Research Grant(s) (RG) - REWRITE Project

1. Scientific Area: Biology.

2. Funding Source: European Comission

3. Admission Requirements:

3.1. 3. Students enrolled in doctorate.

3.2. Select an option Biology, Biology and Ecology of Global Changes, Biology and Ecology of Global Change

4. Other Requirements:

As additional requirements, the candidate must also have: experience in carbon stock sampling and quantification in sediments; demonstrated experience in quantifying greenhouse gas emissions from seagrass meadows and salt marshes; experience in wetland ecological restoration.

5. Eligibility: Applicants are eligible if they comply with paragraph a) of no.1 of article 2, of the Research Fellow Statute as amended by Decree-Law no. 123/2019, of August 28th, as well as nos. 1 and 2 of article 6 of the Research Grant Regulations of the Foundation for Science and Technology.

6. Work plan: The REWRITE Project (https://rewriteproject.eu/) is an interdisciplinary research initiative aimed at understanding the impacts of climate change and human activities on three critical intertidal soft-sediment (ISS) habitats: salt marshes, seagrass meadows and mudflats. By developing innovative conservation approaches and promoting rewilding strategies, the project seeks to enhance the resilience, ecological functioning and long-term sustainability of these ecosystems. The Ria de Aveiro coastal lagoon (Portugal) is one of ten demonstration sites worldwide, where ongoing rewilding actions focus on habitat restoration, with the aim of promoting biodiversity recovery and enhancing blue-carbon storage. Building on the research framework and field activities of REWRITE, this project will investigate the ecological and biogeochemical responses of intertidal wetlands to restoration and rewilding. The main objectives are to:

a) quantify and compare tidal and seasonal dynamics of blue carbon, including carbon stocks and greenhouse gas (GHG) fluxes, across natural and rewilded coastal wetlands;

b) integrate stakeholder knowledge and participation into rewilding and restoration strategies, assessing their contribution to scenario feasibility, social acceptance and the spatial and thematic prioritisation of interventions;

c) develop and evaluate seagrass and salt-marsh restoration actions informed by scientific evidence, expert knowledge and stakeholder feedback; and

d) assess the temporal dynamics of GHG emissions following restoration, providing insights into the recovery of key wetland ecosystem functions and their implications for climate-change mitigation.

It will also:

• Participate in the tasks and activities of the REWRITE Project in collaboration with other project partners;
• Participate in communication and dissemination activities of the REWRITE Project;
• Contribute to the preparation of technical-scientific reports and, where appropriate, scientific articles.

7. Applicable legislation and regulations: Statute of Scientific Research Grant Holder, as amended by Decree-Law no. 123/2019, of August 28th; Regulation no. 950/2019, of November 29th, published in Diário da República, no. 241, Series II, of December 16th (FCT, I.P. Research Grants Regulation); Decree-Law no. 66/2018, of August 16th (Legal regime for recognition of academic degrees and diplomas of higher education awarded by foreign higher education institutions).

8. Workplace: The work will be carried out at CESAM and Biology Department of the University of Aveiro, under the scientific supervision of Professor/Doctor Ana Isabel Francisco Sousa.

9. Duration of the grant(s): The grant duration will be 12 months, starting in December of 2026, and may be renewed for additional periods of 12 months, or up to the maximum limit of approved funding. Under no circumstances shall it exceed the limits defined in nos. 3, 4 and 5 of article 6, of Regulation no. 950/2019, of November 29th, published in Diário da República, no. 241, Series II, of December 16th (Research Grants Regulation of FCT, I.P.).

10. Amount of monthly maintenance allowance: The amount of the grant corresponds to €1.359,64 , according to the table of monthly maintenance allowance amounts set out in Annex I of Regulation no. 950/2019, subject to any updates that may be applicable, under the terms of no. 2 of article 18 of Regulation no. 950/2019, of November 29th, published in Diário da República, no. 241, Series II, of December 16th (Research Grants Regulation of FCT, I.P.). The fellow may also be reimbursed for the amount corresponding to the Voluntary Social Security, in case of adherence to this plan.

11. Selection methods: The selection methods to be used will be the following: Curriculum vitae assessment and previous experience with the respective value of 60% and 40%. Should the jury deem it necessary, the 3 candidates with the highest scores in the curriculum evaluation will be selected for an interview, in which communication skills and knowledge related to the preferential requirements will be assessed. If the interview is conducted, the curriculum evaluation and prior experience will account for 50% of the final assessment, and the interview will account for 50%. The jury reserves the right not to award the grant if none of the candidates achieves a minimum final score of 14 points on a scale of 0-20 points .

12. Composition of the Selection Jury: Chair- Dr. Ana Isabel Sousa, Auxiliary Professor from the University of Aveiro

Permanent Members:

• Dr. João Pedro Martins Coelho, Assitant Researcher from the University of Aveiro.
• Dr. Sara Margarida Moreno Pires, Assistant Professor from the University of Aveiro.

Alternate Members:

• Dr. Ana Isabel Lillebø, Coordinating Researcher from the University of Aveiro;
• Dr João António de Almeida Serôdio, Full Professor from the University of Aveiro .

13. Deadline for applications (not be less than 10 working days) and how to submit applications: The call is open from 29-09-2026 to 13-10-2026, and only applications submitted within the deadline will be admitted. Applications must be formalized by sending a letter of application accompanied by the following documents: 1. A onepage motivation letter in which the candidate demonstrates their suitability for the position; 2. Curriculum Vitae; 3. Certificate of qualifications for the most recent degree; 4. Publications; 5. Other supporting documents considered relevant by the candidate. They shall also indicate the e-mail address to which by such indication they accept to be notified for all purposes within this procedure.

Applications should be sent by e-mail to anaisousa@ua.pt .

14. Form of publication/notification of results: The final results of the evaluation will be published through an ordered list (by final mark obtained) posted on the University's website, within 90 working days after the final date of submission of the application, and the successful candidate will be notified by email. For the purposes of prior hearing of interested parties, the deadline of 10 working days is set, as provided for in the Code of Administrative Procedure. At the end of the period for hearing the interested parties, and in the absence of any response from them, the list of candidates will become final. Candidates may lodge a complaint against the final decision within 15 working days, or appeal to the maximum executive body of the funding entity within 30 working days after notification of the final decision, in accordance with the provisions of article 12 of the Research Grants Regulation of the Foundation for Science and Technology.

15. Tender duration: The final ranking list of candidates will be valid until 31-12-2027 for the purpose of constituting a reserve list for selection.

Where to apply

E-mail: anaisousa@ua.pt

Requirements

Research Field: Biological sciences

Education Level: Bachelor Degree or equivalent

Research Field: Biological sciences

Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent

Additional Information

Website for additional job details: https://www.cesam-la.pt/concursos/bolsa-de-investigacao-no-ambito-do-projeto-rewrite-2/

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available: 1

Company/Institute: CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies

Country: Portugal

State/Province: Aveiro

City: Aveiro

Postal Code: 3810-193

Street: Campus Universitário de Santiago