005/BI/2024 - Fellowships for Masters

Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier

Application for a Master Fellowship

within the Project 2022.07024.PTDC

Applications are invited for a Master Fellowship in the scope of the project entitled “Electrochemical valorization of CO2 powered by engineered microbial cells” with the Ref. 2022.07024.PTDC, funded by FCT.

Scientific Area: Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biotechnology or related fields

Academic degree: Degree and Master or integrated Master in Biochemistry, Biology, Microbiology, Applied Chemistry, Biotechnology, or similar areas, with a weighted or final classification higher than 15.

Other requisites:

- Preference will be given to candidates with the following requisites:

•    Experience in the fields of biochemistry, molecular biology, and/or electrochemistry

•    Strong motivation for scientific research

•    Motivation to pursue a PhD

•    Good organizational and team work skills

•    Good command of the English language (both written and oral communication)

- Being enrolled in a PhD, or in a non-academic degree course, in accordance with of the Article 6th of “Regulamento de Bolsas de Investigação da Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P. from FCT”, law in force.

Working Plan: The project aims on the implementation of a highly efficient microbial electrochemical system for CO2 conversion making use of genetically modified bacterial strains to promote superior conversion rates. We will design electrochemical devices that will explore engineered gas-diffusion electrodes to effectively scavenge CO2 and couple them with a semiconductor-based photoanode that will perform water oxidation powered by light. The specific tasks to be performed by the selected candidate will involve the genetic manipulation of anaerobic bacterial strains (Desulfovibrio vulgaris) and the optimization of their communication with electrode materials, the fabrication of gas-diffusion microbial bioelectrodes, and the integration of mixed cultures for product upgrade, leading to the development of a hybrid electrosynthesis system for CO2 valorization.

Applicable Law and Regulations: Status of Scientific Research Fellow, approved by Law number 40/2004, of August 18th, changed and republished by Ordinance 202/2012 of August 27th and changed by Ordinance 233/2012 of October 29th and by Law 12/2013 of January 29th and by Ordinance 89/2013 of July 9th and by the Ordinance 123/2019 of August 28th;

Regulations for Research Fellowships from Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P., in force (https://former.fct.pt/apoios/bolsas/docs/RegulamentoBolsasFCT2019DR.pdf).

Working Place: The work will be carried out in the “Bioelectrochemistry and Electrobiotechnology Lab” and the “Bacterial Energy Metabolism Lab” at ITQB NOVA, under supervision of Felipe Conzuelo and Américo G. Duarte, respectively.

Duration of the fellowship: The fellowship will have a duration of 6 months, renewable, and expected to start in February 2024, on a full-time basis, according to Fellowship Regulations of Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia, I.P.

Stipend amount: 1199,64€, according to the table of values of grants awarded directly by the FCT, I.P. in the Country (https://www.fct.pt/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Tabela-de-Valores-SMM_202…) and payment will be made, monthly, through bank transfer.

Selection procedure: The candidates will be evaluated with classification from 1 to 10, based on the analysis of the candidates’ CV and motivation letter, according to the admission requisites. An interview will be considered for the top five selected candidates (only if their curricular evaluation scores higher than 7). Final classification will be the ponderation of curricular evaluation (50%) and interview (50%) when applicable, and 100% for the curriculum evaluation for the remaining candidates.

Juri composition: President of the juri: Doctor Felipe Conzuelo, effective members: Doctor Américo G. Duarte, Professor Inês Cardoso Pereira; substitute member: Professor Maria Teresa Catarino.

Application documents: The application should be formalized in a cover letter indicating the corresponding fellowship reference, together with the following documents: detailed Curriculum Vitae (with degree classifications and degree certificates), motivation letter (including the scientific experience, the motivation for the position, and future perspectives of the candidate), and the name and contact of one or two references. All documents should be preferably sent by e-mail in a single pdf file. If the degree has been conferred by a non-Portuguese higher education institution, the selected candidate must obtain the certificate of the degree recognition, issued by the Portuguese Directorate General for Higher Education or by a Portuguese Public Higher Education Institution, until the signature of the contract. Regarding this issue, please consult the website of the Portuguese Directorate General for Higher Education: https://www.dges.gov.pt/en.

Notification of candidates: All the candidates will be informed of the final result by e-mail.

Deadlines and procedures for complaints and appeals: If the result is not favorable, the candidates have a period of 10 working days, after the disclosure of the results, to comment, if desired, in a prior hearing of interested parties, in the terms provided for in the Code of Administrative Procedure.

Application period: 15 January to 2 February, 2024.

Applications should be sent to:

Dr. Felipe Conzuelo

felipe.conzuelo@itqb.unl.pt

Ref. 005/BI/2024

ITQB NOVA

OEIRAS