PRR Project

Summary

The scientific area of Sustainable Earth Resources Engineering (SERE) is based on DER and receives full support from CERENA research center, interacting with other research units of IST, including LARSYS, CQE, CERIS, INESC ID, and CEGIST. The recruitment strategy of SERE is fully aligned with CERENA’s overarching research strategy.SERE is dedicated to the responsible exploration, extraction, processing, and utilization of mineral and energy resources, emphasizing environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and economic efficiency. This multidisciplinary field integrates principles from engineering, geology, environmental science, and resource management to address global energy needs and mineral demands sustainably. Through the recruitment of a researcher via the tenure-track assistant professor position, we aim to drive research and innovation in processing technologies for raw materials and mineral products. This field encompasses methods, techniques, and technologies for treating primary and secondary raw materials, contributing to the development of closed-loop systems and circular material use. Given the global emphasis on sustainability, key areas requiring technological advancements include: (i) Harnessing data analytics and artificial intelligence for predictive maintenance, process optimization, and real-time monitoring of processing plants; (ii) Developing environmentally friendly and sustainable extraction techniques like bioleaching or hydrometallurgical methods to minimize environmental impact; (iii) Implementing energy-efficient technologies to reduce the energy consumption of mineral processing operations; (iv) Innovating technologies aligned with circular economy principles and a zero-waste policy, transforming wastes, implementing recycling and recovery processes, extending the lifespan and functionality of mineral products, and promoting material reuse; (v) Employing digital twin technology for creating virtual replicas of processing plants, enabling simulation, optimization, and predictive analysis before real-time adjustments; (vi) Integrating blockchain technology to enhance transparency and traceability in the mineral supply chain for responsible and ethical sourcing; (vii) Exploring nanotechnology applications to enhance mineral separation and recovery processes, improving efficiency and reducing the environmental footprint; (viii) Advancing digitalization and connectivity of processing plants to facilitate better communication between different stages of the value chain, optimizing overall operations. The recruited researcher is expected to have a robust scientific profile, a specialized focus on processing technologies for raw materials and mineral products, a deep understanding of the intricacies within this field, and the capability to tackle various scientific challenges. The researcher will integrate and reinforce the multidisciplinary team of SERE and Raw Materials Group of CERENA, consolidating the existing expertise in raw material exploration, production, and valorization. This position aims to drive advancements in the field and make significant contributions to the scientific community.The target for SERE is 10 lecturers, yet the area currently has only 5, with 3 of them in their 60s. Thus, we will need to recruit around 8 lecturers to reach the target in the next 10 years. A robust revitalization of SERE team with new recruitments for tenure track positions, and particularly in the field of processing technologies for raw materials and mineral products, it is essential to sustain and reinforce the existing high-impact research areas but also to delve into emerging fields and attain critical mass.To facilitate the successful recruitment of talented researchers, DER initiated a scouting process through an open call for individuals interested in pursuing an academic career within the department. Sixteen candidates from diverse DER areas expressed interest, and a subset of these candidates were invited to engage with the department, the research unit, and tour the facilities. The opportunity to interact with top-ranked engineering students was a compelling factor for scouting candidates, providing a platform to engage and attract the most promising individuals to research projects and PhD programs. Scientific supervision stands out as a primary responsibility for researchers, with PhD and post-doctoral students serving as key contributors, bringing forth new and innovative ideas within research teams. The pool of candidates exhibited robust backgrounds and demonstrated high potential to effectively fulfill the envisioned research profile. The tasks assigned to the recruited assistant professor will align with those defined by the ECDU, limited to a maximum of 4 hours/week of teaching load per semester.