RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP – MiCRoARTiS (GA 101040850) – 842629

CALL FOR RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP

University of Coimbra opens a call for one research fellowship, in the framework of the MiCRoARTiS project “Microwave Fingerprinting Artificial Molecular Motors in Virtual Isolation” (reference: 101040850), funded by the European Union through Horizon Europe programme, call ERC-2021-STG (Starting Grant), in the following conditions:

Scientific area: Physics, Chemistry and Engineering.

Skills/Qualifications/Admission requirements: Masters in Physics, Chemistry, related engineering, or related areas with valid enrollment in the 3rd Cycle of Studies (PhD).

Candidates should be highly motivated and able to work well in a team, engaging in an ambitious project of frontier research that combines high-resolution spectroscopy, physical chemistry and molecular nanotechnology. Previous experience and/or an interest in chemical physics, molecular spectroscopy, structure of matter, technical design and/or programming is considered an advantage. Fluency in English or Portuguese is mandatory. The candidate must be enrolled in a PhD program in Physics/Chemistry at the University of Coimbra, and is expected to produce a dissertation leading to a PhD degree.

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: The PhD fellow will become a member of the start-up research team led by Dr. Sérgio Domingos at the Center for Physics of the University of Coimbra, becoming an active part in the realisation of the EU-project MiCRoARTiS “Microwave Fingerprinting Artificial Molecular Motors in Virtual Isolation”, financed by a Starting Grant of the European Research Council (ERC).

Objectives/work program:

1) performing measurements using pulsed molecular jets making use of state-of-the-art chirped-pulse FT microwave spectroscopy instrumentation;

2) articulate experimental and computational work for simulating and analysis of high-resolution rotational spectra leading to the determination of molecular structures and complexes of artificial molecular motors, switches and other functional molecular systems;

3) method development using experimental and computational tools for enhanced observation and interpretation of spectroscopic data;

4) participate in missions to international research centres for high-performance measurements;

5) publication and dissemination of results in national and international scientific conferences.

Regime: The attribution of the fellowship does not generate or entitle a relation of a legal-labour 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 Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P., both in their current wording.

Location: Department of Physics at the University of Coimbra.

Duration: 12 months.

Renewal: Eventually renewable.

Scientific orientation: Sérgio Miguel Rosa Domingos..

Financial conditions: The amount of the fellowship is € 1.144,64 corresponding to the monthly compensation stipulated in the FCT table (https://www.fct.pt/apoios/bolsas/valores.phtml.en ), plus social security (Seguro Social Voluntário, first level contributions), the payment of the annual PhD fee of €2,750.00 and 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 (60%) and Interview (40%).

Selection criteria:

Curricular assessment:

1) Absolute merit of the curriculum vitae (50%);

2) Adequacy of the candidate’s profile to the work plan to be developed (50%).

Interview:

1) Motivation and interest (25%);

2) Interpersonal relationship (25%);

3) Knowledge and profile suitable for the functions to be developed (25%);

4) Expression skills and verbal fluency (25%).

Jury responsible for selection: Sérgio Miguel Rosa Domingos, José António de Carvalho Paixão e Manuela Ramos Marques da Silva.

Formalization of application: Candidates are invited to submit their application by sending the following documents:

a) Curriculum Vitae;

b) Certificate of qualification (Master’s degree);

c) References;

d) as well as the statement below, available in a specific form 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 formalized through the link https://apply.uc.pt/IT137-22-184 .

Submission of applications: Between 14/10/2022 and 27/10/2022.

Submission deadline date: 27/10/2022.

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: N.A.