médicas|NOVA Medical School (FCM|NMS) from Universidade NOVA de Lisboa (UNL), supported by income from the above mentioned project, financed by the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P.), under the following conditions:

Field of study

Biomedicine and related fields

Admission requirements(eligibility criteria)       

- Master's degree completed by the application submission date in Biomedicine or related fields;

- Enrollment in a course non-leading to an academic degree, in the area of Biomedicine or related fields.

Work plan

The selected fellow will join the project as a researcher and perform the following tasks under the scientific guidance and supervision of the project’s Principal Investigators:

1. Dynamics of cell senescence and lysosome dysfunction in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells.
2. Unravel the molecular mechanisms behind lysosome dysfunction and Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells senescence exposed to lipids altered in tissues of cardiovascular disease patients.

Place of work

The work will be carried out at the facilities of the Faculdade de Ciências Médicas | NOVA Medical School (FCM|NMS), Universidade NOVA de Lisboa (UNL), in the research group "Lysosomes & Disease" under the scientific supervision of Doctor Otília V. Vieira, as well as other locations necessary for the preparation and implementation of the project activities.

Duration and start date

The fellowship will have an initial duration of 3 months, with an estimated start date of September 1, 2025. The fellowship contract may be renewed for an equal or different period until the project ends, provided the eligibility requirements for its granting are met at the time of renewal.

Monthly maintenance allowance

The fellowship stipend is 1.309,64€ (one thousand three hundred nine euros and sixty-four cents) per month, in accordance with the fellowship values listed in Annex I of the Universidade NOVA de Lisboa Research Fellowship Regulation. This amount includes personal accident insurance and, if applicable, voluntary social security corresponding to the first contribution tier, provided the fellowship duration is longer than 6 months. Payment will be made via bank transfer.

Legislation and applicable regulations:

The fellowship is legally governed by the Research Fellow Statute (Law no. 40/2004, of August 18), available at https://diariodarepublica.pt/dr/legislacao-consolidada/lei/2004-58216179, and the Universidade NOVA de Lisboa Research Fellowship Regulation (Dispatch no. 9484/2023, of August 14), available at https://diariodarepublica.pt/dr/detalhe/despacho/9484-2023-221611620.

Selection Methods

1.    The selection methods include the evaluation of the "scientific and curricular background," weighted at 80%, and the "professional selection interview," weighted at 20%.

2.    The application of the selection methods will be phased, as described below.

3.    The evaluation of the "scientific and curricular background" will focus on the relevance, quality, timeliness, specific knowledge, and proven prior experience, based on the application documents and in accordance with the following criteria:

         a) Experience In lysosome biology – 30%;

         b) Experience in cell senescence – 30%;

         c) Experience in cell culture of vascular smooth muscle cells and lipids. – 30%;

         d) Peer-reviewed publications and communications – 10%;

4.    The evaluation of the "scientific and curricular background" will be expressed on a numerical scale from 0 to 20.

5.    The evaluation process includes a "professional selection interview", in which all information submitted in the application will be reviewed, aiming to obtain any necessary clarifications and explanations. This phase is part of the final evaluation.

6.    In the «professional selection interview», which lasts up to 20 minutes, the following parameters and evaluation criteria will be applied:

              a) Communication and verbal expression– 25%;

              b) Fluency in English – 25%;

              c) Analysis and critical thinking – 25%;

d) Motivation and interest in developing research in the specific area to which the candidate is applying – 25%.

7.    The evaluation of the «professional selection interview» is expressed on a numerical scale from 0 to 20 points.

8.    The evaluation method involving the "professional selection interview" may be waived by the unanimous and duly justified decision of the Jury, in which case the evaluation of the "scientific and curricular background" will account for 100%.

9.    The Jury will deliberate through a nominal vote based on the evaluation criteria. Abstentions are not permitted.

10.   Each candidate's final score will be the average of the scores assigned by each Jury member.  To be selected, the candidate must achieve a final score of 18 or higher. In case of a tie, the Jury Chair will decide.

11.   The Jury reserves the right not to award the scholarship if it considers that no candidate meets the required profile.

Selection Jury

- President of the Jury – Otília V. Vieira, FCM|NMS;

– 1st Effective Jury Member – André Marques, FCM|NMS;

– 2nd Effective Jury Member – Winchil Vaz, FCM|NMS;

– 1st Alternate Jury Member – Hugo Miranda, FCM|NMS;

– 2nd Alternate Jury Member – Cláudia Almeida, FCM|NMS.

Formalization and submission of applications

Applications, which may be submitted in Portuguese or English, must be sent by email to  recrutamento.investigacao@nms.unl.pt, with the following reference in the subject line SF/2025/11. The following documents must be included in PDF format, under penalty of exclusion:

1. A motivation letter of up to 500 words;
2. A detailed and updated Curriculum Vitae that meets the application requirements;
3. Academic degree certificates;
4. Proof of enrollment in a non-degree course, or a statement in the CV or Motivation Letter indicating the candidate's intent to enroll in such a program;
5. Application form – https://www.nms.unl.pt/pt-pt/faculdade/junte-se-a-nms/recrutamento?category=4348;
6. Other relevant documents for assessing the requested profile.

Note 1: For academic degrees and diplomas issued by foreign higher education institutions, candidates must present recognition of these degrees under Decree-Law No. 66/2018 of August 16 and Ordinance No. 33/2019 of January 25; or, in the absence of such recognition at the time of application, a sworn statement declaring that recognition will be obtained before the scholarship contract is signed if selected. 

However, recognition of foreign qualifications must be provided before signing the scholarship contract. More information can be found at: https://www.dges.gov.pt/pt/pagina/reconhecimento?plid=374.

Note 2: The proof of enrollment in a non-degree course may be obtained until the contract is signed

Application period

The competition is open from [07/07/2025 to 18/07/2025] and is published at https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/ and https://www.nms.unl.pt/en-us/NMS/Join-NMS/Recruiting (English and Portuguese versions, respectively).

Result announcement/notification

Under Article 15 of the Research Scholarship Regulations of Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, evaluation results will be communicated by email to all candidates within 60 business days after the application submission deadline.

Candidates whose applications are unsuccessful may respond within 10 business days to the notification during the preliminary hearing, under the provisions of the Portuguese Administrative Procedure Code. Otherwise, the result will constitute the final decision.Appeals or complaints regarding the final results may be submitted within 10 business days after their communication and must be addressed to the Dean of FCM|NMS.

Additional information

1.        In the event of withdrawal or resignation by the selected candidate or failure to submit the required recognition of qualifications or proof of enrollment, the next highest-ranked candidate may be contacted to sign the scholarship contract, provided all requirements in this Notice are met.

2.       Scholarships may be renewed for additional periods, up to the following maximum durations:

a)     One year for scholarships awarded to bachelor’s or master’s degree holders enrolled in non-degree programs;

b)    Two years for master’s degree students;

c)     Four years for doctoral students.

3.       If the academic degree or diploma is awarded during the scholarship contract period, the scholarship may continue under the terms specifically defined in the contract.

4.        Research scholarships granted to bachelor’s or master’s degree holders enrolled in non-degree programs may only be awarded to candidates who do not exceed a total accumulated period of two years in this scholarship category, whether consecutive or intermittent.

Non-discrimination and equal access policy

The Faculdade de Ciências Médicas|NOVA Medical School, a unit of Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, actively promotes a policy of non-discrimination and equal access. No candidate will be privileged, benefited, disadvantaged, deprived of any rights, or exempted from any duties based on ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, family situation, economic status, education, social origin or condition, genetic heritage, reduced work capacity, disability, chronic illness, nationality, ethnic or racial origin, territory of origin, language, religion, political or ideological beliefs, or trade union membership.

Lisboa, July 03, 2025