Bolsa de Investigação: ARDITI-OOM/2018/001

Job: Research fellowship: Applying new technologies and remote sensing for marine litter detection;

 

Within the scope of the project CleanAtlantic, ARDITI (Agência Regional para o Desenvolvimento da Investigação, Tecnologia e Inovação) is seeking a research fellow with a Master degree in Marine Sciences, Oceanography, Environmental Sciences (or other field of relevance) with training and/or expertise in remote detection, imagery analysis and GIS to contribute and assist in the development, optimization and implementation of monitoring and assessment protocols of marine litter (beached and floating) combining field sampling and aerial imagery collected from RPAS (Remotely Piloted Aircraft System) platforms.

Marine litter is a global concern affecting the oceans and the coast that impacts on marine organisms and ecosystems, threatens human health and safety, and causes economic losses and aesthetic problems.

Tackling marine litter demands a cross-sectorial and multilevel approach, involving public and private stakeholders as well as NGOs and society.

A number of international, EU, regional, MS and local initiatives have addressed/are tackling this global problem (e.g. MSFD, D10, OSPAR Regional Action Plans). However, consistent approaches to monitor, record, map and remove marine litter are needed and demand collaborative work and coordination.

The project CleanAtlantic: Tackling marine litter in the Atlantic Area, (EAPA_46/2016), financed by Intereg Atlantic Area, aims to protect biodiversity and ecosystem services in the Atlantic Area by improving capabilities to monitor, prevent and remove (macro) marine litter. The project will also contribute to raise awareness and change attitudes among stakeholders and to improve marine litter managing systems.

Within the scope of this project, ARDITI (Agência Regional para o Desenvolvimento da Investigação, Tecnologia e Inovação) is seeking a research fellow with a Master degree in Marine Sciences, Oceanography, Environmental Sciences (or other field of relevance) with training and/or expertise in remote detection, imagery analysis and GIS to contribute and assist in the development, optimization and implementation of monitoring and assessment protocols of marine litter (beached and floating) combining field sampling and aerial imagery collected from RPAS (Remotely Piloted Aircraft System) platforms. The main goal is to employ RPAS platforms (i.e. drones) to collect aerial imagery that may be used to detect and quantify beached and floating marine litter, optimize operations and analysis using field-sampling data as baseline of comparison.

The successful candidate is expected to join MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre R&D Unit in Madeira, part the Oceanic Observatory of Madeira (ARDITI-OOM), at Quinta do Lorde Marina, Caniçal, Madeira, between March and April (2018). The research team of MARE-Madeira, has broad interests and formal training in marine biology and ecology, marine biogeography and invasion biology and their research is focused primarily on marine benthic communities and how these are shaped by environmental conditions and anthropogenic pressure.

Admission Requirements

The ideal candidate will have a Master Degree in Marine Sciences, Environmental Sciences (or other field of relevance to CleanAtlantic project and the execution of the work plan detailed below), as well as previous prior experience, including (but not exclusively):

• Background and/or proven experience record in remote sensing and imagery analysis;
• Background and/or proven experience record in GIS and GIS software;
• Experience and knowledge in data management and statistics;
• Demonstrated experience in operating RPAS (Remotely Piloted Aircraft System) or UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles), including piloting and maintenance;
• Demonstrated experience in marine and coastal field surveys and sampling techniques;
• Demonstrated experience in marine biology and marine organism identification;
• Demonstrated experience in Photogrammetry and relevant software tools;
• Peer-reviewed publication track record
• Prior work on marine litter;
• Demonstrated ability to work independently
• Fluent knowledge (spoken and written) of the English language.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.

Note: Applications will not be considered if candidates do not to meet Mandatory Requirements (in bold). Additional experience and/or training items listed will be valued and preferred.
 
Workplan

The selected fellow will assist in developing and participate in research activities (both in the field and in the lab) related to: characterizing and monitoring of floating and beached marine litter; optimized monitoring protocols employing RGB and multispectral imagery collected with RPAS (Remotely Piloted Aircraft System) platforms; validating of a marine litter distribution and dispersal model; assessing how floating marine litter as a vector of introduction to marine non-indigenous species (NIS). Specifically, the fellows' work plan will include (but not exclusively):

• To prepare and participate in land-based and boat-based field work and surveys focusing on marine litter monitoring and characterization;
• Preparation and maintenance of electronic and technical equipment (such as, Drones, Photographic equipment, sampling nets);
• To assist in the development and implementation of marine litter monitoring employing RPAS/drone(s);
• Aerial imagery (RGB and multispectral) processing and analysis to detect and quantify marine litter;
• To conduct and assist in the triage and sampling of marine litter (i.e. ML and associated fauna characterization);
• ML and other relevant data compilation and GIS integration;
• To participate in workshops, project meetings and other relevant and/or project related events;
• To assist in the production and writing of technical and scientific reports within the scope of the project

Scientific guidance and workplace

The work will be coordinated by João Gama Monteiro (PhD) and João Canning-Clode (PhD) at the Madeira Unit of MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, in Quinta do Lorde Marina, Caniçal, Madeira Island (Portugal).

Duration

12 months, renewable up to 24 months

Salary

ARDITI fellowship stipend for a BI-Master (980€) is as determined by 'FCT - Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia' (http://www.fct.pt/apoios/bolsas/valores.phtml.en).

Evaluation criteria

The following evaluation criteria will be applied:
FS = Qualifications (QA) + Experience (EP) + Interview (IN)

FS - Final Score

- Sum of Qualifications, Experience and Interview scores (if applicable), to a maximum of 40 points

QA - Qualifications

- Maximum score of 10 points: Master Degree in field of relevance (e.g. Marine Biology, Ecology, Oceanography, Remote Sensing).

EP - Experience

- Maximum Score of 20 points as follows:

• Background and/or proven experience record in remote sensing and imagery analysis;    3 Points
• Background and/or proven experience record in GIS and GIS software;    3 Points
• Experience and knowledge in data management and statistics;    3 Points
• Demonstrated experience in operating RPAS (Remotely Piloted Aircraft System), including piloting and maintenance;    2 Points
• Demonstrated experience in marine and coastal field surveys and sampling techniques;    2 Points
• Demonstrated experience in marine biology and marine organism identification;    2 Points
• Demonstrated experience in Photogrammetry and relevant software tools;    1 Point
• Peer-reviewed publication track record    1 Point
• Prior work on marine litter;     1 Point
• Fluent knowledge (spoken and written) of the English language.    1 Point
• Demonstrated ability to work independently    0,5 Point
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.    0,5 Point

(note: Mandatory requirements in bold. Failure to meet such requirements are motif for exclusion. If there are no applications with mandatory requirements, the jury may decide to consider remaining applications).

IN - Interview

Top three candidates may be invited for an interview (in person or remotely) if QA + EP scoring has a maximum difference of 2 points or lower. Maximum score of 10 points.

Selection panel

• João Monteiro (PhD)
• João Canning-Clode (PhD)
• Ignacio Gestoso (PhD)
• Rui Calderia (PhD)

Application contents

• Motivation Letter (emphasizing the candidate's adequacy to each evaluation criteria)
• Curriculum Vitae
• Degree certificate

Anouncement of the results

An email message with the result of the recruitment process will be sent to each applicant.

Application submission and deadline

Applications should be submitted by email to the following address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The specific reference ARDITI-OOM/2018/001 to the call must be indicated in the email subject.

Deadline for application: 23/02/2018, 17:00 (Lisbon/Madeira Island Time).

Notes:

• The selection process will be based on the principle of non-discrimination in respect of gender, age, nationality, religion, racial group, or any other possible discriminatory issue. Selection will be made only based on merit and following the European Charter for Researchers, the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers (Commission Recommendation, Brussels, 11.3.2005, 2005/251/EC) and the recommendations from the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA).
• The deadline for application may be extended at any time without previous notice having in mind the requirements for the positions under this call.