Open Positions

Join MIA-Portugal as an ERC-Funded Principal Investigator

The Multidisciplinary Institute of Ageing (MIA-Portugal) invites outstanding researchers to express their interest in applying for a European Research Council (ERC) grant with the support of our growing institute at the University of Coimbra, Portugal.

We are seeking ambitious and talented scientists with strong track records who are preparing to apply for an ERC Starting, Consolidator, or Advanced Grant. Successful applicants will have the opportunity to establish their research group within MIA-Portugal’s world-class environment.

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Why Join MIA-Portugal?

Located at one of Europe’s oldest universities, MIA-Portugal is a Centre of Excellence dedicated to understanding the biological processes of ageing and developing innovative interventions for age-related diseases.

Key advantages include:

• Permanent faculty position at the University of Coimbra for ERC awardees.
• Comprehensive support throughout the ERC application process.
• State-of-the-art equipment and purpose-built ageing research facilities.
• Strong institutional support to launch research activities.
• Integration into a dynamic ageing research ecosystem, including Ageing@UC and Ageing@Coimbra.
• Multidisciplinary collaborations with access to clinical, translational, and biomedical research hubs.
• An international, collaborative, and innovation-driven scientific community.

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Research Areas of Interest

We welcome expressions of interest from researchers working in ageing-related fields, including (but not limited to):

• Molecular and cellular mechanisms of ageing.
• Systems ageing and organismal biology.
• Stem cell biology and cell senescence.
• Cell reprogramming and tissue regeneration.
• Biological clocks, nutrient sensing, and energy metabolism.
• Novel biological methodologies for ageing research.
• Artificial intelligence for continuous learning of ageing.

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How to Apply

To express your interest, please email secretaria.mia@uc.pt with the subject line: MIA-2025-03.

Your application should include:

• A brief proposal outline (max. 2 pages), including research aims and career development plan.
• A full CV.
• Contact details for at least two referees (including your most recent line manager).

Selected candidates will be invited to meet with MIA-Portugal’s leadership team, which may include delivering a seminar and engaging with researchers at the institute.

For informal enquiries and application support, please contact: secretaria.mia@uc.pt

University of Coimbra opens a call to hire one Postdoctoral/Auxiliary Researcher to join Alessio Vagnoni’s Lab at the Multidisciplinary Institute of Ageing - MIA-Portugal, co-funded by the European Horizon2020 TEAMING Program (reference:  857524), and the Operational Program of the Centro Region of Portugal (CCDRC Ref: CENTRO-45-2020-75), in the conditions described below. The full text of the Call is available upon request to secretaria.mia@uc.pt.

Reference of the expression of interest: MIA-AR-2025-02

Scientific area: Life Sciences (cell biology, neurobiology, or ageing)

Work plan/objectives: The FlyCab Laboratory, led by Dr Alessio Vagnoni, studies the complexity of neuronal cell biology, focusing on understanding how intracellular trafficking influences neuronal function, and its role in healthy ageing and neurodegeneration. The research group predominantly use Drosophila melanogaster as model organism, although it has expanded the scope of their research into mammalian neurons, combining advanced microscopy approaches and tool development. This position offers an exceptional opportunity for both academic and professional growth, with collaborative opportunities across MIA-Portugal and the University of Coimbra.

The work to be carried out will be to develop research activities within the scope of the lab, including to interrogate the Drosophila genome using genome engineering in a quest to find new geroprotectors. Throughout the project, there will be opportunities to combine in vivo and in vitro approaches in Drosophila and mammalian models. The research activities will employ several research techniques, including Drosophila genetics, advanced microscopy, Drosophila and mammalian cell culture, biochemistry, molecular biology, optogenetics and behavioural assays.

Skills/Qualifications: Successful candidates will have a Ph.D. in cell biology, neurobiology or other related fields. Passionate, self-motivated candidates with ability to work independently are encouraged to apply. Prior experience and strong expertise in at least two of the following techniques is essential: Drosophila genetics, live cell imaging, behavioural assays.

Candidates must have defended their PhD thesis before the start of the contract and be fluent in English (oral and written).

Wages and Benefits: 3.501.28€ monthly gross salary. The successful candidate will be hired by the University of Coimbra until 31 December 2027. According to Portuguese legislation on public hiring of researchers (Decree-Law 124/99), the contract includes the following benefits:

• Annual Wages: 14 months of pay, comprising 12 months of regular salary plus 2 additional months covering summer holidays and a Christmas allowance.

• Social Security Tax: Coverage under the Portuguese social security system.

• Food Allowance: Provision of a daily meal allowance.

Work Location: University of Coimbra – Multidisciplinary Institute of Ageing (MIA-Portugal)

Selection criteria: The selection and ranking criteria for the Curricular Evaluation (CF) will be assessed on a scale of 0 to 20 points, according to the following formula:

1. CV – Curriculum Vitae (70%), comprising education, previous positions and all types of research activity including but not limited to Master, PhD, internship and post-doctoral projects, methods used, skills acquired, publications, preprints and unpublished data of relevance, any funding and rewards acquired as well as public presentations, participation in editorial, evaluation or review committees, etc.

2. CL – Cover letter (30%), where the candidate should state his/her motivations to join this research and why and how his/her profile, area(s) of expertise and skills are adequate for the position in question.

If selected for interview:

3. I – Interview (80%): the jury will interview the 3 best ranked [in criteria a) and b)] candidates, for clarifications, discussion, understanding of MIA-Portugal's mission and commitment to that mission.

4. R - References (20%): two letters from researchers in the scientific area assessing the candidate's overall scientific path, as well as their motivation, work capacity, ethics in science and interaction with colleagues.

Evaluation and selection jury:

Doctor Alessio Vagnoni, Principal Investigator at MIA-Portugal

Professor Manuel Santos, Scientific Director of MIA-Portugal

Doctor Joana Ferreira, Principal Investigator at MIA-Portugal

Expressions of Interest: Applications must be formalised by sending the documents indicated below in PDF format by e-mail to secretaria.mia@uc.pt with subject MIA-AR-2025-02. Please refer to https://www.uc.pt/mia/the-institute/careers/ for more details.

1. Detailed Curriculum Vitae, duly dated and signed.

2. Copy of all qualification certificates or diplomas.

3. Cover Letter including contact information for two references, or two reference letters.

4. Other documents considered relevant by the candidates

Submission deadline date: 4/11/2025.

Expected interview date: 12/11/2025 afternoon.