진학프로석·박사 채용 접수 플랫폼

NOTICE OF OPENING OF AN INTERNATIONAL CALL FOR THE SELECTION OF A PhD HOLDER RESEARCHER UNDER DECREE-LAW NO. 57/2016

Internal code: Researcher/COMPETE2030_HELIPY/i3S/1301/2026

A call is opened for the position of a PhD holder, for an unfixed term work contract to carry out research duties within the project “HELIPY - Outsmarting HELIcobacter PYlori infection using lipid based-decoys”, with reference COMPETE2030- FEDER00686400, Operation No. 15757, funded by COMPETE2030 under Notice No. MPr-2023-12.

Scientific Area: Biomedical Engineering, Biomedical Sciences

1. Project summary and work plan

Helicobacter pylori is a Gram-negative bacterium that chronically infects the stomach of approximately 50% (~4 billion) of the worldwide population. While often asymptomatic in early stages, infection invariably results in chronic gastritis and may progress to peptic ulcer disease, atrophic gastritis or gastric cancer. H. pylori is the only bacterium classified as a Group I carcinogen, being implicated in circa 90% of all gastric cancers. Infection usually occurs in early childhood and persists life-long, despite a strong inflammatory defense reaction in the gastric mucosa. Antibiotic-based therapies are recommended to all infected patients, but the widespread use of H. pylori eradication therapies has led to increasing rates of therapeutic failure. As such, there is an unmet need of new options to eradicate H. pylori. HELIPY aims to develop a disruptive bioengineered strategy (functionalized nanoparticles) aimed for oral administration and to specifically target H. pylori survival and its ability for immune response downregulation. Work Plan: − Development and characterization of functionalized nanoparticles; − In vitro antibacterial assays; − Ex vivo/ In vivo antibacterial and immune response assays.

2. Applicable Portuguese legislation Decree No. 57/2016, of August 29 – Legal Framework for Scientific Employment (RJEC) – in its current version. Portuguese Labor Code, in its current wording

3. Jury Chairman: Paula Parreira; Other Members: Flávia Castro, Cristina Martins; Substitutes: Luísa Fialho, Cláudia Monteiro.

4. Workplace i3S - Rua de Alfredo Allen, 208 Porto, BioEngineered Research Group.

5. Professional category and monthly remuneration

Junior Researcher € 2.351,53, corresponding to index 33 of the Tabela Remuneratória Única, whose application is intended for PhD holders with reduced post-doctoral experience or without a post-doctoral scientific curriculum.

6. Requirements for admission Mandatory:

a) PhD degree in Biomedical Engineering or related areas; b) Motivation Letter in English; c) Solid hands-on expertise on nano/microparticle preparation and characterization, culture of BSL2 microorganisms, cell culture, antimicrobial assays, in vivo experiments; d) License to work with laboratory animals issued by the DGAV for A, B, D functions, in accordance with Decree-Law No. 113/2013; e) Contacts of two references - these will only be contacted during the interview stage; f) Fluency in written and spoken English; g) Good teamwork and interpersonal skills; h) Immediate availability to start the contract. Preferential: a) Experience in immune cell culture and flow cytometry; b) Experience in planning and writing research projects; c) Background in technology transfer programs; d) Ability and willingness to work within multidisciplinary research environments.

7. Evaluation of the applications and publication of the results

The evaluation of the scientific and curricular background of the candidates should focus on the activity of the last five years that the candidate considers most relevant. The five-year period may be extended by the jury, at the candidate’s request, when justified by suspension of scientific activity for socially protected reasons, namely for reasons of parental leave, prolonged serious illness, and other situations of unavailability for work that are legally protected. Weight of the different curricular valuation criteria: a) Detailed Curricula (70%); b) Motivation Letter in English (20 %); c) Interview - facultative (10%). If the jury decides to obtain further clarifications and additional information about the curricular elements presented, the 2 (two) best candidates classified on the basis of the curriculum may be called for an interview. Candidates who submit their application incorrectly or fail to meet the required qualifications for this competition will be excluded from admission. The jury reserves the right to request any candidate, in case of doubt, to provide supporting documents for their statements. False statements made by candidates will be sanctioned in accordance with the law. The jury will draw up minutes of its meetings, which can be consulted at the candidate's request within 10 working days after the selection results are released. The jury deliberates by means of a reasoned vote according to the evaluation criteria, with no abstentions allowed, and draws up a list of excluded and admitted candidates, ordered by respective classification. All candidates are notified of the selection results by email. After notification, candidates have 10 working days to comment. In the 90 days following the deadline for submission of applications, the jury's final decision is communicated to the candidates. Subsequently the institute Director, who is also responsible for the final decision of hiring, will ratify the decision of the jury. This call is intended exclusively to fill the indicated position on offer and may be canceled before the final ranking list of candidates is ratified by the Director. Accordingly, the position will no longer be available.

8. Submission of applications

Applications must include all the documents proving that they fulfill the admission requirements, namely: a) Copy of PhD certificate or diploma; b) Detailed Curriculum Vitae; c) Motivation Letter in English; d) License to work with laboratory animals issued by the DGAV for A, B, D functions, in accordance with Decree-Law No. 113/2013; e) Contacts of two references. These will only be contacted during the interview stage; f) Other documentation relevant for the evaluation of qualifications in a related scientific area.

The submission of applications is digital, in pdf format, from January 13th to 26th , 2026, in the following link:

https://dozer.i3s.up.pt/applicationmanagement/#/addapplications/18fb5f6e3a16ceb2a2f6421e10b2dbc3

9. Start and duration of the contract

The anticipated start date of the contract is 01/03/2026 and is subject to budget availability. The expected duration of the contract will be 12 months, eventually extendable, and may not in any case exceed the end date of the project, currently scheduled for August 30th , 2028. 10.

Non-discrimination and equal access policy i3S actively promotes a policy of non-discrimination and equal access. No applicant shall be privileged, benefited, prejudiced, or deprived of any right or exempted from any duty on the basis of ancestry, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, family situation, economic situation, education, origin or social condition, genetic heritage, reduced work capacity, disability, chronic illness, nationality, ethnic origin or race, territory of origin, language, religion, political or ideological beliefs, or trade union membership.

Within the framework of the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers, i3S adopts the Open, Transparent and Merit-based (OTM-R) principles for the recruitment of researchers, with the aim of conducting fair and transparent recruitment processes, bringing equal opportunities to all candidates. 11. Applicants with disabilities Under the terms of Decree-Law 29/2001, of February 3, the candidate with a disability is given preference in equal ranking, which takes precedence over any other legal preference. Candidates must declare under oath their degree of disability, the type of disability and the means of communication/expression to be used in the selection process, under the terms of the aforementioned decree.