Position: MSc holder technician

Reference: BIOPOLIS 2025-07

Main research field: Landscape Architecture, Biological Sciences (Ecology), or related scientific fields

1. One non-fixed-term work contract to a MSc holder research technician (Reference BIOPOLIS 2025-07) is available at CIBIO-InBIO, through Associação BIOPOLIS, with an expected duration of 2 years, to support activities of scientific research and knowledge transfer within the project “Invited Chair in Education for Biodiversity Conservation”, a project funded by Fundação Belmiro de Azevedo (FBA) and Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT) and awarded to the University of Porto after applying to the FCT Invited Chairs programme. The project aims to develop research lines that deepen, add, and demonstrate the necessary foundational knowledge to implement the project of the Arboretum at Tapada da Amora, Vairão, Vila do Conde, focused on three main pillars: i) conservation of the genetic heritage of reference native woodlands; ii) creation and restoration of habitats; and iii) promotion of environmental literacy.

The candidate is expected to have a background in horticulture and will conduct work related with the implementation of a tree nursery nearby Tapada da Amora, along with IT documentation and management of plant collections. This work will include: i) conducting fieldwork to reference native woodlands in Portugal to check native plant material quality; ii) performing plant surveys and data analysis; iii) collecting native plant material in the form of propagules, seeds, or cuttings; and iv) establishing, propagating, and studying collected native plant material in a greenhouse setting for subsequent in situ planting at Tapada da Amora. The selected candidate is also expected to participate in writing technical reports, science communication materials for the general public, and scientific publications to be submitted to indexed journals. Working at Associação BIOPOLIS offers an opportunity to be part of an international and multidisciplinary team engaged in advancing knowledge in conservation biodiversity, and in the creation and restoration of native habitats. The candidate will be well-integrated into this collaborative and innovative research environment.

2. Applicable Legislation: Portuguese Labour Code, approved by Law 7/2009 of February 12, in its actual form.

3. The selection panel will be formed by: Catarina Patoilo Teixeira, PhD (President of the selection panel); Paulo Farinha Marques, PhD; and Ana Campilho, PhD.

4. The work will be primarily conducted at Associação BIOPOLIS/CIBIO – Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Rua Padre Armando Quintas nº7 | 4485-661 Vairão, PORTUGAL, but fieldwork is planned in Portugal.

5. The gross monthly salary corresponds to Level 16 of the Consolidated Table of Allowances (TRU) 1.442,56Euros € before tax.

6. Application can be submitted by candidates of any nationality holding a MSc degree in Landscape Architecture, Biological Sciences (Ecology), or related scientific fields. The candidate’s scientific and professional curriculum profile must be suited for the position. In case the degree was awarded by a non-Portuguese higher education institution it must comply with the provisions of Decreto-Lei n. º 66/2018, de 16 de Agosto, and all formalities established therein must be complied with at the signature of work contract.

 7. The tender admission general requirements are those defined in the previous point 6, and additional specific requirements are:

• Know-how on Portuguese native flora and ecosystems;
• Basic capacities to taxonomic identification of plants;
• Proven experience related to plant seminal or vegetative propagation, in at least one of the following items:
  • horticultural practices, including plant care, soil management, and irrigation techniques;
  • collecting plant material (seeds, shoots for clonal propagation, etc.);
  • seed germination techniques;
  • stablishment of vegetative cuttings;
  • plant-grafting techniques;
  • plant-care techniques.
• Basic understanding of the principles of phytosanitary control.

The candidate should be able to work well within a team and have excellent English and communication skills. Furthermore, it is expected that the candidate possesses strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.

8. Evaluation criteria are the following: The evaluation of the CV of the candidates will focus on the adequacy of previous work experience within the scope of the call (point 1). The following criteria will be used:

  8.1 Integrated assessment of the curriculum trajectory and motivation letter of the candidate, namely:

      I. Relevance of work experience for the announced position (50%)

      II. Quality of the academic curriculum (30%)

      III. Motivation for applying to this position (20%)

9. Candidate final classification shall be given based on a scale 0 to 100.

10. The jury will select candidates to an interview (in person or by videoconference) to establish the final ranking if the difference between the classification of the top two candidates is less than 10 points (based on the criteria in 8). The jury may not award the contract if the profile of the candidates does not meet the requirements of the project.

11. Application formalization:

   11.1 The applications are formalized at the electronic address https://www.cibio.up.pt/en/jobs/. The following documents are required in a digital form (PDF format):

          i) Curriculum vitae;

           ii) Motivation letter (including a brief description of research experience and why you are suitable for the announced position);

          iii) Qualifications certificate;

           iv) Other relevant documentation.

   11.2. The application period is from 04/02/2025 to 17/02/2025.

Expected starting date: 1st of March 2025

12. Results announcement: All candidates will be informed by email about the result of their application. After notification, all candidates have 10 working days to comment.

13. The Association BIOPOLIS is committed to providing equal opportunity in employment. This means that the Association BIOPOLIS actively promotes employees and applicants to a policy of non-discrimination and equal access, in which no applicant may be privileged, benefited, prejudiced, or deprived of any right or exempt from any duty, namely, sex, age, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, citizenship, disability, ancestry, family status, economic situation, education, origin or social condition, reduced work capacity, disability, chronic illness, nationality, political or ideological beliefs, union membership, or any other legally protected factor.

14. To comply with Law no. 4/2019, of 10 January, candidates must declare on the application form, under a statement of honor, their degree of disability, the type of disability and the means of communication/expression to be used in the selection process.