Research Assistant – Aquatic Toxicology (Maternity Leave)

Research Assistant – Aquatic Toxicology (Maternity Leave)

Job Reference: Ref.56.25.423

Employer: International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL)

Location: Braga, Portugal

Group/Unit: Espinã Research Group

Number of Vacancies: 1

Employment Type: Full time

Contract Duration: 9 months

Open Date for Applications: October 24th, 2025

Closing Date for Applications: November 16th, 2025, 23h00m (Lisbon Time)

Key words: #aquatictoxicologytests #microalgae #fishembryos #OECDtestguidelines

Overview

The Espiña Research Group is dedicated to overcoming some of the most challenging issues in the water environment, responsibly using original applied research on environmental nanotechnologies.

We are looking for a Research Assistant to cover a Maternity Leave under the project Alchemissts.

Job Duties

The job duties will be the following:

• Perform regular toxicity testing of chemicals and innovative materials;
• 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 innovative materials (including nanomaterials) in environmental matrix (i.e., freshwater, seawater and biota);
• Statistical analysis of results and reporting;
• Collaborate with international multidisciplinary teams:
• Write parts of technical and scientific documentation and work planning.

Mandatory Qualifications

Education

• MSc in Biology or Environmental Sciences.

Experience and Technical Skills

• Experience in aquatic toxicity and bioaccumulation tests using diverse organisms: microalgae/cyanobacteria, microcrustacea, fish embryos, and filter-feeding mollusks, preferentially;
• Experience in biostatistics.

Other Valued Skills

• Experience in applying standardized test guidelines (e.g., OECD, ISO);
• Experience in nanomaterials manipulation and characterisation using DLS, zeta potential and NTA;
• 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 also 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;
• Team work spirit;
• Good communication skills;
• Highly organised and dynamic;
• Problem solving ability.

Our Benefits

• Competitive salary;
• Tax benefits and other Diplomatic privileges;