Research Operations Officer - Operations Unit

[THIS CALL IS NOW CLOSED]

Champalimaud Foundation (Fundação D. Anna de Sommer Champalimaud e Dr. Carlos Montez Champalimaud), a private, non-profit research institution in Lisbon, Portugal, is looking for a Research Operations Officer fellow to join our team. 

Champalimaud Research (CR) has an open position for an Operations Unit Officer (ROO), to work in a professional, dynamic and diverse work environment at the Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown. The ROO will be part of the Operations Unit, and will provide support to the CR laboratories. The ROO will report directly to the Operations Manager/Biosafety Officer and will support scientists and research technicians by providing the necessary operational tools for efficient research activities. Additional responsibilities include establishing, implementing, maintaining and continually improving the Occupational Health and Safety program.

Responsibilities

- Update and maintain the CR equipment database and other databases, policies and procedures;

- Oversees maintenance of the laboratory and equipment via routine maintenance and calibration;

- Ensures equipment is functioning properly and reports equipment issues;

- Ensures lab users have been trained on the correct use of lab equipment, in addition to instructing lab users to follow established safety policies/procedures;

- Tickets submission and validation, follow-up and quality assurance of the work provided by the maintenance department;

- Support with CR common equipment maintenance (contact and schedule maintenance and repair of laboratory equipment, assuring equipment’s maintenance contracts, troubleshoot routine equipment issues);

- Complies with all safety/regulatory requirements ensuring supplies/chemicals are stored and used per chemical safety program;

- Update chemical inventory and obtain and maintain current and archived Material Safety Datasheets (MSDS);

- Update and implement laboratory safety regulations and procedures (Open Labs and BSL-2 room), in compliance with the national legislation in the field;

- Advise on risk assessment for all proposed work with biological and chemical agents;

- Update and maintain the waste management program for biological, chemical and regular waste.

Application closing date

Open until filled, review of applications begins on 03/11/2025 

Number and type of fellowships or contracts to be awarded

1 fellowship

Offered conditions

- Competitive remuneration package commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience

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

Maximum contract duration

- Maximum allowable duration of the scholarships including the respective renewals

- Initial duration: 12 months, with possibility of renewal

Expected position starting date

05/01/2026

Evaluation Committee members

Cátia Feliciano

Pedro Rosa

Artur Silva

Maria José Vito

Skills/Qualifications

Minimum qualifications:

- Bachelor’s degree with professional experience in life sciences field;

- Proficient in English is required (written and oral).

Essential skills: 

- Strong document management skills;

- Skilled user of MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Google;

- Experienced in working with databases;

- Excellent organisational and planning abilities;

- Excellent communication skills;

- Strong attention to detail;

- Multitasking;

- Ability to troubleshoot and problem solving;

- Exemplary professionalism.

Languages

ENGLISH - Excellent
 

Application materials

- CV and letter of motivation

- Proof of qualifications (certificates) may be required at a later date for formalisation of the fellowship/contract agreement.

Evaluation and selection criteria (respecting article 37 of Decree-Law No. 63/2019, of 16 May)

- Candidates will be screened to determine eligibility based on minimum qualifications listed in call

- Candidates meeting minimum requirements will be scored according to required application materials.

- Define relative weighting: 70% CV, 30% motivation letter

-  When tied, top candidates will be interviewed (in person, or remotely). The result of the interview is then the sole evaluation criteria (basic documentation required). If no tie, holding of interviews at discretion of the Evaluation Committee.

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

How to apply

Format: Candidates must complete the standard application form and submit a single annexed .pdf document containing the application materials stated in call. Call Ref. “ROO Oct2025”

Applications are also accepted in paper, sent or handed to the HR & 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 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

This call may be cancelled at any time on or before the Evaluation Committee’s evaluation of all eligible candidates and the recruitment process shall be concluded on the day of the full execution of the signed agreement between the Champalimaud Foundation and the selected candidate.