Announcement of an international call for Researcher holding a PhD Reference:2025_098_IJ_X-IAS

About this position

A competition is open for the attribution of 1 employment contract for a Junior Researcher as part of the project “X-IAS - Investigating the Cumulative Effects of Multiple Invasive Species on Estuarine Ecosystems ”, with reference COMPETE2030-FEDER-00798600 (nº 16802 ) , financed by funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF/FEDER) through COMPETE 2030 – Innovation and Digital Transition Programme , to be developed at CIIMAR (Interdisciplinary Centre for Marine and Environmental Research ) , under the following terms and conditions:

• Scientific Area: Environmental sciences
• Admission requirements:
• The candidate must hold a PhD in Biology, Ecology, Environmental Sciences, or closely related fields;
• Demonstrated expertise in ecological modelling, experience in food web models will be considered an added value;
• Demonstrated expertise and experience in field sampling, including biodiversity assessments in marine/estuarine ecosystems, and mesocosm experiences;
• Experience in processing and identification of zooplankton, macroinvertebrates and fishes;
• Experience in laboratory analysis;
• Excellent communication skills in English and knowledge of Portuguese are required;
• Experience in student supervision;
• Demonstrated experience in writing scientific publications in international scientific journals in the areas relevant to the project;
• Driving license.

Candidates are expected to be highly self-motivated individuals, who enjoy working as part of a collaborative team on challenging projects.

Any national, foreign and stateless candidate(s) who hold a PhD/doctorate degree in one of the aforementioned areas and a scientific and professional curriculum whose profile is suited for the activity to be performed and complies with the conditions set above is encouraged to apply to this position. In the event the doctorate degree was awarded by a foreign higher education institution, said degree must comply with the provisions of Decree-Law no. 66/2018 of 16th August until the signature of the contract.

• Work plan:

The selected candidate will join the Benthic Ecology and Environmental Solutions research team under the X-IAS project which aims to assess the ecological impact of systems affected by multiple invasions by assessing and isolating the effects of selected high-impact estuarine invaders to understand their impact. The candidate will contribute to research, dissemination, and project coordination activities, and will take on responsibilities, including:

a) organizing and conducting field samplings campaigns targeting zooplankton, epibenthic and benthic invertebrates, and fish;

b) performing laboratory analysis, including species identification, biomass determinations, physicochemical water analysis, and preparation of samples for stable isotope analysis and other external analysis;

c) performing mesocosm experiences;

d) developing ecological models that depict the interactions among multiple invasive alien species (IAS) to visualize isolated/combined impacts;

e) data management and analysis, namely compilation and analysis of ecological and environmental data generated throughout the project;

f) preparing technical reports, scientific manuscripts, and other dissemination materials;

g) participating in conferences, seminars and organizing of workshops and other communication and outreach events related to the project;

h) engaging with stakeholders (e.g. managers) to translate project results into actionable monitoring guidelines;

i) supporting and supervising the research work of students involved in the project; and

j) organizing project meetings, and assisting in laboratory management (e.g., procurement, stock management).

• Legislation and official rules:

Decree-Law no. 57/2016 of 29th August, which approved the doctorate hiring regime destined to stimulate scientific and technological employment for all knowledge areas (RJEC), updated by the Law no. 57/2017 of 19th July and Labour Code approved Law no. 7/2009 of 12th February, under its current reading and Regulatory Decree No. 11-A / 2017, of 29th December.

• Work place:

The selected candidate will work under the supervision of the principal investigator of the project, Dr. Martina Ilarri, integrated in the research team Benthic Ecology and Environmental Solutions at CIIMAR. The laboratory is located at the headquarters of CIIMAR, in the modern Cruise Ship Terminal of the Port of Leixões, in Matosinhos, Porto’s metropolitan area. Field sampling campaigns will take place at the Minho estuary, in Vila Nova de Cerveira.

• Duration of the contract:

An uncertain term work contract will be signed starting (January 2026), under the regime of exclusivity, according to legal terms (articles n.o 140o, no 1 and no 2, h; and article n.o 148o, no 4 − Labour Code and article 6o, no 1 b) e no 3 from Decree-Law n.o 57/2016, de 29 -8).

• Monthly Salary:

The gross monthly salary is Level 37- 2 568,39€

The holidays, Christmas and food allowance apart.

• Selection methods:

A global appreciation of the candidates’ merit and motivation (valued from 1 to 10) will be made based on the evaluation of their scientific and curricular track-record, in particular the quality of their research outputs related to the subject area of the present call, and in compliance to the article 5º RJEC. As such, the following criteria will be considered:

Academic curriculum performance and experience relevant to the scientific area and the project work-plan, including i) scientific production of publications; ii) participation in R&D projects (especially the areas valued in point 2 of this notice) – relative weight of 30%;

Demonstrated experience in: i) ecological modelling; ii) field sampling of estuarine and coastal habitats; iii) biodiversity assessments including zooplankton, macroinvertebrates and fish communities – relative weight of 40%;

Involvement in activities of extension and dissemination of knowledge, promoting the practice and scientific culture, such as scientific coordination of outreach activities, organization of courses, seminars and participation in conferences, especially the areas valued in point 2 of this notice - relative weight of 20 %;

• Global appreciation of the motivation of the candidate in the field of research, taking into account the motivation letter and any other elements in the CV or references that can help in this regard – relative weight of 10%;

The evaluation process may include an interview, for the first 3 positions if up to 7, with the only purpose of clarifying aspects related to the research results, with a relative weight of 10% for the total score (previous evaluation with a relative weight of 90%). Candidates may be interviewed by video conference or in person. The candidate with the highest score will be offered the position.

The jury reserves the right to not assign the position depending on the quality of the applications.

The evaluation of the professional track record relates to the relevance, timeliness, quality and adequacy to the current project and will focus on the scientific and in particular research activities from the past 5-years that the candidate considers more relevant (as highlighted in their application). This 5-year period can be increased, if justified and asked for by the candidate, on account of disease, maternity/paternity leave, or other duly justified period of unavailability to work, prolonged serious illness, and other situations of unavailability for work legally protected.

• Composition of the jury:

President of the jury: Dr. Martina Ilarri

Vogal: Dr. Marina Dolbeth

Vogal: Dr. Francisco Arenas

• Form of advertising/notification of the results: The results of the first step of the evaluation (pre-selection) will be sent to the candidates by e-mail. The candidates have a 10-working day term in which to contest the decision, if they so wish, as provided for in the Administrative Procedure Code, in a preliminary hearing setting. After the eventual collection of reference letters and interviews, the final results will be communicated by e-mail to the candidates. The jury reserves the right not to assign the work contract if none of the candidates meet all the requirements and match the desired profile.
• Deadline for application and how to apply:

Candidates interested in this position should send their application between the 5 /12/2025 until 19/12/2025 , to rh@ciimar.up.pt . Applications cannot exceed 20 MB and the subject of the e-mail must contain the competition

The subject of the e-mail must contain the competition reference “ 2025_098_IJ_X-IAS ”.

The application must be formalized compulsorily by sending the following documents (all documents in English language):

− detailed Curriculum vitae (including academic training and professional career, a publication list (preferably with indication of the respective quartile according to the SJR), other relevant information in the context of the project research goals, and copies of certificates of academic degrees);

− copy of the eligibility certificates;

• Driving license;

− motivation letter (including a brief description of research experience, and the candidates’ most relevant achievements that have contributed to the development of the scientific area(s) for which this tender is open) − contact e-mail address and phone number

Applications that do not include all the elements previously indicated will not be considered .

• 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.