Job Information
- Organisation/Company: Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera, I.P.
- Research Field: Biological sciences » Biology; Mathematics » Statistics
- Researcher Profile: First Stage Researcher (R1)
- Positions: Master Positions
- Application Deadline: 2 Oct 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Lisbon)
- Country: Portugal
- Type of Contract: Other
- Type of Contract Extra Information: Fellowship Research Contract
- Job Status: Not Applicable
- Offer Starting Date: 1 Nov 2026
- Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Other EU programme
Offer Description
BOLSA DE INVESTIGAÇÃO PARA MESTRE
Projeto EM4SSF
IPMA-2026-014-BI
Pursuant to Article 8 of the IPMA Scientific Research Fellowship Regulations, published in the Diário da República, Series II – Part C, No. 154 of 10 August 2020, it is hereby made public that, by decision of the Board of Directors of IPMA, I.P., dated 15/05/2026, the opening of a call for applications with reference IPMA-2026-014-BI has been authorised for the award of one Research Fellowship in the scientific fields of Biology, Statistics, or related areas, within the framework of the EM4SSF project: "Enhancing Monitoring for Sustainable Small-scale Fisheries", funded by the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF).
1. Eligibility requirements:
Applicants must hold a Master's degree or an integrated Master's degree in Biology, Statistics, or related scientific fields, to carry out research support activities within the scope of the EM4SSF project.
2. Recruitment requirements:
The fellowship is intended for holders of a Master's degree or an integrated Master's degree in Biology, Statistics, or related scientific fields. The selected candidate must, at the time of recruitment, be enrolled in a doctoral programme in one of the aforementioned scientific areas.
3. Work program
The main objective of the research to be undertaken within the EM4SSF project ("Enhancing Monitoring for Sustainable Small-scale Fisheries") is to develop and optimise monitoring methodologies for small-scale fisheries, in order to improve the spatial and temporal characterisation of fishing effort and support sustainable management strategies for this fleet segment.
To achieve this objective, it will be necessary to collect and analyse biological, environmental, spatial, and operational data obtained from commercial fishing trips, high-resolution vessel tracking systems, and interviews with fishers, international experts, and other stakeholders in the sector. The research will focus on the analysis of these datasets, the monitoring of marine ecosystems associated with these fishing grounds, and the development of the corresponding indicators.
The fellow's work program will include the following activities:
- Conducting sampling activities, commercial fishing trips, and interviews for sample collection and data recording;
- Taxonomic identification and processing of the species captured;
- Data entry, processing, and statistical analysis using R, including univariate and multivariate analyses (knowledge of Bayesian analysis will be considered an asset);
- Participation in training activities and seminars;
- Dissemination of project results through news items and social media;
- Preparation of scientific publications and participation in international conferences;
- Preparation of the final fellowship report.
4. Duration and renewal conditions
The fellowship is expected to commence on 1 November 2026 and will have an initial duration of 12 months. It may be renewed for additional periods, up to the maximum duration of the project and/or subject to the availability of funding or the maximum duration permitted for the fellowship, whichever occurs first, in accordance with Article 15 of the IPMA Scientific Research Fellowship Regulations. The fellowship will be awarded on an exclusive dedication basis. The activities to be carried out under this fellowship are of a temporary nature and shall not continue beyond the completion of the project.
5. Supervision and place of work
The work programme will be carried out within the framework of the activities of the Division of Fisheries Resources Modelling and Management (DivRP) at IPMA – Algés, located at Av. Dr. Alfredo Magalhães Ramalho, 6, 1495-165 Algés, Portugal, under the scientific supervision of Dr Marta Rufino, Assistant Researcher at IPMA, I.P.
6. Monthly maintenance allowance
The monthly fellowship allowance amounts to €1 359,64, in accordance with the fellowship allowance table approved by FCT, I.P. (https://www.fct.pt/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Tabela-de-Valores-SMM-2026.pdf). The fellowship payment will be made on a monthly basis by bank transfer to the bank account indicated by the fellow. Where applicable, the fellow shall also be entitled to reimbursement of the costs associated with Voluntary Social Security contributions (first contribution level), in accordance with the conditions established in the Research Fellowship Holder Statute. The fellow will also be covered by personal accident insurance for the duration of the fellowship.
7. Composition of the Selection Committee
The Selection Committee, appointed by decision of the Board of Directors of IPMA, I.P., shall comprise the following members:
Chair:
- Dr Marta Mega Rufino, Assistant Researcher, IPMA, I.P.
Full Members:
- Dr Miguel Gaspar, Coordinating Researcher, IPMA, I.P. (1st Full Member);
- Dr Ana Moreno, Assistant Researcher, IPMA, I.P. (2nd Full Member).
Alternate Members:
- Dr Mafalda Rangel, Assistant Researcher, CCMAR (1st Alternate Member);
- Dr João Pereira, Head of the Division of Fisheries Resources Modelling and Management, IPMA, I.P. (2nd Alternate Member).
8. Evaluation methods and criteria
8.1. Eligibility for admission to the call: All applicants who meet the requirements set out in Sections 1 and 11 of this call for applications shall be admitted to the selection procedure.
8.2. Evaluation method: Candidates will be assessed through curriculum evaluation (CE) and interview (I). Interviews will be done to the three candidates with best classification in the CE, for those that have more than 10 points.
8.3. Curriculum evaluation (CE): The curriculum evaluation will be scored on a scale from 0 to 20 points and will correspond to the weighted sum of the scores obtained under the following objective criteria:
CE = 0.3 × A + 0.7 × B
where:
A – Assessment of the candidate's academic merit, calculated as the average of the grades obtained in the Bachelor's and Master's degrees;
B – Assessment of the candidate's scientific merit, based on documented previous experience, scientific publications, and previous projects in which the candidate has collaborated or taken a leading role, taking into account the relevance of this experience to the duties to be performed, as follows:
- Experience in small-scale fisheries (0–2 points);
- Experience in commercial fishing trips and/or sampling surveys (0–2 points);
- Experience in the identification of marine species from the Portuguese coast, namely fish and invertebrates (0–2 points);
- Experience in the analysis and visualisation of spatial and temporal data (0–4 points);
- Experience in advanced statistical analysis of ecological data using R and/or Python (an assessment test may be conducted) (0–5 points);
- Authorship of articles published in international journals and participation in research projects (0–5 points).
8.4. Candidates will be ranked based on the Curriculum Evaluation (CE). Interviews will be done to the three candidates with best classification in the CE, for those that have more than 10 points. Interviews may be conducted either in person or by electronic means. The interview score will correspond to the sum of the scores obtained in the following criteria:
- Motivation;
- Autonomy;
- Adaptability;
- Verbal communication skills and fluency.
Each criterion will be scored on a scale from 0 to 20 points. The final interview score will be obtained by dividing the sum of the four criteria by four, resulting in a score between 0 and 20 points.
8.5. The final classification of each candidate shall be determined by simple majority vote of the members of the Selection Committee.
8.6. Final ranking list: All candidates admitted to the selection procedure shall be ranked according to the score assigned by the Selection Committee.
The final classification shall be obtained through the weighted combination of the Curriculum Evaluation (40%) and the Interview (60%).
Where no interview is conducted, the final classification shall correspond to the Curriculum Evaluation score.
9. Communication of results
At the end of the evaluation process, candidates shall be notified, by email to the address provided in their application, of the ranked list of candidates within five working days. This will be followed by the prior hearing procedure, in accordance with Article 12 of the IPMA Scientific Research Fellowship Regulations.
If the approved final ranking list contains a greater number of successful candidates than the number of fellowships available, a reserve list shall be established corresponding to the approved final ranking list. This reserve list may be used, in accordance with the Portuguese Code of Administrative Procedure (CPA), should the selected candidate withdraw, and shall remain valid throughout the eligibility period of the project.
10. Approval
Following completion of the prior hearing procedure and its consideration by the Selection Committee, the Committee's final decision shall be submitted to the Board of Directors of IPMA, I.P., for approval.
11. Applications
11.1. Applications for the research fellowship must be submitted by email to:
candidaturas.bolsas@ipma.pt using the application form available at: https://www.ipma.pt/export/sites/ipma/bin/docs/organizacionais/IPMA-FORMULARIO-CANDIDATURA-CC-v1.0.pdf
Applications must be accompanied by the following documents:
- Copy of an identification document;
- Copy of the permanent residence certificate, permanent residence permit, or long-term resident status certificate, where applicable;
- Documents certifying the qualifications required for the fellowship, namely copies of academic degree certificates. Degrees obtained abroad must have been recognised by a Portuguese university;
- A detailed and signed curriculum vitae, specifying its relevance to the present call;
- Copies of supporting documents relating to professional experience and training, namely letters of recommendation and certificates of completed courses or internships;
- An up-to-date document certifying the applicant's current professional status, indicating the nature of the employment relationship and duties performed. This may be replaced by a declaration on honour if the applicant is not engaged in any professional or service-providing activity;
- Proof of enrolment in a doctoral programme in one of the scientific areas covered by this call;
- A declaration by the applicant, under oath, confirming compliance with the eligibility requirements of this fellowship call, available at: https://www.ipma.pt/export/sites/ipma/bin/docs/organizacionais/Declaracao-Compromisso-Honra-IPMA-BI-Estudante-Doutoramento.pdf
The reference IPMA-2026-014-BI must be included in the subject line of the application email.
11.2. If it is not possible to obtain the certificates referred to in points (c) and (g) before the application deadline, applicants may replace them with declarations made under their own responsibility containing the corresponding information, submitted electronically. In the event that the fellowship is awarded, the official certificates must be submitted to IPMA, I.P. before the fellowship agreement is signed.
11.3. Failure to submit documentation referred to in points (b), (e), and (f) within one month of notification of the results shall result in the fellowship not being awarded.
11.4. Applications must be submitted between 21st September, 2026 and 02nd October, 2026 (ten working days).
12. Applicable legislation and regulations
This call for applications is governed by the following legislation and regulations:
- The IPMA Scientific Research Fellowship Regulations, published in the Diário da República, Series II – Part C, No. 154, of 10 August 2020;
- The Research Fellowship Holder Statute (Estatuto do Bolseiro de Investigação), approved by Law No. 40/2004 of 18 August, as amended by Decree-Law No. 202/2012 of 27 August, Law No. 12/2013 of 29 January, Decree-Law No. 89/2013 of 9 July, Decree-Law No. 233/2012 of 29 October, Decree-Law No. 123/2019 of 28 August, and Decree-Law No. 65/2024 of 1 October;
- The FCT Research Fellowship Regulations, approved by Regulation No. 950/2019 of 29 November 2019, published in the Diário da República, Series II, Part C, on 16 December 2019, as amended by Regulation No. 643/2021 of 30 June 2021, published in the Diário da República, Series II, Part C, on 14 July 2021, and subsequently amended and republished by Notice (extract) No. 412/2026/2, published in the Diário da República, Series II, on 7 January 2026;
- The Portuguese Code of Administrative Procedure, approved by Decree-Law No. 4/2015 of 7 January, in its current wording.
Notes
- Applicants should consult the full call available on the IPMA website at: https://www.ipma.pt/pt/recrutamento/bolsas/
- In the event of any discrepancy between the Portuguese and English versions of this call, the Portuguese version, available on the IPMA website at https://www.ipma.pt/pt/recrutamento/bolsas/, shall prevail.
- If no applications of sufficient merit are received, the Selection Committee reserves the right not to award the fellowship.
- Research fellowship agreements do not establish an employment relationship or a contract for the provision of services. Consequently, fellowship holders shall not acquire the status of public employees.
- Any requests for clarification should be submitted in writing to: candidaturas.bolsas@ipma.pt.
- During the recruitment process, the Selection Committee may request additional clarification regarding the information provided in the application, as well as supporting documentation substantiating such information.
President of the juri,
Marta Mega Rufino
Where to apply
E-mail: candidaturas.bolsas@ipma.pt
Requirements
- Research Field: Biological sciences » Biology — Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
- Research Field: Mathematics » Statistics — Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
Skills/Qualifications
Eligibility requirements: Applicants must hold a Master's degree or an integrated Master's degree in Biology, Statistics, or related scientific fields, to carry out research support activities within the scope of the EM4SSF project.
Specific Requirements
Recruitment requirements: The fellowship is intended for holders of a Master's degree or an integrated Master's degree in Biology, Statistics, or related scientific fields. The selected candidate must, at the time of recruitment, be enrolled in a doctoral programme in one of the aforementioned scientific areas.
Research Field: Biological sciences » Biology; Mathematics » Statistics
Additional Information
Benefits: https://www.fct.pt/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Tabela-de-Valores-SMM-2026.pdf
Website for additional job details: https://www.ipma.pt/pt/recrutamento/bolsas/
Work Location(s)
- Number of offers available: 1
- Company/Institute: Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera, I.P.
- Country: Portugal
- City: Algés - Oeiras
- Postal Code: 1495-165 Algés
- Street: Avenida Dr. Alfredo Magalhães Ramalho, 6
Contact
- City: Lisboa
- Website: https://www.ipma.pt/pt/index.html; https://www.ipma.pt/pt/recrutamento/bolsas/
- Street: Rua C do Aeroporto
- Postal Code: 1749-077
- E-Mail: candidaturas.bolsas@ipma.pt
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