CCMAR​/BINCGAM​/Research Fellowship; M​/F | Biochemisty, Biotechnology and Microbiology

Research Fellowship (M/F) in Biochemistry, Biotechnology and Microbiology

The Centro de Ciências do Mar do Algarve (CCMAR) opens one (01) Research Fellowship for a person with a Master Degree in the scientific area of Biochemistry, Biotechnology and Microbiology or a related area. The fellowship is eligible to candidates of any nationality, including stateless persons and beneficiaries of the political refugee status, within the scope of the research project PD25-00024, designated by SAL+: "Biotecnologia aplicada a valorização da salicultura tradicional (SAL+)" funded by the Fundación Bancaria Caixa d' Estalvis I Pensions de Barcelona, through the Promove Program, under the following conditions:

1. Host and Contracting Institution: CCMAR

This fellowship is intended for master's degree holders that are enrolled in a non-academic degree course, integrated in the educational project of a higher education institution, and developed in association or cooperation with one or more R&D units at the starting date of the fellowship.

2. Work Plan, Tasks and Objectives:

• Identify the biological system of 7 targeted salt production systems using molecular approaches.
• Conduct a comparative analysis of the biological systems in the 7 targeted salt production systems to determine the variability in plankton and benthic populations.
• Integrate the results of molecular analysis from the 7 salt production systems and sea salt/flor de sal with physicochemical and quality analysis.
• Obtain the necessary licenses and establish procedures (Nagoya protocol), to collect and exploit microorganisms from the Castro Marim Salinas.
• Conduct genome sequencing of microorganisms and bioinformatics analysis.

3. Scientific Supervisor:
Professor Deborah Power, Full Professor at Algarve University and Group Leader at CCMAR.

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

5. Requirements for the application:

• A Master diploma in Biotechnology or related areas.
• Previous work experience in a scientific research laboratory.
• Demonstrated capacity in marine and environmental microbiology and techniques for the isolation and characterization of marine bacteria.
• Knowledge in molecular biology techniques for nucleic acid analysis (DNA/RNA extraction, PCR) and bioinformatics and metagenomics.
• Good knowledge of written and spoken English.
• Have initiative and motivation to work as part of a team and independently.
• Speak fluent Portuguese and English and have a clean driver's license and be willing to collaborate in stakeholder engagement.

Non-compliance justifies exclusion from the procedure.

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

• Final mark of the MSc (35 %).
• Demonstration of previous work experience in a scientific research laboratory in the general area of the project (15%).
• Demonstrated capacity in marine and environmental microbiology and associated techniques (20%).
• Demonstrated capacity of molecular biology techniques and bioinformatics and metagenomics (15%).
• Speak fluent Portuguese and English and demonstrate good knowledge of written and spoken English (10%).
• Hold a clean driver's license (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 reservation…