Associação Fraunhofer Portugal ResearchJob Title: Senior Scientist
Job Reference: AWAM_Jobs_2026_01
General scientific field: Engineering
Specific scientific field: Chemical Engineering (or related area)
1. Associação Fraunhofer Portugal Research opens an international call for a PhD holder researcher, under a non-fixed work contract with an expected duration of 35 months, equivalent to the expected duration of the project.
This announcement is for one researcher position to conduct scientific research activities within the following project:
a) FIRERESIST – Forest Innovation for Resilient, Ecological and Smart Territories, with Notice No. MPr-2025-01 SIID I&D&I Empresarial and Project with Reference No. 26608 – COMPETE2030 Copromotion.
The research will focus on thermal processes for the valorization of biomass into renewable energy carriers and the generation of high-value bioproducts. Specifically, the successful candidate will pursue the development of application-oriented, market-driven, and fit-for-purpose solutions in close collaboration with different stakeholders to promote the production of renewable gases.
Responsibilities encompass project acquisition and management, stakeholder management, scientific and technical reporting, and scientific tutoring of students and scientists.
The work plan includes the following tasks:
a) Research, implement, and validate experimental setups for biomass valorization through thermochemical processes to produce energy carriers.
b) Perform comprehensive physicochemical characterization of biomass and materials and reaction intermediates.
c) Implement and optimize downstream syngas purification and conversion technologies for the production of renewable and low-carbon energy vectors (e.g., hydrogen, biomethane).
d) Evaluate and advance strategies for bio-based carbon materials (biochar/hydrochar), including their deployment in energy storage, activated carbon precursors, carbon capture, water remediation and heterogeneous catalyst supports.
2. Applicable Legislation: Decree-Law no. 57/2016 of August 29th, amended by Law 57/2017 and Regulatory Decree No. 11- A / 2017 which approved the doctorate hiring regime destined to stimulate scientific and technological employment for all knowledge areas (Regime Jurídico do Emprego Científico - RJEC); Portuguese Labor Code, approved by Law 7/2009 of February 12, in its actual form.
3. Pursuant to article 13 of RJEC, the tender selection panel is formed by:
a) Marisa Rio (PhD; Director at Fraunhofer Portugal AWAM; Chairman of the Jury).
b) Felipe Silva (PhD; Permanent Member).
c) Bruno Esteves (PhD; Permanent Member).
4. The workplace shall be at Fraunhofer Portugal AWAM – Régia Douro Park, 5000-033 Vila Real, Portugal – which may involve travel in Portugal or abroad, in the service or representation of the employer.
5. Monthly remuneration to be paid is that set by subheading a) nr.1 article 15 of RJEC and article nr 2 of the Regulatory Decree nr. 11-A/2017, corresponding to level 33 of the Tabela Remuneratória Única, approved by Order no. 1553-C/2008 of December 31st, i.e. 2.408,11 Euros, corresponding to index FhP_SSct_1 (Senior Scientist) of Associação Fraunhofer Portugal Research's Careers Policy.
6. Application can be submitted by any national, foreign and stateless candidate(s) holding a doctorate degree in Chemical Engineering or related area, and a scientific and professional background that aligns with the specific activities described below (see item 7). In case the doctorate degree was awarded by a foreign higher education institution, it must comply with the provisions of Decree-Law no. 66/2018 of 16 October, and all formalities established therein must be complied with at the signature of the work contract.
7. The tender admission general requirements are those defined in the previous point (see item 6), and the additional specific requirements:
a) Solid background in the fields of chemical and/or biological reaction engineering, thermochemical processes (e.g., pyrolysis, gasification, steam reforming, or related energy conversion technologies), gas separation and conversion technologies, and CO2 capture applications.
b) Proven proficiency in computational modeling of thermochemical reactors and energy efficiency assessment.
c) Hands-on experience operating and troubleshooting experimental setups across different fields (mechanical, electrical, automation, etc.).
d) Experience in managing or participating in collaborative research projects conducted in close collaboration with industry is advantageous.
e) Capability to communicate complex scientific results to diverse audiences (e.g., industry customers and academic partners).
f) Pro-active attitude and strong work ethic.
g) Proficiency in English and Portuguese.
8. Pursuant to article 5 of RJEC, the selection is to be made based on the evaluation of the scientific and curricular career of the candidate.
9. Scientific and curricular career evaluation focuses on relevance, quality and up-to-datedness:
a) Of scientific, technological, cultural or artistic production in the last five years, considered most relevant by the candidate.
b) Of research activities, fundamental or applied science, developed in the last five years, considered of higher impact by the candidate.
c) Of knowledge extension and dissemination activities developed in the last five years specifically related to the promotion of culture and scientific practices, as deemed most relevant by the candidate.
d) Of activities of science management, technology and innovation programs, as well as experience in observing and monitoring the scientific and technological system or higher education, in Portugal or abroad.
10. The five-year period mentioned above can be extended by the panel, if requested by the candidate, whenever the suspension of scientific activities is reasoned by socially protected grounds like paternity leave, long-term serious illness, and other legal situations of unavailability to work.
11. Evaluation criteria are the following: The evaluation of the Curriculum Vitae of the candidates, in particular the scientific merit and research experience will take into consideration the elements presented for the last five years of activity falling within the scope of the specific areas of the tender (see item 1) and will be performed according to the following criteria:
11.1 Integrated assessment of the curriculum trajectory of the candidate, based on an overview of their scientific merits, namely:
a) Overall scientific coherence of the Curriculum Vitae, including participating in research projects and supervision – 15%.
b) Diversity and quality of scientific indicators, including relevant published peer-reviewed articles in the specific areas of the announcement (see item 1) – 15%.
11.2 Relevant experience, proved in Curriculum Vitae, in:
a) Hands-on design, development, implementation and optimization of thermochemical reactors– 20%.
b) Development and simulation of thermodynamic modelling for chemical reaction systems – 10%.
c) Design and testing of materials for gas purification and/or conversion – 10%.
d) Supervision and mentoring experience relevant to the scientific domain – 10%.
e) Active participation in collaborative research projects with industry – 10%.
f) Effective communication and interaction with project partners in English and Portuguese – 10%.
12. The candidates’ final classification system shall be given based on a scale 0 to 100.
13. The panel shall deliberate by means of roll-call vote justified under adopted and disclosed selection criteria, with no abstentions allowed.
14. Minutes of panel meetings shall be executed and include a summary of all occurrences of said meeting, as well as of all votes casted by the members and respective reasoning.
15. After selection criteria application, the panel shall prepare a sorted list of approved candidates and respective classification.
16. The panel’s final decision shall be validated by the leader of the institution, who is also in charge of deciding about the hiring.
17. Application formalization:
17.1 The applications are formalized at the electronic address jobs@fraunhofer.pt following documents in a digital form, in PDF format:
a) Curriculum Vitae.
b) Motivation Letter.
c) Qualifications Certificate.
17.2 The application period is from 18-08-2026 to 31-08-2026.
18. Expected starting date: 1st of October 2026, holding all the mandatory documents to work regularly in Portugal.
19. All candidates who formalize their applications in an improper way or fail to prove the requirements imposed by this tender are excluded from admission. In case of doubt, the panel is entitled to request any candidate to present further documentation supporting their statements.
20. False statements provided by the candidates shall be punished by law.
21. The list of both admitted and excluded candidates and final classification list shall be notified by email.
22. After notification, all candidates have 10 working days to respond. Panel’s final decisions are pronounced within a period of 90 working days, from response period deadline.
23. This tender is exclusively destined to fill this specified position and can be terminated at any time until approval of final candidate list, expiring with the respective occupation of said position.
24. Non-discrimination and equal access policy: Associação Fraunhofer Portugal Research actively promotes a non-discrimination and equal access policy, wherefore no candidate can be privileged, benefited, impaired or deprived of any rights whatsoever, or be exempt of any duties based on their ancestry, age, sex, sexual preference, marital status, family and economic conditions, instruction, origin or social conditions, genetic heritage, reduced work capacity, disability, chronic illness, nationality, ethnic origin or race, origin territory, language, religion, political or ideological convictions and union membership.
25. The panel has approved this announcement in a meeting held on 13-08-2026.
26. To comply with Law no. 4/2019, of 10 January, candidates must declare on the application form, under a statement of honor, their degree of disability, the type of disability and the means of communication/expression to be used in the selection process.