Organisation/Company Universidade de Coimbra Department Divisão de Projetos e Atividades (Bolsas) Research Field Biological sciences ′ Other Medical sciences ′ Cancer research Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Application Deadline 23 Mar 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Lisbon) Country Portugal Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 35 Offer Starting Date 10 Mar 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? NoOffer Description The University of Coimbra opens a call for the assignment of a postdoctoral research grant, with 1 position(s), under the project COMPETE2030-FEDER-00749400, title BrainMET – Targeting ENPP1: a strategy to prevent blood–brain barrier dysfunction and brain metastasis formation.The call is governed by this Notice of Opening, the University of Coimbra Research Grant Regulations (RBI‐UC), subsidiarily by the Research Grant Regulations of the Foundation for Science and Technology (RBI‐FCT), by the Research Fellow Statute (EBI), by the Norms for Grant Assignment and Management within R&D Projects, by the Code of Administrative Procedure (CPA), all in their current wording, and by other applicable national and community legislation.Procedure Reference: IT137-26-112I. Legal admission requirements I.I Grant Recipients Holders of a doctoral degree in the scientific area of Biomedical Sciences, Oncology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biology, Biochemistry, or related fields., obtained within the three years prior to the start date of the grant, where the research work leading to the degree was carried out at a host institution different from the one where the work of the current grant will be conducted.I.II Ineligible candidatesCandidates who, with the award of the current grant, including possible renewals, exceed a cumulative period of three years in this type of grant, whether consecutive or intermittent.Candidates who obtained their doctoral degree more than three years before the application submission date.Candidates who have conducted the majority of the research work leading to their doctoral degree at the host institution of the current grant.I.III Eligible for grant assignment if meeting the requirementsa) Portuguese nationals or nationals of other EU Member Statesb) Nationals of third countriesc) Stateless personsd) Beneficiaries of political refugee statusII. Grant location Faculty of Medicine, University of CoimbraIII. Scientific supervision/coordination of the grant Célia Maria Freitas GomesIV. Work Plan / Goals to be achieved This project builds on the study by Santos et al. (2025, Neuro Oncology), which identified the ENPP1 protein as a central mediator of blood–brain barrier dysfunction and brain metastasis formation. Given the regulatory role of ENPP1 in the immune system, we aim to investigate how its activity modulates the immune response within the brain microenvironment and contributes to metastatic progression.We aim to comprehensively characterize the role of ENPP1 across the different stages of metastasis, assessing its potential as a therapeutic target in preclinical models and as a risk biomarker in patients with breast cancer. This project seeks to generate mechanistic and translational knowledge to support the development of new strategies for the prevention and risk stratification of brain metastases in HER2‐positive breast cancer.The work plan will integrate advanced methodologies, including:Establishment, maintenance, and characterization of cell cultures (2D, 3D, and coculture systems) to study tumour–microenvironment interactions.Development and monitoring of animal models, including drug administration and assessment of tumour progression and metastasis using optical imaging techniques (bioluminescence and fluorescence).Application of molecular and cellular biology techniques (PCR, Western blot, ELISA, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry) in tumour samples and other tissues.Characterization of the immune profile in animal models by flow cytometry using peripheral blood and tumour tissue.Integration and analysis of laboratory data, as well as participation in the preparation of scientific reports, communications, and publications.Continuous collaboration with the clinical team, supporting the collection and organization of information relevant to the translational component of the study.Active participation in project meetings, ensuring the presentation, discussion, and integration of results with all project partners.V. Initial grant duration 12 monthsV.I Renewal Possibility Possibly renewableVI. Funding and financial conditions of the grant VI.I Monthly grant amount (paid by bank transfer at the end of each month): €1,851,00VI.II Other financial components of the grant: N.A.VI.III In addition to the above amounts, voluntary social security (SSV) is included when the grant has a duration of six months or more, corresponding to the first level, if the candidate opts for it, as well as mandatory personal accident insurance.VI.IV Funding: The grant(s) assigned under this call will be funded by Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), I.P., through national funds and the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER), via the Thematic Program Innovation and Digital Transition (COMPETE 2030), under Portugal 2030 and the European Union Operation No. 16332, operation code on the Fund Portal: COMPETE2030-FEDER-00749400VI.V Information and publicity about the funding: In all R&D activities directly or indirectly funded by the grant—including communications, publications, scientific outputs, and theses produced with the support provided—there must be an explicit acknowledgment of financial support from the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) and the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER), through the Innovation and Digital Transition Program (COMPETE 2030) under Portugal 2030VII. Selection Methods VII.I AR – Academic record evaluationAbsolute merit of the curriculum vitae (30%)Specific knowledge related to the work plan (20%)Publications in scientific journals and minutes (20%)Adequacy of the candidate's profile to the work plan to be developed (30%)Proven knowledge of cellular and animal models of cancer.Completed course in Laboratory Animal Science and possession—or eligibility to apply for accreditation by the DGAV for authorizing the performance of animal procedures and the provision of animal care, in accordance with Decree‐Law No. 113/2013.Proven knowledge of molecular biology techniques (e.g., qPCR, Western blot, ELISA, genetic editing using CRISPR‐Cas9) and flow cytometry.Knowledge of research in the area of immuno‐oncology.Knowledge of optical imaging (bioluminescence and fluorescence) for in‐vivo monitoring of animal models will be valued.Knowledge in the use of bioinformatics tools and databases (e.g., TCGA) and in the analysis of omics data (e.g., transcriptomics and proteomics).Ability to work independently and to integrate into multidisciplinary teams.Relevant scientific publications in the fields of Oncobiology and Cancer Molecular Biology.VII.II Interview evaluationKnowledge and profile appropriate to the functions to be developed (50%)Motivation and interest (40%)Ability to express oneself and verbal fluency (10%)The following will be valued.Strong communication and interpersonal skills.Proficiency in spoken and written English.VII.III The evaluation of the criteria and the final classification will be based on a scale from 0 to 100, with scores rounded to the nearest hundredth, applying the following formulas:AR: ... = 100%I: ... = 100%FC: AR *(50%) + I *(50%) = 100%VII.IV All candidates who meet the admission requirements are subject to the academic record evaluation, carried out according to the criteria and weights defined in VII.I.VII.V Candidates who score below 50 in any selection method will be excluded, and subsequent methods, if any, will not apply to them. Candidates who are duly notified but fail to attend the interview (if applicable) or withdraw at any stage will also be excluded.VII.VI – Only the top 5 candidates, based on the ranking from the academic record evaluation, will be admitted to the interview.VII.VII Tie‐breaking criteria: In the event of a tie in the rankings, candidates will be ordered in descending order as follows:a) Based on the score obtained in the first method applied;b) Based on the score of their academic qualifications.VII.VIII All provisional and final jury decisions must be justified, recorded in minutes, and published on https://apply.uc.pt/ .VII.IX Jury Composition:President: Celia Maria Freitas GomesEffective Members: Ana Paula Pereira da Silva Martins and Rosa Cristina Simões FernandesAlternate Members: Flávio Nelson Fernandes Reis and Henrique Manuel Paixão dos Santos GirãoVII.X Selection reserve list: the reserve list consists of candidates approved in all selection methods who do not secure one of the available vacancies under this procedure. The reserve list is valid for 6 months.VIII. Application Submission Candidates must access and register on the electronic platform https://apply.uc.pt/ to submit their application, selecting the procedure to which they wish to apply.Documents uploaded for the application must be in portable document format (PDF).Applications are submitted by completing the sections available in the electronic platform "Apply UC" under "My Application."VIII.I Mandatory documents to attach when applyingCurriculum Vitae, duly updated, dated, and signed;Copy of academic degree certificates.... (additional document requirements omitted for brevity, but kept unchanged if present in the original description) ...VIII.II Other documents to attach when applying Any other elements the candidate considers relevant.Motivation letter ReferencesVIII.III Application language All application documents must be submitted in Portuguese and/or English. When the originals are in another language, a translation into one of these languages must be provided.VIII.IV Acceptance criteria Applications that are not properly completed or do not meet the admission criteria defined in the applicable legislation and this notice will not be accepted.VIII.V No documents required for the application may be submitted after the application deadline.VIII.VI False statements made by candidates or grant holders regarding relevant matters for the grant award or renewal, or for the evaluation of its progress, will result in its cancellation.IX. Application deadline 10 Mar 2026 to 23 Mar 2026X. Activity Regime The grant does not create or constitute a legal‐labor relationship. It is carried out under an exclusive dedication regime, and the grantee is awarded the Research Grantee Status, as stipulated in the EBI and the RBI‐UC.XI. Notification of Candidates All notifications will be made through the electronic platform Apply UC, under the terms of subparagraph c) of paragraph 1 and subparagraph b) of paragraph 2 of Article 112 of the CPA and Article 22 of the RBI‐UC. The notifications will take effect after being made, as provided in Article 113 of the CPA.XII. Candidate comments and complaints Under Articles 121 and 122 of the CPA and Article 22 of the RBI‐UC, candidates may, if they wish, submit comments regarding the jury's decisions within 10 business days, through the "Audiência dos Interessados" option in the platform's procedure section.Candidates may also submit a complaint within 15 business days or an appeal to the UC's highest‐ranking official within 30 business days, both following the respective notification, under Articles 191 and 192 of the CPA.XIII. Acceptance of the grant Selected candidates must declare in writing, within five business days of notification, their acceptance of the grant and confirm that they meet the requirements to accept the proposed start date of the grant contract. Unless a justifiable reason is provided, failure to provide this declaration within the stipulated time will be considered a renunciation of the grant. In case of renunciation or withdrawal by the selected candidate, the next candidate on the final classification list will be notified.XIV. Information on the competition process The full competition process can be consulted by candidates, subject to prior scheduling, by sending an email to the Human Resources Management Service at sgrh@uc.pt .XV. Equal opportunities In compliance with subparagraph h) of Article 9 of the Constitution, the University of Coimbra, as an employer, actively promotes a policy of equal opportunities between men and women in terms of employment access and career progression, ensuring that any form of discrimination is strictly avoided. It encourages underrepresented minorities in each area to apply. The University of Coimbra also promotes measures to facilitate the balance between professional, family, and personal life, recognizing the efforts of its employees and fostering motivation.XVI. Annual activity reports The grantee must submit annual activity reports for each renewal and at the end of the grant contract, as stipulated in Article 7 of the RBI‐UC, subject to an opinion issued by the respective supervisor(s). The report models, performance evaluation criteria, and the grant contract model are those approved under the University of Coimbra's Research Grant Regulations.#J-18808-Ljbffr