Research fellowship for a Master’s student

Applications are welcome for a Research fellowship (Bolsa de Investigação) for a Master’s student to develop their Master’s thesis. 

The successful applicant will join our team at Fundação D. Anna de Sommer Champalimaud e Dr. Carlos Montez Champalimaud (Champalimaud Foundation) in the context of the project entitled “Dissecting the contribution of neurotransmitter systems to neural dynamics in oculomotor circuits” (2023.14640.PEX), funded by the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT). According to artº6 n.1 and 2 Fellowship Regulations, the candidate must be registered in a master or enrolled in a course that does not lead to an academic degree.

The selected candidate will

We are recruiting an individual to work on a project aimed at elucidating the role of different types of neurons in visually guided behaviors. The successful candidate will become familiar with a range of approaches, and perform different steps, including: (1) characterisation of zebrafish transgenic lines using in situ hybridisation or immunohistochemical techniques; (2) imaging experiments in larval zebrafish; (3) behavior experiments; (4) analysis of anatomical images; (5) computational analysis of calcium imaging data. Candidates should have a strong interest in neuroscience, and be able to work independently and as part of a team. A willingness to learn all the used techniques, including molecular techniques, microscopy, and/or programming, is expected.

Department

Champalimaud Research Program | Neural circuits for visuomotor behavior (https://fchampalimaud.org/research/groups/feierstein)

Number and type of fellowships or contracts to be awarded

1 Research Fellowship

Required Education Level

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject area. At the time of the beginning of the fellowship, the candidate must be enrolled in a Master’s programme in an University.

Application start date

March 1st, 2025

Application closing date

Until the position is filled.

Expected position starting date

June 1st, 2025, but can be negotiated according to the Master’s programme.

Requirements

Research Field

Neurosciences

Education Level

Bachelor Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

Minimum qualifications

- Candidates with a Bachelor’s or Licenciatura degree in Biology, Biomedical Engineering, Neuroscience, Physics or other relevant subject areas will be considered.

Specific Requirements

Essential skills

- A solid interest in neuroscience;
- Excellent level of English;
- Good communication skills.

Desirable skills that will also be considered

- Experience working in a lab research environment;
- Experience with microscopy;
- Understanding of optics;
- Programming skills;
- FELASA animal course.

Benefits

- Full immersion into a research excellence ecosystem with highly motivated researchers, supported by state-of-the-art technology and continuous development opportunities.
- Remuneration: 990.98 Euros as determined by FCT, I.P. Scientific Fellowships regulations for Portugal (www.fct.pt/apoios/bolsas/valores) and the Fellowship Regulations of the Champalimaud Foundation. The fellowship will be paid monthly by bank transfer. The fellowship holder will have personal accident insurance and, if not covered by any social protection scheme, can ensure the right to social security through adherence to the voluntary social insurance scheme.

Maximum allowable duration

The Fellowship will have the duration of 12 months (never surpassing the termination date of the project, expected at 16/08/2026). The position is expected to start on or after 01/06/2025 (but not later than 01/08/2025), in exclusiveness regime, as regulated by Lei n.º 40/2004, de 18 de Agosto, FCT (Estatuto do Bolseiro de Investigação Científica) and FCT Research Fellowship Regulations, as well as the Fellowship Regulations of the Champalimaud Foundation.

Eligibility criteria

- National, Foreign or Stateless candidate(s) who hold a Bachelor’s or Licentura degree in Biology, Physics, Biotechnology or other related scientific areas, and a scientific and professional curriculum that reveals an appropriate profile. According to artº6 n.1 and 2, Fellowship Regulations the candidate must be registered in a master or enrolled in a course that does not lead to an academic degree.

Selection process

- Candidates will be screened to determine eligibility based on minimum qualifications listed in call;
- Candidates meeting minimum requirements will be scored according to the required application materials: CV 60% weighting, motivation letter 40%;
- A shortlist of candidates will be invited to interview and their referees will be contacted. Final selection will be based on the interview and references.

Evaluation Committee members

- Dr. Claudia Feierstein;
- Dr. Michael Orger;
- Dr. Aaron Ostrovsky.

Application materials

- CV and letter of motivation;
- Contact information for two references;
- Proof of qualifications (certificates) may be required at a later date for the formalisation of the contract agreement. Degrees obtained abroad may need to be formally recognised in Portugal.

How to apply

- Candidates must complete the standard application form and submit a single annexed PDF document containing the application materials stated in the call. Call reference: Call reference: “MSc Student Feierstein Mar25”
- Applications are also accepted in paper, sent or handed to the Fellows Support Office at the Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Avenida Brasília, 1400-038 Lisbon, Portugal.

Notification of results

- All candidates will receive a receipt of acknowledgment within 7-10 business days. The highest scoring candidate will be notified by email or telephone. All other candidates will be notified solely by email of the final outcome of the recruitment process.
- After being notified, candidates will have 10 working days to present a claim for redress by email (careers@research.fchampalimaud.org). If no claim is received by the Champalimaud Foundation, the Evaluation Committee's decision will become definitive.

About Us

Research is at the heart of the Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, a modern research and clinical facility situated on the waterfront in Lisbon, Portugal. The goal of Champalimaud Research (CR) is to perform world-leading fundamental and translational research. Current research work is focused on the fields of neuroscience, physiology and cancer.  Champalimaud Research comprises a team of over 400 scientists from around the world. English is the official language of the Centre. Lisbon’s sunny Atlantic Mediterranean climate, vibrant culture and high quality of life make this a great place to live and work.

Relevant Institutional Information

In line with our community guidelines and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policy and Gender Equality Plan, no candidate may be privileged, favored, prejudiced or deprived of any right or excluded from any duty on the basis of age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race/ethnicity, disability, chronic illness, language, nationality, territory of origin, family status (marital, pregnancy and maternity, having or not having dependents), socioeconomic situation, education, religion, political or ideological beliefs,  trade union membership, or on any other grounds which are irrelevant to decision-making.

HR Excellence in Research

Legal Notices

The present call has the sole purpose of filling the indicated research position. This call may be canceled at any time on or before the jury’s evaluation of all eligible candidates and the recruitment process shall be concluded on the day of the full execution of the contract between the Champalimaud Foundation and the selected candidate.