Research Grant | HOP ON programme, Ref 101058636, ABSolEU: closing the loop on ABS plastics recycling, CICECO – Aveiro Institute of Materials - #237884

A tender is hereby opened for the award of 1 (one)Research Grant (RG)under the HOP ON programme, Ref 101058636, ABSolEU: closing the loop on ABS plastics recycling, CICECO – Aveiro Institute of Materials, under the following conditions:

1. Scientific Area: Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, and related scientific fields.

2. Financing SourceABSolEU HOP ON programme, Horizon Europe (Ref 101058636)

3. Admission Requirements:Master's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or related scientific fields (enrolled in non-degree courses integrated with the educational project of the University of Aveiro) and preference is given to candidates with proven laboratory experience in the field of synthesis of polymers from renewable sources; Physicochemical characterization and development of nanostructure systems.

The proof of enrolment must be made available until the contract is awarded, and the candidates may attach a declaration of honor to confirm that they meet the requirements.

Preferred factors:

1) Lab experience in the field of Polymer development and recycling, Physicochemical Characterization, Ionic Liquids and Deep Eutectic Solvents (DES) applied to polymer recycling;

2) Ability to work on a very challenging and innovative project involving polymers and innovative degradation techniques;

3) Scientific publications and/or communications;

4) Good knowledge of English.

If the qualification has been conferred by a foreign higher education institution it must be recognized by a Portuguese higher education institution, under the terms of the provisions of article 25 of Decree-Law no. 66/2018, of August 16th, which approves the legal regime of recognition of academic degrees and diplomas of Higher Education, attributed by foreign higher education institutions, and of paragraph e) of no. 2 of article 4 of Decree-Law no. 60/2018, of August 3rd, and any formalities established therein must be fulfilled by the date of the hiring act.

4. Eligibility: Applicants are eligible if they comply with paragraph a) of no.1 of article 2, of the Research Fellow Statute in the wording given by Decree-Law no. 123/2019, of August 28th, and also the provisions of article 9 of the Scientific Research Grant Regulations of the University of Aveiro. The duration of the RG is, as a rule, annual, extendable to a maximum of two years, in the case of master's degrees, integrated master's degrees and non-degree courses, and the respective duration, including renewal, may be consecutive or interpolated, pursuant to no. 5 of Article 9 of the above mentioned Regulation.

5. Work plan: At least 85% of end-of-life ABS plastic, found in durable products ranging from toys to automotive components is being incinerated. This work plan aims to develop a physical recycling approach for ABS, providing clean and safe recycling that is free of additives and contaminants to reintroduce it into the value chain to produce new products.

6. Applicable legislation and regulations: Research Fellow Statute, as amended by Decree-Law No. 123/2019, of August 28th; Scientific Research Grant Regulation of the University of Aveiro, Regulation No. 292/2020, published in Diário da República No. 61, Series II, of March 26th; Decree-Law No. 66/2018, of August 16th (Legal regime of recognition of academic degrees and diplomas of higher education awarded by foreign higher education institutions).

7. Workplace: The work will be carried out at the Department of Chemistry/CICECO of the University of Aveiro, under the scientific supervision of Doctor Paula Andreia Fernandes de Sousa.

8. Duration of the grant(s): The grant duration will be 6 months, starting in June of 2024, and may be renewed, up to the maximum limit of approved funding. Under no circumstances shall it exceed the limits defined in nos. 5 and 6 of article 9, of Regulation no. 292/2020, of February 28th, published in Diário da República, no. 61, Series II, of March 26th (Scientific Research Grant Regulation of the University of Aveiro).

9. Amount of monthly maintenance allowance: The amount of the grant corresponds to €1.259,64, according to the table of values of monthly maintenance allowances, set out in Appendix III of the Scientific Research Grant Regulation of the University of Aveiro, subject to any updates that may occur and are applicable. The fellow may also be reimbursed for the amount corresponding to the Voluntary Social Security, in case of adherence to this plan.

The annual fees for the UA Advanced Course in Scientific Research (value of €300 for a course of 40 ECTS credits) will be refunded to the student upon proof of payment.

10. Selection methods: The selection methods to be used include Curricular Evaluation, with the option of Interview in case the Jury considers that do not have the conditions of deciding based on Curricular Evaluation. The sub-criteria to be assessed under Curricular Evaluation (with a weight of 0 - 20 points) are:

- Academic curriculum in an appropriate area, in accordance with the admission requirements (40%);

- Technical-scientific curriculum and proven experience in other areas relevant to the development of the work plan (20%);

- Technical-scientific curriculum and proven experience in the topics indicated as preferential conditions (40%);

If the jury considers that do not have the conditions for deciding based on Curricular Evaluation, an interview may be held, where the final score will be 70% for curricular evaluation and 30% for interview. The jury reserves the right to not admit interview candidates who do not reach the minimum classification of 15 points (on a scale from 0 to 20 points), as well as not to assign the research fellowship if among candidates no one has a minimum final classification of 15 points.

11. Composition of the Selection Jury: Paula Andreia Fernandes de Sousa, Assistant researcher, and Chair of the Selection Jury; full members: Ana Maria Ferreira Takahashi, Junior researcher and Ricardo Pinto, Junior researcher; Substitute members: Paulo Ribeiro-Claro, Associate professor with aggregation and Sónia Andreia Oliveira Santos, Assistant researcher.

12. Deadline for applications and how to submit applications: The call is open from May 2nd to May 15th 2024 and only applications submitted within the deadline will be admitted.

Applications must be formalized by sending a letter of application accompanied by the following documents: Curriculum Vitae, certificate of qualifications declaration of honor, application form, and motivation letter. They shall also indicate the e-mail address to which by such indication they accept to be notified for all purposes within this procedure.

Applications should be sent by e-mail to *********@ua.pt

13. Form of publication/notification of results: The results of the evaluation shall be made public no later than 60 working days after the closing date for submission of applications and shall be notified to the applicants. The candidates are informed, in a prior hearing, under the terms established in the Code of Administrative Procedure, of the probable meaning of the final decision, and may, within 10 working days of this notification, express their opinion on this decision. The final results may be appealed to the Rector, to be submitted within 10 working days from the respective notification.

The models of the grant contract and of the final report to be prepared by the grant holder and the supervisor are available at Research fellows - sgrh - Universidade de Aveiro (ua.pt).