Technical Assistant - Genetic Expression Testing and Analysis

S2AQUAcoLAB; Quelfes; Hybrid; EUR 9,500 - 11,000; Full time

Job summary

S2AQUAcoLAB in Portugal seeks a Technical Assistant for Genetic Expression Testing and Analysis. The role focuses on supporting in vivo experiments with fish, DNA/RNA extraction, and analysis of gene expression data under Dr Iris Silva's supervision.

The ideal candidate has at least secondary education, aquaculture knowledge, experience with PCR and real-time PCR, and availability for holidays/weekends; English proficiency is required and autonomous, proactive work is valued.

Qualifications

• Level 4 non-tertiary education.
• Experience and knowledge of aquaculture.
• Experience collecting biological samples from marine species, especially sea bream.
• Experience in molecular biology techniques, such as PCR and real-time PCR.
• Experience processing samples for DNA and RNA extraction.
• Experience designing primers for gene expression studies.
• Experience collecting and processing relative gene expression data.
• Availability to work holidays and weekends.

Responsibilities

• Support in vivo experiments with fish and collect/process data.
• Assist laboratory-scale experiments, such as sampling.
• Process biological samples for DNA and RNA extraction.
• Analyze molecular biomarker expression.
• Collaborate in data collection, analysis, and interpretation.
• Contribute to reports and scientific articles.

Skills

Aquaculture

Sample collection

Primer design

Gene expression data

Team collaboration

English proficiency

Education

Level 4 non-tertiary education (secondary education)

Tools

PCR

Real-time PCR

Job description

Technical Assistant - Genetic Expression Testing and Analysis

• Technical Assistant - Genetic Expression Testing and Analysis

Technical Assistant - Genetic Expression Testing and Analysis S2AQUAcoLAB/Ref_05/2026

S2AQUA - Laboratório Colaborativo, Associação para uma Aquacultura Sustentável e Inteligente (S2AQUAcoLAB) is calling for applications for a candidate (minimum level 4 - secondary education to support activities within the scope of the HatchWeLL project – Enhancing Marine HATCHeries productivity through better Nutrition, Robustness, and WELfare of Larvae,

No. 29114, Operation No. MPr-2026-4 (COMPETE2030-FEDER-04220200, ALGARVE-FEDER-04220200), supported by the EUROSTARS-3 program and co-financed by the European Union through the Algarve 2030 and COMPETE 2030 Operational Programs, under the Portugal 2030 framework.

1. Desired profile

1. Level 4 non-tertiary education (secondary education);

2. Experience and knowledge of aquaculture;

3. Experience in collecting biological samples from marine species, particularly sea bream;

4. Experience in molecular biology techniques, such as PCR and real-time PCR;

5. Experience in processing biological samples from fish for DNA and RNA extraction;

6. Experience in designing and analyzing the efficiency of primers for gene expression studies;

7. Experience in collecting and processing relative gene expression data;

8. Availability to work on holidays and weekends.

2. Tasks

The work program includes, in particular, the following activities:

1. Support for conducting in vivo experiments with fish, as well as collecting experimental data and processing data;

2. Assistance with laboratory-scale experiments, such as sampling;

3. Processing biological samples for DNA and RNA extraction;

4. Analysis of molecular biomarker expression;

5. Collaboration in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data;

6. Collaboration in the preparation of reports and scientific articles.

3. Other requirements

a) Be highly motivated, demonstrate independence, and show the ability to propose new approaches;

b) Experience participating in and/or developing and carrying out research projects in national and international groups;

c) Ability to adapt and integrate to work as part of a team;

d) Advanced level of English;

e) Autonomy and proactivity.

4. Remuneration

The gross monthly remuneration will be TRU 5 (934.99€) of the Single Remuneration Table.

5. Type and duration of contract

The contract will be for an indefinite term, lasting approximately 12 months, and will begin at a date to be agreed upon later with the selected candidate.

6. Supervision and place of work

The activities will be carried out under the supervision of Dr Iris Silva, a researcher at S2AQUAcoLAB.

7. Applications

The competition is open between September, 24 and 23:59 on October 09, 2026.

The following may apply to this competition

A. Nationals or citizens of other European Union member states;

B. Citizens of third countries;

C. Be permanently and habitually resident in Portugal;

False declarations or acts of plagiarism are grounds for cancellation of the application, without prejudice to the adoption of other sanctioning measures

7.1 Admissibility Requirements for Applications

It is essential, otherwise the application will not be accepted:

E. A letter of motivation;

F. Certificate of permanent residence, permanent residence permit or long-term resident status, if applicable;

G. Documents proving the required conditions, namely qualification certificates indicating the degree obtained and the final classification;

H. Copy of ID card (in case of placement - to be sent later).

8. Jury composition

The competition jury is made up of the following members:

1st Effective Member: Pedro Pousão Ferreira, President of the Board - S2AQUAcoLAB;

2nd Effective Member: Rui Rocha, Vice-President of the Board - S2AQUAcoLAB;

2nd Alternate Member: Iris Silva, Researcher - S2AQUAcoLAB.

9. Selection methods and criteria

Applications considered admissible will be scored from zero (0 minimum classification) to twenty (20 maximum