PRR Project

Summary

CERENA and CEGIST are two complementary research and development centres on engineering and management from IST-ID with common overarching objectives related to sustainable development and management of natural, industrial and public resources, process optimization and innovation, whose alignment of strategies promote the generation of new knowledge and synergies for the development of science and innovation in response to society´s challenges and public policies to achieve the sustainable development goals towards a more sustainable society and economy. The engineering side provides the quantitative data, methods and tools for innovative decision-making processes under complex and high-risk environments. Both centres have a long-lasting collaboration in the preparation and development of research projects at both National and International levels. In 2021, this cooperation resulted in a shared position for science management, namely in research development and grants management (i.e., pre-award). This joint venture allowed the application of more ambitious and competitive calls and the consolidation of the existing collaboration. As both centres grow, the need for tailored pre-award support to grant applications increases. To keep pre-award support at the forefront there is the need to develop innovative support tools, which only a dedicated Ph.D. holder can deliver. We consider the requested position of grant manager crucial for sustaining CERENA and CEGIST’s edge in scientific research. This role will directly contribute to both centres growth by ensuring a steady stream of funding and support for groundbreaking research projects. Having a researcher specialized in the interface between research funding organisations and the scientific community, bridging cultural and legal differences between countries, and between academia and industry, contributing to policy consultations, and ensuring the compliance with the funding institutions will significantly enhance CERENA and CEGIST´s international standing and relevance and retain their leadership in key research domains. Additionally, the position will play a vital role in fostering emerging research areas and maintaining our competitive edge in existing fields. This position is vital for nurturing new skills within the CERENA and CEGIST communities, for the exploration of emerging scientific areas, and for mentoring young researchers with high potential by identifying and supporting relevant funding opportunities/proposals. The recruited researcher should have a robust scientific profile with a specialized focus and training on grant management on areas related to engineering and management. The researcher should possess a deep understanding of the intricacies related to the identification, preparation, and submission of research proposals, while proactively searching and identifying potential external funding sources suitable for CERENA and CEGIST’s research initiatives. The grant manager is expected to: a) collaborate with CERENA and CEGIST’s boards to align the pre-award office mission with the broader goals of the research units; b) ensure a consistent and efficient approach to proposal development, work closely with central offices at IST-ID to streamline processes and ensure efficient management of grant proposals; c) keep abreast of changes in funding policies and maintain accurate records of applications, their outcomes, and related official documents. Research development and grants management involves science development and a close collaboration and common language with researchers from various fields and backgrounds. To reach these objectives there is the need to have a long-term position for a Ph.D. holder. To attract top-tier researchers, the recruitment process will be conducted on a national and international scale, following a transparent and merit-based selection approach. A commitment to gender balance will be a central tenet of this process, ensuring an inclusive environment. The position will be open to researchers irrespective of gender, religion, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, political views, language, age, or nationality. This inclusive approach aims to create a diverse and vibrant academic community at IST-ID.