Academic Requirements: A Masters degree (mestrado) which is recognized both in Portugal and internationally - in chemistry. The selected candidate's academic background should include subjects (including research projects) of relevance to the theme of this project, and ideally should have obtained very good grades in these subjects.

Specific Entry Requirements: The candidate should have significant (documented) experience in organic synthesis, catalysis and medicinal chemistry. He/she should have good experience of working in an organic synthesis laboratory and with the various experimental techniques used therein (like; vacuum lines and inert conditions, parallel synthesis, microwave assisted synthesis, HPLC and automatized flash chromatography). Good experience in the analysis of NMR spectra is also required. A good publication record in the area is also required. The candidate should be a highly motivated, organized individual, with the ability to be able to work autonomously in the laboratory, but at the same time being a good team-player and with a track-record in accomplishing deadlines. The candidate should have good fluency with the English language.

Work Plan: The aim of this project is to develop a cutting edge innovative catalytic process into a state of the art process for the discovery and eventual production of key pharmaceuticals. INMOLFARM will involve the development of this catalytic process, from proof of concept to application: discovery and production of innovative pharmaceuticals. During this project, the student is expected to be responsible for catalytic reactions leading to the core structures and their scale-up, including the derivatization of key molecules that are currently being accessed by INMOLFARM's highly productive and talented synthetic chemistry team. This student should bring his/her experience/know-how to bear in our efforts at improving the efficacy, lipophilicity, hydrophilicity, metabolic stability and toxicity of our compound libraries. This will be carried out under the guidance of Prof. Anthony Burke in the department of chemistry. The compounds will then be screened against specific biological targets like, cholinesterases, and MAO-B etc. This student's role will be fundamental for the advancement of this project, as he/she will be expected to liaise with all disparate elements of the team, from synthetic chemists, to the bioassay, molecular modeling and NMR screening groups.

Legislation and applicable regulations: This scholarship will be carried on the basis of a signed  contract between the University of Évora and the scholarship recipient, under the terms of the Research Scholarship Regulations of the University of Évora, (Regulamento de Bolsas de Investigação da Universidade de Évora) (Ordem de Serviço nº1/2011), the Scientific Research Grant Holder Statute (Estatuto do Bolseiro de Investigação Científica) (Decree-Law nº40/2004 of the 18 of August) and according to the Regulations and legislation for advanced training and qualifications for human resources of the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnólagia (FCT).

Work location: This project will be carried out in the organic synthesis laboratory in the department of chemistry at the University of Évora, under the supervision of Prof. Anthony Burke of the Chemistry department and the Centro de Química de Évora (CQE).

Grant Duration: Until the 30th June 2015 with the expected starting date of February 2015. 

Stipend value: 980€ per month (tax free), till the end of the project. This stipend will be paid monthly by cheque or bank transfer.

Selection Method: The evaluation criteria are: i) Academic/Scientific record (a. CV, 50%; b. previous experience in the context of this project, 35%; c, letter of motivation, 15%. If deemed necessary by the jury, the top ranked candidates with the correct profile could be called for interview.

Selection Committee

Prof. Anthony Burke (President of the Jury), Prof. Paulo Mendes (Member), Prof.  João P. Prates Ramalho (Member) and Prof. Ana Teresa Caldeira (reserve member) all from Dept of Chemistry, University of Évora.

Advertisement/Notification of the results: The final result of the assessment will be made public through a ranking list which will be exhibited in a visible public place in the Chemistry Department at the University of Évora, the candidates being notified by email.

Call opening and closing dates: The call will be opened from the 19th of January to the 2nd of February 2014 and the results will be published as soon as possible thereafter.

Applications will be formalized, mandatorily, by sending a letter of motivation, which will be accompanied by the following relevant documents: a very detailed Curriculum Vitae (which includes, candidates address, telephone number and email address and the same contacts for the named referees), a motivation letter, two letters of recommendation (most recent possible), photocopy or scanned copy of identity card/passport and degree certificates/transcripts (grade cards) and any other documents that are considered relevant for the selection process.

These documents must be sent or emailed (before the closing date) to:

Prof. Anthony Burke,

Chemistry Department and Centro de Química de Évora,

Universidade de Évora,

Rua Romão Ramalho, 59

7000 Évora,

PORTUGAL.

For any queries please contact Prof. Anthony Burke (telephone: +351 266 745310,; e-mail: ajb@uevora.pt)