Research Technical Officer [M/F] - 1 vacancy

 Post Ref.: CCMAR/TSI/04/2023

The Algarve Centre for Marine Science (CCMAR) opens a vacancy for a Research Technical Officer (Técnico/a Superior de Investigação) (M/F), in the field of Marine Biotechnology to satisfy temporary needs under an uncertain term employment contract in order to support the work carried in the context of the research project with reference: C644915664-00000026 - PRR: Pacto Bioeconomia Azul - Vertical Algas, funded by PRR Plano de Recuperação e Resiliência under the following conditions:

Tasks to be performed:

1) Grow microalgae under lab-scale and pilot-scale conditions;

2) Characterization of microalgae-associated microbiomes in terms of their taxonomical composition, metagenomes and biochemical profile of the holobiont;

3) Isolation of cultivable microorganisms associated to microalgae; and

4) Co-cultivation of growth-enhancing, high-value metabolite-inducing microorganisms to improve the productivity of industrial microalgal strains and the quality of their biomass.

Salary: Gross monthly salary between 1320.15€ and 2333.37€ depending upon the candidate's experience regarding the characterization of microalgae-associated microbiomes, including their isolation and co-cultivation with microalgae.

Required profile:

1. A Master of Science degree holder in the field of biology, biotechnology, aquaculture, and related areas
2. Extensive experience in growing microalgae under non-axenic and monoaxenic conditions and biochemical characterization of microalgal biomass.
3. Demonstrable experience in characterizing microbiomes associated with microalgae, including their isolation and co-cultivation with microalgae.

Non-compliance with this requirement invalidates the application. Provision of false documentation will be punished by law.

Working contract conditions: uncertain term employment contract expected to start during June 2023.

Working Schedule: 35 hours weekly.

Working Place: CCMAR

Application submission process and documents: Only applications submitted through the CCMAR website will be considered: https://www.ccmar.ualg.pt/list/job. Applications are considered to be correctly submitted only after the candidate has received a confirmation e-mail from CCMAR. Applications (in English) must include:

1. Motivation Letter (in English).
2. Detailed CV (in English) in accordance with the requirements and selection criteria.
3. Copy of the MSc Degree Certificate.
4. Email contacts of up to 3 referees.

Non-compliance with these documents/information determines the immediate rejection of the application.

Application Period:  between the 17th of April 2023 and 03rd of May 2023 at 23:59 (Lisbon time, Portugal).

Selection Committee: Professor João Varela, Professor at Algarve University and researcher at CCMAR (president of the jury), Professor Luisa Barreira, Professor at Algarve University and researcher at CCMAR (member) and Doctor Hugo Pereira, General Coordinator of GreenCoLab: Associação Oceano Verde -Laboratório Colaborativo para o Desenvolvimento de Tecnologias e Produtos Verdes do Oceano (member).

Selection Criteria:

Through the analysis of the application documents the evaluation criteria for the applications and their relative weight for ranking are as follows:

1. Scientific and technological production of the last 5 years considered most relevant by the candidate (30%);
2. Experience in growing and characterizing microalgae (30%);
3. Experience in isolating, characterizing and co-cultivating microalgae-associated microorganisms together with their microalgal hosts (30%); and
4. Activities of knowledge extension and dissemination the last five years, namely in the context of the promotion of knowledge and scientific practices, considered most relevant by the candidate (10%).

The selection committee reserves the right to contact and interview candidates if additional information or clarification of any curricular aspect is necessary. In case it takes place, the interview aims to evaluate in more detail the curricular items used to grade the candidate according to the list above.

In the eventuality that no applicant has the necessary profile, the selection committee reserves the right to close the call without any recruitment. In the event that the selected person does not take up the position because of failure to comply with documentary requirements or any other reason, or later during the contract if they resign, the jury reserves the right, upon convenience and opportunity, to assign the position to the next applicant in accordance with the ranking positions based on the selectable list that can be used up to 12 months of the date of the present announcement.

The board of Directors reserves the right, due to a change in circumstances at the date of the present announcement, to cancel the present call without any recruitment.

Results: The lists of admitted and excluded candidates, and the final classification list, shall be posted on the CCMAR website at https://www.ccmar.ualg.pt/list/job-closed and all candidates will be notified by email.

Preliminary Hearing and Final Decision Deadline: After notification, candidates have 10 working days to contest the preliminary decision sending an email to the selection committee. The final decisions will be announced within 90 days of the application deadline.

Candidates holding degrees awarded by a foreign university should have their degree recognized in Portugal by  the contract signature.  Non-compliance justifies exclusion from the procedure. Information about the recognition procedures can be obtained at any Portuguese university or here. The board of directors reserves the right, upon request from the candidate, to extend the compliance period provided it does not impact negatively the programmed activities.

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.

CCMAR’s non-discrimination and equal access opportunities policy – 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. 

April the 4th 2023