Offer Description
A call is open for the allocation of 1 (one) Research Fellowship for MSc, 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 RISE-Health, University of Beira
Interior (UBI), (https://www.ubi.pt/Sites/fcsaude/pt/Pagina/investigacao), under the
following conditions:
Scientific Area: Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Biomedical Sciences or
related scientific areas
Objective – Development and validation of advanced analytical methods for the
identification and quantification of emerging pollutants in surface waters.
Work plan:
1 – Development, optimization and validation of advanced analytical methods for dosing
emerging pollutants;
2 – Characterization of nucleic acid aptamers specific to emerging pollutants;
3 – Construction of the biosensor using aptamers of nucleic acids specific to emerging
pollutants;
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 RISE-Health UBI, Faculty of
Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Av. Infante D. Henrique 6200-506 Covilhã,
under the scientific supervision of Dr. Carla Cruz (carlacruz@fcsaude.ubi.pt) and Dr.
Eugénia Gallardo (egallardo@fcsaude.ubi.pt).
Fellowship duration and conditions – The scholarship will have a duration of 10
months, with an expected start date of 15 December 2026. The activities will be carried
out on a full-time and exclusive dedication basis, in accordance with the UBI Research
Fellowship Regulations (RBIUBI).
Selection Committee: Applications will be assessed by a panel as follows:
President: Carla Patrícia Alves Freire Madeira da Cruz, Associate Professor, University
of Beira Interior
Vowels: Maria Eugénia Gallardo Alba, Associate Professor, University of Beira Interior
Tiago Alexandre Pires Rosado, Assistant Professor, University of Beira Interior
Substitute member: Maria José Aguilar Madeira, Associate Professor, University of Beira
Interior
Documents for application:
The candidates should present:
-Motivation letter;
-Detailed Curriculum Vitae;
-Copy(s) of the Certificate(s) of Qualifications;
-Other supporting documents considered relevant;
-A declaration of honour from the applicant (Annex 1) certifying that they meet the
conditions for the award of the scholarship, in accordance with Article 7 of the RBIUBI
(https://diariodarepublica.pt/dr/detalhe/regulamento/100-2020-129093926).
Receipt of applications: Applications should be addressed to Dr. Carla Cruz,
Principal Investigator of the Project, to the e-mail carlacruz@fcsaude.ubi.pt or
alternatively to RISE-Health, Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade da Beira
Interior, Av. Infante D. Henrique, 6200-506 Covilhã, stating the reference
“AquaClean_MSc4” in the subject line.
Publication/notification of results: The final results of the evaluation process
will be published in a sorted list, by the final classification obtained, and posted in a
visible and public place of the Faculty of Health Sciences of the University of Beira
Interior, and candidate(s) will be notified of the decision by email.
Where to apply
E-mail: carlacruz@fcsaude.ubi.pt
Skills/Qualifications
– Hold a MSc degree in scientific areas relevant to the main research areas of the project
and meet the conditions to be enrolled in a cycle of studies leading to the PhD degree or
in a non-degree course.
– Have experience in laboratory skills in techniques related to the project.
– Have proficiency in the English language.
– 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.
If the academic degree required for this call has been awarded by a foreign higher
education institution, the provisions of Decree-Law No. 66/2018, of 16 August, and
Ministerial Order No. 33/2019, of 25 January, must be complied with. The presentation
of a recognised PhD degree certificate is mandatory for signing the contract. Further
information on the recognition of academic degrees is available at:
https://www.dges.gov.pt/en/pagina/degree-anddiploma-recognition.
The proof of registration in a PhD/non-degree course degree is required for the
fellowship contractualization.
Additional Information
Benefits
A monthly maintenance allowance will be granted in accordance with
Annex I of the RBIUBI, in the amount of 1359,64 € according to the updated values that
can be consulted at https://www.fct.pt/apoios/bolsas/valores. The fellowship holder will
have a 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 MSc degree in scientific areas relevant to the main research areas of the project
and meet the conditions to be enrolled in a cycle of studies leading to the PhD degree or
in a non-degree course.
– Have experience in laboratory skills in techniques related to the project.
– Have proficiency in the English language.
– 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.
If the academic degree required for this call has been awarded by a foreign higher
education institution, the provisions of Decree-Law No. 66/2018, of 16 August, and
Ministerial Order No. 33/2019, of 25 January, must be complied with. The presentation
of a recognised PhD degree certificate is mandatory for signing the contract. Further
information on the recognition of academic degrees is available at:
https://www.dges.gov.pt/en/pagina/degree-anddiploma-recognition.
The proof of registration in a PhD/non-degree course 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%
Candidates who meet the general requirements established in the call for applications
and demonstrate appropriate scientific and technical training and experience for the
implementation of the work plan will be admitted to the evaluation process.
Considering the experimental nature of the project and the activities to be carried out,
the following are considered minimum admission requirements:
a) Proven laboratory experience in the preparation and treatment of environmental
samples, including experience in extraction techniques, namely solid-phase extraction
(SPE) and/or solid-phase microextraction (SPME);
b) Proven experience in the use of chromatographic techniques coupled with mass
spectrometry, namely GC-MS and/or GC-MS/MS;
c) Laboratory experience in methodologies applicable to the development and evaluation
of contaminant removal strategies, namely the use of materials/nanomaterials, enzyme
immobilization processes and/or the performance of biosafety assays.
For admission to the evaluation process, candidates must demonstrate compliance with
the three minimum requirements listed above.
Candidates who fail to demonstrate compliance with at least two of these requirements
will be excluded from the evaluation process.
Candidates who meet the minimum admission requirements will undergo a curricular
assessment and an interview aimed at evaluating their scientific and technical
background, the suitability of their experience and skills for the objectives and work plan
of the project, as well as their motivation and ability to carry out the proposed activities.
The curricular assessment will be based on the documentation submitted, while the
interview will complement the assessment of the candidates’ profiles, particularly with
regard to experience relevant to the project, scientific and technical knowledge,
motivation, communication skills, and suitability for the proposed work plan.
C2) Interview (25%)
The curricular assessment will focus on the relevance, quality, and recency of the
activities carried out by the candidate, taking into account their academic background,
scientific knowledge, and laboratory experience in methodologies relevant to the work
plan, namely the preparation and extraction of environmental samples, chromatographic
techniques coupled with mass spectrometry, and methodologies related to the
development and evaluation of contaminant removal strategies. Scientific and
technological output, advanced training, participation in scientific events, and science
communication and outreach activities will also be considered.
The weighting assigned to each subcriterion will be as follows:
a) Average grades obtained in the BSc and Master’s degrees – 30%;
b) Scientific knowledge and experience in advanced analytical and laboratory techniques,
with particular relevance to sample preparation and extraction, SPE, SPME, GC-MS
and/or GC-MS/MS, as well as methodologies involving materials/nanomaterials,
enzyme immobilization, and biosafety assays – 30%;
c) Experience in chromatographic separation techniques and suitability of the
motivation demonstrated in relation to the objectives and work plan of the project – 10%;
d) Scientific publications in areas relevant to the scope of the call – 20%;
e) Participation in scientific events and other science communication and outreach
activities – 10%.
The final score for component C1 (CF1) will be calculated according to the following
formula:
CF1 = a × 0.30 + b × 0.30 + c × 0.10 + d × 0.20 + e × 0.10
The final classification of the candidates is expressed on a scale of 0 to 20, rounded to
the nearest hundredth.
The award of the scholarship to the selected candidate will be subject to obtaining a final
classification equal to or greater than 14 (fourteen) values.
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.
The proposed ranking and final order of candidates will form a reserve list for a period
of 10 (ten) months.
