1. The Board of Directors of Associação BIOPOLIS, has decided to open an international call for PhD holder researchers, under a work contract for an expect duration of 26 months. This announcement is intended to 1 (one) research position (Reference BIOPOLIS 2023-61) to pursue scientific research activities in the project "Programa de investigação em espécies cinegéticas nos Açores" (Research program on game species in the Azores), which is the subject of an existing cooperation agreement between the Secretaria Regional da Agricultura e do Desenvolvimento Rural - Direção Regional dos Recursos Florestais (DRRF) and the Associação BIOPOLIS - Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos (BIOPOLIS – CIBIO). The research program has the following objectives: 1) Long-term monitoring of rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease (RHD) in natural wild rabbits populations in the Autonomous Region of the Azores (RAA). 2) Assess the genetic structure of Azorean quail populations in the RAA. 3) Evaluate the impact of population reinforcements on the genetic variability of quail populations in São Miguel Island. 4) Evaluate the impact of changes in the agroforestry landscape on the island of São Miguel on the distribution and abundance of woodcock. 5) Evaluate the effect of the installation of ecological corridors in the areas planted after the cedar wood is cut, on the distribution and abundance of woodcock in São Miguel Island; 6) Assess the current status of the common snipe breeding population in São Miguel island. 7) Perform the genetic characterization of the red legged partridge population on the island of Pico.

2. Applicable Legislation

Decree-Law no. 57/2016 of August 29th, amended by Law 57/2017 and Regulatory Decree No. 11- A / 2017 which approved the doctorate hiring regime intended to stimulate scientific and technological employment for all knowledge areas (RJEC); Portuguese Labour Code, approved by Law 7/2009 of February 12, in its actual form. 

3. Pursuant to article 13 of RJEC, the tender selection panel is formed by: Professor David Afonso da Rocha Gonçalves (CIBIO-InBIO; President of the panel), Professor Paulo Célio Pereira Martins Alves (CIBIO-InBIO) and Engineer Manuel Melo Cabral de Sousa Leitão (DRRF), as a substitute Doctor João Luís Teixeira de Queirós (Junior Researcher at CIBIO-InBIO).

4. The work will be carried out mainly at Associação BIOPOLIS/CIBIO – Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Rua Padre Armando Quintas nº7 | 4485-661 Vairão, PORTUGAL, and at the Azores Archipelago, on São Miguel Island, PORTUGAL. Travel and accommodation expenses to carry out work in the Azores will be paid by the BIOPOLIS Association.

5. Monthly remuneration to be paid is that set by subheading a) nr.1 article 15 of RJEC and article nr 2 of the Regulatory Decree nr. 11-A/2017, corresponding to level 33 of the Tabela Remuneratória Única, approved  by  Order  no.  1553-C/2008 of December 31st, i.e.  2228,11 Euros.

6. The application can be submitted by any national, foreign and stateless candidate(s) holding a doctorate degree in Biology or related areas and a scientific and professional curriculum whose profile is suited for the activity described below (item 7). In case the doctorate degree was awarded by a foreign higher education institution, it must comply with the provisions of Decree-Law no. 66/2018 of 16 October, and all formalities established therein must be complied with at the signature of the work contract.

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

a) strong background in quantitative ecology data analysis and computer programming, especially R and GIS;

b) experience in bird counting methods, including the use of automated sound recording stations;

c) experience in collecting and analysing data on environmental and landscape variables influencing vertebrate distribution, especially birds;

d) a record of scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals, with a preference for publications in the scope of this call;

e) Proficiency in written and spoken Portuguese and English is preferable.

The candidate should be able to work well within a team and have excellent communication skills. It is expected that the candidate possesses strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills. Furthermore, the candidate is expected to write technical reports and scientific papers, prepare and deliver public outreach presentations and assist in training students.

8. Pursuant to article 5 of RJEC, the selection is to be made based on the evaluation of the scientific and curricular career of the candidate.

9. Scientific and curricular career evaluation focuses on relevance, quality and up-to-datedness: 

a) of scientific, technological, cultural or artistic production, considered most relevant by the candidate; 

b) of research activities, fundamental or applied science, considered of higher impact by the candidate; 

c) of knowledge extension and dissemination activities developed, namely under the scope of the promotion of culture and scientific practices, deemed most relevant by the candidate. 

d) of activities of science management, technology and innovation programs.

10. Evaluation criteria are the following: 

The evaluation of the CV of the candidates, in particular the scientific merit and research experience will take into consideration the elements presented falling within the scope of the specific areas of the tender (see Point 1) and will be performed according to the following criteria:

10.1 Integrated assessment of the curriculum trajectory of the candidate, based on an overview of their scientific merits (30%), namely:

I. Overall scientific coherence of the CV – 15%;

II. Diversity of scientific indicators, including relevant published peer-reviewed articles falling within the scope of the specific areas listed in point 1- 15%;

10.2 Relevant experience (70%) in:

I . quantitative ecology data analysis and computer programming, especially R and GIS - 20%

II. bird counting methods, including the use of automated sound recording stations - 20%

III. collecting and analysing data on environmental and landscape variables influencing vertebrate distribution, especially birds - 30%

11. In the case of admitted candidates whose evaluation does not differ more than 10% from that obtained by the best positioned candidate, the jury will interview these candidates. This will be aimed at obtaining clarifications and explanations about the curricular elements and additional information as well as to evaluate the attitude profile and motivation of the candidate.

The final score of each jury member is obtained by the following assessment: 90% scientific and curricular career evaluation and 10% interview.

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

13. The panel shall deliberate by means of roll-call vote justified under adopted and disclosed selection criteria, with no abstentions allowed.

14. Minutes of panel meetings shall be executed and include a summary of all occurrences of said meeting, as well as of all votes casted by the members and respective reasoning.

15. After selection criteria application, the panel shall prepare a sorted list of approved candidates and their respective classification.

16. Panel’s final decision shall be validated by the leader of the institution, who is also in charge of deciding about the hiring. 

17. Application formalization:

17.1. The applications are formalized at the electronic address https://www.cibio.pt  with the following documents in a digital form, in PDF format:

i) Curriculum vitae

ii) Motivational Letter

iii) Qualifications Certificate

iv) Other relevant documentation

17.2. The application period is from 06/09/2023 to 30/09/2023

Expected starting date: 1 November 2023

18. All candidates who formalize their applications in an improper way or fail to prove the requirements imposed by this tender are excluded from admission. In case of doubt, the panel is entitled to request any candidate to present further documentation supporting their statements.

19. False statements provided by the candidates shall be punished by law.

20. Both admitted and excluded candidate list and final classification list shall be notified by email.

21. After notification, all candidates have 10 working days to comment. The panel’s final decisions are pronounced within a period of 90 working days, from the response period deadline.

 

22. This tender is exclusively destined to fill this specific position and can be terminated at any time until approval of the final candidate list, expiring with the respective occupation of said position.

23. Non-discrimination and equal access policy: Associação BIOPOLIS 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.

24. The panel has approved this announcement in a meeting held on 05/09/2023.

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