Offer Description
One Research Initiation Scholarship within the scope of the project Green Ammonia Generation: Electrocatalytic Valorization of Nitrate-Contaminated Water Sources using Acacia Biochar-based Electrodes, with the operation code 2023.13409.PEX, financed by the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), under the conditions set out below.
General scientific area: Engineering
Specific scientific area: Chemistry and/or Environment and/or Bioengineering
Objective and work plan:
Ammonia (NH3), a key compound in several industries, faces sustainability challenges due to its conventional production methods, namely the Haber-Bosch process. This process not only consumes significant energy, but also contributes 1-3% of global CO2 emissions. To address this issue, electrocatalytic systems are beginning to be explored as greener alternatives, offering operational simplicity and a reduced environmental footprint. However, challenges in the classical electrochemical reduction of N, particularly in protonation and breaking of the N≡N triple bond, have encouraged investigations into the electrochemical reduction of nitrate to NH3. Nitrate emerges as one of the main pollutants of drinking water worldwide due to human activities, thus presenting an opportunity for sustainable water treatment and resource recovery with a good cost-benefit ratio. Therefore, this scholarship will aim to implement and develop the following activities:
1. Support in the preparation and synthesis of biochar-based electrodes.
2. Electrochemical generation of NH3 using real water matrices containing nitrate.
3. Collaboration and participation in scientific outreach activities
Where to apply
Website: https://www.ipc.pt/bupc/concursos/form/concursos_bolseiros
Skills/Qualifications
Admission requirements:
The candidate must i) be enrolled in an undergraduate course in Chemical Engineering/Environmental Engineering/Bioengineering or have a bachelor’s degree and be enrolled in a course that does not award an academic degree[1]; ii) have experience in laboratory work, effluent/drinking water treatment processes and/or waste recovery; iii) having basic knowledge in electrochemistry, catalysis and/or carbon-based materials will be valued; iv) be fluent in Portuguese and/or English speaking and in writing.
Specific Requirements
Admission requirements:
The candidate must i) be enrolled in an undergraduate course in Chemical Engineering/Environmental Engineering/Bioengineering or have a bachelor’s degree and be enrolled in a course that does not award an academic degree[1]; ii) have experience in laboratory work, effluent/drinking water treatment processes and/or waste recovery; iii) having basic knowledge in electrochemistry, catalysis and/or carbon-based materials will be valued; iv) be fluent in Portuguese and/or English speaking and in writing.
Additional Information
Benefits
The scholarship lasts for 4 months, is non-renewable, and is exclusive, starting on 01/09/2026 and ending on 31/12/2026, project end date.
The value of the scholarship will be 701,12 euros with payment being made monthly, by bank transfer.
This amount will be increased by the voluntary social security corresponding to the first level, if the candidate chooses to register, and personal accident insurance will also be required.
Eligibility criteria
The candidate must i) be enrolled in an undergraduate course in Chemical Engineering/Environmental Engineering/Bioengineering or have a bachelor’s degree and be enrolled in a course that does not award an academic degree.
Selection process
Documents to present:
Applications must include the following documents:
1. Application form available on the internet page for this competition at https://www.ipc.pt/sobre/rh/a-decorrer-bolseiros/.
2. Identification, residence address, identification document number and tax identification number;
3. Motivation letter, where the candidate must explain his/her motivation to carry out this multidisciplinary work plan, as well as mention whether he/she is available to start the scholarship on the scheduled date;
4. Candidate’s updated Curriculum Vitae (CV), with a clear description of his/her qualifications and skills;
5. Document(s) proving ownership of the academic degree and/or diploma(s) required in the competition, preferably indicating the final average and grades obtained per curricular unit. Candidates holding foreign qualifications must prove their academic degree and foreign diploma in accordance with Decree-Law No. 66/2018, of August 16;
6. Document(s) proving all activities and work mentioned in the Curriculum Vitae;
7. Document proving enrollment and registration in the undergraduate or non-degree course, with registration being able to be done on a date after the registration date, as long as it is prior to the grant contracting;
8. Other document(s) and/or certification(s) considered relevant by the candidate (e.g.: training certificates, letters of recommendation, other research scholarships obtained);
9. (optional during registration phase). Candidates with academic qualifications obtained abroad will have to present a Certificate of Recognition, in accordance with applicable legislation. This document is only mandatory during the hiring phase.
Deadline for receiving applications:
This will take 10 working days, between 16/04/2026 and 29/04/2026.
Candidates must access and register on the website: https://www.ipc.pt/bupc/concursos/form/concursos_bolseirosto submit their application, selecting the procedure for which they wish to apply.
Form of publication/notification of results:
The results of the evaluation will be published within 90 working days from the deadline for submitting applications, by sending a communication to the candidates via email.
Additional comments
Selection criteria:
Applications will be evaluated on a scale of 0 to 20 points, using the following weightings:
a) Curricular Assessment (80%), with a value of 40% for academic qualifications (CA1), 30% for additional academic/professional training and experience in participating in projects and teamwork (CA2) and 10% for cover/motivation letter (CA3);
b) Interview (20%), carried out with the two candidates who are best placed in the curriculum evaluation. With a value of 10% for the ability to demonstrate knowledge acquired in the requested functions (I1) and 10% for verbal and non-verbal communication skills in Portuguese and English (I2).
The final classification (FC) will be given according to the following formula:
FC = (0.4 x CA1) + (0.3 x CA2) + (0.1 x CA3) + (0.1 x I1) + (0.1 x I2)
The selection committee reserves the right not to select any candidate if none of them has the appropriate profile to perform the functions.
Website for additional job details: https://www.ipc.pt/ipc/sobre/rh/a-decorrer-bolseiros/
