Junior Researcher

EURAXESS Ireland; Covilhã; Remote; EUR 13,000 - 20,000; Full time

Job summary

Associação BIOPOLIS invites applications for a Junior Researcher to join the SOS Pygargus LIFE project in Portugal. The role is full-time under a one-year contract, supporting conservation science and knowledge transfer activities.

The project targets Montagu’s Harrier conservation with GPS-tracked data analysis, habitat management, and stakeholder engagement to improve breeding success and reduce mortality.

Qualifications

• Solid background in Conservation Ecology, Population Ecology, Movement Ecology, or related fields.
• Proven experience in movement data analysis from GPS-tracked animals.
• Experience in data analysis and computer programming using R and GIS; at least one publication as first author in indexed journals.
• Excellent English communication (written and spoken).

Skills

Conservation Ecology

Population Ecology

Movement Ecology

Data analysis

Programming (R & GIS)

Education

PhD in Biology or Environmental/Forest sciences

Tools

R

GIS

Job description

Organisation/Company ASSOCIAÇÃO BIOPOLIS Research Field Biological sciences Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Positions Postdoc Positions Application Deadline 17 Nov 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Lisbon) Country Portugal Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 35 Offer Starting Date 1 Jan 2027 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? LIFE Programme Reference Number Biopolis 2026-56 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Associação BIOPOLIS opens applications for a Junior Researcher (Reference: BIOPOLIS 2026-56) for a full-time position under employment contract of uncertain duration, with an expected duration of one (1) year, to carry out research activities within the SOS Pygargus project (LIFE23- NAT-PT-LIFE SOS Pygargus, Grant Agreement no. 101148303), funded by the European Union under the LIFE Program. The position supports scientific research and knowledge transfer activities.

The Montagu’s Harrier (Circus pygargus) is a semi-colonial ground-nesting migratory raptor deeply associated with farmlands, mainly nesting in cereal and fodder crops, being vulnerable to changes in farming practices, leading to the destruction of nests, exposure to higher predation levels or extreme weather, and the loss of habitat associated with the reduction of cereal crops to the detriment of other crops and land uses, often subsidized by agricultural or forestry policies.

The project will establish the tools for the short and long-term conservation of the Montagu’s Harrier populations in their main Portuguese and transborder distribution areas, by implementing conservation measures related to habitat management and improving breeding success, mitigate threats and reduce mortality. It will assess the problem of its conservation, apply specific conservation measures (>2000 ha) to improve habitat conditions; make agricultural practices more compatible with the reproductive cycle of the species, prevent and mitigate disturbance affecting breeding productivity, raise awareness and promote capacity building. It aims to improve the unfavorable conservation state. Importantly, it aims to halt the population decline and increase the breeding population by 50% within the 6 years of project and improve breeding success by more than doubling the productivity to 1.5 (currently at 0.6), needed to sustain a viable population. It also aims to reduce mortality and nest destruction by about 75%. We furthermore aim to improve and ensure 50% of nest survival in the wild (until very recently, over 90% of 1st clutches were destroyed).

General Requirements

National, foreign and stateless candidates who hold a PhD degree in Biology, Environmental or Forest sciences, or similar scientific area in the Natural Sciences and have a scientific and professional curriculum that reveals a profile suited to the activity to be developed may apply to the competition. In the case of an academic degree awarded by a foreign higher education institution, it must comply with the provisions of Decree-Law No. 66/2018, of 16 August, in its current wording, namely with the amendments introduced by Decree-Law No. 86/2023, of 10 October, and any legally required formalities must be fulfilled by the date of signing the employment contract.

Specific Requirements

In addition to the general requirements defined in the previous point, the following are specific requirements:

• Solid background in Conservation Ecology, Population Ecology, Movement Ecology, or related biological fields;
• Proven experience in the analysis of movement data from GPS-tracked animals;
• Experience in fieldwork, specifically including animal/bird monitoring, capturing, and tagging with GPS devices;
• Proven participation in basic or applied research projects;
• Experience in data analysis and computer programming, particularly using R and GIS (Geographic Information Systems);
• At least one publication as first author in indexed international peer-reviewed scientific journals;
• Excellent communication skills and proficiency in English (written and spoken);
• Strong troubleshooting, problem-solving, and independent work skills.

Preferred Requirements

• Academic and research background with a specific focus on birds (ornithology);
• Relevant publication track record in bird conservation and ecology, particularly in bird population ecology;
• Experience in coordinating fieldwork logistics, leading teams, and drafting technical/scientific reports;
• Experience working and liaising with NGOs, Conservation Authorities, and diverse environmental stakeholders;
• Working proficiency in written and spoken Portuguese;
• Profile demonstrating strong collaborative capacity, teamwork ethics, responsibility, and strict scientific rigor

Languages ENGLISH Level Excellent

Research Field Biological sciences Years of Research Experience 1 - 4

Internal Application form(s) needed

Edital_SOSPYGARGUS_Inv_Junior_2026-56_ENG.pdf

Edital_SOSPYGARGUS_Inv_Junior_2026-56_PT.pdf