CCMAR​/BPD​/Post-Doctoral Fellowship; M​/F | Global Changes, Biochesmistry, Oceanography

Post-Doctoral Fellowship

The Centro de Ciências do Mar do Algarve (CCMAR) opens one (01) vacancy for a postdoctoral fellowship (BPD) in the scientific area of Global Changes, Biochemistry, Oceanography or related area, eligible to candidates of any nationality, including stateless persons and beneficiaries of the political refugee status, within the scope of the research project .RESTART, designated by MAFIHA – "Microplastics From Atmospheric Fallout :
Impacts at high altitudes" funded by the Foundation for Science and Technology, under the following conditions:

Host and Contracting Institution: CCMAR

Work Plan, Tasks and Objectives:

• The main activities of the candidate during the 3 months of the fellowship will consist of extracting microplastic particles from snow samples and analyse them for their classification into different types of plastics (see e.g. Sánchez del Río, 2022), following the methodology already implemented since the start of project.
• Main tasks are divided into:
  Task
  1. Filtration of snow samples. Whenever necessary, a preliminary step of density separation will be performed. Task
  2. Digestion of the samples using hydrogen peroxide;
  Task
  3. Observation and identification of potential microplastic particles under a magnifier;
  Task
  4. Analysis of a selected amount of particles for micro-FTIR analysis;
  Task
  5. Classification of particles into different polymer types using an R code already provided, but with the possibility to be improved.

Scientific Supervisor:
Professor Maria Clara Costa, group leader, Professor at the University of Algarve and CCMAR member.

Workplace:
The place of work is at CCMAR (Campus Gambelas, Universidade do Algarve, Faro, Portugal) and other places necessary for the competition of the work plan.

Requirements for the application:
The Candidates must meet the following conditions: 1. PhD certificate in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Marine Biology, or related, obtained in the three years prior to the date of submission of this application;
2. Elementary knowledge of data analysis (e.g. Microsoft Excel); 3. Proven knowledge on microplastic extraction processes (density separation, oxidation with chemical reagents); 4. Experience observing microplastic particles under a magnifier or microscope;
5. Good communication skills in English and/or Portuguese;
6. Candidates who have carried out research work leading to a doctoral degree at CCMAR as host institution are not eligible; 7. The candidates must comply with Article 3 of the CCMAR Scholarship Regulations, 7. here. This will be confirmed in the Curriculum Vitae.

Non-compliance justifies exclusion from the procedure.

It is considered as an advantage: a) Experience programming in R language; b) Experience using a micro-FTIR for microplastic analysis.

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

• a) CV demonstrating the adequacy of the candidate to the profile of the fellowship, particularly previous experience in microplastic analysis (40%)
• b) Motivation Letter (20%);
• c) Good organization and management skills (15%);
• d) Fluency in English (good oral and written communication skills (10%);
• e) Experience using micro – FTIR (10%);
• f) Experience programming in R language (5%).

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 event 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 post to the next applicant in accordance with the ranking positions based on the selectable…