Job:  Research Technician (laboratory)

Reference: BIOPOLIS2024-23

Main research field: Biological Sciences (Behavioural Sciences)

Type of contract: fixed-term work contract

Preferring starting date: September 2024

Duration: 10 months

Principal Investigator: Sandra Trigo (CIBIO-InBIO, UP)

 

1. One fixed-term work contract to a MSc holder laboratory technician (Reference BIOPOLIS 2024-23) is available at CIBIO-InBIO, through BIOPOLIS Associação, funded by the project "Neurobiology of avian social networks: short- and long-term effects in a wild avian model (reference PTDC/BIA-COM/2644/2020)”, financed by national funds through FCT/MCTES. The candidate will carry out research activities in the area of Biological Sciences and subarea of Behavioural Sciences, under a work contract for a fixed term. The candidate is expected to assist in all research associated with the project described above, which will involve keeping birds of the species Estrilda astrild in outdoor and in indoor aviaries, maintaining an electronic system to monitor the birds, periodically measuring morphology, ornamental colour and behaviour, perform behavioural and neuroendocrinology experiments, aid in laboratory tasks and keeping associated databases. The successful candidate will work collaboratively with members of the Behavioural Ecology Research Group (BE) at CIBIO.

 

2. Applicable Legislation: Portuguese Labour Code, approved by Law 7/2009 of February 12, in its actual form.

 

3. The selection panel will be formed by: Sandra Trigo (Principal Investigator and Chair), Marta C. Soares (Vowel) and Gonçalo C. Cardoso (Vowel).

 

4. The work will be primarily conducted at CIBIO-InBIO, UP – Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Universidade do Porto, located at Campus de Vairão, Vila do Conde.

 

5. The gross monthly salary corresponds to Level 16 of the Consolidated Table of Allowances (TRU) 1.385,99 € before tax.

 

6. Application can be submitted by candidates of any nationality holding a MsC degree in biology or related areas. We seek candidates with i) experience with common waxbills (Estrilda astrild) or other passerine birds; ii) experience with maintaining birds in research aviaries; iii) experience with hormones and neuropeptides; iv) experience managing and analysing large databases. The candidate’s scientific and professional curriculum profile must be suited for the position. In case the degree was awarded by a non-Portuguese higher education institution it must comply with the provisions of Decreto-Lei n. º 66/2018, de 16 de Agosto, and all formalities established therein must be complied with at the signature of work contract.

 

7. The tender admission general requirements are those defined in the previous point 6. Preference will be given to candidates that have previous experience working with and maintaining common waxbills in aviaries.

 

8. Evaluation criteria are the following: The evaluation of the CV of the candidates will focus on the adequacy of previous work experience in passerine birds in general and with waxbills in particular. The following criteria will be used:

 

8.1 Integrated assessment of the curriculum trajectory of the candidate, namely:

I. Relevance of work experience (50%)

II. Quality of the academic curriculum (30%)

III. Motivation for applying to this position (20%)

 

9. Candidate final classification shall be given based on a scale 0 to 100.

 

10. The jury may decide to select candidates to an interview (in person or by videoconference) to establish the final ranking if the difference between the classification of the top two candidates is less than 10 points (based on the criteria in 8). The jury may not award the position if the profile of the candidates does not meet the requirements of the project.

 

11. The applications are formalized at the electronic address https://cibio.up.pt/en/jobs/

 

The following documents are required in a digital form (PDF format):

 

i) Curriculum vitae;

ii) Motivation Letter (including a brief description of research experience and why you are suitable for the announced position);

iii) Qualifications Certificate;

iv) Other relevant documentation.

 

11.2. The application period is from 01/05/2024 to 16/05/2024.

 

12. Results announcement: all candidates will be informed by email about the result of their application and have 10 days to comment.