PRR Project

Summary

CERENA is dedicated to host research on sustainable raw materials exploration, excavation, production and processing. These scientific areas influence and are related to the research activities developed by the three CERENA’s groups on: Energy, Raw Materials and Environment. The strategic plan of CERENA aims to consolidate multidisciplinary research and innovation, across the three groups, specifically in the entire value chain of raw materials: from their origin to their final implementation, and corresponding by-products, and waste valorisation within a circular economy context. Current research activities encompass, but are not exclusive to the development of innovative methods, techniques, and technologies for treating primary and secondary raw materials, contributing to the development of closed-loop systems and circular material use.The proposed position for Auxiliary Researcher at CERENA-FEUP aims to consolidate the existing know-how and long-track record on mining engineering and geo-environment research and innovation activities. CERENA’s integrated members at FEUP were able to secure 1.654 million euros in highly competitive calls at both national and international levels on this topics in the period comprised between 2017 and 2023. These research projects, all related to mining engineering and geo-environment, make CERENA an international lighthouse in these scientific fields contributing positively to the UN sustainable development goals. The possibility to recruit a full-time researcher will also contribute to accelerating the current path towards excellence and recognition of research in the area of mineral raw materials (primary and secondary) at CERENA while simultaneously broaden its impact.Besides, the position of Assistant Researcher under the FCT-Tenure call is in line with the European policy for mineral raw materials, defined in the European Pact for Raw Materials, which stresses the purpose of "Investing in research, innovation, and skills: The Commission will strengthen the adoption and deployment of cutting-edge technologies in critical raw materials. In addition, the establishment of a large-scale skills partnership in the field of critical raw materials and a Raw Materials Academy will promote skills relevant to the workforce of critical raw materials supply chains".This position aims to develop innovative technologies for exploration and processing of critical raw materials, contribute to increase the resources and reserves of critical raw materials within the EU, accelerate development of EU domestic critical raw materials exploration projects integrating innovative technologies and contribute to strengthen EU autonomy and ethical sourcing of raw materials by developing socially and environmentally acceptable means of discovery of primary raw materials. To reach these goals the researcher is expected to: a) implement innovative and promising research practices; b) to deal with scientific/engineering challenges in contact with industrial partners; c) have high motivation to implement her/his own vision and setting up her/his own (externally funded) research programme; d) augmenting CERENA’s research profile visibility, through publication of fundamental and applied research, as well as supervision of graduate research students who also tangibly demonstrate positive research impact; to reinforce the current state-of-the art laboratory infrastructure existing at CERENA-FEUP; to pursue funding, to secure competitive national and international funding on calls; to mentoring and attract the best students to initiate research; to contribute to academic and scientific outreach activities, and public service.In addition, through mobility opportunities, the Assistant Researcher will contribute to increasing internationalization and networking at CERENA-FEUP.