BI/Fitoplâncton/2026

Universidade da Madeira; Portugal; On-site; EUR 14,000 - 17,000; Full time

Job summary

Universidade da Madeira invites applications for a Research Grant in the field of Biological Sciences and Marine Ecology. The project focuses on pigment composition, chemotaxonomy, and biogeochemical functioning of phytoplankton in subtropical coastal waters of Madeira, with CHEMTAX and HPLC-based analyses in an R environment.

The grant spans 12 months initially (renewable up to 48 months) with a monthly allowance of €1,359.64.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in biology or related field.
• Currently enrolled in a doctoral program in biology or related field.
• Experience in phytoplankton sampling and pigment analysis.
• Proficiency in English for scientific communication.
• Knowledge of chemotaxonomy and CHEMTAX.
• Experience with HPLC or similar pigment analyses.
• Ability to analyze data in R.

Responsibilities

• Design and optimize phytopigment analysis protocols.
• Characterize pigment profiles across Madeira coastal waters.
• Apply chemotaxonomic methods using CHEMTAX in R.
• Compare pigment-based estimates with microscopy and flow cytometry.
• Prepare reports and participate in meetings and publications.

Skills

Phytoplankton knowledge

Marine ecology

Biogeochemical analysis

R programming

CHEMTAX familiarity

Sample processing

Fieldwork experience

Scientific communication

Education

Master's degree in Biology

PhD enrollment

Tools

HPLC analysis

R environment

Job description

Organisation/Company Universidade da Madeira Research Field Other Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Application Deadline 17 Nov 2026 - 23:59 (Atlantic/Madeira) Country Portugal Type of Contract Not Applicable Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 35 Offer Starting Date 3 Nov 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

A call for applications is open for one (1) Research Grant under the collaboration protocol between the Foundation for Science and Technology, I.P/MECI and the University of Madeira, under the following conditions.

I. Scientific Area: Biological Sciences, Marine Biology, Marine Ecology, Biological Oceanography or related fields.

II. Admission Requirements:

a) General Requirements:

• The candidate must hold a master's degree in Biology, Marine Biology, Marine Sciences, Biological Oceanography, Ecology or Biochemistry, or an equivalent qualification in a scientific area directly related to the work plan;
• Be enrolled in a doctoral program in Biology, Marine Biology, Marine Sciences, Oceanography or a related scientific area;

b) Preferred Requirements:

• Training or experience in phytoplankton, marine ecology, biological oceanography or marine biogeochemistry;
• Experience in collecting, filtering, preserving and processing samples for phytopigment analysis;
• Experience in chromatography techniques, preferably HPLC, or other pigment analysis methodologies;
• Knowledge of pigment-based chemotaxonomy, including CHEMTAX or equivalent methodologies;
• Knowledge of data analysis in an R environment, including the use of packages for multivariate analysis, chemotaxonomy, or ecological modeling;
• Experience in taxonomic or functional identification of microalgae and phytoplankton;
• Experience in fieldwork and monitoring of marine or coastal environments;
• Proficiency in English, including reading, writing, and scientific communication.

III. Work Plan:

Pigment Composition, Chemotaxonomy, and Biogeochemical Functioning of Phytoplankton Communities in Subtropical Coastal Waters of Madeira

This work plan aims to characterize the pigment composition of phytoplankton communities in coastal waters of Madeira and to evaluate, through chemotaxonomic approaches, the relative contribution of their main functional groups to biomass and relevant biogeochemical processes.

The work will be developed in a complementary manner to the monitoring activities of potentially harmful benthic microalgae and to the pico- and microphytoplankton observation series carried out as part of other research projects and programs. Existing samples, environmental data, and time series will be used whenever possible, reducing the need for additional campaigns and infrastructure.

The analysis will focus primarily on the characterization of phytopigments, preferably using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and the application of chemotaxonomic methods, notably CHEMTAX or equivalent methodologies implemented in an R environment. These approaches will allow us to estimate the relative contribution of different phytoplankton groups based on their pigment profiles, complementing the information obtained by microscopic methods, flow cytometry, and plankton imaging.

The work to be developed includes:

• 1. Literature review and definition of protocols for collection, filtration, preservation, and analysis of samples intended for the characterization of phytopigments and associated environmental variables.
• 2. Implementation and optimization of phytopigment analysis protocols, preferably using HPLC or other available and appropriate analytical methodologies for the identification and quantification of photosynthetic and accessory pigments.
• 3. Characterization of the spatial and temporal variability of pigment profiles in coastal waters of Madeira, considering different seasons, periods of the year, and oceanographic and environmental conditions.
• 4. Application of chemotaxonomic approaches, notably CHEMTAX or equivalent methodologies implemented in an R environment, to estimate the relative contribution of the main phytoplankton groups from accessory pigment profiles.
• 5. Evaluation of different pigment-group matrices, calibration parameters, and sensitivity analysis procedures, in order to quantify the robustness and limitations of the chemotaxonomic estimates obtained.
• 6. Comparison of chemotaxonomic estimates with independent information obtained through microscopy, flow cytometry, planktonic images, or other available methodologies, evaluating the correspondence between pigment signatures, functional groups and taxonomic groups.
• 7. Analysis of phytoplankton groups of particular biogeochemical relevance, including haptophytes and, when detected, coccolithophores, focusing on their contribution to pigment profiles and ecosystem functioning.
• 8. Study of the relationship between pigment composition, functional groups and environmental conditions, including temperature, salinity, nutrient availability, light, water column stratification, turbidity and the influence of and 9. Evaluation of the relative contribution of the main functional groups to biogeochemical processes, including, whenever data are available, primary production, nutrient use, carbon export, and other relevant indicators of the functioning of subtropical coastal waters.
• 10. Organization, validation, and statistical analysis of the data, using appropriate tools, notably R or Python, and using methods of multivariate analysis, ordination, correlation, and modeling of the relationship between pigment profiles, community composition, and environmental conditions.
• 11. Integration and interpretation of the results in the context of environmental variability and biogeochemical functioning of oligotrophic subtropical coastal ecosystems.
• 12. Preparation of reports, communications, and scientific publications, as well as participation in meetings and other scientific activities related to the project.

The chemotaxonomic analysis will not aim to repeat the taxonomic characterization, quantification by size classes, or analysis of the temporal dynamics of pico- and microphytoplankton foreseen in other research plans. These data will be used as supplementary information and as an independent reference to interpret and validate pigment profiles and estimates of the contribution of functional groups.

This approach will allow for a deeper understanding of the functional composition and biogeochemical functioning of coastal phytoplankton communities in Madeira, while simultaneously contributing to evaluating the applicability of phytopigment-based methods and chemotaxonomy in monitoring subtropical marine ecosystems.

IV. Applicable legislation and regulations: Research Grant Holder Statute in its current wording, University of Madeira Research Grant Regulations and FCT, IP Research Grant Regulations in their current wording.

V. Workplace: The work will be carried out at the University of Madeira, Faculty of Life Sciences and at MARE-Madeira, under the scientific guidance of Professor Manfred Kaufmann.

VI. Duration of the grant(s): The grant will have an initial duration of 12 (twelve) months. The grant may be renewed for equal periods, up to a maximum of 48 months.

VII. Monthly Maintenance Allowance: The scholarship amount corresponds to €1359.64, according to the table of values for scholarships awarded directly by FCT, I.P. in Portugal.

VIII. Funding: The scholarship is granted within the framework of the collaboration protocol between the Foundation for Science and Technology, I.P./MECI and the University of Madeira, funded by FCT with funds from the State Budget and, when eligible, with funds from PDQI.

IX. Selection Methods: The selection methods to be used will be the following:

• 1) Academic and professional trajectory - 35%
• 2) Academic classifications - 15%
• 3) Alignment of the thesis topic with the studies proposed in the research grant - 15%
• 4) Knowledge in the area of the proposed work - 15%
• 5) Letter of motivation - 10%
• 6) Interview - 10%

X. Composition of the Selection Jury:

Chair of the panel: Prof. Dr. Manfred Josef Kaufmann

XI. Method of publication/notification of results:

The admission lists, as well as the results of each selection method and final ranking lists, will be published on the website of the Human Resources Unit – Scholarship Holder Center of the University of Madeira, http://urh.uma.pt/ , and the candidate will be notified by email.