As part of the Horizon 2020 R&D project “Metafluidics. Advanced toolbox for rapid and cost-effective functional metagenomic screening – microbiology meets microfluidics”, topic Biotec-6-2015, proposal number 685474-2, we are looking for a motivated research fellow with a strong interest in microbiology and metagenomics. The Metafluidics project involves 7 research teams and 5 companies from Portugal, Spain, France, UK, Denmark and Norway, working together to accelerate the identification of proteins with biotechnological potential from metagenomes. The project aims to develop droplet-based platforms for rapid screening of protein activities, streamlined methods for efficient library construction and functional expression and bioinformatics tools for user-friendly metagenome analysis.

Job description:

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE: Master degree in Microbiology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology or related fields. The candidate is expected to have background in molecular biology, microbiology or metagenomics. The candidate should have a critical spirit, be autonomous and able to work in a multidisciplinary team.

WORKING PLAN: The candidate will participate in different steps of the study including sample collection, bacterial isolation and characterization, DNA isolation, fosmid library preparation and screening, metagenomics sequencing, and data analysis.

JOB LOCATION: The work will be developed in the Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology, at UC-Biotech, located in Biocant, Cantanhede, Portugal (UC-Biotech, Núcleo 04, Lote 08, 3060-197 Cantanhede, Portugal). The work will be supervised by Prof. Milton S. da Costa and Dr. Conceição Egas.

DURATION OF THE FELLOWSHIP: The appointment will be for 12 months, and renewable till the end of the project (31th May 2020) pending evaluation of working progress. The fellowship is expected to start in March 2019.

MONTHLY STIPEND: According to the regulations of the FCT Scientific Fellowships in Portugal (€980.00/month) (http://alfa.fct.mctes.pt/apoios/bolsas/valores).

SELECTION METHODS: The selection method will include a CV evaluation (60%), reference letter (10%) and motivation letter (10%). The candidates will be ranked and the top list candidates may be called for an interview (20%).

COMPOSITION OF THE SELECTION JURI: Professor Milton S. da Costa (President), Doctor Conceição Egas (member) and Doctor Isaura Simões (member).

FORM OF NOTIFICATION OF RESULTS: All applicants will be notified of final results via email.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: The call is open from 16/01/2019 to 6/02/2019.

APPLICATION SUBMISSION: Applications, written in English, should be submitted online and should include a cover letter expressing the interest in this position, Curriculum Vitae (including contact address, work experience, publications), a short description of the Master’s work (max. 1 page), and one reference letter. Applications should be sent by email to Rute Simões (rute.simoes@uc-biotech.pt).