Research Fellow in Semiconductor Photoanodes
International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory INL
Portugal

Ref.10.18.59 – Research Fellow – Semiconductor Photoanodes

Type of contract: Limited duration

Research Centre: International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory – INL

Number of vacancies: 1

Duty Station: Braga, Portugal

Career Stage: Up to 3 years after PhD

Open date for applications: November 23rd2018

Closing Date for applications: December 10th 2018

 

The International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory – INL (http://www.inl.int), was founded under an international legal framework to perform interdisciplinary research and to deploy and articulate nanotechnology for the benefit of society. INL aims to become the world-wide hub for nanotechnology addressing society’s grand challenges in Aging & Wellbeing and Mobility & Urban Living and developing a Safe & Secure Society.

 

This call is related to the Scientific Research and Technological Development Projects identified hereunder, which are cofunded by European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and National Funds through the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT).

 

 

SR&TD projectspecifications: INL participates in the followingScientific Research and TechnologicalDevelopmentproject  Sistema de Apoio à Investigação Científica e Tecnológica (SAICT) - Projetos de Investigação Científica e Desenvolvimento Tecnológico (IC&DT), co-fundedby the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (‘FCT’)

(a) Name of the project: Microfluidic photoelectrochemical devices for blood oxygenation (MicroPhotOGen)

(b) Reference number:

(c) Description:

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenator is the most widely used support for respiratory disorders; however, it is still prone to some complications. Technical limitations related to safety and complexity, and the large volume of blood in circulation during the procedure, represent some of the drawbacks of this practice. The approach proposed in this project, to overcome these issues, is based on the development of a microfluidic device designed to have lower blood prime volume and improved blood circulation. The design of a microfluidic system, capable to generate oxygen by splitting water molecules available in blood plasma, is proposed by combining the principles of photoelectrochemical processes with nanotechnology applied to materials science. The key for the success of the present proposal lays in the development of an effective photoanode compatible with living cells coupled to a microfluidic device capable to compete with traditional blood oxygenation systems.

d) Scientific Area: Materials Science and Engineering, Electrochemistry, Physical Chemistry

 

Description of the functions and key primary responsibilities: The successful candidate will work on the following tasks:

• To prepare semiconductor photoanodes with high photoelectrochemical oxygen generation performance.
• To perform photoelectrochemical testing in collaboration with researchers from University of Porto.
• To report experimental progress regularly and to publish the project results in scientific journals.
• Other lab maintenance/management tasks assigned by the Group Leader.

 

Supervision: The work plan will be developed at the INL under the scientific guidance of Dr. Lifeng Liu. The successful candidate will be integrated in the Nanomaterials for Energy Storage and Conversion (NESC) Group.

 

Selection Committee

The selection of candidates will be carried out by a Selection Committee consisting of the following persons:

Lifeng Liu – Scientific Supervisor

Junyuan Xu – Research Fellow

Nan Zhang – Research Fellow

Renata Silva - Human Resources

 

 

Eligibility conditions, required qualifications and expertise: Candidates must comply with the following requirements:

(a) Hold a PhD Degree in the field of Materials Science and Engineering, Electrochemistry, Physical Chemistry, or Solid State Physics;

(b) Have hands-on experience in photoelectrochemical water splitting, in particular photoanode materials;

(c) Be self-motivated and self-disciplinary;

(d) A good knowledge of English/Fluency in English is required;

(e) Have good communication skills and team-work spirit.

 

The call describes the requirements in terms of qualifications and professional experience deemed appropriate for the position. If a candidate has additional qualifications and professional experience, they can only be recruited at the job category and profile specified.

 

Supporting Documents:

Candidates must enclose the following supporting documents in pdf format, failing which the application will not be considered:

(a) Cover letter in English;

(b) Curriculum Vitae in English;

(c) Official transcripts of all relevant academic degrees;

(d) At least one recommendation letter.

  

Evaluation process:

The evaluation process will follow a three-stage process:

1. Candidate eligibility check

Only full applications will be considered. The applicant will be responsible for the data submission and validation. The application language is English.

Applications that do not meet the eligibility conditions will not be considered.

2. Assessment of the Research Experience of the Candidate

The selection of candidates shall be made by means of an assessment of the research experience within the framework of the Project, which shall focus on the relevance, quality and up-to-date of the following items:

• Scientific and Technological Production (‘STP’);
• Applied and Practice-based Research Activities (‘RA’);
• Activities  related to the Dissemination of Knowledge (‘DK’);
• Activities related to the Management of Science, Technology and Innovation programmes (‘MSTI’)

 

The research experience will be assessed according to the following criteria:

• STP (65%): Academic Qualifications (AQ) – 10%; Research Quality (RQ) – 40%; Impact and Effectiveness (IE) – 15%;
• RA (15%): Research Coordination (RC) – 5%; Development, operation and maintenance of core facilities “instrumentation and/or equipment”  (DOM) – 2%; organisation of conferences, symposia and scientific cooperation activities (OCSS) - 2 %; teaching activities “advanced courses or university” (TA) – 3%; research stays and internships (RSI) – 3%;
• DK (5%): Transfer to other areas of society (TS) – 3%; promotion of the public understanding of science (PPUS) – 2%;
• MSTI (5%): Development of Laboratory facilities, management of research groups (DFMG) – 3%; evaluation of STI activities (EA) – 2%.

 

This criteria will have a total valuation of 90%. The minimum threshold for this stage is 60%.

The top four ranked candidates will be shortlisted for interview, provided however that they pass the threshold mentioned above.

3. Interview(s)

Interviews will be conducted through web conference or face-to-face meetings, as may be deemed appropriate. This criterion will have a total valuation of 10%.

 
Assessment:

The Selection Committee will draw up the minutes of the R&S process in which candidates will be ranked according to their evaluation scores.

 

Approval and formal offer:

Successful applicants will be offered the corresponding positions.

 

How to apply:

The application is made online. Please click on the 'Apply for this job' button.

For the application to be valid, the candidate must complete all required sections of the online application form as well as submit all required documents.

 

What we offer:

• Social Security costs to be paid by INL;
• Work Accidents insurance costs to be paid by INL, to provide coverage for work accidents and invalidity benefits;
• Health insurance with excellent coverage;
• Tax Benefit: The personnel working at the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory are exempt from national income taxes so the only deduction from their part of the salary will be 11 % for social security and 12% for an internal tax;
• A family allowance of 160€/month for staff members that are married or that are living under the status of “common-law couple” and/or have any dependent child;
• A child allowance of 200€/month for each dependent child;
• Free Nursery Service at INL campus (subject to availability);
• Support for Education fees of dependent children;
• Depending on the place of residence, INL covers 100% of travel expenses for all family members.

 

Financial Benefits:

INL offers an attractive financial package appropriate to an international research organization composed by a gross monthly Remuneration of 2600.00€ paid in 12 instalments. Due to INL special legal status as intergovernmental organization, financial benefits are exempt for national income tax. Apart from the salary, INL may offer, depending on the personal situation, additional allowances and benefits for families and non-residents.

 

Applicable legal and regulatory framework, taking into consideration the international status of the Organisation:

The contract will be subject to the INL’s Staff Rules, as amended from time to time, as well as to all other relevant instructions issued by the Organisation. For this purpose, a copy of the Staff Rules shall be provided. The contract may also be supplemented by the terms and conditions of the Financing Contract between the Organisation and the FCT governing the implementation of the FCT Project.

Disputes between the Organisation and the Employed Member of the Personnel shall be settled in accordance with the INL´s Staff Rules.

 

Notification of results:

Each candidate notified via email of the result of their individual application. If the first candidate refuses the offer, the Human Resources will send an offer to the second candidate on the ranking, and so on until the vacancy is filled.

We highly value the interest shown from applicants wishing to become a part of the INL experience. It is important for us to maintain good communications with candidates. No matter the outcome of the application, we always send the applicant an answer. 

 

Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Principle:

INL 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.

 

Helpdesk:

 

Applicants can receive support regarding applications to this positions via e-mail: hr.services@inl.int