FEUP - Entry-Level PhD Researcher - Project RePowerSiC - INVTERM-FEUP-26-2

Unist; Porto; Hybrid; EUR 24,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

FEUP – Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto seeks an entry‑level PhD researcher for the RePowerSiC project. You will conduct R&D in chemical engineering, focusing on inorganic semiconductors and metal oxides for solar cells and laser power converters, with dissemination of results in international venues.

The position entails a fixed-term contract, potential teaching duties, and a base monthly gross remuneration of €2,408.11 plus allowances, under a public employment framework.

Qualifications

• National and foreign candidates with a PhD in chemical engineering, chemistry or related fields may apply.
• Demonstrated research activity with lead and co-authorship of at least 5 scientific articles in international journals (English).
• Experience in preparation and characterization of semiconductors and metal oxides, including advanced structural analysis.

Responsibilities

• Develop and characterize inorganic semiconductors and metal oxides for charge transport layers.
• Report and disseminate results through publications and conferences.
• Occasional teaching and training activities in the research area.

Skills

Semiconductor synthesis

Metal oxide chemistry

Charge transfer analysis

Solar cells knowledge

Scientific communication

Publications (5+) in English

Education

PhD in chemical engineering

Tools

Thermogravimetric analysis

X-ray diffraction

Impedance spectroscopy

XPS

Scanning electron microscopy

Job description

Organisation/Company FEUP Department Human Resources Division Research Field Engineering › Chemical engineering Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions Postdoc Positions Application Deadline 28 Oct 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Lisbon) Country Portugal Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 35 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

NOTICE OF OPENING OF AN INTERNATIONAL SELECTION PROCEDURE FOR THE RECRUITMENT OF AN ENTRY-LEVEL PhD RESEARCHER AT THE FACULTY OF ENGINEERING OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PORTO –

(Fixed-term employment contract of uncertain duration)

By order dated 28-09-2026, of the Dean of FEUP, Professor Rui Artur Bártolo Calçada, it was decided to open an international selection procedure for one position of Entry-Level PhD Researcher, within the scope of Project “RePowerSiC – High-Efficiency High-Power Laser Beaming In-Space Systems Based on SiC”, with grant agreement no. 101160868, financed by the European Commission, in the scope of the Horizon Europe Framework Programme, under an Fixed-term employment contract of uncertain duration, as required by law, pursuant to Article 6(1)(b) of the RJEC, ex vi Article 18(2) of Decree-Law No. 57/2016 of 29 August, as currently worded, the Labour Code, approved by Law No. 7/2009 of 12 February, as currently worded, Regulatory Decree No. 11-A/2017 of 29 December, Regulation No. 849/2026 of 07/07 - Regulation on Research, Science and Technology Staff of the University of Porto (hereinafter referred to as the Regulation), and other applicable legislation, and shall remain in force only for the period necessary to carry out the tasks defined in the project and identified below, whose expected duration will remain until December 31st, never exceeding the maximum limit of six years.

The Entry-Level PhD Researcher shall, in general terms, perform the activities provided for in Article 8(2)(a) of Regulation No. 849/2026 of 7 July. Specifically, the Entry-Level PhD Researcher will carry out R&D activities within Project “RePower SiC”, falling within the scientific area of chemical engineering, contributing to the following project activities provided for in the application:

• Development and characterization of inorganic n and p-type semiconductors such as NiOx, SnO2, α-Fe2O3, Fe3O4, CuSCN and CuPC for charge transport layers in perovskite solar cells and laser power converters. Characterization of the semiconductors through thermogravimetric analysis, x-ray diffraction, impedance spectroscopy, XPS, scanning electron microscopy, and other related techniques;
• Dissemination and promotion of results.

The researcher to be hired may also provide occasional collaboration in teaching and training activities in the research area.

1. Workplace

The workplace is located at the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering of the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto (FEUP), as well as at any other locations where the duties for which the employee is hired need to be performed, including locations intended for the respective professional training.

2. Remuneration

The gross monthly base remuneration is €2,408.11, corresponding to the 1st remuneration position, level 3, under an exclusive dedication regime, of the remuneration table set out in Annexes I and II to Regulation No. 849/2026 of 7 July, plus holiday and Christmas allowances, as well as meal allowance, under the terms and in the amounts applicable to employees holding a public employment relationship.

3. Admission requirements

3.1 General admission requirement:

National, foreign and stateless citizens holding a PhD degree* in the scientific area of chemical engineering, chemistry, or in related scientific areas, and holding a scientific and professional curriculum demonstrating a profile suited to the activity to be performed, may apply to this selection procedure.

*If the PhD degree was awarded by a foreign higher education institution, it must be recognised by a Portuguese higher education institution, pursuant to Article 25 of Decree-Law No. 66/2018 of 16 August, which approves the legal framework for the recognition of academic degrees and higher education diplomas awarded by foreign higher education institutions, and Article 4(2)(e) of Decree-Law No. 60/2018 of 3 August, with any formalities established therein having to be completed by the date on which the employment contract is entered into.

3.2. Specific admission requirements

For the purposes of determining the profile suited to the activity to be performed, the following are specific requirements:

• Demonstrate consolidated and relevant experience in the project area, documented by lead and co-authorship of at least 5 scientific articles published in English in international journals indexed in Scopus, reporting competencies in the the preparation and characterization of semiconductors and metal oxides;
• Skills in chemical, electrochemical, sol-gel, thermal decomposition synthesis of semiconductors and metal oxides with desired microstructure and controlled defect level, advanced structural analysis and characterization of semiconductors;
• Proved knowledge and skills in characterization and interpretation of charge transfer on semiconductor interfaces;
• Knowledge and skills in the area of energy production or storage such as solar cells, batteries;
• Skills in the communication and dissemination of scientific results, for example, through participation in national/international conferences and article publication in scientific journals.

4. Selection methods

Pursuant to Article 29 of Regulation No. 849/2026 of 7 July and Article 5 of the RJEC, the following selection methods shall apply:

a) Assessment of the candidates’ scientific and curricular background (APCC) (75 %)

b) Professional Selection Interview (EPS) (25 %), to be applied to candidates approved in the assessment of the scientific and curricular background.

5. Assessment of Scientific and Curricular Background (APCC) (75 %)

5.1. The assessment of the scientific and curricular background shall focus on the relevance, quality and up-to-dateness of the following criteria:

a) Scientific, technological, cultural or artistic output from the last five years considered most relevant by the candidate;

b) Applied or practice-based research activities carried out over the last five years and considered by the candidate to have the greatest impact;

c) Knowledge transfer and dissemination activities carried out over the last five years, particularly in the context of promoting scientific culture and practices, considered most relevant by the candidate;

d) Management activities in science, technology and innovation programmes, or experience in observing and monitoring the scientific and technological system or higher education, in Portugal or abroad.

5.2. The period referred to in the preceding paragraph shall be calculated by reference to the 5 (five) years immediately preceding the closing date for applications.

5.3. The five-year period referred to in the preceding paragraph may be extended by the Selection Committee, at the candidate’s request, where scientific activity has been suspended for socially protected reasons, namely parental leave, prolonged serious illness, and other legally protected situations of unavailability for work (in which case the candidate must indicate the requested assessment period and attach documentary evidence of the grounds invoked).

5.4. In applying the criteria referred to in point 5.1., the following parameters shall be assessed, with the weighting factors indicated:

5.4.1. Scientific and Professional Background (PCP) (5%)

PCP1. Professional research experience in the scientific area of chemical engineering, and specifically in the preparation of semiconductors and metal oxides (100 %).

5.4.2. Scientific, Technological, Cultural or Artistic Output (PCTCA) (90%):

PCTCA1. Participation in international research projects as well as scientific output, especially the publication of scientific articles in high-quality international peer-reviewed journals as a first author (60 %);

PCTCA2. Development of collaborations with international researchers and periods of study or research abroad (20 %);

PCTCA3. Duly documented teaching in degree-awarding study cycles (bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral) and in continuing education courses (20 %).

5.4.3. Knowledge Transfer and Dissemination Activities (AEDC) (5%):

AEDC1. Review of scientific articles (15 %);

AEDC2. Organization of scientific events (25 %);

AEDC3. Participation in national and international scientific events, peer-reviewed and by invitation (30 %);

AEDC4. Experience in scientific supervision at different levels (internships, master’s, doctorates) (20 %);

AEDC5. Participation in panels for academic examinations (10 %).

5.5. The final APCC score is obtained using the following formula: APCC = (0.05 x PCP) + (0.90 x PCTCA) + (0.05 x AEDC).

6. Professional Selection Interview (EPS) (25 %)

6.1. Candidates who obtain a score equal to or higher than 50 points, provided that such score is awarded by all members of the Selection Committee in the assessment of the scientific and curricular background (APCC), shall be admitted to the interview stage.

6.2. The Professional Selection Interview (EPS) shall have a maximum duration of one hour and is intended exclusively to clarify aspects related to the research carried out by the candidates.

6.3. The assessment criteria for the Professional Selection Interview (EPS) shall be as set out below, with the weighting factors indicated:

EPS1. Competencies in the preparation and characterization of semiconductors and metal oxides (70 %);

EPS2. Knowledge on energy production technologies, namely on 3rd generation solar cells (30 %).

6.4. The score for the Professional Selection Interview (EPS) is obtained using the following formula: EPS = EPS1 +EPS2.

7. Final Score

7.1. The Final Score (CF) of the Assessment of Scientific and Curricular Background (APCC) and Professional Selection Interview (EPS) shall be obtained using the following formula: CF = (0.75 * APCC) + (0.25 * EPS).

7.2. Only candidates who obtain a final score equal to or higher than 55 points, provided that such score is awarded by all members of the Selection Committee, shall be approved.

7.3. Candidates who obtain a score below 50 points in any of the selection methods shall be excluded from the selection procedure and, where applicable, shall not proceed to the following method.

7.4. The casting or tie-breaking vote to be exercised by the Chair of the Selection Committee in the Final Score shall be based on the highest score obtained in the criterion set out in point 5.4.2. Scientific, Technological, Cultural or Artistic Output (PCTCA). If the tie persists, the highest score in the criterion set out in point 5.4.1. Scientific and Professional Background (PCP) shall prevail.

8. Selection Methodology

8.1.1. The Selection Committee shall first decide on the admission and exclusion of applications, verifying compliance with the formal application requirements set out in this Notice, as well as fulfilment of the general and specific admission requirements.

8.1.2. Once the admission and exclusion stage has been completed, the Selection Committee shall begin the phased application of the selection methods, first assessing the scientific and curricular background of all admitted candidates.

8.1.3. In the assessment of the scientific and curricular background, only merit shall be considered and, consequently, the candidate’s experience in the scientific area or areas for which the selection procedure is opened shall be evaluated, in accordance with the selection criteria and assessment parameters defined in this Notice.

8.1.4. Before voting begins for the ranking of candidates in the assessment of the scientific and curricular background, each member of the Selection Committee shall submit a written document, to be attached to the minutes, containing the ordered list of candidates in descending order of merit, on a scale from 0 to 100 points, scored to two decimal places, duly reasoned, in accordance with the selection criteria and assessment parameters established in this Notice.

8.1.5. Each member of the Selection Committee must respect, in all votes, the ranking set out in the document referred to in the preceding paragraph.

8.1.6. The Selection Committee shall deliberate by reasoned roll-call vote, in accordance with the selection criteria previously approved and published; abstentions are not permitted.

8.1.7. The ranking methodology to be adopted is that provided for in Article 32 of the Regulation.

8.2. Second meeting:

8.2.1. The Selection Committee shall apply the second selection method to the candidates admitted to this method.

8.2.2. The Professional Selection Interview (EPS) for each candidate shall have a maximum duration of one hour and is intended exclusively to clarify aspects related to the research carried out by the candidates. This method shall be conducted in Portuguese and English.

8.2.3. Failure to attend at the previously scheduled time and place shall result in exclusion from the selection procedure. Candidates whose Professional Selection Interview (EPS), is to be held by videoconference and who, for any reason, are not available at the scheduled time shall likewise be considered excluded for failure to attend.

8.2.4. After the Professional Selection Interview (EPS), has been held and scored, the Selection Committee shall establish the final score and rank the candidates approved in both methods, applying the formula provided for in point 7 of this Notice.

8.3. Third meeting:

8.3.1. If any candidate exercises the right to be heard in the hearing of interested parties, the Selection Committee shall hold a third meeting to consider the arguments submitted, and the Committee’s decisions shall be notified to the candidates.

8.3.2. If the Selection Committee considers the arguments to be well-founded, it shall act in accordance with the decisions taken and notify the candidates accordingly.

8.3.3. If the Selection Committee considers the arguments to be unfounded, after notifying the candidates, it shall submit the procedure for approval by the Rector.

8.3.4. All candidates shall be notified of the approval decision.

The casting or tie-breaking vote to be exercised by the Chair of the Selection Committee in the Final Score shall be based on the highest score obtained in the criterion set out in point 5.4.2. Scientific, Technological, Cultural or Artistic Output (PCTCA). If the tie persists, the highest score in the criterion set out in point 9. Notification of Results shall prevail.

9.1. Notifications shall be made by publication on the Apply UP electronic platform, pursuant to Article 112(1)(c) of the Administrative Procedure Code (CPA), and shall take effect under the terms of Article 113 of the CPA.

9.2. A hearing of interested parties shall take place, pursuant to Articles 121 and 122 of the Administrative Procedure Code, for candidates who have not been admitted and for candidates ranked in a position on the ranking list that cannot be appointed to the position under competition. All candidates shall be notified of the approval of the Selection Committee’s final decision.

9.3. Pursuant to Article 121 and following of the CPA, once notified, candidates have 10 working days to submit their comments through the relevant platform.

10. Composition of the Selection Committee

In accordance with Article 25(4) to (7) of Regulation No. 849/2026 of 7 July and Article 13 of the RJEC, the Selection Committee shall have the following composition:

Chair of the Selection Committee: Adélio Miguel Magalhães Mendes, Full Professor of the Chemical and Biological Engineering Department

Full members:

1st full member: Dzmitry Ivanou, Doctorate Equivalent to Principal Researcher of the Chemical and Biological Engineering Department

2nd full member: Alternate members: Tânia Sofia Teixeira Lopes, Assistant Researcher of the Chemical and Biological Engineering Department

1st alternate member: Paula Manuela Monteiro Pereira Costa Dias, Assistant Researcher of the Chemical and Biological Engineering Department

2nd alternate member: Fátima Eduarda Oliveira Santos, Doctorate Initial Level of the Chemical and Biological Engineering Department

10.1.In the event of absence or impediment, the Chair of the Selection Committee shall be replaced by the member listed first, who, in the event of the same impediment, shall be replaced by the next listed member, and so on successively.

12. Filling of the position(s) under competition

12.1. This selection procedure shall terminate when the positions have been filled or, where they cannot be fully filled, due to the absence or insufficient number of candidates to continue the procedure.

12.2. If none of the candidates demonstrates the profile indicated for the performance of the duties described above within the scope of this procedure, the Selection Committee reserves the right not to fill the position under competition.

12.3. In the event of withdrawal and/or failure by the selected candidate(s) to provide the required documentation within the prescribed deadline, the candidate(s) immediately following in the final ranking list may be called, successively, until the position(s) under competition are filled, whenever this is deemed appropriate on grounds of opportunity and convenience.

13. False Statements

False statements made by candidates shall be punished in accordance with the law.

14. Personal Data Protection

The personal data provided by candidates shall be processed by the University of Porto exclusively for the purpose of managing this selection procedure, in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and other applicable legislation.

15. Other provisions

Joint Order No. 373/2000 of 31 March, issued by the Minister for State Reform and the Minister for Equality, requires the following statement to be included in recruitment and promotion procedures: “In compliance with Article 9(h) of the Constitution, the Public Administration, as an employer, actively promotes a policy of equal opportunities for men and women in access to employment and career progression, taking scrupulous care to prevent any form of discrimination.” Accordingly, the terms “candidate(s)”, “researcher(s)” and other similar terms are not used in this Notice to refer to the gender of persons.

Likewise, no candidate may be privileged, favoured, disadvantaged or deprived of any right, or exempted from any duty, on grounds including ancestry, age, sexual orientation, marital status, family situation, economic situation, education, origin or social condition, genetic heritage, reduced work capacity, disability, chronic illness, nationality, ethnic origin or race, territory of origin, language, religion, political or ideological beliefs, or trade union membership.