POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP Announcement

                                                                        IPMA-2025-015-BIPD

Under the terms of Article 8  of the Regulation for Scientific Research Fellowships of IPMA, I.P., it is hereby made public that, by resolution of the Board of Directors of IPMA, I.P., dated  07/07/2025, the call for applications with reference IPMA-2025-015-BIPD has been authorized for the award of one Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in the scientific field of marine sciences, aquaculture, oceanography, marine and coastal management, or related areas within the framework of the “AZA4ICE - Allocated Zones for circular Aquaculture to trigger the transition to an Inclusive and Circular Economy in aquaculture sector fostering new business opportunities and eco-consciousness society” (ref: Euro-MED0200819), funded by the Interreg Euro-MED Programme and co-financed by the European Union.

1. Admission requirements

The fellowship is intended for candidates holding a Doctoral degree in marine sciences, aquaculture, oceanography, marine and coastal management or similar.

2. General admission requirements 

According to Article 7 of the IPMA, I.P. Scientific Research Grants Regulation, candidates must cumulatively meet the following admission requirements:

1. Hold a doctoral degree in marine sciences, aquaculture, oceanography, marine and coastal management or related fields;
2. Have obtained the doctoral degree in the three years prior to the application submission date for this scholarship;
3. Have carried out the research work leading to the doctoral degree at a host institution other than IPMA, I.P., in accordance with No. 3, 4 and 5 of Article 7 of the IPMA, I.P. Scientific Research Grants Regulation;
4. The fellowship holder may not exceed, with the signing of this fellowship contract, including any possible renewals, an accumulated period of three years under this type of grant, weather consecutive or non-consecutive;
5. Must not have previously held a postdoctoral research fellowship contract with IPMA, I.P.

If the doctoral degree was awarded by a foreign higher education institution, it must be formally recognized by a Portuguese higher education institution, pursuant to Article 25 of Decree-Law No. 66/2018, of August 16, which established the legal framework for the recognition of academic degrees and higher education diplomas awarded by foreign higher education institutions, and e) of No. 2 of Article 4 of Decree-Law No. 60/2018, of August 3. All required formalities must be completed by the date of the hiring. 

3. Work plan

The selected candidate will carry out the following activities:

i.    Collection of relevant information on the Ria Formosa, including environmental parameters, economic activities, infrastructure, among others;
ii.    Data analysis and processing, as well as preparation of technical reports;
iii.    Mapping and engagement with primary and secondary stakeholders at both local and national levels;
iv.    Participation in, organization of, and support for the management of meetings;
v.    Preparation and development of content for the dissemination and communication of project activities and results;
vi.    Preparation of the final fellowship report and drafting of a scientific article related to the project area.
 

4. Duration and Renewal

The fellowship scheduled to begin in July 2025, will have the duration of 12 months, and may be renewed under the terms of Article 15 of the IPMA, I.P. Scientific Research Grants Regulation, on an exclusive dedication basis. The work to be carried out under these fellowships is of temporary nature and will not continue beyond the conclusion of the project.

5. Supervision and workplace

The fellowship will take place within the scope of activities of the Departament of the Sea and Marine Resources, at the EPPO/IPMA – Aquaculture Reseqrch Station, located at Av. Parque Natural da Ria Formosa 8700-194 Olhão, Portugal, under the scientific supervision of Ana Catarina Matias, PhD Researcher at IPMA, I.P.

6. Monthly maintenance allowance

The monthly stipend is €1 851.00, in accordance with the values set out in the FCT, I.P. Fellowship Grant Table (https://www.fct.pt/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Tabela_valores_SMM_2025.pdf). Fellow is also entitled to reimbursement of contributions to the Voluntary Social Security Scheme (1st tier), where applicable, under the terms established in the Statute of the Research Fellow. Fellow will benefit from personal accident insurance during the grant period. Grant payments will be made monthly by bank transfer to the account designated by the fellow, processed by the administrative services of IPMA, I.P.

7. Composition of the selection committee

The selection committee, appointed by order of the Board of Directors of IPMA, I.P., is composed of the following members:

Chair:  Ana Catarina Matias - PhD Researcher (DL57/2016) - IPMA, I.P.;

1st Full Member: Florbela Soares - Principal Researcher - IPMA, I.P.;

2nd Full Member:  Domitília Matias - Principal Researcher - IPMA, I.P.;

1st Alternate Member: Pedro Pousão - Principal Researcher w/ Habilitation - IPMA, I.P.; 

2nd Alternate Member: Cátia Marques – PhD Researcher (DL57/2016) - IPMA, I.P. 

8. Selection methods and criteria

8.1 Eligibility: all candidates who meet the requirements set out in points No. 1 and 11 of this call notice will be admitted to the selection process. 

8.2. Method: candidates will be evaluated through curricular assessment (CA) and an interview (I). The interview will only be conducted in the event of a tie between candidates with the highest scores in the CA.

8.3. The CA will be scored on a scale from 0 to 20 points and will correspond to the weighted sum of the scores obtained in the following objective criteria: CA = 0.3*A + 0.7*B where:

A - Evaluates the suitability of the doctorate to the activities foreseen in the fellowship;

B - Assesses prior experience relevant to the functions to be performed, according to: 

1. Proven professional experience in marine environment studies (0-4 points);
2. Experience in aquaculture (0-3 points);
3. Experience in the analysis of environmental and other types of data (0-3 points);
4. Professional experience in statistical data processing (0-3 points);
5. Experience in publishing in high-impact indexed journals and in scientific and industrial communication (0-4 points);
6. Participation in project management and work within multidisciplinary teams (0-3 points).

8.4 Interview: If conducted, the interview may take place in person or via electronic means and will be evaluated based on the sum of scores assigned to the following criteria:

a) Motivation;

b) Autonomy;

c) Adaptability;

d) Verbal expression and fluency.

Each criterion will be scored on a scale from 0 to 20 points. The final interview score will be the arithmetic mean of the points assigned to each criterion.

8.5. Final ranking list: all admitted candidates will be ranked in descending order of their final classification (FC), as determined by a simple majority of the Selection Committee. The FC will be calculated as follows:

• If an interview is conducted: FC = CA*0.4 + I*0.6.

• If no interview is conducted: FC = CA.

8.6. Reserve list of selection: If the approved final ranking list includes more successful candidates than

the number of fellowships available, a “reserve list of selection” will be created. This list may be used in the event of withdrawal by the selected candidate, in accordance with the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Code (APC) and will remain valid throughout the project’s eligibility period.

9. Notification of results

At the end of the evaluation process, candidates will be notified, via the email address provided in their application, of the ranked of results within 5 working days. This will be followed by hearing of the interested parties, in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Code (APC).

10. Final decision

Following the conclusion of the hearing of the interested parties and its review by the selection committee, the final decision of the committee will be submitted for approval by the Board of Directors of IPMA, I.P.

11. Application submission

11.1 Applications to the research fellowship must be submitted by email to candidaturas.bolsas@ipma.pt within the deadline indicated in section 11.4, by completing the application form available at:

https://www.ipma.pt/export/sites/ipma/bin/docs/organizacionais/IPMA-FORMULARIO-CANDIDATURA-CC-v1.0.pdf  .

The reference of the call, “IPMA-2025-015-BIPD Fellowship Application”, must be indicated in the subject line of the application email and be accompanied by the following documents:

a)    Copy of an identification document;
b)    Copy of permanent residency certificate, permanent residence permit, or long-term resident status, if applicable;
c)    Supporting documents proving that the candidate meets the eligibility requirements for the type of fellowship applied for, namely a copy of the diplomas certifying the academic degree(s), recognized by a Portuguese university if obtained abroad;
d)    Updated, detailed, and signed curriculum vitae;
e)    Copies of supporting documents for professional experience and training, including recommendation letters and certificates of courses or internships completed);
f)    Updated document proving current professional status, indicating the nature of the contract and functions performed; if not applicable, the candidate must submit a sworn statement declaring that they are not engaged in any professional activity or service provision;
g) Declaration by the candidate, under honour commitment, stating that they meet the eligibility requirements for this fellowship call, available at:
https://www.ipma.pt/export/sites/ipma/bin/docs/organizacionais/Declaracao-Compromisso-Honra-IPMA-BI-Pos-Doutoral.pdf

11.2. If it is not possible to obtain the certificates mentioned in points c) before the application deadline, the candidate must replace them with self-declarations containing the corresponding information. These must be submitted electronically and, in the event the fellowship is awarded, the official certificates must be submitted to IPMA, I.P., before the fellowship agreement is signed.

11.3. Failure to submit the documents referred to in items b), e) and f) within 1 month from the notification of results will result in the non-award of the fellowship.

11.4. The application submission period will run from 15th July, 2025 to 28th July, 2025 (10 working days).

12. Applicable legislation and regulations

• Statute of the Research Fellow, approved by Law no. 40/2004 of August 18, as amended by Decree-Law no. 202/2012 of August 27, Law no. 12/2013 of January 29, Decree-Law no. 89/2013 of July 9, Decree-Law no. 233/2012 of October 29, Decree-Law no. 123/2019 of August 28, and Decree-Law no. 65/2024, of October 1;
• FCT, I.P. Research Fellowship Regulation, approved by Regulation no. 950/2019 of November 29, published in the Diário da República, 2nd Series, Part C, on December 16, 2019, as amended by Regulation no. 643/2021 of June 30, 2021, published in the Diário da República, 2nd Series, Part C, on July 14, 2021;
• Administrative Procedure Code (A.P.C.), approved by Decree-Law no. 4/2015 of January 7, in its current version;
• Regulation for Scientific Research Fellowships of IPMA, IP, published in the Diário da República, 2nd Series, Part C, no. 154, of August 10, 2020.

Notes: 

• In the event of any discrepancy between the Portuguese and English versions of this notice, the Portuguese version shall prevail (as published at https://www.ipma.pt/pt/recrutamento/bolsas/).
• The selection committee reserves the right not to award the fellowship if none of the candidates meet the required merit criteria. 

                                                                                                              The Chair of the selection committee,

                                                                                                                              Ana Catarina Matias