Bolsa de Investigação: ARDITI-OOM/2016/011

Job summary:

The Ocean Observatory Madeira opens a Research Grant (BI) at MSc. Degree level, for Plankton analysis around islands and seamounts

Job description:

The Ocean Observatory of Madeira (OOM) was created in 2014 as an autonomous research unit hosted by ‘Agência Regional para o Desenvolvimento da Investigação, Tecnologia e Inovação (ARDITI)’ with the main goal of promoting an Excellence Centre, catalysing opportunities at regional, national and international level, with a multidisciplinary team dedicated to scientific research, innovation, education and public outreach within Marine Sciences and Technologies. OOM profits greatly from human and institutional resources existing within the Autonomous Region of Madeira, with emphasis on higher education, research institutions, companies and governmental agencies with relevant activities and competences in marine areas.

In the framework of the OOM project (M1420-01-0145-FEDER-000001-Observatório Oceânico da Madeira-OOM), OOM-ARDITI is looking for a Plankton analyst (MSc level or equivalent, e.g. Portuguese pre-Bologna Licenciatura) with expertise in basic hydrographic data acquisition (CTD), sampling and analysis of Phyto- and Zooplankton. The successful candidate will join an interdisciplinary team, and will execute sampling, processing and analysis of basic hydrographic data, phyto- and zooplankton samples mainly from the Madeira Archipelago.

Responsibilities include:

• basic hydrographic data acquisition (CTD)
• water sampling and determination of dissolved nutrients
• sampling of phyto- and zooplankton with different methods (water, plankton nets) at sea (coastal and offshore)
• appropriate treatment of samples onboard (filtering, fixation)
• processing of samples (HPLC, microscopy)
• taxonomic identification by light microscopy, enumeration of phyto- and zooplankton
• data analysis
• contribute to data publication

• Familiarity with basic hydrographic data acquisition. Hands-on experience using a CTD-probe;
• Familiarity with seawater sampling and determination of dissolved nutrients in the laboratory;
• Demonstrated experience in sampling of phytoplankton by means of Niskin water samplers and Apstein-nets;
• Familiarity with sampling of zooplankton by means of Apstein-nets;
• Demonstrated experience in processing phytoplankton samples for microscopic identification and enumeration (Utermöhl method);
• Familiarity with processing zooplankton samples for microscopic identification and enumeration;
• Strong communication and collaboration skills;
• Demonstrated ability to work independently.

• sampling onboard small/medium boats; prepared for participating in longer research cruises onboard larger research vessels;
• handling CTD for basic hydrographic data acquisition;
• performing sampling of seawater for:
• --- dissolved nutrient determination;
• --- picoplankton analysis;
• --- filtration for phytopigment analysis;
• --- filtration for nannoplankton analysis;
• --- quantitative microphytoplankton analysis;
• perform sampling of microphytoplankton by Apstein-net;
• perform sampling of zooplankton by Apstein-net;
• perform laboratory chemical analysis of dissolved nutrients (nitrite, nitrate, phosphate, silicate);
• participate in phytopigment analysis by HPLC-method;
• participate in coccolithophores analysis by polarized light microscopy;
• perform identification and enumeration of microphytoplankton by Utermöhl-method;
• perform identification and enumeration of micro- and mesozooplankton;
• participate in integrated data analysis, contribute to publication of data & provide technical reports.