RESEARCH GRANT BI (MASTER DEGREE) IPMA-2026-028-BI

Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera, I.P.; Portugal; On-site; EUR 14,000 - 17,000; Full time

Job summary

IPMA, I.P. in Portugal invites applications for a Research Grant BI (Master Degree) as part of the Shellbloom project. The grant supports a master holder enrolled in a doctoral or related programme to work on nutrition for bivalves and related production research at IPMA's Olhão and Tavira sites.

The 12-month fellowship begins January 2027, with a monthly maintenance allowance of €1,359.64, plus insurance. Supervision by Dr.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Marine Biology, Marine Sciences or related fields.
• Must be enrolled in a doctoral programme or a non-degree-awarding programme integrated into the educational programme of a higher education institution.

Responsibilities

• Support research activities in the Shellbloom project related to bivalve nutrition and production.
• Install and monitor experimental hatchery trials with different diets and rearing conditions.
• Collect and process data on growth, survival and physiological condition of bivalves.
• Implement feeding trials and assess survival, growth and biological performance.
• Collect, process and analyze samples for biochemical, physiological and microbiological parameters.
• Perform statistical analyses and integrate indicators to assess responses to diets and conditions.
• Prepare technical outputs, reports and scientific publications; contribute to dissemination activities.
• Prepare and submit the final fellowship report per IPMA regulations.

Education

Master's degree in Marine Biology

Master's degree in Marine Sciences

Job description

Offer Description

Announcement

RESEARCH GRANT BI (Master Degree)

IPMA-2026-028-BI

Pursuant to Article 8 of the Regulation for Research Grants of Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera, I.P. (IPMA, I.P.), it is hereby made public that, by decision of the Board of Directors of IPMA, I.P., dated 29/10/2026, the opening of a call for applications with the internal reference IPMA-2026-028-BI was authorised for the award of one Research Grant intended for holders of a master’s degree, in the scientific fields of Marine Biology, Marine Sciences or related areas, and enrolled in a doctoral programme or in a non-degree-awarding course integrated into the educational programme of a higher education institution, developed in association or cooperation with one or more R&D units, within the scope of the Shellbloom – Innovative Diets for High Quality Bivalve Aquaculture project (COMPETE2030-FEDER-01193100, LISBOA2030-FEDER-01193100, ALGARVE-FEDER-01193100), funded by the MPr-2023-7 – SIID – Business R&D – Co-promotion – Other Territories programme.

1. Legal admission requirements for applicants

The scholarship is intended for candidates holding a master’s degree in the scientific fields of Marine Biology, Marine Sciences or related areas, for the purpose of carrying out research support activities in the aforementioned scientific area.

2. Recruitment requirements for applicants

Candidates must hold a master’s degree in the scientific fields of Marine Biology, Marine Sciences or related fields. Additionally, at the time of recruitment, candidates must be enrolled in a doctoral programme or in a non-degree-awarding programme integrated into the educational programme of a higher education institution, developed in association or cooperation with one or more R&D units.

3. Work plan:

Research topic

Application and evaluation of new diets for bivalve nutrition and production throughout the value chain.

General objective

Contribute to the development and evaluation of new nutritional strategies applied to bivalve production through the implementation and monitoring of experimental trials; the assessment of the biological and physiological performance of animals at different stages of their life cycle; the integrated analysis of growth, survival and physiological condition indicators; and the analysis and dissemination of results obtained within the scope of the SHELLBLOOM project and the associated doctoral research.

Proposed activities

The fellow’s work programme will include the following activities:

a) Participation in the installation and monitoring of experimental trials in the hatchery, including the application of different experimental diets and the monitoring of rearing conditions;

b) Collection and processing of data relating to the growth, survival, development and physiological condition of bivalves subjected to different experimental conditions;

c) Implementation and monitoring of feeding trials, including the assessment of survival, growth and biological performance of bivalves;

d) Collection, processing and analysis of samples to assess biochemical, physiological and microbiological parameters, in accordance with the protocols established within the scope of the project;

e) Statistical analysis of the results obtained, integration of different biological indicators and comparative assessment of bivalve responses to different diets and experimental conditions;

f) Preparation of technical and scientific outputs, including reports, scientific publications and presentations at meetings and conferences, as well as participation in project communication and dissemination activities;

g) Preparation and submission of the final fellowship report, in accordance with Article 24 of the IPMA Research Fellowship Regulations.

4. Duration and Renovation conditions

The fellowship, expected to begin in January 2027, will have a duration of 12 months and may eventually be renewed for additional periods, under the terms of Articles 6 and 15 of the IPMA Research Fellowship Regulations, depending on budget availability, project duration, or until the maximum duration allowed for this type of fellowship is reached (whichever occurs first), on an exclusive dedication basis. The work to be carried out under this fellowship is temporary in nature and will not continue beyond the conclusion of the project.

5. Supervision and workplace

The scholarship will take place within the framework of the activities of the Aquaculture, Valorisation and Bioprospecting Division (DivAV), at IPMA-Olhão and IPMA-Tavira (located at Av. 5 de Outubro, s/n, 8700-305 Olhão and Vale Caranguejo, s/n, 8800-737 Tavira, respectively), under the scientific supervision of Dr. DomitÍlia Matias, Principal Researcher at IPMA. The place where the activities are carried out may be changed according to the needs of the defined work programme.

6. Value of monthly maintenance allowance

The amount for the fellowship corresponds to 1 359,64 €, according to the table of values approved by FCT, I.P. ( https://www.fct.pt/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Tabela-de-Valores-SMM-2026.pdf ). The monthly remuneration will be paid by bank transfer by the IPMA, I.P. services. The fellowship holder is also entitled to reimbursement of charges related to the Voluntary Social Insurance (1st level), if applicable, in accordance with the conditions defined in the Research Grant Holder's Statute and will benefit from personal accident insurance during the fellowship period.

7. Jury members

The jury, appointed by order of the Director Council of IPMA, I.P., is composed by the following members:

2nd Effective Member: Miguel Gaspar – coordinator Researcher – IPMA, I.P. ;

2nd Substitute Member: Pedro Lino – Assistant Researcher – IPMA, I.P. .

8. Selection and methods criteria

8.1. Admission requirements: All candidates who meet the requirements defined in points 1 and 11 of this call will be admitted to the competition.

8.2. Method: Method: candidates will be evaluated through curriculum assessment (CA) and interview (I). The selection interview will only be conducted in the event of a tie between candidates ranked first in the Curriculum Assessment (AC).

8.3. The CA will be quantitatively expressed on a scale from 0 to 20 points, according to the formula:
CA = 0.3 A + 0.7 B, where:

A. Assesses the relevance and quality of the candidate’s academic and professional background in the scientific area of the competition;

B. Assesses previous experience relevant to performing the required functions, according to:

(i) Experience in R&D activities in aquaculture and bivalve nutrition (0–4 points);

(ii) Experience in conducting and monitoring experimental trials, including feeding trials and the monitoring of bivalve growth, survival and biological performance (0–4 points);

(iii) Experience in microbiological, biochemical and/or physiological analyses applied to aquatic organisms (0–4 points);

(iv) Experience in microalgae production and/or the formulation and application of diets for aquaculture (0–4 points);

(v) Participation in research projects and experience in the preparation and dissemination of scientific results, including publications, conference presentations and report writing (0–4 points).

Candidates will be ranked on the basis of their curriculum assessment. The selection interview will only be conducted in the event of a tie between candidates ranked first in the Curriculum Assessment (CA). The interview, conducted either in person or by electronic means, will be graded quantitatively on a scale from 0 to 20 points, according to the following criteria:

• Interest and motivation for carrying out the activities outlined in the work programme (0–5 points);
• Autonomy and initiative (0–5 points);
• Ability to adapt and solve problems in a research context (0–5 points);
• Communication and verbal expression skills (0–5 points).

8.5. Final ranking list: All candidates admitted to the Research Scholarship will be ranked in descending order according to the final classification assigned by the jury. The Final Classification (FC) will be decided by simple majority of the jury members and calculated as follows:

• If an interview is conducted: FC = CA 0.6 + I 0.4
• Without an interview: FC = CA

8.6. Reserve selection list:If the approved final ranking list contains a number of successful candidates exceeding the number of scholarships to be filled, a ‘selection reserve list’ shall be established, corresponding to the approved final ranking list. This list may be used whenever there is a need to fill a position due to withdrawal by the selected candidate, under the terms of the Code of Administrative Procedure (C.P.A.), and may be used during the eligibility period of the project.

9. Communication of results

Upon the end of the evaluation process, candidates will be notified, to the email address indicated in the application, of the ordered ranking list within 5 working days, following the hearing process of interested parties, under the terms of article 12 of the Regulation for Scientific Research Fellowships of IPMA, I.P.

The jury reserves the right not to select any candidate if it considers that none of the applicants possesses the required profile.

10. Research Grant Contest approval

Upon conclusion of the hearing process and its appreciation by the jury members, the final decision will be proposed for approval by the Director Council of IPMA, I.P.

a)Copy of the identification document;
b)Copy certificate of permanent residence, authorization for permanent residence or long-term residence status, if applicable;
c)Documents proving the conditions required by the type of fellowship, namely copy of diplomas that confirm the Academic Degree, recognized by a Portuguese University, if the degree has been obtained abroad;
d)Detailed, signed, and updated curriculum vitae of the candidate;
e)Copy of the documents attesting the professional experience and training, namely recommendation letters, course or internship certificates;
f)Recent document attesting the current professional status, indicating the nature of the link and functions, and may be replaced by a declaration of honour if the candidate does not carry out any professional or service activity;
g)Document certifying enrolment in a doctoral programme or in a non-degree-awarding course integrated into the educational programme of a higher education institution, developed in association or cooperation with one or more R&D units, in the scientific fields covered by this call.
h)Declaration of the candidate, under a commitment of honour, that he meets the requirements for admission to the present scholarship competition, available
at https://www.ipma.pt/export/sites/ipma/bin/docs/organizacionais/Declaracao-Compromisso-Honra-IPMA-BI-Estudante-Doutoramento.pdf

The application reference, “IPMA-2026-028-BI”, must be indicated in the subject line of the application email.

11.2. In case of not being possible to obtain the certificates mention in c) and g) until the due date of the application, the candidate may replace them by declarations of their responsibility with the corresponding content, submitted electronically and, in case of grant of the fellowship, send the official certificates to the IPMA, IP, before the contract being handled.

11.3. Failure to submit the documentation referred to in points b), e), and f) within two months from the date of notification of the results will result in the non-award of the grant.

11.4. The application submission period will take place between 10th November, 2026 and 23rd November, 2026 (10 working days).

12. Legislation and regulation applicable

• Regulation for Scientific Research Fellowships of IPMA, IP, published in the Official Journal 2nd series, part C, n.º 154, of august 10 / 2020;
• Statute of the Scholarships for Scientific Research, approved by Law No. 40/2004 of 18 August, as amended by the decree-Law No. 202/2012 of 27 August, Law No. 12/2013 of 29 January,Decree-LawNo. 89/2013 of 9 July,Decree-Law No. 233/2012 of 29 October, Decree-Law No. 123/2019 of 28 August and Decree-Law No. 65/2024 of 01 October;
• Grants Regulationof the FCT, I. P., approved by the Regulation No 950/2019 of 29 November, published in Official Journal 2nd series, part C on 16 December 2019, and with the changes introduced by Regulation no. 643/2021, of June 30, 2021, published in the Official Journal, 2nd Series, part C of July 14, 2021, amended and republished by Notice (extract) No. 412/2026/2, published in the Diário da República, Series II, of 7 January 2026);
• Administrative Procedure Code, approved by the Decree-Law No. 4/2015 of 7 January, wording currently in force.

Notes:

• In case of differences between the Portuguese and English announcement versions, the Portuguese version is considered.

The Jury’s President,

Where to apply

E-mail [e-mail]

Requirements

Research Field Biological sciences » Other Education Level Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field Environmental science » Other Education Level Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

Legal admission requirements for applicants

The scholarship is intended for candidates holding a master’s degree in the scientific fields of Marine Biology, Marine Sciences or related areas, for the purpose of carrying out research support activities in the aforementioned scientific area.

Specific Requirements

Recruitment requirements for applicants

Candidates must hold a master’s degree in the scientific fields of Marine Biology, Marine Sciences or related fields. Additionally, at the time of recruitment, candidates must be enrolled in a doctoral programme or in a non-degree-awarding programme integrated into the educational programme of a higher education institution, developed in association or cooperation with one or more R&D units.

Research Field Biological sciences » OtherEnvironmental science » Other

Internal Application form(s) needed

IPMA-FORMULARIO-CANDIDATURA-CC-v1.0[1].pdf

Candidates must hold a master’s degree in the scientific fields of Marine Biology, Marine Sciences or related fields. Additionally, at the time of recruitment, candidates must be enrolled in a doctoral programme or in a non‑degree-awarding programme integrated into the educational programme of a higher education institution, developed in association or cooperation with one or more R&D units.

Additional comments

Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera, I.P. Country Portugal City Olhão Postal Code 8700-305 Street Av. 5 de Outubro, s/n Geofield

Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera, I.P. Country Portugal City Tavira Postal Code 8800-737 Street Vale Caranguejo, s/n Geofield