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EURAXESS Researchers in motion

Interview with Roberto Rinaldi, Brazilian ERC Consolidator grant awardee

rinaldi

You have recently been awarded an ERC Consolidator. Could you tell us about the research you are conducting with this grant? How can the general public benefit from it?

In the Tomorrow's Chemical Technologies Lab, my research group is undertaking research into biorefineries that do not compete with food supply. Our research focus is on lignin, which comprises up to one-third of plant biomass. Lignin is a sophisticated and complex molecule which has received less attention than cellulose for the production of biofuels or biobased chemicals. In this context, my research aims to close the knowledge gaps in the lignin utilization, for the full valorization of plant biomass.

How did you find out about the ERC selection process? Can you share any tips with our readers on how to apply for an ERC grant successfully?

I learned about the ERC selection process when I was working as an Independent Research Group Leader in the Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung, Germany (2010-2015). This grant is one of the most competitive grants in the world. The ERC selection process consists of two stages. The first is the examination of the written proposal and shortlisting of candidates for an interview in Brussels. The second stage is the interview of the candidate by a panel composed of up to 18 world leading scientists. Unlike regular research grants, ERC grants are centered on the candidate’s potential to make breakthroughs. To express yourself effectively, the best hint for a successful application is to speak with an ERC awardee first and be genuinely open to receive feedback and criticism. This will raise the prospects for success.

Young researchers from everywhere in the world can be recruited to work in ERC teams as Ph.D. candidates, post-doc or researchers. How would you encourage Latin American and Caribbean researchers to look at these opportunities as team members?

Absolutely! The best word of encouragement is “trust in yourself.” Despite all the difficulties that Science and Technology face in Latin America and the Caribbean, there are several centers of excellence in research. Therefore, there is no reason to be afraid of competitiveness. The ERC selection process is a transparent and fair process in which excellence is recognized regardless of where you are from. So don’t be afraid.

CONFAP, CNPq, and the European Commission signed agreements in 2016 and 2018 to encourage young Brazilian scientists to join ERC-grantees’ research teams in Europe for a short-term period. How can this opportunity benefit these Brazilian researchers’ careers and Brazilian science at large?

In the Brazilian academic system, it is unusual to support young scientists with research grants of 1,5-2 million Euros. The opportunity to grow an independent research career at the early career stage is also very advantageous for research and Science.

How has mobility influenced the direction of your career? In your opinion, what could be done to further enhance the mobility of international researchers between Europe and Brazil / Latin America and the Caribbean?

Mobility was fundamental for me to establish my research profile. Unfortunately, scientists in Latin America and the Caribbean are not always wholly aware of such opportunities for collaboration. More activities for the dissemination of the research opportunities in Europe and in Latin America and the Caribbean hold the key for further enhancing the existing partnerships of success between both sides of the Atlantic.


Roberto Rinaldi is Reader in Applied Chemistry in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Imperial College London. He leads the Tomorrow's Chemical Technologies Lab funded by the ERC Consolidator Grant LIGNINFIRST, Project Number: 725762. Born in 1979 in Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil, he studied Chemistry at the University of Campinas (UNICAMP) and received his PhD in 2006. In 2017, he received a 2 million € ERC Grant to consolidate his research activities in biorefining of lignocellulosic materials though new methodologies for the utilization of lignin. Contact: rrinaldi@imperial.ac.uk

 

About the ERC

The ERC (https://erc.europa.eu/) is led by an independent governing body, the Scientific Council. The ERC has a budget of over €13 billion and is part of the EU research and innovation programme, Horizon 2020.

ERC Consolidator Grant

European Research Council Consolidator Grants are designed to support excellent Principal Investigators at the career stage at which they are consolidating their own independent research team in all scientific fields.

The call is annual and open to researchers of any nationality with 7-12 years of experience since completion of PhD. The ERC Consolidator Grant call 2019 is open until 7 February 2019. More: http://bit.ly/ERC_ConsGrant_2019

Check the other opportunities open to Latin American and Caribbean researchers in the Guide on ERC we prepared for you.

Contact ERC National Contact Point

In Brazil:

Prof. Moacyr MARTUCCI Jr
Av. Prof. Luciano Gualberto, Trav 3, 158 – sala C2-49
São Paulo, SP
+55 11 3091 5626
mmartucc@usp.br
cecilia.yamanaka@usp.br

Contact ERC National contact points (NCPs) in LAC and in Europe:

http://bit.ly/Horizon_NCP