The centre

Portugal

The Instituto Gubenkian de Ciência (IGC) is an excellent institute devoted to basic biological research and innovative graduate training. It is owned by the charitable Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian, which supports science as one of its statutory obligations. In the recent international peer-review evaluation organized by FCT obtain the maximum score (25/25) classified as an exceptional national institution. The IGC hosts 400 scientists, from 41 different nationalities, aim to understand the fundamental principles of Biology, in particular how the organism is formed and interacts with its environment, leading to novel approaches towards disease treatment and world sustainability. The IGC has been exceptionally productive in number of high-quality papers, in competing for prestigious national and international grants and in training graduate students. The quality of the work published is underscored by the journal in which the works appears and the number of citations. The number of invitations to conferences, editorial boards and grant panels all testify the IGC national international recognition. The IGC strategy also incorporates investment in outstanding central resources, participation in international networks and activities, as well as in public dissemination and outreach activities.

IGC/FCG offers a work contract as a non-permanent full-time employee. Every MD-PhD student will obtain formal Education from the IBB – PhD Programme and will be enrolled at a partner medical university. The MD-PhD student will receive a gross yearly salary of around 21.710€, consisting of:

  • 12 monthly salaries + 2 extra salaries (Holidays & Christmas)
  • Global Health insurance
  • 22 legal holidays days per year
  • Free Portuguese courses organized by the PhD students
  • Remote work is available, if compatible with the research activity
  • Support for the relocation to Portugal: visa application, accommodation, and integration into the Portuguese system (if necessary).

Scientists at IGC aim to understand the fundamental principles of Biology, in particular how the organism is formed and interacts with its environment, leading to novel approaches towards disease treatment and world sustainability.

For this programme, the IGC has a specific partnership with the HLL, the flagship private hospital of Luz Saúde’s group, bridging an acute care hospital with a residential hospital in an integrated health care complex at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Lisbon, that pioneered the Lisbon Academy Medical Centres, joining teaching, research and medical practice and TechnoPhage, an innovative biopharmaceutical company developing new therapeutic molecules in diverse areas, like infections, neuroscience and ophthalmology, from discovery to the clinic.

In addition, IGC has several collaborations (projects and PhD programmes) with companies (Novartis, MERK, Medifarma), national hospitals (e.g. Amadora Sintra, Garcia da Orta, Curry Cabral) and Citizen science projects supported by Oeiras City Hall.

The Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência has been running innovative PhD programmes for more than 25 years, structured to offer students the best conditions to pursue research on original questions in the biological sciences. Prior to choosing a laboratory or research topic, students go through an initial academic semester that explores the most recent scientific advances on a broad range of topics in a very active way, promoting independent and critical thinking. At the end of the semester, students develop a research proposal for their thesis and find one or more group leaders to supervise their doctoral work. More information on current and past graduate programs at IGC can be found at: https://gulbenkian.pt/ciencia/training/phd-programmes/

IGC is involved in several networks and international consortiums opening opportunities to develop a scientific career. Besides, the IGC “is a great place to be”! Hosts people from 43 different nationalities in a very cooperative and inclusive way. The IGC community strongly promotes activities inside and outside the campus increasing partnerships in research but also strengthening interpersonal relations. At the IGC an active Postdoc Committee and PhD committee help to integrate newcomers and organize several activities involving all the community.

IGC benefits from its location, being integrated in national and international research structures and networks, and part of Oeiras Valley, home to several R&D Centers. Oeiras is located midway between Lisbon, Cascais and Sintra. Located on the north bank of the River Tagus. Good accessibility to major roads and railways of the country, after all, Portugal is famous for its hospitality and the family-like way it welcomes visitors.

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