University of Coimbra opens a call for one research fellowship, in the framework of the “FINGER” project , “FINGERprinting cold subduction and Plate Tectonics using key minerals”(reference: “GA 101117053”) ), financed by the European Union through the Horizon Europe Programme in the following conditions:

Scientific area: Geology/Geosciences/Earth Sciences.

Skills/Qualifications/Admission requirements: Students who hold a master's degree in Geology/Geosciences/Earth Sciences and are enrolled in a doctoral program.

The following will also be valued:

• bachelor's degree in Geology;
• knowledge of sedimentology and geochemistry;
• knowledge of mineral separation and identification of heavy minerals;
• knowledge of the operation of instruments or analytical techniques relevant to the project (electron microscopy, electron microprobe, CL, LA-ICPMS, etc.);
• publications, communications or participation in projects in this area of research.

Although the recipients must be enrolled in a cycle of studies leading to the attribution of 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.

Work plan/ Objectives: Despite detrital minerals having lost their petrographic context, they can still yield unique information about their petrogenesis, including metamorphic conditions. This PhD project will focus on a detailed assessment of the existence of bias in the detrital garnet, rutile and titanite records in fluvial sediments within respect to the exposed source areas, particularly those where HP rocks are exposed. The project will involve fieldwork, although a set of samples from the Alps are already available, petrology, sedimentology, mineral chemistry and geochronology. Fieldwork will be conducted in the Spain and potentially in Japan. The research work will require skills in sample preparation, heavy mineral separation, U-Pb and Lu-Hf LA-ICP-MS/MS, electron microscopy, electron microprobe and elastic barometry using Raman spectroscopy.

Regime: The attribution of the fellowship does not generate or entitle a relation of a legallabour nature, and the fellowship is undertaken in an exclusive dedication regime. The fellowship holder is awarded the Fellowship Statute of the UC, in its current wording, according to the Research Fellowship Holder Statute , and according to the Regulation for Research Fellowships of the Foundation for Science and Technology, both in their current wording.

Location: “Departamento de Ciências da Terra” at the University of Coimbra.

Duration: 36 months.

Renewal: Eventually renewable.

Scientific orientation: Inês Filipa Gonçalves Martins Pereira e Pedro Alexandre Henriques Dias Morgado Dinis.

Financial conditions: The amount of the fellowship is € 1259,64 corresponding to the monthly compensation stipulated in the FCT table (https://www.fct.pt/en/financiamento/programas-de-financiamento/bolsas/), plus social security insurance (first level contributions) if the candidate chooses, as well as single travel allowance, single installation allowance, enrolment and tuition fees and doctoral tuition fees, up to a maximum of 2750.00 euros per year, personal accidents insurance. The payment will be made by bank transfer. This amount will not be increased during the entire period of the fellowship duration.

Selection methods: Curricular Assessment (70%) and Interview (30%). The interview will be held to the top 10 candidates with the best academic record.

Selection criteria: The selection criteria and respective scoring for the Curricular Assessment are as follows:

• Specific knowledge related to the work plan (40%);
• Master's degree average (30%);
• Publications in proceedings and scientific journals (10%);
• Oral or panel presentations at scientific meetings (10%);
• Motivation Letter and Recommendation Letter (10%);

The selection criteria and respective scoring for the Interview are as follows:

• Knowledge and profile appropriate to the functions to be developed (50%);
• Motivation and interest (15%);
• Ability to express oneself and verbal fluency (15%);
• Interpersonal relationships (20%);

Candidates will only be considered for interview if they have successfully passed the Curricular Assessment.

Jury responsible for selection: Inês Filipa Gonçalves Martins Pereira (President); Pedro Alexandre Henriques Dias Morgado Dinis and Sofia Raquel Cardoso Pereira (effective members); Telmo Bento dos Santos and Maria Helena Paiva Henriques (alternate members).

Formalization of application: Applications must be formalized by sending the following documents:

1. Motivation letter;
2. Curriculum Vitae;
3. Proof of enrolment in PHD (mandatory in the contractualization phase);
4. Certificates of academic qualifications;
5. References;
6. Recognition of foreign academic degree;
7. Below mentioned declaration, which will be submitted trough specific field of the application on the apply.uc.pt platform

Declaration on the honor of the candidate(s) with the indication of the fellowship(s) of the typology to which the contest was held and the respective duration(s). Applicants with academic degrees obtained abroad will be required to present a Certificate of Recognition in accordance with applicable law. This document is mandatory only in the contractualization phase.

Applications submission: Applications must be submitted through https://apply.uc.pt/IT137-24-276.

Submission of applications: Between 17/07/2024  and 12/08/2024.

Submission deadline date: 12/08/2024.

Additional information: The evaluation results will be announced within 90 working days after the end of the applications submission deadline, by notifying the applicants via email. After the announcement of the results, candidates are considered automatically notified to, if they wish to do so, comment on the results on a preliminary hearing period within 10 days after that date. After this, the selected candidates will have to declare in writing their acceptance. Unless a justification worthy of consideration is presented, if the declaration is not submitted within the referred period, it is considered that the candidate waivers the fellowship. In case of resignation or withdrawal of the selected candidate, the next candidate with the highest evaluation score will be notified immediately. Once the selection process is completed, the fellowship contract will be drawn up in accordance with the draft contract provided by the FCT.

After the contracted period, the fellowship holder and supervisor must prepare the final report in accordance with the respective assessment criteria that were established.

Pursuant to subparagraph h) of Article 9 of the Portuguese Constitution, the University of Coimbra, as employer, actively promotes a policy of equal opportunities between men and women in access to employment and professional development, and acts to prevent each and every kind of discrimination. Therefore, no one can be privileged, benefited, harmed or deprived of any right or immune from any duty on account of, in particular, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, gender, marital status, family, economic situation, education, origin or social condition, genetic heritage, reduced work capacity, disability, chronic illness, nationality, ethnic or racial origin, territory of origin, language, religion, political or ideological beliefs and trade union membership.

Selection reserve list: Yes, for 6 months, as long as it does not overpass the maximum duration of the fellowship.