Offer Description
A competition is open for the attribution of 1 Research Grant in the context of the project “Toxicological assessment of nitrosamines in urban water cycle: multi omics strategies to elucidate exposure risks for public and environmental health”, with the reference 2023.14587.PEX (https://doi.org/10.54499/2023.14587.PEX.), within the R&D Institutions CIIMAR (Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research), supported by FCT, according to the following conditions:
- Scientific area: Environmental Sciences
- Admission requirements:
Bs. Sc. degree in Environmental Sciences or related fields, with a rating ≥13.
Demonstrated expertise and experience in (eco)toxicology and/or environmental sciences, as well as prior contact with one or more of the following topics:
a) Water quality risk assessment;
b) Bioassays using OECD protocols and Danio rerio animal model;
c) Chemical analysis of water matrices;
d) Metabolomics or transcriptomics analysis.
The candidate must be enrolled in a master’s degree in Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Environmental Sciences, or related fields or in a non-degree course integrated in the educational project of a higher education institution, developed in association or cooperation with one or several R&D units. If the applicant is not yet enrolled, it must meet the requirements to register; enrolment will be mandatory and proof necessary only at the moment of scholarship contracting.
Preference will be given to candidates enrolled in a master’s degree with an interest in developing their master thesis within the scope of the project.
Note: In the case of enrolment in courses that do not confer academic degree, the research grant can only be awarded to those who do not exceed, with the signing of the research grant contract in question, including possible renewals, an accumulated period of two years in this type of grant, consecutive or interpolated.
Academic degrees awarded by a foreign higher education institution must comply with the provisions of Decree-Law no. 66/2018 of 16th August, which approves the legal regime of recognition of academic degrees and diplomas of Higher Education, attributed by foreign higher education institutions, being any formalities established therein fulfilled only by the date of the contracting act.
Candidates are expected to be highly self-motivated individuals, who enjoy working as part of a collaborative team on challenging projects. Strong communication (fluency in English) and teamwork skills are essential.
- Work plan:
The selected candidate will join the Endocrine Disruptors and Emerging Contaminants team in CIIMAR – Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, under the scientific supervision of Dr. Raquel Chaves. The selected candidate will join a project that interrogates the health implication of the exposure to target nitrosamines presented in water matrices. The candidate will assist the scientific activities of the project and will give technical support and analyse the data generated throughout the project. This will include bioassays using Danio rerio animal model, metabolomic analysis, sampling campaigns and chemical characterizations of different waters matrices.
- Legislation and official rules:
Law nº. 40/2004, 18th August (Research Fellowship and Studentship Regulation) in its current version; Regulations for Studentships and Fellowships of the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P. and CIIMAR Grants Regulation approved by FCT.
- Work place:
The work will be carried out at CIIMAR, Edifício do Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208 Matosinhos, integrated in the Endocrine Disruptors and Emerging Contaminants team, under the coordination of Dr. Raquel Chaves.
- Duration of the contract:
Duration of 6 (six) months, eventually renewed, with a provisional start on August 2025, under the regime of exclusive dedication.
- Monthly salary:
The monthly maintenance allowance is 1 040,98 € (One thousand, forty euros and ninety-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/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Tabela_valores_SMM_2025.p…. Payment will be made by bank transfer. In addition to this allowance, the grantee will be covered by a personal accident insurance.
- Selection methods:
The ranking of candidates will be done based on the evaluation of the Curriculum Vitae (EC) performed according to the following criteria:
EC = [70%AQ+30%PE]
- AQ: Academic qualification relevant for the scientific area.
- PE: Professional Experience
The evaluation process may include an interview with the first three graders scored higher than 7 out of 10, which is intended to clarify aspects related to the results of their research, in which case the interview weighs 40% and the previous evaluation weighs 60%.
- Composition of the jury selection:
President of the jury: Raquel Chaves
Vogal: Miguel Santos
Vogal: Teresa Neuparth
- Form of advertising/notification of results:
The final results 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; After the announcement of the results, candidates are considered automatically notified to, if they wish to do so, comment on the results on a preliminary hearing period within 10 working days after that date, as provided for in the Código do Procedimento Administrativo. The jury reserves the right to not assign the grant depending on the quality of the applications.
In case of resignation or withdrawal of the selected candidate, the next candidate with the highest evaluation score will be notified immediately.
- Deadline for application and presentation of applications:
The competition is open from 2nd until 22th of July, 2025. The applications must be formalized, compulsorily, by sending the following documents:
- detailed Curriculum vitae in English;
- past research and academic activities and its relevance to the current project explained in a motivation letter written in English;
- evidence of enrolment in a master program or non-academic degree course, if applicable. Alternatively, the candidate’s declaration of honour attesting the commitment to enrol in a Master Program or a non-academic degree Course integrated in the educational project of a Higher Education Institution, if selected for the scholarship and accepted the award. Proof of enrolment in a master or a non-academic degree Course integrated in the educational project of a Higher Education Institution is mandatory at the moment of scholarship contracting;
- It is also mandatory the presentation of certificates (copy) of the previous academic degrees, specifying the final classification. If they do not yet have the official degree certificate (e.g. integrated master degree), a declaration of honour from the candidate stating that he/she has completed the qualifications required by the end of the application period, will be accepted. At the time of the respective hiring the candidate must present the official degree certificate;
- For degrees obtained abroad, proof of recognition of academic degrees assigned by foreign higher education institutions and registration of the conversion of the final classification (GPA) to the Portuguese classification scale. Alternatively, the candidate’s declaration of honour attesting to the request for recognition of degrees may be included;
- Candidate contact: e-mail address and phone number.
The applications cannot exceed 20 MB and must be sent by e-mail to: rh@ciimar.up.pt and rchaves@ciimar.up.pt , with the reference “2025_028_BI_NITROTOX” in the subject line. The applications that do not include all the elements previously indicated will not be considered.
Non-discrimination and equal access policy: CIIMAR actively promotes a non-discrimination and equal access policy, wherefore no candidate can be privileged, benefited, impaired or deprived of any rights whatsoever, or be exempt of any duties based on their ancestry, age, sex, sexual preference, marital status, family and economic conditions, instruction, origin or social conditions, genetic heritage, reduced work capacity, disability, chronic illness, nationality, ethnic origin or race, origin territory, language, religion, political or ideological convictions and union membership.
Pursuant to Decree-Law no. 29/2001 of 3 February, disabled candidates shall be preferred in a situation of equal classification, and said preference supersedes any legal preferences. Candidates must declare, on their honour, their respective disability degree, type of disability and communication/expression means to be used during selection period on their application form, under the regulations above.
Where to apply
E-mail: rh@ciimar.up.pt
Bs. Sc. degree in Environmental Sciences or related fields, with a rating ≥13.
Demonstrated expertise and experience in (eco)toxicology and/or environmental sciences, as well as prior contact with one or more of the following topics:
a) Water quality risk assessment;
b) Bioassays using OECD protocols and Danio rerio animal model;
c) Chemical analysis of water matrices;
d) Metabolomics or transcriptomics analysis.
The candidate must be enrolled in a master’s degree in Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Environmental Sciences, or related fields or in a non-degree course integrated in the educational project of a higher education institution, developed in association or cooperation with one or several R&D units. If the applicant is not yet enrolled, it must meet the requirements to register; enrolment will be mandatory and proof necessary only at the moment of scholarship contracting.
Preference will be given to candidates enrolled in a master’s degree with an interest in developing their master thesis within the scope of the project.
Note: In the case of enrolment in courses that do not confer academic degree, the research grant can only be awarded to those who do not exceed, with the signing of the research grant contract in question, including possible renewals, an accumulated period of two years in this type of grant, consecutive or interpolated.
Academic degrees awarded by a foreign higher education institution must comply with the provisions of Decree-Law no. 66/2018 of 16th August, which approves the legal regime of recognition of academic degrees and diplomas of Higher Education, attributed by foreign higher education institutions, being any formalities established therein fulfilled only by the date of the contracting act.
Candidates are expected to be highly self-motivated individuals, who enjoy working as part of a collaborative team on challenging projects. Strong communication (fluency in English) and teamwork skills are essential.
Additional Information
Benefits
Duration of the contract:
Duration of 6 (six) months, eventually renewed, with a provisional start on August 2025, under the regime of exclusive dedication.
Monthly salary:
The monthly maintenance allowance is 1 040,98 € (One thousand, forty euros and ninety-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/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Tabela_valores_SMM_2025.pdf Payment will be made by bank transfer. In addition to this allowance, the grantee will be covered by a personal accident insurance.
Selection process
- Selection methods:
The ranking of candidates will be done based on the evaluation of the Curriculum Vitae (EC) performed according to the following criteria:
EC = [70%AQ+30%PE]
- AQ: Academic qualification relevant for the scientific area.
- PE: Professional Experience.
The evaluation process may include an interview with the first three graders scored higher than 7 out of 10, which is intended to clarify aspects related to the results of their research, in which case the interview weighs 40% and the previous evaluation weighs 60%.
Website for additional job details: https://www.ciimar.up.pt/jobs/
