S2AQUA - Collaborative Laboratory, Association for a Sustainable and Smart Aquaculture 2026

S2AQUA - Collaborative Laboratory, Association for Sustainable and Smart Aquaculture (S2AQUAcoLAB), in accordance with Article 7 of the S2AQUAcoLAB Research Grant Regulations, it is hereby announced that a call for applications has been authorized for the award of a Research Grant (Bachelor’s Degree) in the field of Marine Biology, Marine Sciences, Biotechnology, or similar fields.

The call for applications for a Research Grant is intended to support research activities within the scope of the MultiAliveproject—Multi-observational Techniques for the Detection of Toxic Algal Blooms and the Prediction of Contamination in Offshore Bivalve Aquaculture, project number 16952 and reference 2023.17666. ICDT, funded by the Algarve Regional Operational Program, ALGARVE2030-FEDER-00824000, by the Lisbon Regional Operational Program, LISBOA2030-FEDER-00824000, through its FEDER component, and by national funds, through the Foundation for Science and Technology.

The job description for the research fellow to be hired includes, but is not limited to, the following tasks:

1. Assisting with field trips and water sampling for the analysis of phytoplankton and bivalve mollusks;
2. Characterizing the phytoplankton community by identifying and quantifying phytoplankton species in the collected samples;
3. Identification and quantification of phytoplankton species producing marine biotoxins in the collected samples;
4. Preparation and extraction of bivalve samples for the analytical determination of marine biotoxins by liquid chromatography. 
5. Analysis and interpretation of experimental data, preparation of technical and scientific reports, and writing of scientific articles.
6. Collaboration in the production and compilation of communication materials, as well as active participation in meetings and other project activities.

The activities will take place at the S2AQUAcoLAB facilities, located at the Olhão Pilot Fish Farming Station, Av. do Parque Natural da Ria Formosa, s/n, 8700-194 Olhão, Portugal, under the guidance of Dr. Catarina Braga, a researcher at S2AQUAcoLAB.

The scholarship working hours are 40 hours per week.

• Table of Content
• About European Commission
• S2AQUA – Collaborative Laboratory, Association for a Sustainable and Smart Aquaculture Undergraduate Scholarship
• Aim and Benefits of S2AQUA – Collaborative Laboratory, Association for a Sustainable and Smart Aquaculture Undergraduate Scholarship
• Requirements for S2AQUA – Collaborative Laboratory, Association for a Sustainable and Smart Aquaculture Undergraduate Scholarship Qualification
• Interview date, Process and Venue for S2AQUA – Collaborative Laboratory, Association for a Sustainable and Smart Aquaculture Undergraduate Scholarship
• Documents Required for Application
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

S2AQUA – Collaborative Laboratory, Association for a Sustainable and Smart Aquaculture Undergraduate Scholarship

Aim and Benefits of S2AQUA – Collaborative Laboratory, Association for a Sustainable and Smart Aquaculture Undergraduate Scholarship

• A Research Grant for Graduates will be awarded.
• The fellowship is scheduled to begin at a date to be determined in consultation with the selected candidate and will last for 8 months on a full-time basis. The work to be carried out under this fellowship is temporary in nature and will not continue beyond the completion of the project.
• The amount of the fellowship is 1090,98€, according to the table of fellowships approved by FCT, I.P. https://www.fct.pt/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Tabela-de-Valores-SMM-2026.pdf
• The fellow is entitled to the reimbursement of the voluntary social insurance (1st level), if applicable, in accordance with the conditions defined in the Statute of the Research Fellow. The fellow will receive personal accident insurance during the duration of the fellowship. 

The payment of the fellowship will be made on a monthly basis by S2AQUAcoLAB, through bank transfer to the account indicated by the fellow.

The scholarship must be awarded on an exclusive basis, in accordance with the S2AQUAcoLAB scholarship regulations (S2AQUAcoLAB Research Scholarship Regulations) and the FCT scholarship regulations based on Portuguese Law 40/2004 of 18 August (Scientific Research Scholarship Statutes), amended by Decree -Law 123/2019 of 28 August.

Requirements for S2AQUA – Collaborative Laboratory, Association for a Sustainable and Smart Aquaculture Undergraduate Scholarship Qualification

Desired profile

1. Level 6 of Higher Education (Bachelor's Degree);
2. Experience in biological sampling of phytoplankton and bivalve mollusks;
3. Experience in identifying and quantifying phytoplankton species, particularly phytoplankton that produce marine biotoxins;
4. Experience in data analysis and compilation;
5. Willingness to work on holidays and weekends.

Other Requirements:

1. Be highly motivated and demonstrate an interest in developing a master’s thesis within the scope of the project;
2. Ability to adapt and integrate into a team; 
3. Experience in developing and/or carrying out national and international research projects;
4. Experience in preparing and extracting samples for the analysis of marine biotoxins by liquid chromatography, HPLC, and/or LC-MS/MS;
5. Advanced level of English;
6. Autonomy and proactivity.

The scholarship is intended for holders of a bachelor’s degree in Marine Biology, Marine Sciences, Biotechnology, or related fields.

Applicants must be enrolled in an integrated master’s program, a master’s program, a doctoral program, or a non-degree-granting integrated program, as part of a higher education institution’s academic program developed in partnership or collaboration with one or more R&D units.

Interview date, Process and Venue for S2AQUA – Collaborative Laboratory, Association for a Sustainable and Smart Aquaculture Undergraduate Scholarship

• Eligible Applications will be scored from zero (0 minimum rating) to twenty (20 maximum rating). 
• Eligibility for the competitive examination: All candidates who meet the requirements set forth in this notice will be eligible to take the competitive examination. 
• Evaluation method: Candidates will be evaluated based on their academic record (100%). The selection committee reserves the right, however, to contact or interview candidates if additional information is required or if clarification of certain aspects of their documentation is necessary.  Any interview will allow for a more detailed evaluation of the curriculum vitae used to assess the candidate according to the criteria listed above. An interview will only be conducted if the selection committee deems it necessary or in the event of a tie (E).

Documents Required for Application

E. Detailed and signed Curriculum Vitaeof the candidate; 

F. A motivation letter (maximum one-page, double space, letter Arial, size 12);

G. Copy of the ID card or passport;

H. Permanent residence certificate, permanent residence permit, or long-term resident status, if applicable; 

I. Documents proving the conditions required for the respective type of fellowship, in particular certificates of qualifications indicating the degree and final classification, all recognised by a Portuguese university if diplomas were obtained abroad; 

J. Copy of evidence related to professional experience and training, including letters of recommendation, proof of courses or traineeships, if applicable; 

K. Document proving enrollment in a master's degree program, or in a non-degree course that is part of an educational project at a higher education institution developed in association or cooperation with one or more R&D units

L. Updated document proving professional status, indicating the nature of the employment relationship and duties, which may be replaced by a sworn statement if the candidate does not engage in any professional activity or provide any services, if applicable;

M. Declaration of the candidate, under commitment of honour, that they meet the requirements of admission for this fellowship – a template is available in (Declaração_sob_compromisso_de_honra_-_BI_S2AQUAcoLAB.pdf);

The reference to the S2AQUAcoLAB/Bolsa/Ref_07/2026 scholarship competition must be included in the subject line of the application email.

Failure to submit the documentation listed in sections G), K), and L) within fifteen days of the date of notification of the results will result in the scholarship not being awarded

Check also:
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UBC 2027
Chevening Scholarship 2027

Application Deadline

How to Apply

• Only applications submitted directly and exclusively via email to [email protected] with the reference S2AQUAcoLAB/Bolsa/Ref_07/2026.
• Each applicant may submit only one application; failure to do so will result in the cancellation of all applications submitted.
• Making false statements or committing acts of plagiarism is grounds for cancellation of the application, without prejudice to the imposition of other disciplinary measures.

For more information, kindly visit European Commission webpage.