Within the scope of TWILIGHTED project, ARDITI (Agência Regional para o Desenvolvimento da Investigação, Tecnologia e Inovação) is seeking to recruit a Post-doctoral research fellow with a PhD degree in Marine Ecology, Marine Biology, Oceanography, or a related field, awarded within the last 36 months, under the following conditions:
Fellowship Reference:
ARDITI-TWILIGHTED-2024-002
Vacant posts: 1
Type of contract: Fellowship contract
Job country: Portugal
Job city: Funchal
Job Hiring company / Institute: ARDITI-Agência Regional para o Desenvolvimento da Investigação, Tecnologia e Inovação
Fellowship Host institution / institute: MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre R&D Unit in Madeira (MARE-Madeira)
Main research field: Marine Ecology
Sub-research field: Mesophotic and deep sea ecology
Job description:
TWILIGHTED is a groundbreaking Horizon Europe Twinning project that seeks to revolutionize deep-sea research, development and innovation (RD&I) in Portugal, ultimately benefiting all of Europe. Collaborating closely with the prestigious European institutions of GEOMAR (Germany) and NTNU (Norway), TWILIGHTED aims to transform ARDITI (Madeira, Portugal) into a global hub for deep-sea RD&I. Focusing on the challenging Mesophotic Zone (40-200m) and the enigmatic Twilight Zone (200-1,000m), and capitalizing on Madeira's unique proximity to deep waters, TWILIGHTED will help accelerate our global understanding of the ocean and its essential role in sustaining life on earth. This call is open under the Funding of the TWILIGHTED project (Grant Agreement 101158714), C.3 – Widening Participation, funded by the European Research Executive Agency (REA) under the powers delegated by the European Commission.
Within the scope of this project, ARDITI (Agência Regional para o Desenvolvimento da Investigação, Tecnologia e Inovação) is seeking to recruit a Post-doctoral research fellow with a PhD degree in Marine Ecology, Marine Biology, Oceanography, or a related field, awarded within the last 36 months.
The successful candidate is expected to join MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre R&D Unit in Madeira (MARE-Madeira) in October 2024.
Admission Requirements:
The ideal candidate will have a valid PhD Degree (obtained within 36 months prior to the application deadline) in Marine Biology/Ecology, Marine Sciences or equivalent. The candidates are expected to have previous experience in (but not exclusively):
- Use of low-cost marine research technologies;
- Ecological surveys and data collection in mesophotic and/or deep-sea environments;
- Underwater imaging and analysis;
- Acoustic mapping (e.g. multi beam. side scan sonar, imaging sonar);
- Bioinformatics and ecological data analysis;
- Fieldwork in challenging marine environments, including research cruise expeditions;
- Collaborative research and knowledge exchange with international teams;
- Scientific writing (previous track record);
- Demonstrated ability to work independently;
- Fluent knowledge (spoken and written) of the English language;
- Strong communication and collaboration skills.
If the degree was awarded by a foreign higher education institution, that degree must comply with the provisions of Decreto-Lei no. 66/2018 of 16th August (approves the legal regime for the recognition of foreign higher academic degrees) and Portaria no. 33/2019 of 25th January, and all formalities established therein must be complied with up to the date of hire.
Workplan:
The selected fellow will assist in the development and investigation of activities related to (but not exclusively):
- Conduct ecological research in the Mesophotic and Twilight Zones, utilizing low-cost technologies;
- Participate in joint research missions, including research cruises collecting and analyzing ecological data;
- Contribute to the development and implementation of innovative research methodologies;
- Engage in knowledge exchange activities with project partners and other stakeholders;
- Organize, contribute and participate in training schools, workshops, and conferences, including the International Twilighted Conference;
- Publish research findings in high-impact scientific journals and present at international conferences;
- Contribute to local and digital outreach efforts related to the project.
Scientific guidance and workplace:
The work will be coordinated by Dr João Canning Clode at the Madeira Unit of MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre (MARE-Madeira), ARDITI, Madeira Island (Portugal).
Duration:
Maximum duration of 36 months (renewed every 12 months) or to the full duration of the project.
Monthly fellowship subsidy:
ARDITI fellowship stipend is 1.801,00€/month, according to the table of fellowships values determined by the ARDITI (https://cloud.arditi.pt/index.php/s/89WjkokAigiFsTi?dir=undefined&path=%2FBolsas&openfile=24051256).
The fellowship stipend will be paid monthly through bank wire. Personal accident insurance is included with the fellowship. If desired, the fellowship holder can join the voluntary social insurance scheme (SSV), the payment of which will be borne by the contracting institution.
Applicable legislation and regulations:
The fellowship is awarded under the terms of Law nº40/2004, of 18 August (Statute of Scientific Research Scholarship) and Regulation of Fellowships and Research of ARDITI-Agência Regional para o Desenvolvimento da Investigação, Tecnologia e Inovação in force:
https://cloud.arditi.pt/index.php/s/89WjkokAigiFsTi?dir=undefined&path=%2FBolsas&openfile=24051256
Estimated contract start date: October 1st 2024.
Evaluation criteria:
The following evaluation criteria will be applied:
FS = QA + EP + IN
FS – Final Score
The sum of Qualifications, Experience and Interview scores (if applicable) to a maximum of 45 points
QA – Qualifications
- Maximum score of 10 points: PhD Degree in a field of relevance (e.g. Marine Ecology, Marine Biology, Oceanography, or a related field).
EP – Experience
- Maximum Score of 25 points as follows:
|
Description |
Max. Score (points) |
|
Use of low-cost marine research technologies |
4 |
|
Ecological surveys and data collection in mesophotic and deep-sea environments |
4 |
|
Underwater imaging and analysis |
4 |
|
Acoustic mapping (e.g. multi beam, side scan sonar, imaging sonar) |
3 |
|
Bioinformatics and ecological data analysis |
2 |
|
Fieldwork in challenging marine environments, including research cruise expeditions |
2 |
|
Collaborative research and knowledge exchange with international teams |
2 |
|
Scientific writing (previous track record |
2 |
|
Demonstrated ability to work independently |
1 |
|
Fluent knowledge (spoken and written) of the English language |
0,5 |
|
Strong communication and collaboration skills |
0,5 |
|
Total |
25 |
Composition of the Selection Jury:
Dr. João Canning-Clode (MARE-Madeira, ARDITI)
Dr. João Gama Monteiro (MARE-Madeira, University of Madeira)
Dr. Marko Radeta (MARE-Madeira, University of Madeira)
Application contents:
- Motivation Letter (emphasizing the candidate’s adequacy to each evaluation criteria);
- Curriculum Vitae;
- PhD Degree certificate*
* If the degree was awarded by a foreign higher education institution, that degree must comply with the provisions of Decreto-Lei no. 66/2018 of 16th August (approves the legal regime for the recognition of foreign higher academic degrees) and Portaria no. 33/2019 of 25th January, and all formalities established therein must be complied with up to the date of hire.
Application submission and deadline:
All applications must be sent by e-mail to
The period for receiving applications runs from the 18th of July 2024 to the 11th of August 2024 (17:00h/Lisbon Time).
The subject of the email should be ARDITI-TWILIGHTED-2024-002
Application deadline: 11th of August 2024 (17:00h/Lisbon Time).
Announcement of the results:
The final evaluation results will be sent to all candidates via email through a list ordered by the final score obtained.
Complaint and appeal procedures:
According to ARDITI Regulation, if wanting, after receiving the final evaluation results, the applicant has a period of 10 working days after the notification to contest under the terms provided for in the Portuguese administrative Procedure Code (Código do Procedimento Administrativo). The candidate shall respond, in writing, to
Organization contact data:
ARDITI - Agência Regional para o Desenvolvimento da Investigação, Tecnologia e Inovação
Edif. Madeira Tecnopolo, Piso 2
Caminho da Penteada
9020-105 Funchal
Portugal
tel. +351 291 721 220
Email:
Websites: http://www.arditi.pt and https://mare-madeira.pt
Notes:
- The selection process will be based on the principle of non-discrimination with respect to gender, age, nationality, religion, racial group, or any other possible discriminatory issue. Selection will be made only based on merit and following the European Charter for Researchers, the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers (Commission Recommendation, Brussels, 11.3.2005, 2005/251/EC) and the recommendations from the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA).
- ARDITI is a recognized "refugee welcoming organization" by the European Commission, follows the European Charter for Researchers and welcomes applications from all qualified individuals.
- The deadline for application may be extended at any time without previous notice, having in mind the requirements for the positions under this call.