The Institute of Marine Research (IMAR) opens a call for the selection of candidates holding a MSc degree for a fellowship within the funded EU/ Project H2020-BG-2015-2- 679849-2” “Deep-sea Sponge Grounds Ecosystems of the North Atlantic: an integrated approach towards their preservation and sustainable exploitation”. The selected candidate will be granted a scholarship for the duration of 12 months, starting April 2017, to develop research activities on deep-sea sponges in the Azores.

Project/work tasks: Although globally recognized as important habitat forming organisms, the full composition and structure of sponge-dominated communities as well as their geographical distributions remain largely understudied. Overall the objective of this project is to increase knowledge of deep-sea sponges in the Atlantic. Therefore, the research fellow’s project on sponge grounds will focus on what are amongst the most ecologically and biologically important and vulnerable marine ecosystems of the deep-sea. These ecosystems have so far received very little research and conservation attention.
The selected candidate will essentially organize, catalogue and identify deep-sea sponge specimens of the Azores. The candidate will also annotate video footage for the presence of sponges. He/she will prepare technical and scientific reports and collaborate in the writing of scientific publications.

Qualifications: The successful candidate should have a Master degree or equivalent in environmental and or marine sciences. Experience in the taxonomy of deep-sea sponges is fundamental. Preference will be given to candidates familiar with deep-sea ecosystems and Azorean organisms. Additional preferential conditions include: experience in video annotation, data management and statistical analysis, capacity of work in multidisciplinary teams, management and organizational skills.
The selected candidate must demonstrate confidence, learning capabilities and good habits of work. He/She must be motivated, able to work independently, and must demonstrate good collaborative skills and keenness on fulfilment of time tables and dead-lines. Good communication skills in oral and written English are essential. The successful candidate must have availability to initiate the work upon conclusion of the evaluation that is expected by March 2017.

The work will be based in the island of Faial (Azores – Portugal) and it is mandatory that the candidate lives in Faial for the duration of the scholarship.

Informal enquiries can be made to Christopher K. Pham (christopher.k.pham@uac.pt) and Ana Colaço (ana.colaço@uac.pt)

Conditions of the scholarship: Duration: 12 months, on an exclusive basis as mandated by IMAR-Institute do Mar fellowship regulations.

Compensation: The research fellow will receive a monthly allowance of 980 euros, according to the table of Research Grants values in accordance with the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) regulations. The fellow will be covered by a personal accident’s and can contribute voluntarily to the national social security system, according to the Dec.-Lei nº40/49 from 1th February.

Applications: Applications are welcome from 22th February to 8h March 2017. If a suitable candidate is not found, applications will continue to be accepted until the placement is fulfilled for an additional month. Candidates must formally submit their application by e-mail, to: Doutor Ana Colaço, IMAR Instituto do MAR, 9901-862 Horta to maria.aa.colaco@uac.pt and Cc. to sandra.eg.silva@uac.pt.

The following documents must be provided: letter of interest, detailed CV, photocopy of university degrees and other certificates, all other documents that may be considered of value to evaluate the application.

Jury of Selection: Doutor Helder Marques da Silva (IMAR-UAZ), Doutor Marina Carreiro e Silva, Doutora Ana Colaço (IMAR-UAZ), Doutor Christopher Pham (IMAR-UAZ). An interview may be required.