The 3B’s Research Group – Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics (www.3bs.uminho.pt), University of Minho, Portugal, a member of the ICVS/3B’s – Associate Laboratory, opens a call for five Post-Doc fellowships under the Project POLARIS, funded by the 7th Framework Program of the European Union. This project aims to exploit nanotechnology tools to develop: Supramolecular self-assembled structures as smart responsive materials; Biosensors, bioarrays and microfluidics as platforms for studying and controlling cell-biomaterials interactions; Biofunctionalized nanoparticles for targeted delivery in nanomedicine; and Top-down fabrication and characterization of nanostructured biomaterials.

The fellowships will be attributed under the following conditions:

1. Fellowship Term and Legal Status: The fellowships will last 6 months each, starting in April/May 2014 and are expected to be renewed until the end of the project in face of a positive evaluation. They are full time Post-Doc fellowship and all the conditions established by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology will be applied (more information http://www.fct.pt).

2. Profile and work plan of the candidate: The call is open to candidates holding a PhD in Chemistry, Physics, Materials Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Biotechnology or similar fields to develop work-plans within the following thematic areas: 1) Peptide synthesis and characterization; 2) Generation of surface patterns through lithographic techniques; 3) AFM to study cell-cell and cell-material interactions; 4) Biosensors and bioarrays to screen the influence of different oligosaccharides in cell behavior; 5) Development of nanoparticulate systems for the controlled delivery of bioactive molecules.
A good standard in English with excellent verbal and written communication skills is also required.

3. Fellowships Value: The fellowships value will be based on the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology rules for fellowships, monthly stipend of 1495 euros for research fellowship – PhD level (tax free) (more information http://www.fct.pt).

4. Selection methods: Curriculum Evaluation and Interview. The evaluation criteria for each method is as follows:
A. Curriculum Evaluation (50%)
A.1. Academic qualifications
A.2. Research Experience under the project scope
B. Interview (50%)
B.1. Professional and behavioral skills.
The candidates will be classified with a scale of 1 to 20 for each criterion, and candidates classified with a score below 15 in the Curriculum Evaluation will not be admitted to the Interview.

5. Jury Panel: Prof. Rui L. Reis (President); Dr. Manuela E. Gomes; Prof. João F. Mano and Prof. Nuno M. Neves.

6. Documents: Motivation letter (maximum one A4 page), copy of the Certificate of academic degree(s) and detailed Curriculum Vitae.

7. Period of application: The applications should be submitted (using the Fellowship Reference: BPD_PD5_April_2014_POLARIS until 25th of April 2014, by e-mail to info@3bs.uminho.pt or ordinary mail to:

A/c Prof. Rui L. Reis
3B's Research Group – Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics
University of Minho
Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine
AvePark, Zona Industrial da Gandra
S. Cláudio do Barco
4806-909 Caldas das Taipas – Guimarães, Portugal
For more information on the 3B’s Research Group – University of Minho and the Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, please see: http://www.3bs.uminho.pt