Research Assistant – Aquatic Toxicology

Job Reference:Ref.29.26.423

Employer: International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL)

Location: Braga, Portugal

Group/Unit: Espiña Research Group

Number of Vacancies:1

Employment Type: Full time

Contract Duration:24months*

*possible extension of 12 months

Salary Range: 25K – 28K

Open Date for Applications:August 31st, 2026

Closing Date for ApplicationsSeptember 20th, 2026, 23h00m (Lisbon Time)

Key words:#aquatictoxicologytests #microalgae #bioconcentration #OECDtestguidelines

The Espiña Research Group is dedicated to overcome some of the most challenging issue0073 in the water environment, making responsible use of original applied research on environmental nanotechnologies. The group develops and applies nanotechnology solutions for the safe and sustainable use of water resources.

Currently, we are looking for a Research Assistant to join the group under the HARMONY project.

Job Duties

The job duties will be the following

• Perform regular toxicity testing of chemicals and nanomaterials.
• Carry out the aquatic organism’s maintenance and culture, prepare contaminated dispersions and samples from aquaculture water, and carry out sample treatment and preparation for analysis.
• Characterise nanomaterials (including nanoplastics) in environmental matrix (seawater and biota).
• Analyse results and reporting (i.e., statistical analysis).
• Collaborate with international multidisciplinary teams
• Write parts of technical and scientific documentation including reports and manuscripts and work planning.

MandatoryQualifications

Education

• MSc degree in Biology or Environmental Sciences

Experience and Technical Skills

• Experience in aquatic organism’s maintenance and culture.
• Experience in aquatic toxicity and bioaccumulation tests using diverse organisms (e.g., microalgae/cyanobacteria, microcrustacea, and filter-feeding mollusks, preferentially).
• Experience in biostatistics.

Other Valued Skills

• Experience in applying standardised test guidelines (i.e., OECD, ISO)
• Experience in nanomaterials manipulation and characterisation using DLS, zeta potential and NTA.
• Experience in microalgae biotoxin quantification.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in analytical techniques, such as ICP-OES, HPLC-MS will be evaluated positively.
• Experience in electron and optical microscopy: preparation and investigation of biological samples and nanomaterials using confocal microscopy, TEM, and SEM with EDX will be evaluated positively.
• Experience in genomics, proteomics and/or transcriptomics will be evaluated positively.

Personal Skills

• Strong motivation to work both independently and as part of a team in an interdisciplinary environment, with the ability to pay close attention to detail and to meet deadlines
• Teamwork spirit
• Good communication skills
• “Hands-on” approach
• Highly organised and dynamic

Our Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Tax benefits and other Diplomatic privileges
• Private health insurance
• Family allowances (according to family situation)
• Free nursery service at INL premises (subject to availability)
• Support for education fees of dependent children
• Relocation support
• 30 working days of annual leave.

How to Apply

The application must be in English and include thefollowingmandatory documents

a)Cover letter

b)Curriculum Vitae

c)Academic and/or Professional diplomas

d)At least one reference letter

Online application instructions:

1. The application is made online by clicking the “Apply” button;
2. The candidate must complete all required sections of the online application form;
3. The candidate must submit the mandatory documents mentioned above inpdf format by including them in the “Additional files” section using the “Add portfolio” button.

Important note:

Incomplete applications including the failure to provide mandatory documents or providing inaccurate information will result in the application not being considered.

How the Selection Process works

A. Applications eligibility check

This stage will be carried outon the basis of the mandatory requirements, education, experience and technical skills defined for the job, as well as the validation of the mandatory documents. Only candidates who meet the eligibility criteria will move forward to the next stage

B. CV Assessment

The Selection Committee will evaluate the eligible applications based on their CV and other submitted documents and the suitability for the position. The best ranked candidates will be shortlisted for the interview stage(s).

C. Interview(s)

The interview(s) may be done in different formats:video recording, online or onsite.

The question based interview will evaluate the match between the candidate’s profile and the requirements for the position, including the technical and personal skills. To better support this stage, the candidate may be requested to prepare a short presentation.

D. Nomination

The selected candidate will be nominated and formally offered the position, including the disclosure of the contractual conditions.

Additional Information

Application feedback

We highly value your interest in becoming part of the INL experience and it is important for us to maintain good communications with all candidates. No matter the outcome of your application, we will always provide you with feedback

Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Principle

INL follows a non-discrimination and equal access principle, wherefore no candidate can be privileged, benefited, impaired or deprived of any rights whatsoever, or be exempt of and duties based on any possible discriminatory issues.

The advertisement deadline may be extended at any time without previous notice in order to improve the suitability and effectiveness of the recruitment process.

About INL

The International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory – INL (http://www.inl.int), is the first and only Intergovernmental Organisation in the world entirely focused on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology.

It was founded under an international legal framework to perform interdisciplinary research, deploy and communicate nanotechnology for the benefit of society. INL aims to be a recognised leading global nanotechnology innovation hub.