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/DER is fully aligned with CERENA’s overarching research strategy.Sustainable Earth Resources Engineering (SERE) is focused on the responsible exploration, extraction, processing, and utilization of mineral and energy resources while prioritizing environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and economic efficiency. This multidisciplinary field integrates principles of engineering, geology, environmental science, and resource management to address the challenges associated with meeting global energy needs and mineral demands in a sustainable manner. Through the recruitment of a researcher via the tenure-track assistant professor position, we aim to drive research and innovation in the field of communication for science and engineering.Effective communication in science and engineering related to mineral and energy resources is crucial for obtaining the social license to operate. Researchers in this domain investigate ways to improve communication strategies, enhance stakeholder engagement, and address the complexities associated with conveying information about mining and energy endeavors and contributing to informed decision-making in both scientific and societal contexts. Some of key research topics in this field include: (i) Optimizing communication strategies to engage diverse stakeholders effectively, including local communities, regulatory bodies, environmental groups, and investors; (ii) Understanding the factors that influence public perception of mining and energy projects, and how can communication efforts contribute to building and maintaining trust with the public; (iii) Developing methodologies for risk analysis that effectively convey the risks associated with mining and energy projects, including environmental, social, and safety risks and help to mitigate concerns and build confidence; (iv) adapting communication strategies to address cultural differences and ensure effective communication with diverse international stakeholders; (v) Exploiting digital communication tools and social media platforms for effectively engagement and communication in the context of mining and energy projects. By leveraging the capabilities of AI and IoT to address the above challenges, communication in the fields of mineral and energy resources can become more data-driven, efficient, and tailored to the needs of diverse stakeholders. These technologies contribute to transparency, improved decision-making, and sustainable practices within the industry.The recruited researcher should have a robust scientific profile with a specialized focus on communication for science and engineering in the context of mineral and energy resources, possess a deep understanding of the intricacies within this field and demonstrate the capability to tackle various scientific challenges. The researcher will integrate and reinforce the multidisciplinary team of SERE and Environment Group of CERENA, aiming 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 social interaction and communication related with the mineral and energy resources engineering.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.