ICBAS | ONE RESEARCH STUDENTSHIP | LA CAIXA TARGET-MJD, HR24-00578 | REF.ª BOLS-ICBAS-25-4

22 Dec 2025
Job Information

Organisation/Company

University of Porto

Department

Human Resources Department

Research Field

Chemistry

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Positions

Master Positions

Country

Portugal

Application Deadline

7 Jan 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Lisbon)

Type of Contract

To be defined

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

35

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Other EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

NOTICE OF for 1 (one) RESEARCH studentship for the project “NEW MOLECULES HARNESSING TARGETED PROTEIN DEGRADATION FOR THE TREATMENT OF MACHADO-JOSEPH DISEASE”, (ref. LA CAIXA TARGET-MJD, HR24-00578 [IC1]  ), CURRENT AT THE School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS) of the University of Porto

The School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS) of the Unviersity of Porto, hereby opens this call for applications for a student enrolled in a doctoral programme, to carry out R&D activities within the scope of the project “New molecules harnessing targeted protein degradation for the treatment of Machado-Joseph disease”,(Ref. LA CAIXA TARGET-MJD, HR24-00578), co-financed by the “La caixa” Foundation, underway at the School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS) of the Unviersity of Porto, under the following conditions:

 

1. Research area/s: Chemistry.

 

2. Admission requirements:

To apply for the research initiation studentship, applicants must comply with the following requirements, for which documentary evidence must be provided:

                a) Master's degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Medicinal Chemistry or related areas[1] ;

                b) Be a student enrolled in a doctoral programme in the area of chemistry, biochemistry or directly related fields and/or in a non-degree course integrated in the educational project of a higher education institution, developed in association or cooperation with one or more R&D units - a requirement to be duly proven at the time of recruitment2;

 

3. Preferred requirements:

                a) Final degree classification (pre- or post-Bologna) and/or Master's degree with an average equal to or greater than 16 (sixteen) points;

                b) Experience in molecular simulation methods, such as molecular dynamics, molecular docking, virtual screenig, and free energy calculations;

                c) Experience with molecular-based artificial intelligence methods;

                d) Programming skills.

 

 

4. Work Plan: 

4.1. The grant will involve carrying out molecular simulation studies related to the development of new molecules for the treatment of an inherited neurodegenerative disease, Machado-Joseph disease (MJD), focussing on the mutant protein that causes the disease (ataxin-3). The first stage will involve developing and validating a computational model of the ATXN3 mutant protein in atomic detail and optimising its application to identify new ATXN3-binding molecules (warheads) for experimental evaluation. 

The plan will involve: 

                 a) Model Preparation, Molecular Dynamics Simulations and Identification of binding pockets;  [IC2]  

                 b) Optimisation of the Virtual Screening Protocol; 

                 c) Virtual screening of virtual libraries;

                 d) Refinement of virtual screening predictions by molecular dynamics;

                 e) Modelling studies to improve binding affinity and specificity; 

                 f) Application of molecular modulation techniques for the selection of ligands and E3-ligase molecules; 

                 g) Development of computational models and improved protocols incorporating experimental results as they become available.

4.2 When the academic degree or diploma is awarded during the term of the scholarship contracts, the scholarship may continue as long as the activities provided for in the work plan have not been completed and under the terms specifically provided for in the call for applications and the contract, in accordance with Article 10(6) of the Regulations.

 

5. Applicable Legislation and Regulations: 

The call for applications and the respective award of the studentship are governed by the provisions of the University of Porto's Research Studentship Regulations - approved by Regulation no. 184/2021, published in Diário da República, 2.ª Série, n. 43, 03rd March, hereinafter referred to as the Regulation no. 43, of 03rd March; the legal framework for the recognition of academic degrees and higher education diplomas awarded by foreign higher education institutions; the Code of Administrative Procedure (CPA), approved by Decree-Law no. 4/2015, of 7th January; the Research Fellow Statute (EBI), approved by Law no. 40/2004, of 18th August, in the current wording published by Decree-Law no. 123/2019, of 28th August and; other applicable rules.

 

6. Workplace: 

The duties will be carried out in the institutions participating in the project, including the Biomedicine-BIOSIM Department of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto (FMUP) and whenever deemed necessary, in other national or foreign institutions, under the scientific supervision of Dr Sérgio Filipe Maia de Sousa.

 

7. Duration: 

The BI will be for a period of 9 months, on an exclusive dedication basis, which may be renewable after a positive evaluation, up to the limit of the period of execution of the work plan or funding, and may not, under any circumstances, be for a period of more than four years when the scholarship has been awarded to students enrolled in a doctoral programme, and for a period of more than one year when the scholarship has been awarded to masters enrolled in non-degree study cycle, under the terms of Article 10(3) of the Regulation.

 

8. Monthly maintenance allowance amount: 

8.1. The monthly maintenance allowance for the studentship is 1309,64, according to Annex I of the Research Grant Regulations of the University of Porto, updated by Rector's Order No. GR11/02/2025, of February 19, which changes the value of research grants of the University of Porto for the current year. Research Studentship Regulation) and Annex I of the University of Porto Research Studentship Regulation.

8.2. Payment will be made by ICBAS by bank transfer. In addition to this allowance, the studentship holder will be covered by personal accident insurance.

8.3. The studentship holder can join the Voluntary Social Insurance Scheme (valid for a studentship contract of six months or more), which is optional (not compulsory) and the reimbursement corresponds to the 1st step of the contribution base.

 

9. Evaluation methods: 

9.1 The selection methods are as follows: curricular assessment (CA) with a weighting of 70% per cent and, optionally, complemented by an interview (ENT) with a weighting of 30% per cent, which will only take place when the Jury considers that the CA does not allow it to clarify, in the intended manner, the real competences of the candidates or to distinguish which candidate is best suited to the position and functions to be performed. If this is the case, the interview will be held with the 5  candidates best classified in the CA.

9.2 Each member of the Jury will assess the selection methods on a scale of 0 to 20 points.

9.3 The criteria and weighting factors for the curricular assessment (CA) are: 

                i) Overall scientific coherence of the CV, including the diversity and quality of scientific indicators, namely peer‑reviewed publications relevant to the specific areas of the call or conference presentations (0-8 points);

                ii) Experience in molecular simulation techniques for chemical or biological systems  (0-4 points);

                iii) Proven experience in the creation of 3D databases, applications, and docking/virtual screening (0-4 points);

                iv) Proven experience in molecular dynamics simulations of biomolecular systems with classical force fields (e.g., AMBER, CHARMM, GROMACS) - 0-4 points.

9.4 Candidates with a score of 10 or less will be excluded from the CA stage.

9.5 The criteria and weighting factors for the interview (ENT), should it be held, are: [IC3]  

                a) Demonstration of scientific/technical knowledge relevant to the duties to be performed (0 to 8 points).

                b) Communication skills (0 to 4 points).

                c) Ability to analyse information and critical thinking (0 to 4 points).

                d) Motivation for the duties to be performed (0 to 4 points).

9.6. The candidates may ask the President of the Jury to authorize their interview to be conducted by videoconference, stating the reasons for this.

9.7. Failure to attend the interview stage of the selection process is equivalent to withdrawing from the competition, and applicants will be excluded from the competition.

9.8. The Final Classification (CF - abbreviation in Portuguese) will be obtained by applying the following formula: CF = (0,7 *AC) + (0,3*ENT).

9.9. The candidates who score 10 points or less in the CF will be excluded from the competition.

9.10. This competition is intended exclusively to fill the vacancy indicated. In the event that no candidate demonstrates that they have the profile required to fulfil the work plan described above within the scope of this project, the Jury reserves the right not to award the position.

 

10. Selection panel: 

President - Professor Maria Fernanda Martins Borges, Associate Professor, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto;

1st member - Dr Sérgio Filipe Maia de Sousa, Researcher LAQV-REQUIMTE, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto;

2nd member - Professor Patrícia Espinheira de Sá Maciel, Associate Professor, University of Minho;

1st alternate member - Dr Daniel Freitas Chavarria, Researcher, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto;

2nd alternate member - Dr Carlos Eduardo Vinhas Fernandes, Researcher, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto.

 

11. Submission of applications: 

11.1. Applications must be submitted by January 7, 2026 (local time – Lisbon). 

11.2. Applications must be formalised through the online submission system, available at the APPLY webpage: https://app.apply.up.pt , Ref.ª BOLS-ICBAS-24-4.

11.3. The application must be accompanied by documents proving the conditions set out in this Notice, namely: 

                a) Curriculum vitae;

                b) Motivation letter, indicating willingness to start the work programme;

                c) Copy of the certificate(s) of the required qualifications and recognition of the degree if it was obtained at a foreign higher education institution (this recognition can be submitted up to the time of recruitment);

                d) Proof of enrolment in a cycle of studies or course not leading to an academic degree or a declaration on honour stating that you meet the conditions for enrolment and that you will submit proof of enrolment by the time you are hired;

                e) Declaration of eligibility (attached).

11.4. The candidates may also attach any other documents they feel are relevant to assessing their merit.

11.5. Failure to comply with the application submission deadline, failure to submit or late submission of the documents referred to in points a) to c) of paragraph 11.3. will result in the application being excluded. 

11.6. The Jury may, whenever it deems it necessary, ask applicants to submit additional documents relating to the facts mentioned in the curriculum vitae submitted, setting a deadline for this, in the following terms:

the documentation referred to is not intended for the presentation of elements not mentioned in the curriculum vitae, nor for the addition of missing documents required by this Notice;

all applicants are informed that additional documentation has been requested.

 

12. False declarations:

False statements made by candidates will be penalized in accordance with the law.

 

13. Notification of results:

13.1. Candidates will be notified within this recruitment process to the email address used to register on the Apply U.Porto platform. 

13.2. Under the provisions of Article 121 and following of the CPA, once notified, candidates have 10 working days to respond through the respective platform.

 

14. Reserve list:

A reserve list will be created based on the final ranking list, which may be used in the event of withdrawal by the candidate ranked in first place. The highest authority of the Faculty reserves the right to invite the next candidate on the list, and so on, until the position is filled. The use of this reserve list may occur within a maximum period of 12 months from the date of approval of the final ranking list.

 

15. Policy of non-discrimination and equal access:

The University of Porto actively promotes a policy of non-discrimination and equal access, so that no applicant may be privileged, benefited, disadvantaged or deprived of any right or exempted from any duty on the grounds of ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, family situation, economic situation, education, social origin or condition, genetic heritage, reduced working capacity, disability, chronic illness, nationality, ethnic origin or race, territory of origin, language, religion, political or ideological convictions and trade union membership.

 

STATEMENT

 

For the purposes of complying with the provisions of Article 9 of the University of Porto Research Studentship Regulation, I hereby declare that:

 

€ I haven't signed any research studentship/s contract/s to date under the EBI;

 

€ To date, I have signed the following research studentship/s contract/s under the EBI:

 

Type of studentship

Start Date

End Date

Contracting Authority

 

I also declare that I meet the eligibility conditions for this studentship, as required under the terms of the aforementioned regulation.

 

I hereby declare and sign this statement.

 

 

Date ____/_____/_____ 

 

Signature __________________________________

                                                                                                                                                                 

[1]  If the qualification has been awarded by a foreign higher education institution, it must be recognised by a Portuguese higher education institution, under the terms of article 25 of Decree-Law no. 66/2018, of 16 August, which approves the legal regime for the recognition of academic degrees and higher education diplomas awarded by foreign higher education institutions and article 4(2)(e) of Decree-Law no. 60/2018, of 3 August, and any formalities set out therein must be fulfilled by the date of recruitment.

2Proof of enrolment must be submitted by the date of recruitment and applicants may attach a sworn statement attesting that they meet the enrolment conditions for the purposes of their application.

 [IC1] O nome do projeto é este ou esta é a referência?

 [IC2] Completar, por favor. 

 [IC3]  [IC3] Definir conforme edital em português

 

Where to apply

Website

https://www.apply.up.pt/procedure/88d2vene804wndrc

Requirements

Research Field

Chemistry

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Internal Application form(s) needed
Notice_4.pdf
English
(210.7 KB - PDF)
Download
Additional Information
Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS)

Country

Portugal

State/Province

Porto

City

Porto

Postal Code

4050-313

Street

Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira nº. 228

Geofield

Contact

State/Province

Porto

City

Porto

Website

https://sigarra.up.pt/spup/pt/noticias_geral.ver_noticia?p_nr=87791

Street

Praça Gomes Teixeira

Postal Code

4099-002

E-Mail

recrutamentorh@sp.up.pt

STATUS: EXPIRED

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