Research Grant in Chemical Engineering (BioVal Project)

Offer Description

A call for applications is open for a Research Grant within the scope of the project "BioVal - Intelligent Pyrolysis System for the Transformation of Agroforestry By-products into Biochar", funded by the "LaCaixa Foundation and FCT through the Promove Program (2025 Call – Pilot Projects)", under the following conditions:

1. Scientific Area:

Chemical Engineering, Environmental Technology, or related fields.

2. Admission Requirements:

• The candidate must be enrolled in a non-degree-granting master's program integrated into the pedagogical project of a higher education institution, or be enrolled in a doctoral program in Chemical Engineering, Biological Engineering, Environmental Technology, or related fields;
• Hold a master's degree in chemical engineering, Biological Engineering, Environmental Technology, or related fields;
• Suitability of the candidate's training and experience to the objectives of the work to be developed, related to the design, operation, and evaluation of thermochemical processes, especially pyrolysis;
• Experience in evaluating the physicochemical characteristics of agroforestry biomass and its conversion products (biochar, activated carbon);
• Experience in physicochemical analyses of carbonaceous materials, including surface area, density, acidity, ash content, fixed carbon, calorific value, hardness, and thermogravimetric analyses;
• Knowledge of spectrophotometric, chromatographic, and infrared spectroscopy techniques applied to the characterization of biomass and its derivatives;
• Experience in evaluating the properties of materials intended for environmental applications;
• Proficiency in Portuguese and English (written and oral communication).

3. Work Plan:

The candidate will develop research and development activities related to the design, implementation, and evaluation of a portable pre-industrial scale pyrolysis unit, focusing on the production of biochar and activated carbon.

The main tasks include:

• Bibliographic review and technical-scientific references on pyrolysis processes, biochar and activated carbon production, as well as environmental applications of the materials produced.
• Definition of the technical and operational requirements for the design of a portable pre-industrial scale pyrolysis unit.
• Analysis of the environmental and economic impacts at each stage of the life cycle of the production system (from raw material to waste disposal) and operational aspects of biochar production.
• Conducting experimental pyrolysis tests of different types of agroforestry biomass, evaluating operating conditions and process yields.
• Detailed physicochemical characterization of the products obtained (biochar and activated carbon), including surface area (BET), elemental analysis (CHNS-O), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), ash content, fixed carbon, density, acidity, hardness, calorific value, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA).
• Preparation of detailed technical data sheets for the products (biochar and activated carbon), with crucial quality and performance parameters.
• Writing of scientific reports and articles with the results obtained, as well as support in scientific and technical dissemination and knowledge transfer activities.

4. Objectives:

To develop and evaluate a portable pre-industrial scale pyrolysis unit to produce biochar and activate carbon, carrying out detailed physicochemical characterization of the products, and evaluating the environmental impacts throughout the life cycle, in order to optimize the efficiency, quality and sustainability of the proposed model.

5. Applicable legislation and regulations:

Statute of the Scientific Research Fellow, approved by Law No. 40/2004, of August 18, in its current wording; FCT, I.P. Research Grant Regulations, in force (https://www.fct.pt/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/RBi_Republicado_2025.pdf); Regulation No. 522/2020, published in the Diário da República, 2nd series, No. 113, of June 12 – Research Grant Regulations of the Polytechnic University of Bragança.

6. Workplace and scientific supervision:

The work will be carried out at the Polytechnic University of Bragança, under the scientific supervision of Prof. Helder Teixeira Gomes.

7. Duration of the grant:

The grant will have an initial duration of 6 months, with a planned start date of 01/11/2026 (with the possibility of renewal up to a maximum of 24 months, including the initial period).

8. Monthly Maintenance Allowance Amount:

The grant amount corresponds to 1,359.64€, according to the table of grant values awarded by FCT, I.P. in the country.

Grant recipients will benefit from personal accident insurance and, if they are not covered by any social protection scheme, they may ensure the exercise of the right to social security by joining the voluntary social security scheme, under the terms provided for in the Code of Contribution Regimes of the Social Security System. The grant amount will be paid monthly by bank transfer.

9. Selection Methods and their respective valuation:

The selection methods to be used will be the following:

a) Curriculum evaluation and its suitability for the work in question (60%);

b) Experience in research activities in areas related to the work in question (40%);

If deemed necessary, there will be an interview with a weighting of 50%, with the remaining 50% going towards the evaluation related to the previous points. The jury may not grant the grant if the candidates' ranking is lower than desired.

10. Composition of the Selection Jury:

The jury responsible for the selection will be composed of:

President: Dr. Ana Paula Ferreira da Silva (Polytechnic University of Bragança)

Full member: Prof. Dr. Helder Teixeira Gomes (Polytechnic University of Bragança)

Full member: Dr. Flávia G. Silva Pires (Polytechnic University of Bragança)

Alternate member: Prof. Dr. José Fernando Lopes Barbosa (Polytechnic University of Bragança)

11. Method of publication/notification of results:

The communications and final results of the evaluation will be published through the UPB application submission portal or, if necessary, by email notification.

12. Application period:

The competition is open from 28/09/2026 to 12/10/2026.

13. Method of submitting applications:

Applications can be formalized through the UPB application submission portal (http://concursos.ipb.br), including the following documents:

a) Curriculum Vitae;

b) Qualifications certificate;

c) Letter of motivation

Documents proving the holding of academic degrees or diplomas, or enrollment in an academic degree or diploma, may be waived during the application phase, being replaced by a declaration of honor from the candidate, with verification of this condition being mandatory during the contracting phase of the grant.

Academic degrees obtained in foreign countries need recognition by a Portuguese Institution in accordance with Decree-Law No. 66/2018, of August 16, and Ordinance No. 33/2019, of January 25. Presentation of the recognition is mandatory for signing the contract.

14. Deadlines and procedures for complaints and appeals:

If the decision to be made is unfavorable to the granting of the requested grant, candidates have a period of 10 working days, after the date of publication of the evaluation results, to express their opinion, if they wish, in a prior hearing, under the terms provided for in the Administrative Procedure Code.

An appeal against the final decision may be made to the Rector of UPB within 15 working days after the respective notification.

Requirements

• Research Field: Engineering » Chemical engineering
• Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

Academic and professional experience relevant to the design, operation, and evaluation of thermochemical processes, particularly pyrolysis. Experience in the physicochemical characterization of biomass and carbonaceous materials, including biochar and activated carbon, using spectrophotometric, chromatographic, infrared spectroscopy, and thermal analysis techniques. Experience in evaluating carbonaceous materials for environmental applications and proficiency in Portuguese and English, both written and spoken.

Specific Requirements

Applicants must meet the following conditions:

• The candidate must hold a Master's degree and be enrolled in a non-degree-awarding course integrated into the educational project of a higher education institution, or be enrolled in a PhD programme in the field of Chemical Engineering, Biological Engineering, Environmental Technology, or related areas;
• Hold a Master's degree in Chemical Engineering, Biological Engineering, Environmental Technology, or related areas;
• Have an academic background and professional experience suitable for the objectives of the work to be carried out, particularly regarding the design, operation, and evaluation of thermochemical processes, especially pyrolysis;
• Experience in evaluating the physicochemical characteristics of agroforestry biomass and its conversion products (biochar, activated carbon);
• Experience in physicochemical analyses of carbonaceous materials, including surface area, density, acidity, ash content, fixed carbon, calorific value, hardness, and thermogravimetric analyses;
• Knowledge of spectrophotometric, chromatographic, and infrared spectroscopy techniques applied to the characterization of biomass and its derivatives;
• Experience in evaluating material properties for environmental applications;
• Proficiency in Portuguese and English (written and oral communication).

Languages: PORTUGUESE

Level: Excellent

Languages: ENGLISH

Level: Good

Additional Information

Benefits

The grant amount corresponds to 1,359.64€, according to the table of grant values awarded by FCT, I.P. in the country.

Grant recipients will benefit from personal accident insurance and, if they are not covered by any social protection scheme, they may ensure the exercise of the right to social security by joining the voluntary social security scheme, under the terms provided for in the Code of Contribution Regimes of the Social Security System. The grant amount will be paid monthly by bank transfer.

Eligibility criteria

• The candidate must be enrolled in a non-degree-granting master's program integrated into the pedagogical project of a higher education institution, or be enrolled in a doctoral program in Chemical Engineering, Biological Engineering, Environmental Technology, or related fields;
• Hold a master's degree in chemical engineering, Biological Engineering, Environmental Technology, or related fields;
• Suitability of the candidate's training and experience to the objectives of the work to be developed, related to the design, operation, and evaluation of thermochemical processes, especially pyrolysis;
• Experience in evaluating the physicochemical characteristics of agroforestry biomass and its conversion products (biochar, activated carbon);
• Experience in physicochemical analyses of carbonaceous materials, including surface area, density, acidity, ash content, fixed carbon, calorific value, hardness, and thermogravimetric analyses;
• Knowledge of spectrophotometric, chromatographic, and infrared spectroscopy techniques applied to the characterization of biomass and its derivatives;
• Experience in evaluating the properties of materials intended for environmental applications;
• Proficiency in Portuguese and English (written and oral communication).

Selection process

a) Curriculum evaluation and its relevance to the proposed work (60%);

b) Research experience in areas related to the proposed work (40%).

If deemed necessary, an interview may be conducted, weighted at 50%, with the remaining 50% attributed to the criteria above.

The jury reserves the right not to award the grant if the candidates' evaluation scores are below the desired threshold.

Additional comments

Documents proving the ownership of academic degrees or diplomas, or enrollment in an academic degree or diploma, may be dispensed with during the application stage, being replaced by a declaration of honor by the candidate, and verification of this condition is mandatory during the grant contracting stage. Academic degrees obtained in foreign countries require recognition by a Portuguese Institution in accordance with Decree-Law No. 66/2018, of August 16th and Ordinance No. 33/2019, of January 25th. The presentation of recognition is mandatory for the signing of the contract.

Website for additional job details: https://concursos.unipb.pt/ui/#/public/concursos/detalhe/1101

Work Location(s)

• Number of offers available: 1
• Company/Institute: Universidade Politécnica de Bragança
• Country: Portugal
• State/Province: Bragança
• City: Bragança
• Postal Code: 5300-253
• Street: Campus de Santa Apolónia

Contact

• State/Province: Bragança
• City: Bragança
• Website: http://portal3.ipb.pt/index.php/pt/ipb
• Street: Campus de Sta Apolónio
• Postal Code: 5300-253
• E-Mail: anapaula.silva@ipb.pt