Refª gaiva 462 2014 edital gaiva 269

“Soil-Plant relationships and nutrient cycling in vineyards of Douro Valley” (Research grant for doctors, one vacancy) REFERÊNCIA: BI/Enoexcel/UTAD/269/2014

It is available one research grant for doctors, within the project ENOEXEL - FROM VINEYARD TO WINE: TARGETING GRAPE AND WINE EXCELLENCY - NORTE-070124-FEDER-000032 from the research institution CQ-VR - Centro de Química de Vila Real from Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Portugal, financed by the North Portugal Regional Operational Programme (ON.2 – O Novo Norte), under the National Strategic Reference Framework (QREN), through the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER), as well as by National Funds (PIDDAC) through the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT/MEC), under the following conditions: Scientific area: Agricultural Sciences.

Admission prerequisites: 1 - Ph.D. in Agricultural Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Biochemistry Sciences or related areas.

2 - Publications in peer-reviewed international journals.

3 - Skills and testified experience on chemistry analytical techniques, bioassays techniques and field crop research.

4 - Should also have experience with statistical analysis tools.

5 - Ability to work independently and guide junior researchers.

6 - Dynamism, team spirit, high sense of responsibility, organization and method.

7 - Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English and communication skills.

Work plan: The successful candidate will be involved in a chemical and biochemical monitoring program. The work to be developed includes analysis and bioassays to assess heavy metal levels in vineyards and to assess soil microbial biomass, basal respiration rates, and nitrogen mineralization potential in selected soils already collected all over the Douro Region. The candidate will also collaborate in field experiments related with carbon and nitrogen cycling in vineyards with different strategies of soil conservation.

Furthermore, the candidate will be involved in the process of conducting chemical analysis of soils and plants in the Laboratory, concerning different elements, namely carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus, using automated or robotized methodology available in the of Soil and Plant Analysis. Data from published literature and from other projects in relation to the framework of this work plan will be also reviewed by the selected candidate. The candidate will also collaborate in the elaboration of technical reports and scientific articles.

Legislation and regulations: Law Nº. 40/2004, of August 18 (Status of Scientific Research Fellow); Regulation Research Grant from the Foundation for Science and Technology, IP - 2013 (http://www.fct.pt/apoios/bolsas/regulamento.phtml) and Research Grant Regulation from the Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro - Order RT.36/2011, July 6, Mr. Rector, published in the Official Gazette by Order No. 9157/2011 (Series II) of 19 July.

Workplace: Work will be conducted at the Laboratory of Soil and Plant Analysis of CQVR (Centro de Química de Vila Real from Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro) under the supervision of Prof. João Coutinho, João Sousa and Marta Roboredo. Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro is located at Vila Real, Portugal.

Grant Duration: Grant duration is 6 months starting at May/June 2014 and may be renewed until the end of the project.

Monthly maintenance grant: The grant corresponds to 1.495 euros according to the FCT payment table in Portugal (http://alfa.fct.mctes.pt/apoios/bolsas/valores). Payment is done on a monthly basis through bank deposit, cheque or other equivalent way.

Candidates’ selection criteria: The selection methods to use will be the following: 1 - Curriculum vitae evaluation: scale 0 to 20 values; 2 - Motivation to work in the area: scale 0 to 20 values; 3- Interview of the candidates in the case they are tied: scale 0 to 20 values. This interview may be conducted through Skype if the jury so wishes.

Selection methods: Candidates will be sorted in a scale from 0 to 20 values, with rounding to the first decimal place and using the following weights for the selection criteria: Curriculum vitae evaluation (80%); Motivation to work in the area (0 to 20%); Interview (0 to 20%).

Jury Composition: Professor Dr. João Coutinho (President), Professor Dr. João Sousa (effective vowel), and Professor Dr. Marta Roboredo (effective vowel).

Results publication/ Candidates notification: The final results will be made available publicly in a sorted list according to candidates’ marks. The list will be placed the building P2 - UTAD. The candidates will be informed by e-mail.

Application deadline and method: Applications will be received from 6 to 19 May 2014.

The documents for the application are the Form Mod4_BIUTAD, the curriculum vitae, a certificate containing the marks of the disciplines completed during the BSc., Master and Ph.D. any other documents that the candidate may find relevant.

The form Mod4_BIUTAD-Application Form for Fellowship should be requested using the email vr_cti@utad.pt, from Vice-Rectory for Science, Technology and Innovation.

The applications should be sent by mail (João Coutinho, Ph.D., CQVR, Department of Biology and Environment, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Apartado 1013, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal) or email to Professor João Coutinho, j_coutin@utad.pt.