Physiotherapist

THIS RECRUITMENT PROCESS IS CLOSED.

Fundação D. Anna de Sommer Champalimaud e Dr. Carlos Montez Champalimaud (Champalimaud Foundation), a private, non-profit research institution, is opening a call for a Physiotherapist. Eligible candidates must hold a Physical Therapy degree and will be offered an employment contract with unknown term, within the scope of the research project entitled “Research Infrastructure for Digital Therapeutics”; with reference “LISBOA2030-FEDER-01316800” - from the call Nº “LISBOA2030-2024-15”, funded by European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), through the Lisbon Regional Operational Programme 2021-2027. 

The contract is to be entered into by and between the Champalimaud Foundation and the selected candidate in accordance with all applicable legislation, as well as the internal rules and regulations of the Champalimaud Foundation.

The selected candidate will

The selected candidate will integrate the Centre for Restorative Neurotechnology at the Champalimaud Foundation, contributing to the clinical and research activities of the Digital Neurotherapeutics Clinic. This role offers a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of advanced neurorehabilitation, sensor-based assessment, and translational neuroscience.

The work plan includes

- Clinical Neurorehabilitation: conduct individualized physical therapy sessions for patients with neurological conditions, particularly Parkinson’s Disease, stroke, and related movement disorders. Interventions will focus on novel and immersive approaches informed by real-time data from gait and motor assessments;
- Sensor-based Assessment and Monitoring: administer and interpret standardised motor assessments supported by wearable sensors, motion capture systems, and other objective tools. Contribute to the integration of digital biomarkers into the clinical workflow and research pipelines;
- Research and Protocol Implementation: participate in the implementation of clinical research protocols focused on digital therapeutics and personalized rehabilitation. This includes recruitment, data collection, and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams to ensure high-quality and ethically compliant research procedures;
- Innovation and Technology Integration: support the development and testing of innovative rehabilitation paradigms, such as immersive exergaming and digital therapeutic tools. Provide feedback on usability, clinical integration, and patient adherence;
- Training and Development: engage in continuous learning and skill development, with institutional support for candidates pursuing advanced training (e.g., - Master’s, PhD). Contribute to the training of other professionals and students within the clinic.

This position is embedded in a dynamic translational research environment and aims to advance the use of personalised, data-driven rehabilitation in neurological care.

Employer

Champalimaud Foundation

Department

Centre for Restorative Neurotechnology, Digital Neurotherapeutics Clinic - https://www.fchampalimaud.org/centre-restorative-neurotechnology

Number and type of fellowships or contracts to be awarded

1 employment contract

Application start date

05/08/2025

Application closing date

24/08/2025 or until position is filled

Expected position starting date

15/09/2025

Required Education Level

Physical Therapy Bachelor’s degree

Requirements

Research Field

Medical sciences » Other

Education Level

Bachelor Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

Minimum qualifications

- Bachelor’s in Physical Therapy;
- Professional registration enabling clinical practice in Portugal.

Specific Requirements

Essential skills

- Clinical experience in neurorehabilitation and strong motivation to specialize in this area;
- Familiarity with motor assessment tools and ability to integrate objective measures (e.g., gait analysis, kinematics);
- Strong communication and teamwork skills;
- Experience working with patients with stroke, Parkinson’s Disease or other movement disorders;
- Excellent level of English and Portuguese.

Desirable skills that will also be considered

- Prior experience with movement analysis technologies or sensor-based assessments;
- Experience in research;
- Interest in innovation, digital health, or rehabilitation technology;
- Experience in immersive exergaming tools for rehabilitation.

Benefits

Full immersion into a research excellence ecosystem with highly motivated researchers and clinicians, supported by state-of-the-art technology and continuous development opportunities.

Remuneration

The monthly remuneration to be attributed starts at a base gross salary of 2.000 Euros, per month which may be increased with other funds, according to experience and performance. Monthly meal allowance is set at 126 euros, which may be increased with other funds, according to experience and performance.

Maximum allowable duration

The employment contract is with an unknown term, with the termination date of the project, expected at 31st December 2027, and is expected to start within 1 (one) month after this call closing date. Notwithstanding, the parties may, at any time, wish to celebrate a permanent employment contract.  The contract of employment resulting from this vacancy will expire due to the supervening, absolute and definitive impossibility of being given continuity if its respective funding is terminated without prejudice to the communication of its termination to the worker, in accordance with the provisions of article 345 of the Labor Code.

Eligibility criteria

National, Foreign or Stateless candidate(s) who hold a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Therapy and a license to practice as a physiotherapist in Portugal.  

In case of Bachelor’s degrees awarded by foreign higher education institutions, the degree must comply with the provisions of Decree-Law No. 341/2007, of 12th of October, and all formalities established therein must be fulfilled by the deadline for application submission.

Selection process

Candidates will be screened to determine eligibility based on the minimum qualifications listed in this call. Candidates meeting minimum requirements will be scored according to the required application materials:  CV 50% weighting, motivation letter 25%, interview 25%.

If provided, and if shortlisted, candidates’ referees may be contacted and may count towards evaluation.

Evaluation Committee members

John Krakauer (MD); Marcelo Mendonça (MD, PhD); Albino Oliveira-Maia (MD, PhD); Silvia Salvalaggio (PT, PhD)

Application materials

CV and letter of motivation indicating 2 references (one single pdf document, max 4 pages). Proof of qualifications (certificates) may be required at a later date for the formalization of the contract agreement. Degrees obtained abroad may need to be formally recognised in Portugal. 

How to apply

Candidates must complete the standard application form and submit a single annexed PDF document containing the application materials stated in the call. 

The call reference will be asked and not having it may invalidate your submission. This call reference is: DNTX - PT

Applications are also accepted in paper, sent or handed to the Fellows Support Office at the Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Avenida Brasília, 1400-038 Lisbon, Portugal.

Notification of results

All candidates will receive a receipt of acknowledgment within 7-10 business days. The highest scoring candidate will be notified by email or telephone. All other candidates will be notified solely by email of the final outcome of the recruitment process.

After being notified, candidates will have 10 working days to present a claim for redress by email (careers@research.fchampalimaud.org). If no claim is received by the Champalimaud Foundation, the Evaluation Committee's decision will become definitive.

About Us

Research is at the heart of the Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, a modern research and clinical facility situated on the waterfront in Lisbon, Portugal. The goal of Champalimaud Research (CR) is to perform world-leading fundamental and translational research. Current research work is focused on the fields of neuroscience, physiology and cancer.  Champalimaud Research comprises a team of over 400 scientists from around the world. English is the official language of the Centre. Lisbon’s sunny Atlantic Mediterranean climate, vibrant culture and high quality of life make this a great place to live and work.

Relevant Institutional Information

In line with our community guidelines and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policy and Gender Equality Plan, no candidate may be privileged, favored, prejudiced or deprived of any right or excluded from any duty on the basis of age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race/ethnicity, disability, chronic illness, language, nationality, territory of origin, family status (marital, pregnancy and maternity, having or not having dependents), socioeconomic situation, education, religion, political or ideological beliefs,  trade union membership, or on any other grounds which are irrelevant to decision-making.

HR Excellence in Research

Legal Notices

The present call has the sole purpose of filling the indicated research position. This call may be canceled at any time on or before the jury’s evaluation of all eligible candidates and the recruitment process shall be concluded on the day of the full execution of the contract between the Champalimaud Foundation and the selected candidate.