Research Fellowship (BII) – SMART Project

Offer Description

A call is open for the allocation of 1 (one) for a student enrolled in a bachelor's, master's, or integrated master's degree, or for a BSc enrolled in a non-degree course (BII), within the scope of the Research Project entitled Innovative Prototype for the Treatment of HPV-Induced Oral Pre-Cancerous Lesions (CENTRO2030-FEDER-02362200), funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) though the Regional Program Centro (CENTRO 2030), taking place at the RISE-Health – University of Beira Interior (UBI), under the following conditions:

Scientific Area

Biochemistry, Health Sciences, or related scientific areas.

Objectives

To develop a buccal mucoadhesive system composed of exosome-lipid hybrid nanoparticles functionalized with G-quadruplex aptamers for application in the oral cavity, to treat precancerous lesions caused by high-risk HPV types and prevent their progression to oropharyngeal cancer. Preclinical evaluation will be performed using in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo models.

Work Plan

The fellow will be responsible for:

1. Development of the buccal mucoadhesive system using exosome–lipid hybrid nanoparticles functionalized with G-quadruplex aptamers and anticancer/antiviral molecules (imiquimod/acridine orange derivative);
2. Technological characterisation of formulations (thickness, spreadability, saliva resistance, mucoadhesive strength, release profile);
3. In vitro studies in oral cancer and healthy cell lines (cytotoxicity, viability, cell death, uptake, co-localisation by confocal microscopy);
4. Microbiological evaluation, Ames test, Challenge Test, and safety testing in ex vivo models;
5. In vivo evaluation using a genetically modified mouse model.

Applicable Legislation

Research Fellowship Holder Statute, approved by Law No. 40/2004, of 18 August, in its current wording (amended by Decree-Law No. 123/2019, of 28 August); Regulation for Research Studentships and Fellowships of the Foundation for Science and Technology (Regulation No. 950/2019) published in the Diário da República, 2nd series, No. 241, 16 December 2019; Regulation for Research Fellowships of the University of Beira Interior - RBIUBI (Regulation No. 100/2020) published in the Diário da República, 2nd series, n.º 27 February 2020.

Work place

The work will be developed at the RISE-Health UBI Faculty of Health Sciences University of Beira Interior 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal, under the scientific supervision of Doctor Carla Cruz (carlacruz@fcsaude.ubi.pt).

Fellowship duration and conditions

The fellowship will have a duration of 8 months, starting in November 2026.

The fellowship will be carried out under an exclusive dedication regime.

Selection Committee

Chair: Carla Patrícia Alves Freire Madeira da Cruz, Associate Professor, UBI

Members: Jéssica Lopes-Nunes and André Miranda, Assistant Professors (Invited), UBI

Alternate Member: Rita Manuela Palmeira de Oliveira, Assistant Professor (Invited), UBI

Application Documents

Candidates must submit the following documents:

1. Motivation letter;
2. Detailed Curriculum Vitae;
3. Proof of scientific publications, certificates of participation in conferences, and training courses;
4. A declaration of honour stating that the candidate meets the conditions required for the granting of the fellowship, in accordance with Article 5 of the RBIUBI.

Failure to submit the Bachelor's degree certificates with the respective final grades, a detailed Curriculum Vitae, declaration of honour and a motivation letter will result in exclusion during the first stage of the call, preventing candidates from proceeding to the interview phase.

Receipt of applications

Applications should be sent to Doctor Carla Cruz, Principal Investigator of the project at the University of Beira Interior, by email to carlacruz@fcsaude.ubi.pt.

Publication/notification of results

The final evaluation results will be published through a ranked list, according to the final classification obtained, displayed in a visible and public place at the Faculty of Health Sciences of the University of Beira Interior. Candidates will be notified by email.

Where to apply

E-mail: carlacruz@fcsaude.ubi.pt

Requirements

Research Field: Chemistry » Biochemistry

Education Level: Undergraduate

Skills/Qualifications

Applicants must:

• Meet the conditions for enrolment on a bachelor's or a Master's programme or non-degree academic course;
• Demonstrate experience in nanoparticle synthesis and characterisation, formulation development, molecular biology techniques, and in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo assays;
• Have proficiency in English;
• Have immediate availability.

BIIs can only be awarded to those who do not exceed, with the conclusion of the fellowship contract in question, including any renewals, an accumulated period of one year in this type of fellowship, followed or interpolated.

If the required academic degree has been conferred by a foreign higher education institution, the requirements of Decree-Law 66/2018, of 16th August and Ministerial Order no. 33/2019, of 25th January, shall be obeyed. The presentation of the certificate(s) recognizing foreign academic degrees is mandatory for the signing of the fellowship contract. More information can be obtained at: https://www.dges.gov.pt/en/pagina/degree-anddiploma-recognition.

The proof of registration in the 1st cycle or 2nd cycle study programme or in a non-degree course is required for the fellowship contractualization.

Internal Application form(s) needed: Template 8_Declaração sob compromisso de honra-BII_Art. 5º.pdf (English, 48.71 KB - PDF)

Additional Information

Benefits

A monthly maintenance allowance will be granted in accordance with Annex I of the RBIUBI, in the amount of 701,12 € according to the updated values that can be consulted at https://www.fct.pt/apoios/bolsas. The fellowship holder will have personal accident insurance and can choose to be covered by the voluntary social insurance. These values will be added to the amount of the monthly maintenance allowance.

Eligibility criteria

Applicants must:

• Meet the conditions for enrolment on a bachelor's or a Master's programme or non-degree academic course;
• Demonstrate experience in nanoparticle synthesis and characterisation, formulation development, molecular biology techniques, and in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo assays;
• Have proficiency in English;
• Have immediate availability.

BIIs can only be awarded to those who do not exceed, with the conclusion of the fellowship contract in question, including any renewals, an accumulated period of one year in this type of fellowship, followed or interpolated.

If the required academic degree has been conferred by a foreign higher education institution, the requirements of Decree-Law 66/2018, of 16th August and Ministerial Order no. 33/2019, of 25th January, shall be obeyed. The presentation of the certificate(s) recognizing foreign academic degrees is mandatory for the signing of the fellowship contract. More information can be obtained at: https://www.dges.gov.pt/en/pagina/degree-anddiploma-recognition.

The proof of registration in the 1st cycle or 2nd cycle study programme or in a non-degree course is required for the fellowship contractualization.

Selection process

The evaluation of the candidates will be based on an analysis of their scientific track record and Curriculum Vitae, as well as their suitability for the objectives of the project (C1), according to the documentation submitted, with the following weighting assigned to the different components:

C1: Curriculum Evaluation (75%)

The curricular evaluation focuses on the relevance, quality, and up-to-dateness of the activities carried out by the candidate, particularly their laboratory experience in areas related to the research activities of the SMART project. Particular emphasis will be placed on expertise in nanoparticle production techniques, formulation development, technological characterization techniques, biological activity assays, confocal microscopy, Western blotting, and RT-qPCR.

The weighting assigned to each of the sub-criteria will be as follows:

a) Arithmetic average of the grades obtained in the BSc degree (20%);

b) Experience in nanosystem and formulation synthesis (20%);

c) Experience in the technological characterization of nanosystems and formulations (20%);

d) Experience in evaluating biological activity in cellular and ex vivo models (cell culture, cytotoxicity assays, viability, cell death, uptake, co-localization, permeability) (20%);

e) Participation in scientific events and other science communication and outreach activities (20%).

The final C1 score (CF1) will be determined according to the following formula: CF1 = a*0,20+ b*0,20+c*0,20+d*0,20+e*0,20

C2) Interview (25%)

The evaluation process includes an interview (C2) aimed at clarifying aspects related to the candidate's research outcomes, namely those with clear alignment with the RISE-Health research lines, as well as other aspects considered relevant by the selection panel, such as the candidate's immediate availability.

The final classification, after the interview, will be determined according to the following formula: CF = 75% * CF1 + 25% * C2

The final classification of candidates will be expressed on a scale from 0 to 20, rounded to two decimal places.

The awarding of the fellowship to the selected candidate will be conditional upon obtaining a final classification equal to or higher than 14 (fourteen) points.

Additional comments

Applicable Legislation:

Research Fellowship Holder Statute, approved by Law No. 40/2004, of 18 August, in its current wording (amended by Decree-Law No. 123/2019, of 28 August); Regulation for Research Studentships and Fellowships of the Foundation for Science and Technology (Regulation No. 950/2019) published in the Diário da República, 2nd series, No. 241, 16 December 2019; Regulation for Research Fellowships of the University of Beira Interior - RBIUBI (Regulation No. 100/2020) published in the Diário da República, 2nd series, n.º 27 February 2020.

Complaint and Appeal Procedures:

Following the communication of the provisional results lists at the different stage following evaluation process (Admission and Exclusion, Curriculum Evaluation, and Interview), candidates have a period of 10 working days to submit their comments under the prior hearing of interested parties, in accordance with Article 121 and following the Code of Administrative Procedure.

If allegations are submitted, the final decision will be issued after the analysis of the statements presented during the prior hearing stage. After the regulatory period of 10 working days has elapsed, the proposed final classification and ranking list of candidates will become definitive.

The proposed final classification and ranking of candidates will constitute a reserve selection list valid for a period of 6 months (note: the existence of a reserve list allows the recruitment of the next ranked candidate in case the selected fellow terminates the fellowship early).

Work Location(s)

• Number of offers available: 1
• Company/Institute: University of Beira Interior
• Country: Portugal
• State/Province: Castelo Branco
• City: Covilhã
• Postal Code: 6200-001
• Street: Convento de Santo António

Contact

• State/Province: Castelo Branco
• City: Covilhã
• Website: https://www.ubi.pt/
• Street: Convento de Santo António
• Postal Code: 6200-001
• E-Mail: rcoutinho@ubi.pt