Research Scholarship (Master) - Projet OEIRAS (SOMINCOR)

Department of Landscape, Environment and Planning

Research Scholarship (Master) -1 position

1 of August of 2023

A call for tenders is open for 1 Scholarship (Master) within the scope of the project in the framework of the service provision Monitoring of bivalves in the Oeiras stream, under the following conditions:

Scientific area: Environmental Sciences and Ecology

Admission requirements:

1. Bachelor’s degree in biology or environmental Sciences, or in a related scientific area;
2. Master's degree in Ecology or in a related scientific area;
3. Experience in sampling native and invasive bivalves, namely in the application of different sampling techniques;
4. Experience in report writing, data analysis and dissemination of results;
5. Previous experience in monitoring the Guadiana basin;
6. Autonomy in the collection and handling of samples for biomonitoring, in field trips;
7. Mastery of advanced tools for data analysis and processing in ecology;
8. Valid driving license for category B vehicles (light cars) and own vehicle;
9. License granted by ICNF for capturing, handling, marking, sampling and transporting wildlife specimens, valid for the period of the scholarship;
10. Submission of a complete curriculum vitae, motivation letter, academic certificates / training and a letter of recommendation;
11. Portuguese as native language.

Preferred factors were:

• Previous experience in bivalve sampling;
• Availability to carry out field work with flexible hours;
• Spirit of mutual help and teamwork.

As set forth FCT Research Scholarship Regulation No. 950/2019 of December 16, 2019, article 3 and 6, candidates for “BI” (Research Grants) must comply as a rule condition for the award of the scholarship, the effective inclusion in study cycles leading to the attribution of academic degrees or in courses not leading to an academic degree. Courses that do not confer an academic degree correspond to the courses provided for in subparagraph e) of paragraph 3 of article 4 of Decree-Law No. 74/2006 of 24 March and must be developed in a higher education institution in association with at least one R&D unit, including a course plan in one or several research areas of the unit.

Work plan:

The objective of this work is the monitoring of bivalve populations in the Oeiras stream and upstream of the Neves-Corvo Mines area of influence, in order to assess the variation of these populations. It also aims to systematize the information collected in recent years.

The following works will be carried out:

1- Qualitative sampling to identify the presence/absence of species, followed by quantitative sampling to determine the abundance of each species and the characteristics of the population, identifying, and quantifying the presence of distinct microhabitats.

2- Mapping of the site, quantifying the extent of the submerged area, total length and width and maximum depth. Application of 3 indexes to obtain the morphological characterization of the sampling sites: QBR - riparian zone classification of river ecosystems, TG - determination of the geomorphological type of the riparian zone and GQC - determination of the degree of channel quality. For the physicochemical characterization of each site, variables such as temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, ph and turbidity will be measured.

3- Physic-chemical characterization of each site: measurement of variables such as temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, ph and turbidity.

4- Processing of samples in the field and in the laboratory (at the University of Évora).

5 - Data processing (at the University of Évora).

6 - Elaboration of the technical report.

Applicable legislation and regulations: The granting of the Research Scholarship will be carried out upon the signing of a contract between the University of Évora and the scholarship holder, as set in the template former.fct.pt/apoios/Minuta_Contrato_Bolsa.docx , pursuant to the Research Scholarship Statute (Law No. 40/2004 of August 18 and Decree-Law No. 123/2019 of August 28) and in accordance with the legislation and Regulation of Research Grants of the Foundation for Science and Technology, IP in force, regulation nº950/2019 of December 16, 2019: https://files.dre.pt/2s/2019/12/241000000/0009100105.pdf and other applicable rules.

Place of work: The work will be developed at the Department of Landscape, Environment and Planning of the University of Évora, under the scientific guidance of Professor Pedro Anastácio.

Duration of the scholarship: The scholarship will have a duration of 6 months, starting on October of 2023. The scholarship contract may be renewed until the end of the funding project's budget allocation for the provision of services.

Amount of monthly maintenance allowance: The amount of the scholarship corresponds to €1199,64, according to the table of scholarships awarded directly by FCT, I.P. in Portugal (https://www.fct.pt/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Tabela-de-Valores-SMM_2023.pdf), payments being made monthly, by check or bank transfer.

Selection methods: The selection methods to be used will be the following: Evaluation of curriculum and knowledge in Aquatic Ecology, with emphasis on freshwater invertebrate fauna. Evaluation based on a scoring system between 4 and 1 points (4= Excellent; 3= Good; 2= Average; 1= Questionable), assigned to each of the following criteria:

1- Academic background and respective degree in the field.

2- Classification obtained in the highest academic degree.

3- Knowledge of aquatic ecology, in the thematic area of the competition with emphasis on freshwater invertebrate fauna and experience in methods, experience with advanced tools for data analysis and processing in ecology.

4- Proficiency in the English language.

5- Curricular elements and previous experience in the field.

Composition of the Selection Jury:

President: Prof. Dr. Pedro Anastácio

1st Effective - Dr. Mafalda Gama

2nd Effective - Dr. Filipe Banha

1st Alternate - Prof. Dr. Pedro Santos

2nd Alternate - Prof. Dr. Carlos Pinto Gomes

Advertising/notification of results: The final results of the evaluation will be publicized, through an ordered list by final grade obtained posted in a visible and public place Landscape, Environment and Planning Department, being the candidate approved notified through email.

To ensure the right of prior hearing of interested parties, the Final Classification project will be announced by any written means to all interested parties.

After communicating the provisional list of the results of the evaluation, candidates have a period of 10 working days to express their opinion in a preliminary hearing of interested parties.

Application deadline and submission of applications: The tender is open from 8 to 25 of August 2023, and the results of the selection will be published by 31^st of August of 2023.

Applications must be formalized, obligatorily, by sending an application letter with the following documents: Curriculum Vitae, certificate of qualifications, motivation letter with a declaration of compliance with all the admission criteria indicated in the notice and other supporting documents considered relevant.

For the purposes of application, the evidence may be replaced by a declaration of honor signed by the candidate, but the failure to demonstrate that evidence, in the contracting phase, possession of the required degree on the deadline for application or the non-presentation of proof of enrollment in the study cycle or non-degree course, for scholarships with this component, imply the cancellation of the candidate's application.

Academic degrees obtained in foreign countries require registration by a Portuguese Institution in accordance with Decree-Law no. 66/2018, of August 16 and Ordinance No. 33/2019, of January 25th.

The presentation of the certificate is mandatory for the signing of the contract. More information can be obtained at: https://www.dges.gov.pt/pt/pagina/recognition?plid=374 

Applications must be sent by email to:

Prof. Doctor Pedro Anastácio

Dep.  of Landscape, Environment and Planning of the University of Évora

Rua Romão Ramalho, 59, 7000-671 Évora

e-mail: anast@uevora.pt