Offer Description
Aquaculture Technician – S2AQUAcoLAB
S2AQUAcoLAB/Ref_10/2025
S2AQUA – Collaborative Laboratory, Association for Sustainable and Intelligent Aquaculture (S2AQUAcoLAB) opens a recruitment and selection competition for 1 candidate (M/F), with a Degree, to support to support animal production activities in aquaculture, taking into account the project’s objectives.
Supported by AQUA4ALL – Microalgae for bioremediation of effluents from aquaculture recirculation systems and value-added products, PITD financing program, Algarve, FEDER fund, (Operation code 14423), financed by the Algarve 2030 / Portugal 2030 Program, co-financed by the European Union.
1. Intended profile
- A Degree in Aquaculture, Biology, Marine Sciences or a related field;
- Experience in marine aquaculture, preferably with recirculation systems (RAS);
- Experience in carrying out in vivo tests with marine organisms;
- Experience in biological sampling, treatment and analysis of experimental data;
- Practical knowledge of maintaining and operating RAS systems, including cleaning and checking equipment;
- Laboratory experience in carrying out biochemical analysis (fish and water samples);
- Availability to work flexible hours, including holidays and weekends, as required by the experimental activities.
2. Tasks
The work program involves performing duties in the aquaculture area, in the S2AQUA laboratories and, in particular, providing support for the following activities:
- Supporting the maintenance and operation of recirculation systems (RAS) in a research environment;
- Sample collection and monitoring of RAS effluents, ensuring compliance with defined protocols;
- Support for conducting in vivo trials with fish, including handling, feeding, parameter monitoring and data collection;
- Carrying out biochemical analyses related to animal welfare and water and effluent quality;
- Treatment of experimental data and support in the preparation of technical and scientific reports;
- Collaboration with the research team in the implementation and optimization of experimental protocols.
3.Additional requirements
- Be highly motivated, demonstrate autonomy and the ability to propose new approaches;
- Experience in developing and/or supporting scientific research projects, preferably in the context of aquaculture or marine biotechnology;
- Ability to work collaboratively with research institutes and project partners;
- Team spirit, adaptability and good interpersonal communication skills;
- Autonomy and proactivity.
4. Remuneration
The gross monthly remuneration will be according to the TRU 16 – € 1,442.57.
5. Type and duration of the contract
The contract is fixed-term with a duration of 12 months on an exclusive basis (with possible renewals through the Labour Code), with a later agreement with the candidate.
6. Supervision and Place where the activity will take place
The activities will be developed under the guidance of Cátia Marques Ph.D.,Scientific Coordinator of S2AQUAcoLAB.
The activities will be developed at the facilities of S2AQUAcoLAB, headquartered at Estação Piloto de Piscicultura de Olhão, Av. do Parque Natural da Ria Formosa, s/n, 8700-194 Olhão, Portugal.
7.Application
The contest is open between July 4th and 11:59 pm of July 21st, 2025.
Only applications submitted directly and necessarily by email to geral@s2aquacolab.pt with reference to S2AQUAcoLAB/Ref_10/2025 will be accepted.
Each candidate may submit only one application, under penalty of cancellation of all applications submitted.
The application must include the documents mentioned in point 7.1.
The provision of false statements or the performance of acts of plagiarism is grounds for cancellation of the candidacy, without prejudice to the adoption of other sanctioning measures.
The following may apply for this call:
A. National citizens or citizens of other Member States of the European Union;
B. Nationals of third countries;
To compete, it is necessary:
C. Reside in Portugal permanently and habitually;
7.1Application Admissibility Requirements
It is indispensable, under penalty of non-admission of the candidacy:
D. Detailed curriculum vitae of the candidate;
E. Motivation letter;
F. Permanent residence certificate, permanent residence permit or long-term resident status, if applicable;
G. Documents proving the required conditions, namely certificates of qualifications indicating the degree obtained and the final classification, and recognized by a Portuguese university if it was obtained abroad;
E. Copy of citizen card (in case of placement – to be sent later).
8. Composition of the jury
The jury of the competition is made up of the following members:
President: Cátia Marques, Scientific Coordinator – S2AQUAcoLAB;
1st Effective Member: Pedro Pousão Ferreira, President of the Board – S2AQUAcoLAB;
2nd Effective Member: Florbela Soares, Researcher – S2AQUAcoLAB;
1st Alternate Member: Renata Gonçalves, Researcher – S2AQUAcoLAB;
2nd Alternate Member: Iris Silva, Researcher– S2AQUAcoLAB.
9. Selection methods and criteria
Applications considered admissible will be scored from zero (0 minimum classification) to twenty (20 maximum classification).
Admission to the competition: all candidates who meet the requirements defined in this notice will be admitted to the competition.
Evaluation method: candidates will be evaluated by curricular evaluation (AC) (100%). An interview will only be held if the jury deems it necessary or in case of a tie (E).
9.1 Curriculum evaluation (AC)
The curricular evaluation (CA) will be quantitatively expressed from 0 to 20 values corresponding to the addition of the values obtained in the following objective criteria:
AC = 0.35 × A + 0.65 × B
where:
A – Evaluates the academic merit of the candidate based on the academic degree (MANDATORY) (0-20 values);
B – Evaluates previous experience to perform the required functions, in accordance with:
- Experience in maintenance and operation of RAS systems (including cleaning, feeding, monitoring, etc.) (0-4 points);
- Experience in carrying out in vivo tests with marine fish (0-4 points);
- Experience in collecting and processing experimental data (0-4 points);
- Experience in RAS effluent sampling and monitoring procedures (0-4 points);
- Knowledge and experience in data analysis, report writing and dissemination of results (0-4 points).
9.2. Interview
Based on the Curriculum Evaluation, a ranking of candidates will be carried out.
If the jury deems it necessary or in case of a tie, the interview will be held.
The interview will be carried out in person or by videoconference, corresponding to the addition of the values obtained in the following criteria:
a) Knowledge about the areas covered by the project;
b) Verbal expression and fluency;
c) Ability to adapt and integrate to work in a team;
d) Motivation;
e) Autonomy;
These criteria will be graded from zero to twenty, with the total interview resulting from the sum of the criteria to be divided by five (0 to 20 points).
9.3 3 Final Classification
The final classification of each candidate will be decided by a simple majority of the members of the jury.
All candidates admitted to the competition will be ranked in an orderly manner by the classification awarded by the jury, based on the CA.
If it is necessary to perform E, the final classification (CF) will be obtained by the weighted sum of the curricular evaluation (AC) – with a weight of 40% – and the interview (E) – with a weight of 60%.
CF = 0.4 × AC + 0.6 × E
The jury of the competition will hold the necessary meetings to obtain a final decision, documenting in minutes the procedures used, as well as all the elements deemed relevant for the construction of the final decision.
If there are no merit applications, the jury may decide not to award the application.
10. Communication of results
The results of the evaluation are disclosed by e-mail address, up to 90 working days after the deadline for submission of application.
Candidates have a period of 10 working days, after the announcement of the results, to make their opinion, whether they want to or not, in a prior hearing of interested parties, under the terms provided for in the Code of Administrative Procedure.
The final decision must be taken within a maximum period of 60 working days, after the conclusion of the prior hearing of interested parties.
The provisions of the preceding paragraphs shall not apply where the decision-making process leads to the award of the post to all candidates, in which case the said procedure shall be equivalent to the final decision.
11. Approval
After the conclusion of the hearing process of interested parties and its appreciation by the jury of the competition, the final decision of the jury will be proposed for approval by the Board of Directors of S2AQUAcoLAB.
12. S2AQUAcoLAB Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunities Policy
No candidate may be privileged, benefited, prejudiced or deprived of any rights or exempt from any claim as to descent, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, economic situation, origin, social economy, genetic inheritance, disability, chronic illness, nationality, ethnicity, territory of origin, language, religion, politics, ideology or union membership.
This notice was approved by the members of the jury on July 21, 2025.
Where to apply
E-mail: geral@s2aquacolab.pt