Fraunhofer Portugal was the 2^nd best ranked private research centre, and 12^th overall, in a ranking of Portuguese institutions that applied for FCT’s (Foundation for Science and Technology) Scientific Employment Stimulus.

FCT – the Portuguese public research agency that funds research and technological development in all areas of science and technology – considers strengthening scientific employment in Portugal a national priority, and in this context, it opened an Institutional Call for financial support to encourage recruitment of new PhD holders for research teams.

Fraunhofer Portugal was among the 65 institutions who applied, and was then subject to an evaluation that focused on the institution’s capacity to promote scientific, technological, cultural or artistic development, as well as its procedures of recruitment and integration of highly qualified scientific and academic staff and scientific employment plan for the next 5 years.

Among other 65 institutions, Fraunhofer Portugal stood out, having ranked near the top.

This is an important recognition for Fraunhofer Portugal that aims to create excellent conditions for the development of applied research of direct utility to society by offering outstanding scientists the opportunity to develop innovative ideas within its research centres and in close cooperation with industry.

AICOS, currently the only the research centre under Fraunhofer Portugal’s purview, has a team of 80 hired researchers and is now looking forward to welcoming even more highly motivated scientists seeking to carry out top quality research.