1. One fixed-term contract for 5 months, eventually renewable, to a technician position (Reference BIOPOLIS BIOPOLIS 2023-16) is available at CIBIO-InBIO, through Associação BIOPOLIS, to pursue scientific research activities in the project TROPIBIO NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000046 in the scientific area of Environmental DNA (eDNA). This project aims to carry out eDNA assessments as a tool to describe biodiversity patterns and inform conservation policies for African fauna and to collect specimens for the construction of molecular reference libraries as a baseline for future studies.

The candidate is expected to perform the following tasks: establish and assist field activities in Africa, including logistics and transportation of materials and staff, the collection of eDNA and tissue samples, and specimens of different taxonomic groups. It will also include specimen preparation, photography, and cataloging. In addition, the selected candidate will assist in the preparation of scientific and technical reports of fieldtrips.

CIBIO/InBIO fosters an international and multicultural research environment, currently hosting researchers from more than 17 countries, where the candidate should be well integrated. Working at CIBIO/InBIO provides an opportunity to apply skills to support activities on biology, biodiversity, ecology, and evolution.

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: Pedro Beja (PhD, Chair), Paulo Célio Alves (PhD, Vowel), Manuel Lopes Lima (PhD, Vowel), Filipa Martins (PhD, substitute).

4. The work will be primarily conducted in fieldwork missions across Angola, Guiné-Bissau, and Namibia.

5. The gross monthly salary corresponds to Level 19 of the Consolidated Table of Allowances (TRU) 1320, 15€ before tax.

6. Application can be submitted by candidates of any nationality holding a MSc degree in Biological Sciences, with emphasis in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources.

Desired skills and competencies that will be valued are:

- Research experience in DNA metabarcoding

- Experience with collection and preparation of water eDNA samples

- Experience in genetic sampling

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

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. Candidates will be ranked based on:

- The relevance of work experience with eDNA metabarcoding (60%)

- Quality of the academic curriculum (20%)

- Motivation for applying to this position (20%)

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

9. The jury may decide to 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 7). The jury may not award the position if the profile of the candidates does not meet the requirements of the project.

10. Application formalization: 

10.1 The applications are formalized at the electronic address http://www.cibio.pt. 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 

10.2. The application period is from 10/03/2023 to 17/03/2023

Expect starting date: 1st April 2023

11. Results announcement: The ranking of applications will be published at a visible and public area of CIBIO facilities, and all candidates will be informed by email about the result of their application. After notification, all candidates have 10 working days to comment.