A call is open for the award of one (1) Research Initiation Fellowship (BII) for students enrolled in Mechanical Engineering programmes, within the scope of the project GradJoint – Photopatterned Gradient Adhesives for Soft–Stiff Joints, funded by the MIT Portugal Program (MPP 2026 Seed Funds) with financial support from FCT/MCTES, under the following conditions:
Scientific area: Mechanical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Physics Engineering, Chemical Engineering or related fields.
Work plan: Experimental characterisation of substrate–adhesive adhesion: preparation and surface treatment of substrates, fabrication and mechanical testing of single-modulus adhesive joints, and support to the qualification of the laboratory photopolymerisation (DLP) setup.
1. Duration and Terms:
Duration of 4 months, starting in September 2026, potentially renewable up to the extent permitted by the relevant regulations. The granting of the scholarships does not generate or entitle a legal-labour relationship, it is exercised under an exclusive dedication regime, and the Scholarship holder is granted the Scholarship Holder Status, in accordance with the Regulation for Research Grants of the Foundation for Science and Technology, I.P., both in their current wording.
2. Activity objective:
GradJoint aims to establish design rules for gradient adhesive architectures, produced by photopatterning a thiol-ene-epoxy resin, that maximise the strength and stretchability of joints between dissimilar materials (glass, polycarbonate, acrylic, silicone and polyurethane). The work combines MIT’s expertise in photochemistry and multimaterial manufacturing with the experience of INEGI’s Advanced Joining Processes Unit (AJPU) in structural adhesive joints and in the simulation of adhesive flow and cure.
This fellowship belongs to Aim 1 of the project, which quantifies substrate–adhesive interfacial strength and establishes the baseline behaviour of homogeneous adhesive layers before gradients are introduced. The resulting data form the experimental basis of the predictive models developed under Aim 2.
The candidate is expected to contribute to the following tasks:
- Preparation of panels and specimens in the substrates under study (glass, polycarbonate, acrylic, silicone and polyurethane), including cutting, cleaning and conditioning.
- Application of surface treatment protocols, in particular silane-based adhesion promoters, and recording of the corresponding parameters.
- Surface characterisation before and after treatment, through contact angle measurement and determination of surface energy.
- Fabrication of single-modulus adhesive joints from the photocurable resin platform, with control of the adhesive layer thickness and of the curing conditions.
- Execution of mechanical tests for adhesion characterisation (shear, peel and tensile), including preparation of fixtures and test accessories.
- Analysis of the failure modes of the tested joints and photographic recording of the fracture surfaces.
- Support to the installation and qualification of the DLP printing setup in the laboratory, including exposure-dose and cure-depth calibration tests.
- Organisation, processing and documentation of the experimental data obtained, in a format suitable for use by the modelling component and for integration into the open dataset foreseen in the project.
3. Scientific supervision:
Dr. Beatriz Simões. The work will be carried out in INEGI or FEUP facilities in Porto.
4. Admission requirements:
The scholarship is intended for Bachelor’s or Master’s students in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Physics Engineering, Chemical Engineering or related fields.
5. Academic Qualifications:
Academic background in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Physics Engineering, Chemical Engineering or related fields.
Preference will be given to candidates with:
- Laboratory experience in mechanical testing of materials or adhesive joints.
- Knowledge of structural adhesives, polymers or composite materials.
- Experience in the preparation and surface treatment of substrates.
- Familiarity with experimental data processing and analysis (Python, MATLAB or equivalent).
- Experimental rigour, organisation and attention to detail in recording procedures.
- Autonomy and effective time management.
- Ability to work in a team and in an international collaboration environment.
- Strong analytical thinking and attention to detail.
- Problem-solving and critical reasoning.
- Autonomy and effective time management.
- Proactivity and scientific curiosity.
- Proficiency in English, written and spoken.
6. Academic degrees obtained in foreign countries shall be registered by a Portuguese institution, according to the DL 66/2018, of August 16th, and the Ordinance nr. 33/2019, of January 25th. It is mandatory to present the certificate to sign the contract. More information is available on: https://www.dges.gov.pt/pt/pagina/reconhecimento.
7. Monthly allowance: The scholarship amount corresponds to € 701,12 according to FCT (https://www.fct.pt/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Tabela-de-Valores-SMM-2026.pdf). The scholarship payment will be made by bank transfer.
8. Applicable Legislation: Research Fellow Statute, approved by Law No. 40/2004 of August 18th, in the current wording published by Decree-Law No. 123/2019 of August 28; Regulation of Research Grants of the Foundation for Science and Technology, I.P. in force (Regulation No. 950 / 2019 of 16 December).
10. Selection methods/criteria: The selection process initially consists of a curriculum evaluation according to the mentioned criteria. This evaluation results in the selection of candidates that go on to the interview phase. The final assessment is calculated based on a weight of 60% of the curriculum assessment and 40% of the interview. The selection criteria are as follows: academic background, qualifications, adequacy between the candidate's profile and the fellowship's objectives, motivation and relevant experience for the project in question, in accordance with the admission requirements described above.
The jury reserves the right not to fill the place in the competition, if it deems that there are no candidates who meet its requirements.
11. Composition of the evaluation panel: Dr. Beatriz Simões (President), Dr. Lucas da Silva (Vowel), Dr. Ricardo Carbas (Vowel). Dr. Eduardo Marques (Alternate Vowel).
12. Publication/notification of results: The final results of the assessment will be sent by email. After being notified, candidates have 10 working days to submit a formal rebuttal by email (gestao.pessoas@inegi.up.pt).
13. Submission of applications: Applications must include the following documents:
- Motivation letter, stating the adequacy of the curriculum to the position.
- Curriculum vitae, in which the candidate's education in the areas mentioned in item 5 of this announcement should be clearly stated.
- Certificate of qualifications.
- Proof of enrollment for the 2026/2027 academic year.
14. Expressions of interest should be sent between the 4 of September and 18th september 2026 through the official INEGI website www.inegi.pt in Work in INEGI by pressing Apply R&D Initiation Activity Fellowship _ Reference number: BII UPAL 39/2026.
15. Scholarship Support Centre: The support centre for scholarship holders works from Monday to Friday, from 10 am to 12 pm, at the People Management Services.
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