Offer Description
A call is open for the allocation of 1 (one) Research Fellowship for a PhD student or MSc degree holder enrolled in a non-academic degree course (BI), within the Research Project entitled AquaClean – “Monitorização e remoção de disruptores endócrinos em águas superficiais” with reference PL24-00059, funded by the Promove Program “la Caixa” Foundation, Innovative Pilot Projects, in partnership with the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT), taking place at the FibEnTech, GeoBioTec@UBI and RISE-Health of the University of Beira Interior, under the following conditions:
Scientific Area: Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Bioengineering, Environmental Sciences, Environmental Engineering, Chemistry, or related scientific areas
Objective of the project:
Development and validation of macrophyte bed configurations incorporating construction and demolition waste and magnetic nanoparticles for the removal of endocrine disruptors from surface waters.
Work plan:
1. Literature review on the origins, typology and environmental and public health impacts of endocrine disruptors (EDCs), and technologies for their removal from water, with a focus on macrophyte beds and enzymatic magnetic nanoparticles used as a protective barrier;
2. Characterisation of the physical, mechanical and chemical properties of construction and demolition waste (CDW) for filling the beds;
3. Evaluation of the adsorption capacity of CDW;
4. Evaluation of the performance of three bed configurations (CDW only; CDW with plants; CDW with plants and enzymatic nanoparticles) in removing EDCs from surface water samples, through continuous operation with variable hydraulic load, including sampling for physico-chemical analysis and quantification of EDCs;
5. Participation in the collection of surface water samples required for the operation of the beds.
Applicable legislation and regulations:
Research Fellowship Holder Statute, approved by Law No. 40/2004, of 18 August, in its current wording (amended by Decree-Law No. 123/2019, of 28 August); Regulation for Research Studentships and Fellowships of the Foundation for Science and Technology (Regulation No. 950/2019) published in the Diário da República, 2nd series, No. 241, 16 December 2019; Regulation for Research Fellowships of the University of Beira Interior – RBIUBI (Regulation No. 100/2020) published in the Diário da República, 2nd series, n.º 27, 7 February 2020.
Work location:
The work will be developed at the laboratories of the UID GeoBioTec@UBI of the University of Beira Interior, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, under the scientific supervision of Dr António Albuquerque and Dr Arlindo Gomes.
Fellowship duration and conditions:
The fellowship is opened for 12 months, starting on 1 November 2025. The activity is in regime of exclusive dedication in accordance with the RBIUBI.
Selection Committee: Applications will be assessed by a panel as follows:
President: Dr António João Carvalho de Albuquerque, Associate Professor, University of Beira Interior
Vowels: Dr Arlindo Caniço Gomes, Assistant Professor, University of Beira Interior
Dr Rogério Manuel dos Santos Simões, Associate Professor, University of Beira Interior
Alternative Member: Dr Carla Patrícia Alves Freire Madeira da Cruz, Associate Professor, University of Beira Interior
Documents for application:
The candidates should present:
- Motivation letter;
- Detailed Curriculum Vitae;
- Certificate of completion of the previous degree;
- Other supporting documents considered relevant;
- Declaration of honour from the candidate stating, that he/she meets the conditions for being award the scholarship BI according to Article 6 of the RBIUBI.
Receipt of applications:
Applications should be addressed to the attention of Dr António João Carvalho de Albuquerque, by e-mail to hpinto@ubi.pt, ajca@ubi.pt and carlacruz@fcsaude.ubi.pt, or to the following address: GeoBioTec@UBI, Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Faculty of Engineering, University of Beira Interior, Calçada Fonte do Lameiro, 6201-001 Covilhã.
Publication/notification of results:
The final results of the evaluation process will be published in a sorted list, by the final classification obtained, posted in a visible and public place, in front of the Secretariat of the Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Faculty of Engineering, University of Beira Interior, and the candidates will be notified by e-mail.
Where to apply
E-mail: antonio.albuquerque@ubi.pt
Skills/Qualifications
- Hold a Master’s degree in the scientific areas listed in point 1 and meet the conditions to be enrolled in a cycle of studies leading to the PhD degree or in a non-academic degree course.
- Have experience in laboratory skills in analytical techniques related to the physical-chemical evaluation of water and effluents.
- Proficiency in English.
- Have immediate availability.
BIs awarded to MSc who attend courses that do not confer an academic degree can only be granted for a maximum period of one year.
BIs awarded to MSc who are enrolled in courses that do not confer an academic degree can only be awarded to those who do not exceed, with the conclusion of the fellowship contract in question, including any renewals, the accumulated period of two years in this type of fellowship, followed or interpolated.
The proof of registration in the PhD or a non-degree is required for the fellowship contractualization.
Internal Application form(s) needed
Declaração sob compromisso de honra-BI_Art. 6º_0.pdf
English
(74.02 KB – PDF)
Additional Information
Benefits
A monthly maintenance allowance will be granted in accordance with the Annex I of the RBIUBI, in the amount of 1 309,64 € according to the updated values that can be consulted at https://www.fct.pt/apoios/bolsas/valores. The fellowship holder will have personal accident insurance and can choose to be covered by the voluntary social insurance. These values will be added to the amount of monthly maintenance allowance.
Eligibility criteria
- Hold a Master’s degree in the scientific areas listed in point 1 and meet the conditions to be enrolled in a cycle of studies leading to the PhD degree or in a non-academic degree course.
- Have experience in laboratory skills in analytical techniques related to the physical-chemical evaluation of water and effluents.
- Proficiency in English.
- Have immediate availability.
BIs awarded to MSc who attend courses that do not confer an academic degree can only be granted for a maximum period of one year.
BIs awarded to MSc who are enrolled in courses that do not confer an academic degree can only be awarded to those who do not exceed, with the conclusion of the fellowship contract in question, including any renewals, the accumulated period of two years in this type of fellowship, followed or interpolated.
The proof of registration in the PhD or a non-degree is required for the fellowship contractualization.
Selection process
The evaluation of the candidates will be carried out based on the analysis of their scientific path and Curriculum vitae and their adequacy for the objectives of the project (C1), according to the documentation submitted, attributing the following weighting to the different components:
C1) Curriculum evaluation: 75%
The curricular assessment (CA) will be carried out based on 3 sub-criteria:
(A) Curricular assessment will be carried out taking into account the relevance, quality and timeliness of the activities carried out, namely laboratory experience related to analytical determinations in water and effluents and the operation of biological reactors.
(B) Scientific production;
(C) Average of the marks obtained in the Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees.
The weighting to be given to each of the sub-criteria of CF1, and the respective calculation formula will be as follows:
CF1 = 0,35 (A) + 0,30 (B) + 0,35 (C)
C2) Interview (25%)
The evaluation process includes an interview (C2) limited to the three best-placed candidates in the Curriculum Evaluation and is intended to clarify aspects related to the suitability of their skills and motivation in relation to the work plan and possibly other aspects considered relevant by the jury, such as the candidate’s availability.
The final classification, after the interview, will be determined by the following formula:
CF= 75 %*CF1 + 25 %*C2
The final classification of candidates will be expressed on a scale of 0 to 20, rounded to the nearest hundredth. Information on the classification of candidates to the curricular assessment, interview, and final will be communicated to candidates by email to the addresses used to submit the applications.
Additional comments
Applicable legislation and regulations:
Research Fellowship Holder Statute, approved by Law No. 40/2004, of 18 August, in its current wording (amended by Decree-Law No. 123/2019, of 28 August); Regulation for Research Studentships and Fellowships of the Foundation for Science and Technology (Regulation No. 950/2019) published in the Diário da República, 2nd series, No. 241, 16 December 2019; Regulation for Research Fellowships of the University of Beira Interior – RBIUBI (Regulation No. 100/2020) published in the Diário da República, 2nd series, n.º 27, 7 February 2020.
Complaint and Appeal Procedures:
After communication of the provisional lists of the results in the different phases of the selection process (Admission and Exclusion, Curricular Evaluation and Interview), the candidates have 10 working days to pronounce their disagreement, under the terms of article 121 and the Código do Procedimento Administrativo. If any allegations are presented, the final decision will be issued after the analysis of the statements presented during the prior hearing of interested parties. After the statutory deadline of 10 working days, the proposal for the final classification and ranking of the candidates becomes definitive.
