Research Scholarship (Master's) - SOFTCRAB Project
S2AQUAcoLABAbout the Call
S2AQUA - Collaborative Laboratory, Association for Sustainable and Smart Aquaculture (S2AQUAcoLAB), pursuant to Article 7 of the S2AQUAcoLAB Research Grant Regulations, hereby announces that a call for applications has been authorised for a Research Fellowship (Master's) in the field of Marine Biology or similar areas.
The call for applications for a Research Grant is intended to support research activities within the scope of project SOFTCRAB – Innovating in crab production for consumption in Southern Europe (No. 17465), funded by the ERDF under the Algarve 2030 and Portugal 2030 programs and co-financed by the European Union.
The Work Plan
The work programme involves performing duties in the area of crab production in aquaculture, at S2AQUA and Atlantik Fish, namely supporting the following activities:
- Conducting in vivo laboratory-scale experiments with juvenile crabs to evaluate the effect of temperature and diet on the molting process.
- Conducting in vivo pilot-scale experiments in semi-extensive tidal flat systems to test the feasibility of soft-shell crab production in an industrial setting.
- Conducting laboratory analyses of physiological indicators, including digestive enzyme activity.
- Assisting with data analysis and the preparation of technical and scientific progress reports.
- Assisting with the preparation of materials for the dissemination of results and participating in project outreach activities.
- Assisting with other tasks related to aquaculture.
Desired Profile
- Level 7 of Higher Education (Master's).
- Experience and knowledge in aquaculture.
- Experience in the care and handling of marine invertebrates, particularly crabs.
- Experience in the routine maintenance and cleaning of aquaculture equipment and systems.
- Experience in collecting biological samples from marine organisms, particularly crabs.
- Experience in analyzing biochemical indicators in marine organisms, particularly digestive enzymes and oxidative stress.
- Experience in statistical data analysis and preparation of outreach materials.
- Availability to work on public holidays and weekends.
Other Requirements
- Be highly motivated, demonstrate autonomy and the ability to propose new approaches.
- Experience in developing and/or executing national and international research projects.
- Ability to adapt and integrate into a team.
- Advanced level of English.
- Autonomy and proactivity.
Submission of Applications
The call is open between July 10 and 11:59 p.m. on July 24, 2026.
To apply for this research fellowship, send an email to geral@s2aquacolab.pt with the subject S2AQUAcoLAB/Bolsa_Ref_08/2026. Each candidate may submit only one application, under penalty of cancellation of all applications submitted. Making false statements or committing acts of plagiarism is grounds for cancellation of the application, without prejudice to the adoption of other punitive measures.
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 for the Research Fellowship, it is necessary to: reside in Portugal permanently and habitually; not have benefited from a research fellowship in companies directly financed by FCT, regardless of their duration; and be enrolled in a doctoral program or in a non-degree program that is part of a higher education institution's educational program and is carried out in partnership or cooperation with one or more R&D units.
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); permanent residence certificate/permit if applicable; documents proving qualifications (recognised by a Portuguese university if obtained abroad); evidence of professional experience and training; document proving enrollment in a doctoral or non-degree program; an up-to-date document attesting to employment status (or sworn statement if not employed); a declaration under commitment of honour meeting admission requirements; and a copy of the ID card or passport.
Failure to submit certain documentation within fifteen days of the date of notification of the results will result in the scholarship not being awarded.
Type and Duration of the Fellowship
One research fellowship will be awarded. The fellowship is scheduled to begin on August 1, 2026, and will last for 12 months, with the possibility of renewal under the terms of Article 15 of the S2AQUAcoLAB Fellowship Regulations, on a full-time basis. The scholarship must be awarded on an exclusive basis, in accordance with the S2AQUAcoLAB scholarship regulations and the FCT scholarship regulations based on Portuguese Law 40/2004 of 18 August, as amended.
Amount of Monthly Maintenance Allowance
The amount of the fellowship is €1,359.64, 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.
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, with occasional trips to the Atlantik Fish facilities, Esteiro da Lezíria, 8950-124 Castro Marim, Portugal, under the guidance of Renata Gonçalves, researcher at S2AQUAcoLAB, and Cátia Marques, scientific coordinator at S2AQUAcoLAB.
The scholarship working hours are 40 hours per week.
Selection Methods and Criteria
Eligible applications will be scored from zero (0 minimum rating) to twenty (20 maximum rating). 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 = 0.15 × A + 0.85 × B, where A is academic merit and B is professional experience, assessed on criteria including experience with marine invertebrates (crabs), biological sampling, biochemical indicator analysis, experimental data collection/analysis, and equipment maintenance.
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_08/2026, including all required documentation.
More information: https://s2aquacolab.pt/en/carreiras/s2aquacolab-bolsa-ref-08-2026/2026-07-10