A competition is open for the attribution of a Research Scholarship for BSc holders (BI-Lic) in the framework of the project “NASCEM – Novel eco-friendly antifouling strategies based on cyanobacterial bioactive metabolites”, with the reference PTDC/BTA-BTA/31422/2017 (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-031422), financed by Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, COMPETE2020 and PORTUGAL2020, according to the following conditions:

1. Scientific area: Biological Sciences

2. Admission requirements: The candidates are required to hold a BSc degree in a subject related to Biological Sciences. All nationalities are welcome to apply (subject to visa restrictions). Applicants should be proficient in English. No knowledge of Portuguese is required.

In addition, candidates should have excellent academic credentials, have willingness for team work and be highly motivated and committed to work in the field of marine natural products discovery, biological activity assays, and molecular mode of action assessment.

3. Work plan: The selected candidates will join our team under the NASCEM project. The ultimate goal of this project is to contribute to the development of novel eco-friendly antifouling paints based on natural bioactive metabolites produced by cyanobacteria. The project integrates bioassay-guided discovery of antifouling bioactive natural products, ecotoxicity assessment of bioactive compounds, molecular mode of action analysis of the most promising compounds in biofouling target species, and incorporation of bioactive products in paint matrices to in situ testing.

4. Legislation and official rules: Law n.º 40/2004, 18th August (Research Fellowship and Studentship Regulation) amended and republished by Decree-Law n.º 202/2012, 27th August; Regulations for Studentships and Fellowships of the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P. and CIIMAR Grants Regulation.

5. Work place: The selected candidate will be working under the supervision of Dr. Joana Reis Almeida at the Blue Biotechnology and Ecotoxicology research group at CIIMAR (University of Porto). The laboratory is situated at CIIMAR’s headquarters, in the modern Cruise Ship Terminal of the Leixões Harbour, in Matosinhos. The selected candidate will work in a multidisciplinary environment strongly connected to the Sea and will have access to state-of-the-art analytical instrumentation and modern laboratory facilities.

6. Duration of the grant: The position has the duration of six months, under the regime of exclusive dedication, and can be renewed for periods not larger than 15 months up to the project deadline (31 Ago 2021). The position is anticipated to start in January 2020.

7. Monthly maintenance stipend: The monthly maintenance allowance is 752,38€ (seven hundred and fifty two Euros and thity eight cents), in agreement with the monthly maintenance stipend table of the grants directly attributed by FCT, I.P. within the country (https://www.fct.pt/apoios/bolsas/valores.phtml.pt)

8. Selection methods: A global assessment of the candidates will be carried out by evaluation of scientific and curricular achievements, as well as their perceived motivation to undertake the project, and valued (1 to 10 values). A pre-selection of up to three of the best candidates will be performed after the application deadline and communicated to the applicants. One or both of the referees indicated by these shortlisted candidates can be contacted to provide reference letters. The jury may propose one of the shortlisted applicants directly for the position or shortlisted applicants may also be called for an interview if necessary. The jury will take into account the scientific and curricular achievements related to project subjects and motivation (90%), aligned if necessary with recommendation by referees and the performance in the interview (10%). The position may not be awarded if the expected candidate quality is not met.

9. Composition of the jury:

President of the jury: Joana Reis Almeida, PhD

Vogal: Ralph Urbatzka, PhD

Vogal: Mariana Reis, PhD

10. Form of Advertising/notification of the results: The final results of the first step of the evaluation will be published through a list sorting the candidates according to their attributed mark, on the CIIMAR website and by e-mail; in case of disagreement, the candidates have a 10-working day term in which to contest the decision, if he/she so wishes, as provided for in the Código do Procedimento Administrativo in a preliminary hearing setting. The final results of the shortlisted applicants will be published on the CIIMAR website and communicated by e-mail. The jury reserves the right to not assign the grants depending on the quality of the applications.

11. Deadline for application and presentation of applications: candidates interested in this position are encouraged to apply from 18^th until 29^th November 2019, by sending: i) copy of the eligibility certificates and academic transcripts, ii) a CV with a list of up to two referees (name, e-mail and position), iii) a short (one-page) description of your past achievements, research interests and motivation to undertake this position. The application documents and any specific informal inquiries should be addressed to Dr. Joana Reis Almeida (jalmeida@ciimar.up.pt) with CC to mgalvao@ciimar.up.pt with NASCEM_BI-Lic_2019-053 in the subject line.