About ISS – Ínclita Seaweed Solutions
ISS is an innovative and sustainable Portuguese marine biotech startup, dedicated to the discovery, development, production, and commercialisation of sustainable and innovative ingredients derived from seaweeds, tailored to the needs of customers in cosmetics, nutraceuticals, and pet care.
ISS is a spin-off from CIIMAR and is well funded and supported by a lead investor, a sizeable independent VC firm in Portugal with proven experience in successfully propelling Iberian startups into international markets.
Profile summary
The Data and AI Engineer / Scientist will be responsible for advancing ISS’s AI and machine learning ecosystem, transforming complex scientific and operational data into actionable intelligence. This role will explore, evaluate, and integrate emerging AI tools and methodologies, while designing machine learning environments that reveal meaningful relationships between compounds, species, and bioactivities.
The role sits at the intersection of data engineering, analytics, and applied AI, with a strong focus on experimentation, scalability, and business impact.
Key Responsibilities
AI & ML Exploration and Integration:
- Continuously evaluate, benchmark, and test emerging AI models, APIs, machine learning frameworks, and analytics tools.
- Integrate relevant AI and ML capabilities into internal databases, workflows, and product-oriented applications.
Machine Learning Environment Development:
- Design, build, and maintain a machine learning “playground” environment leveraging internal PostgreSQL datasets.
- Source, adapt, or develop models to analyse compound behaviour, synergy patterns, and species variability.
Advanced Analytics & Predictive Modelling:
- Design and implement predictive modelling, clustering, and pattern recognition strategies to forecast bioactivity performance.
- Apply graph-based analysis, embedding models, explainability methods (e.g., SHAP), and dimensionality reduction techniques to uncover hidden relationships.
Cross-functional Data Support:
- Support data-driven initiatives across commercial, financial, operational, in silico validation, and clinical-related activities.
- Collaborate closely with technical, R&D, and sales teams to define hypothesis-driven analytics and translate business questions into analytical models.
Prototyping & Communication:
- Support rapid prototyping of new AI-enabled capabilities, including search, inference, recommendation, and decision-support engines.
- Communicate analytical findings clearly through visualisations, reports, and presentations tailored to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Tools & Technology
- ML & AI Frameworks: TensorFlow, PyTorch, Scikit-learn
- Data Engineering & Analysis: Python, SQL, Pandas, Jupyter
- Databases: PostgreSQL
- Version Control & Deployment: GitHub, Docker
- Visualisation & BI: Plotly, Power BI, Tableau
- LLM & AI Integrations: OpenAI, Hugging Face, LangChain
- Cloud Platforms (optional): AWS, GCP, Azure ML
- Advanced Pattern Analysis: Graph networks, clustering algorithms, PCA, SHAP, embedding models
Candidate Profile
Education:
- Degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Bioinformatics, or a related quantitative field.
Experience:
- Minimum of 3 years of experience in a corporate and/or startup environment.
- Proven experience in ML/AI development; backend engineering or analytics engineering experience is a plus
Technical & Scientific Skills:
- Strong hands-on experience designing, training, and deploying machine learning models.
- Experience working with structured databases and data pipelines.
- Familiarity with LLM-based tools and modern AI integration frameworks.
Domain Knowledge (Preferred):
- Experience working with scientific, biochemical, or life-science data is highly desirable but not mandatory.
Soft Skills & Work Style:
- Strong problem-solving and exploratory mindset, with the ability to rapidly evaluate and integrate new technologies.
- Ability to work autonomously while collaborating effectively across multidisciplinary teams.
- Clear and structured communication skills, both written and verbal.
What you can expect:
- A well-funded startup supported by an experienced independent VC firm as lead investor.
- Founders with senior and executive-level experience, fostering a collaborative, high-EQ working environment.
- Competitive salary and benefits compared to similar startups and SMEs.
- On-site work within a fast-growing, high-performing team.
- A strong people-centric culture where collaboration, innovation, and shared accountability are core values.
We strongly believe that working together, side by side in the office, is fundamental to building trust, accelerating learning, and delivering meaningful impact.
Location:
- Matosinhos and Vila Nova de Gaia, Porto, Portugal.
Application Process:
- Applications must be submitted by e-mail to info@inclitaseaweedsolutions.com, clearly stating the reference:
ISS – Data and AI Engineer / Scientist - Applications must include:
- A detailed and structured curriculum vitae
- Announcement identification
- Full name and contact details, including e-mail address and telephone number
