A competition is open for the attribution of   1   Research Grant in the framework of the project     ATLANTIDA II Observatório Costeiro do Atlântico Norte de Portugal, with the reference  NORTE2030-FEDER-01799200 , supported by Programa Regional do Norte 2021-2027 [NORTE2030] , according to the following conditions:

1. Scientific area:  Biological or Environmental Sciences

2. Admission requirements:

 The research grants (BI) are intended for carrying out R&D activities by students enrolled in an integrated master's degree or a master's degree, aiming to consolidate their scientific training through the development of research work leading to obtaining the respective academic degree, integrated into R&D projects:

• Bachelor's degree in biology, Environmental Sciences or related fields
• Available to develop the master's thesis under the theme “Diversity of estuarine communities of microalgae”.

If the applicant is not yet enrolled, it must meet the requirements to register; enrolment will be mandatory and proof necessary at the moment of scholarship contracting.

3. Work plan: 

The selected candidate will work on ATLANTIDA II, within Activity 2 - Ecosystems and biodiversity of the NW Portuguese coast, investigating microalgae communities of the target estuarine ecosystems. The research will focus on the use of such communities to diagnose and evaluate environmental quality and will involve both field and laboratory work.

4. Legislation and official rules: 

Law nº. 40/2004, 18th August (Research Fellowship and Studentship Regulation) in its current version; Regulations for Studentships and Fellowships of the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P. and CIIMAR Grants Regulation approved by FCT.

5. Work place:

The work will be carried out at CIIMAR, Edifício do Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos s/n, 4450-208 Matosinhos and at the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre s/n, 4169-007 Porto, under the supervision of Doctor Laura Guimarães, Prof. Doctor. António Paulo Carvalho and Prof. Doctor Luís Oliva Teles. 

6. Duration of the grant:

Duration of 6 (six) months, with a provisional start on August 2025, under the regime of exclusive dedication.

7.  Monthly maintenance stipend:

The monthly maintenance allowance is: Master Students,integrated master students or bachelor´s and master´s students (BI) PT -1 040,98€. 

8.  Selection methods: 

Ranking of candidates will be based on the evaluation of the Curriculum Vitae (EC), performed according to the following criteria:

EC = [50% AQ + 40% PE + 10% ML]

AQ: Academic Qualification relevant for the scientific area (ranging from 0 to 5 points);

PE: Previous Experience relevant for the scientific area (ranging from 0 to 5 points);

ML: Motivation Letter with the interest on work to be developed (ranging from 0 to 5 points).

Preference will be given to candidates with background in ecology or ecotoxicology and previous experience in one or more of the following topics: 

1. field work;
2. laboratory bioassays;
3. complexa data analysis.

The evaluation process may include an interview to the top three candidates, scoring at least 4 or higher. The interview is intended to clarify aspects related to their previous research, in which case it will weigh 20% to be summed to 80% EC.                                                                                            

9. Composition of the jury selection:

President of the jury:  Laura Guimarães

Vogal:  António Paulo Carvalho 

Vogal:  Pedro Rodrigues 

10.  Form of Advertising/notification of results: 

The final results of the evaluation will be published through a list sorting the candidates according to their attributed mark by e-mail; in case of disagreement, the candidates have a 10-working day term in which to contest the decision, if it so wishes, as provided for in the Administrative Procedure Code in a preliminary hearing setting. The jury reserves the right to not assign the grant depending on the quality of the applications.

In case of resignation or withdrawal of the selected candidate, the next candidate with the highest evaluation score will be notified immediately.

11.   Deadline for application and presentation of applications: 

The competition is open from  9  until  22 july . The applications must be formalized, compulsorily, by sending the following documents:

- Detailed Curriculum vitae, in Portuguese or in English;

- Past research activities and its relevance to the current project explained in the motivation letter written in Portuguese or English;

- Certificates (copy) of the previous academic degrees, specifying mandatory the final classification. Only candidates who have completed the degree by the end of the application period will be admitted. If they do not yet have the official degree certificate, a declaration of honour from the candidate stating that has completed the qualifications required by the end of the application period, will be accepted. At the time of the respective hiring the candidate must present the official degree certificate;

- Evidence of enrolment in a Master programme.  

- Contact e-mail address and phone number.

The applications cannot exceed 20 MB and must be sent by e-mail to: rh@ciimar.up.pt, with the reference  "2025_047_BI_Atlantida II" in the subject line. The applications that do not include all the elements previously indicated will not be considered.

12. Non-discrimination and equal access policy:

CIIMAR actively promotes a non-discrimination and equal access policy, wherefore no candidate can be privileged, benefited, impaired or deprived of any rights whatsoever, or be exempt of any duties based on their ancestry, age, sex, sexual preference, marital status, family and economic conditions, instruction, origin or social conditions, genetic heritage, reduced work capacity, disability, chronic illness, nationality, ethnic origin or race, origin territory, language, religion, political or ideological convictions and union membership.

Pursuant to Decree-Law no. 29/2001 of 3 February, disabled candidates shall be preferred in a situation of equal classification, and said preference supersedes any legal preferences. Candidates must declare, on their honour, their respective disability degree, type of disability and communication/expression means to be used during selection period on their application form, under the regulations above.

Note: The signing of the scholarship contract is subject to the signing of the project acceptance term.