Research Grant (Master's Degree Holder) – iChem4M

Offer Description

Call open for applications for 1 research grant Master's Degree holder, enrolled in PhD or courses that do not confer academic degree, within the framework of project iChem4M (B10), with the reference NORTE2030-FEDER-02706400, financed by Northern Regional Programme 2021-2027 (Norte2030), under the following conditions:

Scientific Area: Science Education and Communication, Multimedia and Design

Admission requirements:

• To have a Master's degree in the field of Science Education and Communication, Exact or Natural Sciences, the teaching of Exact or Natural Sciences, Engineering, Technology, Communication Sciences, Multimedia, Design, Digital Media or related fields;
• To be enrolled in PhD in Science Education and Communication, Exact or Natural Sciences, Teaching of Exact or Natural Sciences, Engineering, Technology, Communication Sciences, Multimedia, Design, Digital Media or related fields, or courses that do not confer academic degree.

Although the recipients must be enrolled in a cycle of studies leading to the attribution of an academic degree or in a course not conferring an academic degree, at the time of application it is not necessary for the candidate to have made such an enrollment, and proof of enrollment must be presented until the fellowship is contractualized. Candidates are only required to meet the requirements to enroll in the training offer. If there are candidates already enrolled (including attending a course), they compete on an equal footing with those who are not enrolled.

Note: In the case of masters who are enrolled in courses that do not confer academic degree, the research grant can only be awarded to those who do not exceed, with the signing of the research grant contract in question, including possible renewals, an accumulated period of two years in this type of grant, consecutive or interpolated.

Preferences Requirements: Preference will also be given to candidates with experience in:

• An interest in and experience of science education and the communication of the exact or natural sciences;
• Published work(s) in a journal or the proceedings of a national or international conference in which qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis techniques have been used;
• Proven experience in using qualitative and quantitative data analysis software, such as NVivo and SPSS, amongst other data analysis programmes;
• Proven experience in developing citizen science projects, educational projects or science communication initiatives;
• Experience with pupils at different educational levels, and experience in interacting with teachers or educators and with the general public;
• Experience and skills in the digital field, particularly in the design and production of communication, multimedia and design content and resources aimed at different audiences, including web content, infographics and other data visualisation or interactive resources;
• Good spoken and written English;
• A demonstrated interest in digital literature and the humanities.

Hiring Requirements: If the qualification has been granted by a foreign higher education institution, it will have to be recognized by a Portuguese higher education institution, pursuant to article 25 of Decree-Law No. 66/2018, of 16 August, which approves the regime legal recognition of academic degrees and diplomas in Higher Education, arising from foreign higher education institutions, and paragraph e) of paragraph 2 of article 4 of Decree-Law No. 60/2018, of August 3, all of which the formalities must be fulfilled there until the contracting act.

Activity Outline: "iChem4M – Innovation in Chemistry for Critical Raw Materials" is a multidisciplinary project that aims to develop innovative and sustainable solutions for the utilisation of critical raw materials, in particular rare earths, by bringing together research in chemistry, environmental sustainability and the energy transition. In this context, "Activity 5 – Education, Outreach and Social Engagement" aims to strengthen the link between science and society through initiatives in science education and outreach, Citizen Science, and the communication and visualisation of scientific information aimed at different audiences. As a Research Fellow, you will contribute to the execution of the tasks described below, which fall within the objectives set out in the project's programme contract. You will therefore carry out the following tasks associated with the project's activities:

• A#5.1. Project website – Monitoring the development, updating and management of the project website, including the organisation of content, document repositories and the integration of the Citizen Science platform.
• A#5.2. Social representations and utopian visions of critical raw materials – Participation in the design and implementation of the study of social representations and alternative futures relating to critical raw materials, using participatory methodologies, and collaboration in the preparation of reports and recommendations.
• A#5.3. Development of data visualisation tools – Support for the development of data visualisation tools, including infographics, maps, timelines and interactive graphics, aimed at different audiences.
• A#5.4. Citizen Science for public engagement – Support for the planning, implementation and evaluation of Citizen Science initiatives aimed at students, teachers and the general public, promoting the active involvement of society in the collection, sharing and analysis of data on critical raw materials. Organisation of educational activities, workshops in schools, museums and science centres, online forums and discussion sessions, as well as the production of outreach content and other co-creation activities, with a view to raising awareness of sustainability and the responsible use of critical raw materials.
• A#5.5. Evaluation and Dissemination – Participation in the evaluation of project activities, through the collection and analysis of information from internal and external participants. Support in the preparation and submission of scientific articles to national and international journals. Communication of project results at scientific conferences and other forums to different audiences and organisations.

Legislation and regulations: Law no. 40/2004, updated by Decree-Law no. 123/2019, of 28 August (Statute of Scientific Research Grant Holder); Regulation no. 950/2019 of 16 December (Regulation of Research Grants of the Foundation for Science and Technology), in its current wording; Research Studentship Regulation of the University of Porto – approved by Regulation 582/2026, published in Diário da República, 2nd Series, no. 96, of 19 May and Decree-Law no. 66/2018 of 16 August (Legal Regime of Recognition of academic degrees and diplomas of Higher Education awarded by Foreign Higher Education Institutions).

Work place: The work will be developed in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto (FCUP), under the guidance of Prof. Dra. Carla Susana Lopes Morais

Grant duration: Initial duration of 6 months, with beginning on 15/11/2026, eventually renewable up, but not exceeding the end date of the project. (31/03/2028)

Maintenance allowance amount: The grant stipend amounts to 1359,64€ according to the table of values of the grants awarded directly by FCT, I.P. in the Country (https://www.fct.pt/apoios/bolsas/valores). The payment will be made by bank transfer.

Voluntary Social Insurance: As long as the grant lasts 6 months or more, and in compliance with the provisions of the current version of the Grant Holder Statute, the grant holder will be entitled to have FCUP support the costs resulting from the contributions that fall into the first of the tax brackets. The grant holder will be responsible for contributions beyond the first tax bracket, should the grant holder opt for a higher coverage.

Personal Accident Insurance: During the grant period, the grant holder will be covered by a personal accident insurance policy.

Selection procedure: The selection methods to be used are as follows:

The mandatory selection method is the assessment of the candidates' scientific and academic track record.

Assessment Criteria:

• A – Academic Qualifications – assessment of the grades obtained in the academic degrees held by the candidates (25%);
• B – Publications – paper(s) published in national or international journals or conference proceedings involving the use of qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis techniques (15%);
• C – Data Analysis Software – demonstrated experience in the use of qualitative and quantitative data analysis software, such as NVivo and SPSS, among other data analysis tools (15%);
• D – Project Experience – demonstrated experience in the development of citizen science projects, educational projects, or science communication and outreach projects (15%);
• E – Teaching and Public Engagement Experience – teaching experience with students at different levels of education and experience interacting with teachers or educators and the general public (15%);
• F – Digital Skills and Experience – experience and skills in the digital field, particularly in the design and production of communication, multimedia, and design content and resources aimed at different audiences, including web content, infographics, and other data visualisation or interactive resources (15%).

The final score (FS) will be calculated according to the following formula:

FS = AC = A × 25% + B × 15% + C × 15% + D × 15% + E × 15% + F × 15%

An interview will be conducted with the three highest-ranked candidates, during which their English-language proficiency will be assessed. The interview will have a weighting of 10%, and the final score will therefore be calculated according to the following formula:

FS = AC × 90% + INT × 10%

The candidate who has a foreign academic degree or diploma whose final classification is expressed on a different classification scale from the Portuguese one or does not have a classification, for evaluation purposes, must present a document proving the recognition of the foreign degree or diploma and the conversion of the classification for the Portuguese classification scale until the closing date of applications for the competition.

If the documents attesting the degree submitted by the candidates do not present the final classification of the degree required in this notice with the respective grade converted to the Portuguese classification scale, the jury will consider, for evaluation purposes, that the candidate has the minimum classification (10 points) of a maximum of 20 points) required to obtain a degree in Portugal.

Candidates whose application has been assessed with a final classification less than 14 points are not eligible to sign the contract of the fellowship.

Selection committee:

• President – Prof.ª Doutora Carla Susana Lopes Morais, Professora Auxiliar c/ Agregação, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto;
• 1.º member – Prof. Doutor João Carlos de Matos Paiva, Professor Associado c/ Agregação, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto;
• 2.º member – Doutor Luciano José Santos Reis Moreira, Investigador Auxiliar, Faculdade de Letras da Universidade do Porto;
• 1.º alternate member – Prof. Doutor Paulo Simeão de Oliveira Ferreira de Carvalho, Professor Associado, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto;
• 2.º alternate member – Prof.ª Doutora Maria de Fátima de Sousa Basto Vieira, Professora Catedrática, Faculdade de Letras da Universidade do Porto.

Advertisement of final decision: The final results of the evaluation will be published through a list ordered by final classification, sent to candidates by email. It is further informed that, pursuant to the provisions of articles 121 et seq. of the Code of Administrative Procedure, it has a legal period of 10 working days from the day immediately following the notification, to make a decision, if it so wishes. A complaint may be filed against this decision within 15 working days or, alternatively, an appeal may be filed within 30 working days, addressed to the Director of the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto, pursuant to article 191 et seq. of the Code of Administrative Procedure. The host entity may use the final ranking list to replace the selected grantee in case he/she gives up the position, up to one year.

Deadline for applications and form of presentation of the applications: The deadline for submitting applications will be 10 days from the date of publication of the Research Grant Announcement. Applications must be formalized, mandatorily, through the web page of Infociências of this opening (https://info.fc.up.pt/fcup/pedidos/users/novo.php?f_id=1291&formulario=813) accompanied by the following documents:

1. Motivation letter;
2. Detailed Curriculum Vitae;
3. Certificate of academic qualifications;
4. Declaration of eligibility (in attached);
5. Other relevant documents;
6. Up to three letters of recommendation, one is mandatory. The candidate should access to the link: https://info.fc.up.pt/fcup/recursos_humanos/cartas_recomendacao/index.php?f_id=1351, where he/she has to select the recruitment is applying, identify his/her name, email, identification number (citizen card or passport), and subsequently indicate the name(s) of the person(s), email address(es) of the persons that will write the recommendation letter. These persons will be notified by email, where a link will be sent to make the upload of the letter, by the end of the last day of application, 23:59 h - mainland Portugal time. The candidates will be notified when the letter has been submitted.

The documents indicated in points a) to e) must be submitted in a single file in zip format on the tender page.

Supporting documents for the contract: At the time of signing the contract, the grant holder must provide the following documents:

• Biographic form;
• Photocopy of Passport and/or residency permit (if applicable);
• Photocopy of Portuguese IBAN/NIB;
• proof of enrolment in PhD in Science Education and Communication, Exact or Natural Sciences, Teaching of Exact or Natural Sciences, Engineering, Technology, Communication Sciences, Multimedia, Design, Digital Media or related fields; or proof of non-degree course; Proof document or statement duly signed by the institution's highest body that the course is provided for in the respective educational project and that it is developed in association or cooperation with at least one R&D unit (indicate which one(s) specifically); and Statutes of the entities that develop the course together with the higher education institution, in order to verify if they are considered R&D units, for the purposes of the provisions of article 16 of Decree-Law No. 63/2019, of May 16th;
• Foreign academic degree recognition (if applicable);
• Exclusivity declaration;
• Ciência ID and ORCID ID.

Commitment

In compliance with paragraph h) of Article 9 of the Constitution, the University of Porto, as an employer, actively promotes a policy of equal opportunities between men and women in access to employment and professional advancement, scrupulously avoiding any form of discrimination. In this spirit, terms such as "candidate," "author," or "teacher," among others that refer to the people who apply for this recruitment tender are used as gender neutral.

In addition, no candidate may be privileged, benefited, impaired or deprived of any right or exempt from any duty on grounds of ancestry, age, sexual orientation, marital status, family situation, economic situation, education, origin or social status, genetic heritage, reduced working capacity, disability, chronic illness, nationality, ethnic origin or race, territory of origin, language, religion, political or ideological convictions and trade union membership.

The call is open from 08/10/2026 to 21/10/2026.

Where to apply

Website: https://info.fc.up.pt/fcup/pedidos/users/novo.php?f_id=1291&formulario=813

Requirements

• Research Field: Educational sciences » Other
• Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent

Additional Information

Website for additional job details: https://sigarra.up.pt/fcup/pt/noticias_geral.ver_noticia?p_nr=142264

Work Location(s)

• Number of offers available: 1
• Company/Institute: Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto
• Country: Portugal

Contact

• City: Porto
• Website: https://sigarra.up.pt/fcup/pt/web_page.inicial
• Street: University of Porto – Pólo do Campo Alegre