The Algarve Centre of Marine Sciences (CCMAR) of the University of Algarve (Faro, Portugal) and the University of Applied Sciences, Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft des Saarlandes (htw-saar, Saarbrücken, Germany) are accepting candidates to apply for a joint doctoral fellowship from the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) of Portugal to carry out a thesis project on integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) in connection with a low water consumption recirculation aquaculture system (RAS) for marine fish (Dicentrarchus labrax, Sparus aurata) and hydroponic halophyte production. The work involves the optimization of an experimental RAS in Germany, the inclusion of the RAS in an experimental IMTA, the experimental halophyte production, and the biochemical profiling of obtained biomass aiming for potential commercial uses, in CCMAR (approximately 50% of the time at each institute). The target is to (a priori) select halophytes with favourable biochemical profiles and subsequently to investigate the maximization of metabolite production through adjustments to the production process. This requires a sound understanding of the nutrient flows and balance and the production (abiotic) conditions (numerical model development and simulation). Alternative light sources such as LED may be investigated to stimulate and to lengthen metabolite production as well as to increase metabolite production rate.

The PhD work will be carried interdisciplinary in a group of biochemists, biologists, and process engineers (physical process technology, automation). The candidate should be able and willing to cope with an interdisciplinary working group.

Thesis supervision:

Drs Luísa Custódio (CCMAR) and Uwe Waller (Htw-saar).

Requirements:

To have Portuguese citizenship or citizenship from any member state of the European Union, or citizens from countries outside Europe with permanent residence in Portugal.

To have an excellent Master degree in Agronomy, Biology or related area;

To be fluent in English, written and spoken.

Fellowship conditions:

If the application is successful, the fellowship is awarded for a period of 48 months pending on positive evaluation of progress by the supervisors and according to specific legislation and regulations. The monthly stipend is 980 euro in Portugal and 1710 euros while abroad according to present regulations and legislation.

Applications:

Applications should be sent by e-mail until 18th March 2018 to lcustodio@ualg.pt AND uwe.waller@htwsaar.de and include motivation letter (in English), detailed curriculum vitae and the contacts of up to 3 references.

Policy of non-discrimination and equal access opportunities policy:

All applicants are only considered based on their merit. No candidate can be privileged, benefited, jeopardised or be deprived of any right or exempt of any claim in regards to descendent, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, economic situation, origin, social economy, genetic heritage, disability, chronic disease, nationality, ethnicity, territory of origin, language, religion, politics, ideology or union membership.