CCMAR/BM/06/2026 | Master's Fellowship (W/M) | Biodiversity, Global Change and Oceanography | 1 Vacancy
Master’s Fellowship – 1 Vacancy
Within the project – HotClim
Project Ref.º: 2024.17157.PEX
Ref. ª: CCMAR/BM/06/2026
The Centre for Marine Sciences (CCMAR) opens one (01) Master’s Fellowship (Bolsa de Mestrado), for applicants of any nationality, including stateless candidates, and holders of political refugee statute, in the scientific field of Biodiversity, Global Change and Oceanography within the research project number 2024.17157.PEX - named as HotClim: “Variações do hidroclima, vegetação e incêndios em períodos quentes do passado: Um alerta para o futuro?”, funded by the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) I.P. /MCTES through national funds, under the following conditions:
1.Host and Contracting Institution: CCMAR
This fellowship is intended for R&D activities, by a student with a bachelor degree enrolled in a Master's Degree to the start date of the present research fellowship, with a view to consolidating his/her scientific training, through the development of research work leading to the achievement of a Master's degree.
2.Work Plan, Tasks to perform and objectives:
The HotClim project aims to improve our understanding of climate dynamics during past warm climate states by reconstructing ocean–atmosphere–land interactions in the North Atlantic region. In particular, the project focuses on the mid-Pliocene Warm Period (~3.3–3.0 Ma), one of the most recent geological periods when atmospheric CO₂ concentrations and global temperatures were comparable to those projected for the near future. By combining marine and terrestrial proxy records, the project seeks to identify the mechanisms linking ocean circulation, hydroclimate variability and ecosystem responses during warm climate conditions.
The fellowship holder will contribute to the following tasks:
Task 3: Reconstruction of sea surface temperature conditions
Task 4: Identification of hydroclimate variability and forcing mechanisms, which focuses on reconstructing marine and terrestrial environmental variability and hydroclimate changes in southwestern Europe, while also supporting activities in other tasks of the project.
Task 5: Dissemination of the project findings and outreach
Detailed work plan:
a. Sample preparation and sub-sampling of marine sediment samples from the Iberian Margin (IODP Expedition 397, Site U1385), targeting intervals corresponding to the mid-Pliocene Warm Period (~3.3–3.0 Ma).
b. Laboratory processing of sediment samples for organic biomarker analyses, including extraction, purification and preparation of lipid compounds derived from terrestrial vegetation.
c. Analysis and quantification of terrestrial biomarkers (e.g. long-chain n-alkanes, n-alcohols and other plant-derived compounds) using chromatographic techniques (GC-FID / GC-MS) in order to reconstruct past vegetation dynamics and hydroclimate variability in southwestern Europe.
d. Calculation and interpretation of biomarker-based indices (e.g. ACL, CPI and other vegetation and hydroclimate indicators) to infer changes in terrestrial ecosystems and environmental conditions during the studied interval.
e. Integration of terrestrial biomarker records with marine proxy data, including sea surface temperature reconstructions and other oceanographic indicators generated within the HotClim project.
f. Contribution to the synthesis of marine–terrestrial climate interactions, helping to identify the mechanisms linking ocean circulation variability with regional hydroclimate and ecosystem responses during past warm climate states.
The results generated within this work will contribute directly to the scientific objectives of the HotClim project and may be integrated into the fellow’s Master’s thesis, as well as into scientific publications and conference presentations.
3.Scientific Supervisor:
Doctor Teresa Rodrigues, Assistant Researcher at IPMA and member of CCMAR, and Doctor Dulce Oliveira, Project Coordinator, Researcher at IPMA and member of CCMAR.
4.Work place:
The workplace is IPMA – Algés, Divisão de Geologia e Georrecursos Marinhos – Av. Doutor Alfredo Magalhães Ramalho nº6, 1495-165 Lisboa, Portugal CCMAR and other places necessary for the execution of the work plan.
5.Requirements for the application:
Applicants must meet all the conditions stated below:
1. Bachelor´s degree in Chemistry, Geology, Biology Marine Sciences, or related area.
Non-compliance justifies exclusion from the procedure.
6.Evaluation criteria:
Through the analysis of the application documents the evaluation criteria for the applications and their relative weight for ranking are as follows:
1. Academic background and curriculum vitae relevant to the scientific area (40%)
2. Previous experience in laboratory work related to sediment analysis, geochemistry or environmental sciences (30%)
3. Motivation and interest in paleoclimate research and laboratory analytical techniques (20%)
4. Knowledge of English and basic data processing tools (10%)
The selection committee reserves the right to contact and interview candidates if additional information or clarification of any curricular aspect is necessary. In case it takes place, the interview aims to evaluate in more detail the curricular items used to grade the candidate according to the list above.
In the event that no applicant has the necessary profile, the selection committee reserves the right to close the call without any recruitment. In the event that the selected person does not take up the position because of failure to comply with documentary requirements or any other reason, or later during the contract if they resign, the jury reserves the right, upon convenience and opportunity, to assign the post to the next applicant in accordance with the ranking positions based on the selectable reservation list that can be used up to 12 months of the date of the present announcement.
7.Fellowship conditions: The fellowship will have a duration of 12 months, expected to start from May 2026 and eventually renewed for additional periods until the end of the project, and never exceeding a maximum of 24 months. The fellowship must be carried out full-time (exclusive regime), according to the FCT Fellowship Rules (RBI) and the CCMAR fellowship rules (see here), which are based on the Portuguese law 40/2004, of 18 of August (Scientific Research Fellowship holder statutes) amended by the Decree-Law 123/2019 of 28 of August. A maintenance allowance of 1090.98€ will be paid monthly, through bank transfer, and will be updated as stipulated by the Foundation for Science and Technology (see here).
8.Application period: between the 8th April 2026 and 22th April 2026 at 23:59 (Lisbon time, Portugal).
9.Application process and mandatory documents:
Complete applications must be submitted online at https://ccmar.ualg.pt/en/career-opportunities and must include:
1. A motivation letter (in English);
2. A detailed Curriculum Vitae (in English);
3. A copy of the Bachelor’s degree (Licenciatura) certificate;
4. The email contact of up to 3 references.
Non-compliance with this documents/information determines the immediate rejection of the application.
10.Results and Preliminary Hearing: The admission and evaluation results will be communicated by email within 90 working days after the application deadline. After notification, candidates have 10 working days to contest the preliminary decision.
11.Selection Committee: Doctor Teresa Rodrigues, Assistant Researcher at IPMA e member of CCMAR (President); Doctor Dulce Oliveira, Project Coordinator and Researcher at CCMAR (Member); Doutor Pedro Reis da Costa, Principal Researcher at IPMA and member of CCMAR (Member); Doctor Coralie Zorzi, Junior Researcher at IPMA and member of CCMAR (Substitute Member); Doctor Doutor Naughton, Assistant Researcher at IPMA and member of CCMAR (Substitute Member).
12.Notes:
Hiring Documents:
After the candidate is selected and for the hiring purpose the following documentation/information will be requested:
⦁ Proof of the enrolment (Comprovativo de inscrição/matricula) from the Academic Services in a master degree (mestrado);
⦁ Declaration of commitment stating the exclusivity regime;
⦁ Civil, fiscal and social security Identification (if applicable);
⦁ Account Number – IBAN;
⦁ Ciência ID: https://www.ciencia-id.pt/CienciaID/HomePage.aspx
13.Fellowship Agreement model:
After the candidate selection and all information is received, it will be signed a fellowship agreement in accordance with the model here.
14.Fellowship holder Assessment:
At the end of each period of duration of the fellowship contract, the activity developed by the fellowship holder will be evaluated by the supervisor, by applying the following criteria, in accordance with the model below:
Criteria 1 – Scientific Performance and Quality of Research Outputs (30%)
Assessment of the scientific quality, rigour, and relevance of the work developed, including data production, analysis, interpretation, and contribution to project objectives.
Criteria 2 – Written Reporting and Dissemination of Results (30%)
Evaluation of the quality, clarity, and timeliness of written reports, as well as active dissemination of results through presentations, posters, scientific meetings, or contributions to publications.
Criteria 3 – Work Plan Execution and Autonomy (20%)
Evaluation of the degree of completion of the proposed work plan, ability to meet deadlines, problem-solving capacity, and level of independence in conducting research activities.
Criteria 4 – Integration, Collaboration, and Communication (20%)
Assessment of the fellow’s integration within the research team, ability to collaborate effectively, participate in meetings, and communicate results clearly (both orally and in writing).
15. Supervisor report model: here.
16. Fellowship holder report: By the end of each fellowship period the fellowship holder must present a report. You can find the fellowship holder final report model here.
17.Notes:
17.1 The board of Directors reserves the right, due to a change in circumstances at the date of the present announcement, to cancel the present call without any recruitment.
17.2 Disabled candidates shall be preferred in a situation of equal ranking, and said preference supersedes any legal preferences. Candidates must declare, on their honour, their respective disability degree, type of disability, and communication / expression means to be used during selection period on their application form, under the regulations above.
17.3 CCMAR encourages applications from individuals with disabilities, including those with a disability degree of ≥ 60%.
17.4 CCMAR subscribes to the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers (Charter and Code).
17.5 CCMAR’s non-discrimination and equal access opportunities policy – No candidate can be privileged, benefited, jeopardised or be deprived of any right or exempt of any claim in regards to descendent, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, economic situation, origin, social economy, genetic heritage, disability, chronic disease, nationality, ethnicity, territory of origin, language, religion, politics, ideology or union membership.
Faro, April 3th, 2026
