Researcher position (ICP2 – Master's degree or equivalent, MECES 3)

"The Biological Carbon Pump: The Role of Zooplankton and Micronekton."

The position is associated with the research project:

"Impact of the Plankton Unveiled Lunar Cycle in the Subtropical Ocean (IMPULSO)"
Project reference: GAC PROID2026010007

The project is funded by the Canary Islands Agency for Research, Innovation and Information Society (ACIISI), Government of the Canary Islands, and has an execution end date of 30 September 2028.

The selected researcher will be based at the Institute of Oceanography and Global Change (IOCAG) at the Marine Science and Technology Park of Taliarte, Telde, Gran Canaria.

The position focuses on the planning and execution of oceanographic sampling campaigns, processing and analysis of marine biological samples, plankton research, physiological and biochemical analyses, scientific data management and interpretation, and the integration of oceanographic observations using conventional and robotic platforms.

Main Responsibilities

The selected candidate will perform advanced research activities including:

Oceanographic Sampling

• Designing the methodology and planning, organising and carrying out the project's oceanographic sampling series.
• Preparing and adapting sampling protocols and records.
• Organising schedules, equipment, materials, personnel and transport requirements.
• Preparing equipment for embarkation, disembarkation and subsequent conditioning.
• Participating in oceanographic surveys and obtaining profiles using CTD and fluorometers.
• Collecting water and plankton samples using Niskin bottles, WP-2 nets and imaging systems.

Sample Processing

• Initial processing of samples, including identification, fractionation, filtration, fixation, preservation and storage.
• Establishing or adapting applicable procedures.
• Ensuring sample traceability from collection through analysis.
• Monitoring the quality of sample preservation and documentation.

Oceanographic and Chemical Analysis

• Processing, analysing and interpreting data obtained using CTD and fluorometer systems.
• Organising and documenting samples for external analysis of:
  • Nutrients
  • Chlorophyll
  • DOC
  • POC
  • Elemental composition
• Integrating and verifying externally obtained analytical results.

Plankton Analysis

The researcher will organise and process samples for the study of:

• Prokaryotes
• Picoplankton
• Nanoplankton
• Microplankton

using techniques and equipment including:

• Flow cytometry
• Microscopy
• PlanktoScope
• Other imaging systems

The position also involves adapting procedures, applying quality controls and scientifically interpreting the results.

Mesozooplankton Analysis

The researcher will:

• Organise and conduct mesozooplankton sampling using WP-2 nets.
• Prepare, fractionate, preserve and process samples.
• Digitise samples using ZooScan.
• Process images with ZooProcess.
• Classify and validate samples using EcoTaxa or equivalent tools.
• Analyse and interpret abundance, composition, size structure, biovolume and biomass of major taxonomic and functional groups.

Physiological and Biochemical Analyses

The position includes the design, organisation and implementation of analyses such as:

• Gut fluorescence
• ETS activity
• AARS activity
• Protein content
• Respirometry

The researcher will also participate in the adaptation, calibration and validation of procedures, quality control and interpretation of physiological and metabolic indicators.

Robotic Observation Systems

The researcher will collaborate with the robotics team in:

• Scientific planning.
• Preparation of observation systems.
• Deployment and recovery of equipment during sampling.
• Analysis of data and images obtained from:
  • ShadowCam
  • Mini-CTD
  • Fluorometers
  • Other equipment installed on robotic platforms.
• Integration of observations with information on position, depth, date and sampling conditions.

Data Analysis and Scientific Communication

The researcher will organise and integrate databases containing:

• Sampling information.
• Biological samples.
• Images.
• Experimental results.

The position also involves statistical analysis, data visualisation and scientific interpretation using software such as:

R/RStudio, MATLAB, SPSS, SigmaPlot and ODV, or equivalent tools.

The researcher will prepare datasets and metadata for reports, scientific communications, publications and deposition in scientific repositories.

Laboratory and Equipment Management

Responsibilities will also include:

• Managing reagents, consumables, samples and equipment.
• Identifying requirements for acquisition, calibration, maintenance, repair and replacement.
• Organising the storage and management of hazardous waste generated during experimental procedures.

The researcher may also participate in campaigns, sampling activities, experiments, research stays and collaborations with other projects where these activities provide relevant samples, data, methods or calibrations.

APPLICATION FORM

To participate, you must submit a General Application (Instancia General) through the ULPGC Electronic Headquarters (Sede electrónica de la ULPGC).

To submit your application through the ULPGC Electronic Headquarters, you must have a Natural Person Certificate issued by the FNMT (Fábrica Nacional de Moneda y Timbre) or Cl@ve. To request one of these identification systems, you must have a NIE or DNI.

If you are a citizen of another European country, your application must be submitted through the following website:
https://reg.redsara.es/es/
By clicking on "Nuevo registro" (New registration), you will access a page like this.

The section APPLICATION SUBMISSION (PRESENTACIÓN DE SOLICITUDES) reads as follows:

APPLICATION SUBMISSION:

Applications must be submitted through the ULPGC Electronic Headquarters via the following link: General Application (Instancia General). In the section DESTINATION UNIT OR DEPARTMENT (UNIDAD U ÓRGANO DE DESTINO) you must indicate: Research Service (Servicio de Investigación) and include the file number shown at the header of this call. Alternatively, applications may be submitted at any of the registration assistance offices, in accordance with Article 16.4 of Law 39/2015.

Applications must be submitted through the ULPGC Electronic Headquarters:

• Via General Application (Instancia General)
• Addressed to: Research Service (Servicio de Investigación)
• File number: 56012/2026

Where to apply

Website: https://administracion.ulpgc.es/catalog/t/936eb1fb-e203-47c1-99f7-ec3250a892d8

Requirements

Research Field: Biological sciences » Biology

Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field: Environmental science » Water science

Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent

Specific Requirements

Research Field
Environmental science » Oceanography
Biological sciences » Marine biology
Biological sciences » Ecology
Biological sciences » Plankton biology

Education Level
Master's degree or equivalent (MECES 3)

Specific Requirements

Applicants must hold one of the following:

• Official Master's Degree in Oceanography, or
• Official Master's Degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology, or
• Another official Master's degree with similar content and directly related to the duties of the position.

The Bachelor's or equivalent degree providing access to the required Master's qualification must be in:

• Marine Sciences
• Chemistry
• Biology

or another official Bachelor's/Licenciatura degree with similar educational content in the fields of marine, biological or chemical sciences.

Specific Requirement

Candidates must be available to participate in oceanographic sampling activities and research campaigns included in the project's planning.

Languages: ENGLISH

Level: Good

Research Field: Environmental science » Water science; Biological sciences » Biology

Additional Information

Benefits

Contract type: Permanent position linked to a research line/project.

Working hours: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week.

Working schedule: Monday to Friday, 09:00–16:30.

Workplace:
Institute of Oceanography and Global Change (IOCAG)
Marine Science and Technology Park of Taliarte
Taliarte s/n, 35214, Telde, Las Palmas, Spain.

Monthly gross salary: €1,886.85 gross per month, according to the applicable salary scale.

The offer may also include additional salary supplements, subject to budget availability and the applicable instructions of the ULPGC Vice-Rectorate for Research.

Proposed starting date: 16 November 2026.

Eligibility criteria

The maximum score is 100 points.

A minimum score of 50 points is required to be selected or included on the reserve list.

1. Research and/or Professional Experience – Maximum 75 points

1.1. Suitability of Professional Experience – up to 30 points

Relevant experience in:

• Biological oceanography.
• Plankton biology.
• Marine sample analysis.
• Physiology or biochemistry of marine organisms.
• Other areas directly related to the duties of the position.

This includes experience in methodological design, experimental implementation, analysis, integration and scientific interpretation.

Scoring: 1 point per complete month of directly relevant experience, up to 30 points.

1.2. Scientific Publications – up to 4 points

• Directly relevant peer-reviewed scientific article: 1 point.
• Partially relevant scientific article: 0.5 points.
• Directly relevant scientific book chapter: 0.5 points.
• Published dataset in a scientific repository with identified authorship: 0.25 points.

The call specifies that publications are not differentiated according to authorship position, journal quartile or impact factor.

1.3. Conference Participation – up to 1 point

• Invited presentation/plenary lecture: 0.75 points.
• Oral communication: 0.5 points.
• Poster presentation: 0.25 points.
• Technical presentation/demonstration: 0.25 points.

Attendance without a presentation is not evaluated.

1.4. Oceanographic Campaigns – up to 8 points

Participation in oceanographic and marine research campaigns conducted from vessels:

• 1–2 days: 0.25 points.
• 3–7 days: 0.50 points.
• 8–14 days: 1 point.
• 15–29 days: 1.50 points.
• 30 days or more: 2 points.

1.5. Research Projects / Contracts – up to 3 points

Participation in research projects, agreements, scientific-technical contracts or R&D activities related to the position:

• Directly relevant participation: 1 point.
• Partially relevant participation: 0.5 points.

Actual participation in research activities is required; merely having an employment contract funded by the project is not sufficient.

1.6. National or International Research Stays – up to 2 points

Relevant research stays at universities, oceanographic institutes, research centres, laboratories or scientific-technical services:

• 0.25 points per week, up to 2 points.

Conference attendance, courses, meetings and oceanographic campaigns are not considered research stays.

1.7. Specific Technical Experience – up to 26 points

Oceanographic sampling and field operations – up to 7 points

Experience with:

• CTD
• Fluorometers
• Niskin bottles
• Rosettes
• Plankton nets
• Sampling design and planning
• Data and metadata quality control
• Equipment deployment and recovery

Scoring: 0.5 points per month.

Sampling and processing of bacteria, pico-, nano- and microplankton – up to 6 points

Experience in sample collection, fixation, preservation, counting, processing, quality control, analysis and interpretation.

Scoring: 0.5 points per month.

Zooplankton analysis using ZooScan, ZooProcess and EcoTaxa – up to 6 points

Experience in sample preparation, image digitisation and processing, taxonomic/functional classification, quality control and analysis of abundance, size, area, biovolume and biomass.

Scoring: 0.5 points per month.

Physiological, biochemical and metabolic analyses – up to 7 points

Experience with:

• Respirometry.
• Gut fluorescence.
• ETS.
• AARS.
• Protein determination.
• Other related physiological, biochemical, enzymatic or metabolic techniques.

Scoring: 0.5 points per month.

1.8. Scientific Dissemination and Teaching – up to 1 point

• Activity lasting one day: 0.10 points.
• Activity lasting 2–3 days: 0.20 points.
• Activity lasting 4 days or more: 0.30 points.
• Certified design, coordination or responsibility: additional 0.10 points.
• 0.10 points per 5 hours of directly relevant teaching/training delivered.

2. Academic Training – Maximum 20 points

2.1. Academic Record – up to 5 points

The grade average of the Master's degree or MECES 3 qualification used to meet the access requirement will be assessed.

The score is calculated from the academic average using the formula specified in the call, with a minimum of 0 and a maximum of 5 points. If the average grade is not documented, 0 points are awarded.

2.2. Additional Relevant Training – up to 15 points

Directly relevant training: 0.05 points per certified hour.

Partially relevant training: 0.025 points per certified hour.

Relevant areas include:

• Biological oceanography.
• Plankton ecology and biology.
• Oceanographic sampling methods.
• Phytoplankton, microzooplankton and mesozooplankton identification and taxonomy.
• Flow cytometry.
• Microscopy.
• Scientific image analysis.
• PlanktoScope.
• ZooScan.
• EcoTaxa.
• Biological sample preservation and processing.
• Zooplankton physiology and metabolism.
• Respirometry.
• Enzymatic techniques and protein determination.
• Spectrophotometry and fluorometry.
• Analytical chemistry applied to marine waters and samples.
• Biostatistics and experimental statistics.
• R/RStudio, MATLAB, SPSS, SigmaPlot and ODV.
• Scientific database management and quality control.
• Experimental design and research methodology.
• Scientific data management and curation.
• Open science and data management plans.
• Scientific writing and presentation of research results.

3. Other Merits – Maximum 5 points

English Language Skills – up to 3 points

• B2: 1.5 points.
• C1: 2.25 points.
• C2: 3 points.

Levels below B2 are not considered, and only the highest certified level is assessed.

Scientific Networks, Committees or Working Groups – up to 1 point

• National network/committee/working group: 0.40 points.
• International network/committee/working group: 0.50 points.

Specific Safety and Prevention Training – up to 1 point

• 0.5 points per certified training activity.

This training is not scored again under complementary training.

Documents to be Submitted

Applicants must provide:

1. Identity document – DNI, passport, residence card, NIE or equivalent document for EU citizens.
2. Required academic qualifications.
3. Curriculum Vitae.
4. Supporting documentation for all specific requirements and merits claimed.

Supporting documentation may include:

• Employment contracts and certificates of services.
• Employment history report.
• Institutional certificates.
• Research project documentation.
• Oceanographic campaign certificates showing vessel and dates/duration.
• Research-stay certificates.
• Scientific publications, DOI and repository identifiers.
• Conference certificates and official programmes.
• Documents proving experience with specific techniques.
• Certificates of training and teaching/dissemination activities.

Only merits properly documented within the application period will be evaluated. New merits cannot be submitted after the deadline.

General Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet the general ULPGC requirements concerning:

• Nationality and work authorization.
• EU family-member status where applicable.
• Legal residence and work authorization in Spain.
• Required academic qualifications.
• Functional capacity.
• Minimum age of 16 and compulsory retirement age limits.
• Absence of disciplinary or judicial disqualification from public employment.
• Medical fitness.
• Language requirements established by the specific call.

For foreign qualifications, an official Spanish translation is required and, where applicable, the corresponding homologation or declaration of equivalence must be provided.

For non-EU nationals, the employment contract cannot be formalised until the relevant work permit and visa have been obtained.

Applicants must also comply with Spanish legislation on incompatibilities for public employees, particularly Law 53/1984.

Selection process

The selection committee will evaluate candidates according to the published scoring criteria and may conduct interviews or additional practical tests if provided for in the call.

After the application period:

1. A provisional list of admitted and excluded candidates will be published.
2. Excluded candidates will have 3 working days to correct formal errors.
3. A definitive list will then be published.
4. Candidates will be evaluated according to the established scoring system.
5. A provisional award proposal will be published in order of score.
6. Candidates will have 3 working days to submit allegations.
7. The final award proposal will then be submitted for resolution.

The selection process is based on the principles of equality, merit and ability, with transparency, objectivity and impartiality.

Probationary Period

The contract includes a two-month probationary period, provided that the contract lasts longer than two months.

Reserve List

Candidates not selected may be included in a reserve list to cover the position in the event of resignation of the selected candidate or a vacancy arising during the contract period.

Contract Termination

The contract may be terminated for legally established reasons, including insufficient or exhausted funding, completion of the specific tasks, completion of the project where applicable, objective causes established under Spanish employment legislation, or other legally established causes.

Termination compensation: 20 days' salary per year worked, or the corresponding proportional amount where the period worked is less than one year.

Website for additional job details: https://www.ulpgc.es/bolsa-empleo/contratos_investigadores

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available: 1

Company/Institute: Institute of Oceanography and Global Change (IOCAG). Marine Science and Technology Park of Taliarte, Telde, Gran Canaria.

Country: Spain

State/Province: Las Palmas

City: Telde

Postal Code: 35214

Street: C. Miramar, 121, 35214 Taliarte, Las Palmas

Contact

State/Province: Las Palmas

City: Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

Website: https://www.ulpgc.es/investigacion_inicio

Street: Juan de Quesada, 30

Postal Code: 35001

E-Mail: ocpi@ulpgc.es