Fellowship: Research fellowship BI for Bachelor’s degree holders (for enrolled MSc/Master students) - ARDITI-MICROPLAST-001

Job: Research fellowship BI for Bachelor’s degree (only for enrolled MSc/Master students) in Marine Science or similar areas

Fellowship Reference: ARDITI-MICROPLAST-001

Vacant posts: 1

Type of contract: Fellowship contract

Job country: Portugal

Job city: Funchal

Job Hiring companyy/Institute: ARDITI-Agência Regional para o Desenvolvimento da Investigação, Tecnologia e Inovação

Fellowship Host institution/institute: ARDITI/MARE (Centro de Ciências do Mar e do Ambiente – Polo Madeira)

Main research field: Marine Science

Sub-research field: Environmental Monitoring and Impact

Job Summary:

Project MICROPLAST/0002/2018 – HOTMIC: Horizontal and vertical oceanic distribution, transport, and impact of microplastics, financed by FCT-Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P/MCTES through national funds (PIDDAC), aims to hire a prospective person capable in processing water samples for microplastic and zooplankton identification using low-cost optical systems.

Job description:

MICROPLAST/0002/2018 – HOTMIC: Horizontal and vertical oceanic distribution, transport, and impact of microplastics, aims at studying microplastic distribution in the Atlantic and its interaction with the fauna (e.i. zooplankton). In this context, ARDITI/MARE-Madeira is looking for a Researcher or equivalent (for only enrolled MSc/Master students), preferably with proven experience with low-cost optical systems and zooplankton identification. The successful candidate will assist the research team of the project, especially focusing on the processing and analysis of water samples for microplastic and zooplankton identification.

Admission Requirements:

The ideal candidate must be an enrolled MSc (Master) student with a Bachelor's degree in Biology, or similar fields, as well as having previous experience, including (but not exclusively):

• Background and/or proven research experience with low-cost optical systems;

• Prior experience in zooplankton identification, ideally from the Madeira archipelago;

• Prior experience with EcoTaxa and Zooprocess;

• Demonstrated ability to work independently;

• Fluent knowledge (spoken and written) of the English language.

Note: Applications will not be considered if candidates do not meet Mandatory Requirements (in bold). Additional experience and/or training items listed will be valued and preferred.

Workplan:

The selected fellow will assist in developing and research activities related to (but not exclusively):

• Processing water samples for microplastic analysis;

• Processing zooplankton samples using low-cost optical system;

• Identify zooplankton taxa for machine learning;

• Writing and presenting reports related to the research and development activities of the project.

Scientific guidance and workplace:

The proposed work will be coordinated by PhD Sonia KM Gueroun (ARDITI/MARE-Madeira) and will be conducted at ARDITI/MARE-Madeira, Edifício Madeira Tecnopolo, Caminho da Penteada, Funchal, Madeira Island (Portugal).

Duration: 4 months, non-renewable.

Monthly fellowship subsidy:

FCT fellowship stipend is 930,98 €/month, according to the table of fellowships values determined by the FCT (https://www.fct.pt/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Tabela-de-Valores-SMM_202…).

The fellowship stipend will be paid monthly, through bank wire. Personal accident insurance is included with the fellowship.

Applicable legislation and regulations:

The fellowship is awarded under the terms of Law nº40/2004, of 18 August (Statute of Scientific Research Scholarship) and Regulation of Fellowships and Research of FCT in force: https://files.dre.pt/2s/2019/12/241000000/0009100105.pdf

Estimated contract start date: 1st May 2023.

Evaluation criteria:

The curricular selection process will be based on:

- Educational background and graduation (40%)

- Skills relevant to the work plan execution (50%)

- Communication skills, assessed from the CV (10%)

Composition of the Selection Jury:

Doutora Sonia KM Gueroun (MARE/ARDITI), President

Doutor João Canning-Clode (MARE/ARDITI),

Professor Manfred Kaufmann (MARE/ARDITI/UMa)

Application contents:

- Motivation Letter (emphasizing the candidate’s adequacy to each evaluation criteria)

- Curriculum Vitae

- Proof/Certificate of enrollment in Master’s program;

- Degree certificate (applicants with academic degrees obtained abroad, will have to present a certificate of registration of recognition in accordance with the applicable legislation).

Announcement of the results:

The final evaluation results will be sent to all candidates, via email, through a list ordered by final score obtained.

Complaint and appeal procedures:

According to FCT Regulation, if wanting, after receiving the final evaluation results, the applicant has a period of 10 working days after the notification, to contest under the terms provided for in the Portuguese administrative Procedure Code (Código do Procedimento Administrativo). The candidate shall respond in writing to bolsas.projetos@arditi.pt. The letter should be addressed to the Chairman of the Board of Directors of ARDITI.

Application submission and deadline:

All applications must be sent by e-mail to: bolsas.projetos@arditi.pt

The period for receiving applications runs from the 20th of March 2023 until the 31st of March 2023 (17:00h).

The subject of the email should be: ARDITI-MICROPLAST-001

Application deadline: 31st of March 2023 (17:00h).

Organization contact data:

ARDITI - Agência Regional para o Desenvolvimento da Investigação, Tecnologia e Inovação

Edif. Madeira Tecnopolo, Piso 2

Caminho da Penteada

9020-105 Funchal

Portugal

tel. +351 291 721 220

Email: arditi@arditi.pt

Wesite: http://www.arditi.pt

Notes:

● The selection process will be based on the principle of non-discrimination in respect of gender, age, nationality, religion, racial group, or any other possible discriminatory issue. Selection will be made only based on merit and following the European Charter for Researchers, the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers (Commission Recommendation, Brussels, 11.3.2005, 2005/251/EC) and the recommendations from the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA).

● ARDITI is a recognized “refugee welcoming organization" by the European Commission, follows the European Charter for Researchers and welcomes applications from all qualified individuals.

● The deadline for application may be extended at any time without previous notice having in mind the requirements for the positions under this call.

INFO: The Portuguese version of this announcement can be seen in: https://www.arditi.pt/pt/concursos.html