Research Scholarship (Graduate) - AlgFlavor Project

About the Call

S2AQUA - Collaborative Laboratory, Association for Sustainable and Smart Aquaculture (S2AQUAcoLAB), in accordance with Article 7 of the S2AQUAcoLAB Research Grant Regulations, hereby announces that a call for applications has been opened for two Research Grants (Bachelor's Degree) in the field of Marine Biology, Biology, Aquaculture or equivalent.

The competition for the award of a Research Grant is intended for the execution of research support activities within the scope of the AlgFlavor project (SBEP/0004/2024), which is funded by FCT through the Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership.

The Work Plan

The work programme for the successful candidate includes the following activities:

• Collection of macroalgae along the Portuguese coast.
• Planning, implementation, and optimization of macroalgae cultivation under controlled conditions.
• Data analysis, report writing, dissemination of results, and development of content for knowledge transfer.

The position includes a training component, and candidates interested in completing their master's thesis or internship as part of the project are encouraged to apply.

It is desirable that the candidate be available to work on weekends and holidays, and to travel domestically and internationally, depending on ongoing activities.

Desired Profile

• A Level 6 higher education degree (Bachelor's degree) in marine biology, biology, aquaculture, or an equivalent field.
• Experience with marine organism culture systems.
• Ability to work independently, both in the laboratory and in the field.
• Applicants must be enrolled in an integrated master's, master's or doctoral programme, or in a non-degree integrated course, in the educational project of a higher education institution developed in association or cooperation with one or more R&D units.

Other Requirements

• Be highly motivated, demonstrate autonomy and the ability to propose new approaches.
• Ability to adapt and integrate into a team.
• Advanced level of English.
• Autonomy and proactivity.

Type and Duration of the Fellowship

Two research fellowships for bachelor's degree will be awarded. The scholarships are scheduled to begin at a time to be determined later in consultation with the selected candidate. They will last for 12 months and may be renewable in accordance with Article 15 of the S2AQUAcoLAB Fellowship Regulations, on a full-time basis. The work to be carried out under this fellowship is temporary in nature and will not continue beyond the conclusion of the project.

The scholarship must be carried out on an exclusive basis, in accordance with S2AQUAcoLAB's scholarship regulations and FCT's scholarship regulations based on Portuguese law 40/2004, of 18 August, as amended.

Beneficiaries (Conditions Required)

The scholarships are intended for holders of a bachelor's degree in marine biology, biology, aquaculture, or an equivalent field. Applicants must be enrolled in an integrated master's, master's or doctoral programme, or in a non-degree course that is part of the educational project of a higher education institution developed in association or cooperation with one or more R&D units.

Submission of Applications

The call is open between July 10 and 11:59 p.m. on July 24, 2026. To apply, send an email to geral@s2aquacolab.pt with the subject S2AQUAcoLAB/Bolsa/Ref_09/2026. Each candidate may submit only one application, failing which all applications submitted will be cancelled. False declarations or acts of plagiarism are grounds for cancellation of the application, without prejudice to the adoption of other sanctioning measures.

Supervision and Place of Activity

The activities will be carried out at the S2AQUAcoLAB facilities, based at the Olhão Fish Farming Pilot Station, Av. do Parque Natural da Ria Formosa, s/n, 8700-194 Olhão, Portugal, and at the Tavira Mollusc Farming Experimental Station (EEMT-IPMA), Vale Caranguejo s/n, 8800-737 Tavira, under the guidance of Dr Raquel Quintã, researcher at S2AQUAcoLAB. The scholarship working hours are 40 hours per week.

Amount of Monthly Maintenance Allowance

The amount of the fellowship is €1,090.98, according to the table of fellowships approved by FCT, I.P. The fellow is entitled to the reimbursement of voluntary social insurance (1st level), if applicable, and will receive personal accident insurance during the fellowship. Payment will be made monthly by S2AQUAcoLAB, through bank transfer.

Admissibility

Applicant Admissibility Requirements

Who can apply for the Research Fellowship: Portuguese Citizens or citizens of Member States of the European Union; or citizens of third states. To apply, it is necessary to reside in Portugal permanently and habitually, and not have benefited from a research fellowship in companies directly financed by FCT, regardless of duration.

Application Admissibility Requirements

It is indispensable, under penalty of non-admission of the application, to submit: a detailed and signed Curriculum Vitae; a motivation letter (maximum one page); copy of the ID card or passport; permanent residence certificate/permit if applicable; documents proving qualifications (recognised by a Portuguese university if obtained abroad); evidence of professional experience and training; an up-to-date document attesting to employment status (or sworn statement if not employed); and a declaration under commitment of honour meeting admission requirements. Failure to submit certain documentation within fifteen days of notification of the results will result in the scholarship not being awarded.

Selection Methods and Criteria

Eligible applications will be scored from zero (0 minimum) to twenty (20 maximum). Evaluation method: applications will be evaluated through a curricular evaluation (CA, 100%). An interview will only be conducted if the jury deems it necessary or in case of a tie.

CA = 0.35 × A + 0.65 × B, where A is academic merit (based on undergraduate GPA) and B is professional experience, assessed on criteria including experience with macroalgae/microalgae cultivation, Ulva sp. and Gracilaria sp. cultivation, aquaculture systems maintenance, biological/environmental sampling, and data analysis/dissemination.

If an interview is necessary, the final classification (FC) will be obtained through FC = 0.4 × CA + 0.6 × I (interview score).

Reporting the Results

Results are published and communicated by email within 90 working days after the application submission deadline. Candidates have 10 working days after disclosure of results to present objections. The final decision shall be taken no later than 60 working days after the conclusion of the prior hearing of interested parties.

Other Information

Applicants with disabilities will have preference in a situation of equal classification. S2AQUAcoLAB applies a non-discrimination and equal opportunities policy in its selection process.

How to Apply

Send an email to geral@s2aquacolab.pt with the subject S2AQUAcoLAB/Bolsa/Ref_09/2026, including all required documentation.

More information: https://s2aquacolab.pt/en/carreiras/s2aquacolab-bolsa-ref-09-2026/2026-07-10