To participate in research activities and in other scholarly activities of the meta-research team at the university and to work towards establishing a meta-research scholarship agenda while supported and supervised by more senior researchers in the field. Research activities can cover many topics within the biomedical, natural sciences, social sciences (including psychology), economics or mathematics/ statistics fields or a combination of them. Activities may include conducting experimental or observational meta-research studies; developing automated tools to detect common problems and beneficial practices in research publications; developing, implementing and testing interventions to improve research quality and practice at the University of Coimbra and beyond; working with different stakeholder groups (e.g., researchers, research institutions and departments, funders, publishers and editors, patients) and local, national and international networks to improve research culture and practice; and providing and evaluating the effectiveness of training in meta-research or good research practices. For that, the researcher should hold a doctoral degree (Ph.D. or equivalent) in a research field relevant for the development of such Meta-Research activities, along with a scientific and professional curriculum that reveals an adequate profile and interest to work in Meta-Research, with at least 2 peer-reviewed publications in this area.

Applicants holding a doctorate degree awarded by a foreign (non-Portuguese) higher education institution should be aware that in case they are selected for the position they must provide documental proof of the degree recognition in Portugal before signing the work contract, in accordance with the legislation in force.

Information on how to request the degree recognition can be found at https://www.dges.gov.pt/recon/formulario  

Remuneration level:  2.294,95 euros gross (on an exclusive basis regime), corresponding , corresponding to level 33 to the single remuneration table, approved by Ordinance nr. 1553-C/2008, of December 31st, in its current version.

Work Contract regime: fixed-term employment contract, pursuant the Portuguese Public Employment Act, Decree Law nr. 57/2016 and Regulatory Decree nr. 11-A/2017, in their latest versions. The initial contract duration is three (3) years, renewable for periods of one year, up to a maximum of six years. 

Funding: The contract is celebrated in the context of ERA Chair project EXCELScIOR, grant agreement Nr. 101087416 funded by Horizon Europe (HE) Research and Innovation programme.

To have at least 18 years of age by the deadline of the present tender.

Must hold, by the deadline of the present tender, a PhD degree or equivalent in a research field listed above (Job Information section) or in a related one that, in complement with the applicant’s scientific and curricular path, demonstrates capacity to develop fruitful work in Meta-Research.

The selection methods are Assessment of scientific background and CV (ABC), and Interview (I), the relative weights and criteria being:

90% to the Assessment of scientific background and CV (ABC), which will focus on the last 5 years of the applicant’s career path and will take into consideration:

• The quality and consistency of the CV, including the scientific and technological production and activities of applied or practice-based research (notably the works/papers the candidate indicated as being his/her most significant contributions) – 70% 
• Participation in knowledge dissemination, outreach and management activities, including experience in mentoring students, the organization and active participation in scientific events, activities of science communication, and coordination and participation in scientific projects – 30%

10% to the Interview (I), to which only the four (4) top-ranking candidates in the ABC procedure will be admitted. The Interview will consider the same criteria and weights of the ABC procedure.

Candidates who obtain a score under 9.5 (in a 0 to 20 scale) in any of the selection methods (ABC or I) will be excluded from the tender procedure.

The final score (FC), expressed in a 0 to 20 scale, will be calculated by the formula: FS = (ABC x 90%) + (I x 10%)

Selection Committee: Doctor Paulo Jorge Oliveira (Chairman of the jury); Professor John P. A. Ioannidis (juror); Doctor Tracey Weissgerber (juror); Professor Florian Naudet (juror); Professor Isabelle Boutron (juror); Doctor Vladislav Nachev (juror); Professor Malcolm Macleod (alternate juror); Professor Anita Bandrowski (alternate juror); Doctor Tim Errington (alternate juror).

Documents required: a) Copy of PhD certificate or diploma and of other relevant qualification certificates/ diplomas. b) Detailed curriculum vitae, including list of publications with valid unique identifiers (DOI (preferable), Handle or URN (e.g., ISBN for whole books)), focusing on the last five years of the candidate’s active research career (indicating, if applicable, the period(s) of suspension of the scientific activity and the reasons why); the curriculum vitae must also include a synopsis showing that the candidate possesses the appropriate specialization/ competencies in the scientific area(s) for which the position is open. c) Autonomous copies (one PDF file per item) of 3 to 6 scholarly outputs (namely, scientific papers) the candidate considers best represent his/her most significant contributions to the advancement of knowledge in the area(s) for which the position is open. d) Other documents the candidate deems relevant for the evaluation of his/her qualifications and skills.

About us: Founded in 13th century, the University of Coimbra (UC) is the oldest academic institution in Portugal and a national reference in higher education and scientific research in multiple areas of knowledge, with worldwide recognition. The Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB) is a top (100% score) Associate Laboratory (a national status of excellence) and UC’s flagship in Life & Health Sciences. CIBB encompasses the Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC-UC) and the Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), along with a health-driven nucleus of the UC-Faculty of Economics and clinicians of the Coimbra University Hospitals. It offers a wide array of research opportunities, collaborations and cutting-edge resources to suit your aspirations.

In this nurturing environment, project EXCELScIOR aims to develop, extend and fully unlock UC’s research potential through the implementation of a new interdisciplinary ERA Chair and research group devoted to Meta-Research. Under the guidance of its senior scientific consultant - Professor John P.A. Ioannidis (from Stanford University, USA), the project aims to improve research methods and practices and to enhance approaches to integrate information, to generate reliable evidence and to maximize impact in the area of Biomedical Sciences (its main focus), the long-term goal being to advance multiple other research areas.

Beyond the academic realm, Coimbra offers an exceptional quality of life. Nestled amidst breath-taking landscapes and steeped in history (UC is World Heritage), it is a harmonious blend of old-world charm and modern comfort, a very affordable European city, safe and with an inviting atmosphere to live, work and raise a family, with excellent weather all year round and a 45-minute drive to the beach.

Equal opportunity policy: Pursuant to paragraph h) of Article 9 of the Portuguese Constitution, the University of Coimbra, as employer, actively promotes a policy of equal opportunities between men and women in their access to employment and professional development, and acts to prevent all forms of discrimination. In particular, no one can be privileged, benefited, harmed or deprived of any right or exempted from any duty on account of age, sexual orientation, gender, marital status, family, economic situation, education, origin or social condition, genetic heritage, reduced work capacity, disability, chronic illness, nationality, ethnic or racial origin, territory of origin, language, religion, political or ideological beliefs and trade union membership. 

In accordance with Decree-Law nr. 29/2001, of 3 February, candidates with disabilities take precedence over others when they obtained the same classification, and this prevails over any other eligible preference.