PhD Holder in Clinical Research and Health Services Porto

PhD Holder in Clinical Research and Health Services
Porto
Porto, Porto District, Portugal

Organisation/Company Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde da Universidade do Porto (i3S) Research Field Medical sciences » Health sciences Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Positions Ph
D Positions Country Portugal Application Deadline 7 Sep 2025 - 23:59 (Europe/Lisbon) Type of Contract To be defined Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 35 Offer Starting Date 25 Aug 2025 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Reference Number Researcher/COMPETE2030_Gen
CECS/i3S/2508/2025 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Internal code:Researcher/COMPETE2030_Gen
CECS/i3S/2508/2025

A call is opened for the position of a Ph
D holder, for a fixed term work contract to carry out research duties within the project “Co-design of a genetic counselling program for the responsible implementation of an expanded carrier screening in Portugal: a patient, healthcare professionals and researchers’ innovation project”, with the reference COMPETE2030-FEDER-00685400, Operation No. 15747, financed by COMPETE2030, under notice no. MPr-2023-12.

Scientific Area:Genetic counselling

1. Project summary and work plan

Patient engagement in healthcare is a priority and an essential component of clinical practice. Health research is, in fact, the foundation for building this engagement. By involving patients, clinicians, and researchers, this project aims to
- design a genetic counseling program for the implementation of a new healthcare service in Portugal: expanded carrier screening. The program will be developed in a scientifically sound, ethically rigorous, and socially responsible manner. The project's main objective is to generate the scientific knowledge still lacking, enabling the
- design and implementation of a nationalGeneticCounseling Program for PreconceptionalExpandedCarrierScreening (Gen
CECS). The ultimate goal of this program is to empower couples at reproductive age, increasing their informed reproductive choices and autonomy.

Research Plan and Methods: The experience gained will ultimately serve to build a roadmap for the responsible implementation of a national Genetic Counseling for Preconceptional Expanded Carrier Screening (Gen
CECS) program.

- A survey will be conducted on attitudes among different groups of couples of reproductive age to assess acceptance and the anticipated impact of implementing this service.

- The evidence obtained will support the development of a genetic counseling protocol, addressing the needs and expectations of couples and healthcare professionals, and proposing best practice guidelines.

- Finally, we will pilot and begin implementing a national Extended Preconception Carrier Screening program, for which we will develop appropriate communication materials, promote genetic education for healthcare professionals and the general public, and conduct various outreach activities.

- Quantitative and qualitative data analyses will utilize sound statistical methods and tools.

Decree No. 57/2016, of August 29 – Legal Framework for Scientific Employment (RJEC) – in its current version.

Portuguese Labor Code, in its current wording.

3. Jury

4. Workplace

5. Professional category and monthly remuneration

Junior Researcher Level 1.

€ 2. 351, 53, corresponding to index 33 of the Tabela Remuneratória Única, whose application is intended for Ph
D holders with reduced
- doctoral experience or without a
- doctoral scientific curriculum.

6. Obligatory requirements for admission

• Ph
  D degree in Clinical Research and Health Services, Biomedical Sciences, Psychology, or related fields;
• Relevant publications related to the provision of Genetics services in Portugal;
• Solid experience in quantitative and qualitative research methodologies;
• Fluent in English (oral and written);
• Good teamwork and interpersonal skills;
• Immediate availability to begin the contract.

7. Evaluation of the applications and publication of the results

The evaluation of the scientific and curricular background of the candidates should focus on the activity of the last five years that the candidate considers most relevant. The
- year period may be extended by the jury, at the candidate’s request, when justified by suspension of scientific activity for socially protected reasons, namely for reasons of parental leave, prolonged serious illness, and other situations of unavailability for work that are legally protected.

Weight of the different curricular valuation criteria:

a) Detailed Curricula (60%);

c) Interview - facultative (10%).

If the jury decides to obtain further clarifications and additional information about the curricular elements presented, the 3 (three) best candidates classified on the basis of the curriculum may be called for an interview.

Candidates who submit their application incorrectly or fail to meet the required qualifications for this competition will be excluded from admission.

The jury reserves the right to request any candidate, in case of doubt, to provide supporting documents for their statements. False statements made by candidates will be sanctioned in accordance with the law.

The jury will draw up minutes of its meetings, which can be consulted at the candidate's request within 10 working days after the selection results are released.

The jury deliberates by means of a reasoned vote according to the evaluation criteria, with no abstentions allowed, and draws up a list of excluded and admitted candidates, ordered by respective classification.

All candidates are notified of the selection results by email. After notification, candidates have 10 working days to comment.

In the 90 days following the deadline for submission of applications, the jury's final decision is communicated to the candidates. Subsequently the institute Director, who is also responsible for the final decision of hiring, will ratify the decision of the jury.

This call is intended exclusively to fill the indicated position on offer and may be canceled before the final ranking list of candidates is ratified by the Director. Accordingly, the position will no longer be available.

8. Submission of applications

Applications must include all the documents proving that they fulfill the admission requirements, namely:

• Ph
  D degree in / Copy of certificate or diploma;
• Detailed Curriculum Vitae;
• Other documentation relevant for the evaluation of qualifications in a related scientific area;
• Contacts of two references. These will only be contacted during the interview stage.

The submission of applications is digital, in pdf format, from 25/08/2025a 07/09/2025, in the following link:

The anticipated start date of the contract is 01/10/2025 and is subject to budget availability. The expected duration of the contract will be 35 months.

10. Non-discrimination and equal access policy

i3S actively promotes a policy of
- discrimination and equal access. No applicant shall be privileged, benefited, prejudiced, or deprived of any right or exempted from any duty on the basis of ancestry, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, family situation, economic situation, education, origin or social condition, genetic heritage, reduced work capacity, disability, chronic illness, nationality, ethnic origin or race, territory of origin, language, religion, political or ideological beliefs, or trade union membership.

Within the framework of the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers, i3S adopts the Open, Transparent and Merit-based (OTM-R) principles for the recruitment of researchers, with the aim of conducting fair and transparent recruitment processes, bringing equal opportunities to all candidates.

11. Applicants with disabilities

Under the terms of Decree-Law 29/2001, of February 3, the candidate with a disability is given preference in equal ranking, which takes precedence over any other legal preference. Candidates must declare under oath their degree of disability, the type of disability and the means of communication/expression to be used in the selection process, under the terms of the aforementioned decree.

• Ph
  D degree in Clinical Research and Health Services, Biomedical Sciences, Psychology, or related fields;
• Relevant publications related to the provision of Genetics services in Portugal;
• Solid experience in quantitative and qualitative research methodologies;
• Fluent in English (oral and written);
• Good teamwork and interpersonal skills;
• Immediate availability to begin the contract.