Junior Researcher | Biological Sciences (Evolutionary Genomics)
Reference: BIOPOLIS 2023-54
Job description:
Junior Researcher
Reference: BIOPOLIS 2023-54
Main research field: Biological Sciences
Sub-research field: Evolutionary Genomics
1. In a meeting, the Board of Directors of Associação BIOPOLIS has decided to open an international call for PhD holder Researcher, under a non-fixed work contract with an expect duration of 2 years. This announcement is intended to 1 (one) Junior Researcher position (Reference BIOPOLIS 2023-54) to pursue scientific research activities in the project "Dissecting repeated evolution of adaptive camouflage to predict adaptation to present and future climates”, supported by national funds by FCT/MCTES, in the area of Evolutionary Genomics. The main aim is to use genomic sequencing data to infer evolutionary processes in natural animal populations, such as the genetic basis of traits, local adaptation or introgressive hybridization. The work plan consists of the following tasks: processing and analysing whole-genome DNA sequencing data, along with other types of genetic data such as from reduced representation libraries or RNA-sequencing, using cutting edge analytical tools; creating eco-evolutionary predictive models under scenarios of climate change; providing support for bioinformatics analyses; managing genomic data; and managing computational resources for genomic data analysis.
2. Applicable Legislation
Decree-Law no. 57/2016 of August 29th, amended by Law 57/2017 and Regulatory Decree No. 11- A / 2017 which approved the doctorate hiring regime destined to stimulate scientific and technological employment for all knowledge areas (RJEC); Portuguese Labour Code, approved by Law 7/2009 of February 12, in its actual form.
3. Pursuant to article 13 of RJEC, the tender selection panel is formed by: José Melo-Ferreira (Principal Researcher at BIOPOLIS/CIBIO-InBIO; President of the Jury), João Pedro Marques (Researcher at BIOPOLIS/CIBIO-InBIO; vowel), and João Pimenta (Researcher at BIOPOLIS/CIBIO-InBIO, vowel).
4. The workplace shall be at Associação BIOPOLIS/CIBIO – Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Rua Padre Armando Quintas nº7 | 4485-661 Vairão, PORTUGAL.
5. Monthly remuneration to be paid is that set by subheading a) nr.1 article 15 of RJEC and article nr 2 of the Regulatory Decree nr. 11-A/2017, corresponding to level 33 of the Tabela Remuneratória Única, approved by Order no. 1553-C/2008 of December 31st, i.e. 2228,11Euros.
6. Application can be submitted by any national, foreign and stateless candidate(s) holding a doctorate degree in Biology and related areas, and a scientific and professional background that aligns with the specific activities described below (item 7). In case the doctorate degree was awarded by a foreign higher education institution, it must comply with the provisions of Decree-Law no. 66/2018 of 16 October, and all formalities established therein must be complied with at the signature of work contract.
7. The tender admission general requirements are those defined in the previous point 6, and additional specific requirements are:
- Experience in research in evolutionary genetics and genomics;
- Experience in using bioinformatics tools to analyse genomic DNA variation data, from population genomics to phylogenomics;
- Experience in publishing papers in indexed international peer-reviewed scientific journals;
- Experience in evolutionary and ecological modelling simulation frameworks is valued;
- Experience in managing and using genomic data and computational resources is valued.
8. Pursuant to article 5 of RJEC, the selection is to be made based on the evaluation of the scientific and curricular career of the candidate.
9. Scientific and curricular career evaluation focuses on relevance, quality and up-to-datedness:
a) of scientific, technological, cultural or artistic production in the last five years, considered most relevant by the candidate;
b) of research activities, fundamental or applied science, developed in the last five years, considered of higher impact by the candidate;
c) of knowledge extension and dissemination activities developed in the last five years specifically related to the promotion of culture and scientific practices, as deemed most relevant by the candidate.
d) of activities of science management, technology and innovation programs, as well as experience in observing and monitoring the scientific and technological system or higher education, in Portugal or abroad.
10. The five-year period mentioned above can be extended by the panel, if requested by the candidate, whenever the suspension of scientific activities is reasoned by socially protected grounds like paternity leave, long-term serious illness, and other legal situations of unavailability to work.
11. Evaluation criteria are the following:
The evaluation of the CV of the candidates, in particular the scientific merit and research experience will take into consideration the elements presented for the last five years of activity falling within the scope of the specific areas of the tender (see Point 1) and will be performed according to the following criteria:
11.1 Integrated assessment of the curriculum trajectory of the candidate, based on an overview of their scientific merits, namely:
I. overall scientific coherence of the CV – 15%
II. diversity and quality of scientific indicators, including relevant published peer-reviewed articles in the specific areas of the announcement (see point 1) - 15%
11.2 Relevant experience, proved in CV, in:
I. Analyses of genomic DNA sequencing data in the context of evolutionary studies – 30%
II. Experience in evolutionary modelling – 20%;
III. Usage and management of genomic and computational resources – 20%
12. In the case of admitted candidates whose evaluation does not differ more than 10% from that obtained by the best positioned candidate, the jury will interview these candidates. This will be aimed at obtaining clarifications about the curricular elements and additional information, as well as to evaluate the attitude profile and motivation of the candidate. The final score of each jury member is obtained by the following assessment: 90% scientific and curricular career evaluation and 10% interview.
13. The candidates’ final classification system shall be given based on a scale 0 to 100.
14. The panel shall deliberate by means of roll-call vote justified under adopted and disclosed selection criteria, with no abstentions allowed.
15. Minutes of panel meetings shall be executed and include a summary of all occurrences of said meeting, as well as of all votes casted by the members and respective reasoning.
16. After selection criteria application, the panel shall prepare a sorted list of approved candidates and respective classification.
17. The panel’s final decision shall be validated by the leader of the institution, who is also in charge of deciding about the hiring.
18. Application formalization:
18.1. The applications are formalized at the electronic address https://www.cibio.pt with following documents in a digital form, in PDF format:
i) Curriculum vitae
ii) Motivation Letter
iii) Qualifications Certificate
iv) Other relevant documentation
18.2. The application period is from 31/07/2023 to 15/09/2023
Expected starting date: 1st November 2023
19. All candidates who formalize their applications in an improper way or fail to prove the requirements imposed by this tender are excluded from admission. In case of doubt, the panel is entitled to request any candidate to present further documentation supporting their statements.
20. False statements provided by the candidates shall be punished by law.
21. The list of both admitted and excluded candidates and final classification list shall be notified by email.
22. Preliminary Hearing and Final Decision Deadline: After notification, all candidates have 10 working days to respond. Panel’s final decisions are pronounced within a period of 90 working days, from response period deadline.
23. This tender is exclusively destined to fill this specify position and can be terminated at any time until approval of final candidate list, expiring with the respective occupation of said position.
24. Non-discrimination and equal access policy: Associação BIOPOLIS actively promotes a non-discrimination and equal access policy, wherefore no candidate can be privileged, benefited, impaired or deprived of any rights whatsoever, or be exempt of any duties based on their ancestry, age, sex, sexual preference, marital status, family and economic conditions, instruction, origin or social conditions, genetic heritage, reduced work capacity, disability, chronic illness, nationality, ethnic origin or race, origin territory, language, religion, political or ideological convictions and union membership.
25. The panel has approved this announcement in meeting held on 26/07/2023.
26. To comply with Law no. 4/2019, of 10 January, candidates must declare on the application form, under a statement of honour, their degree of disability, the type of disability and the means of communication/expression to be used in the selection process.