A call for applications is open for a Postdoctoral Research Grant (BIPD) within the scope of the project “COMPETE2030-FEDER-03249000 - "BioHyCarb - Production of Hydrogen and Carbon Materials from Sustainable Sources"”, funded by the “European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), Thematic Programme Innovation and Digital Transition (COMPETE 2030) of Portugal 2030”, under the following conditions:

1. Scientific Area:

Chemical Engineering

2. Admission Requirements:

1) Have obtained a doctoral degree within three years prior to the closing date of the call for applications.

2) Experience and doctorate related to chromatographic studies of adsorbents (screening) in the gas phase for the determination of physicochemical properties (equilibrium, selectivity and adsorption kinetics of single and multicomponent systems) in a flow system (frontal chromatography).

3) Treatment of experimental data ("Breakthrough curves" single and multicomponent, isotherms, adsorbent selectivity, etc.) from experimental studies in fixed beds and dynamic simulation of adsorption processes with permanent gases (CO2, CH4, N2, etc.).

4) Simulation of PSA processes with Aspen Adsorption in multicolumns and several stages. 

3. Work Plan:

In this project, a series of adsorbents will be tested and classified in terms of their efficiency for the separation of hydrogen/methane/nitrogen/carbon dioxide/carbon monoxide and oxygen to produce high-purity methane and hydrogen. In the studies, an experimental chromatographic screening system will be used to measure thermodynamic selectivity and kinetic data and develop a cyclic VPSA/PSA adsorption process on adsorbents.

Activities to be developed:

1) Activation and preparation of new adsorbents;

2) Screening studies to evaluate the performance of adsorbents in chromatographic systems;

3) Experimental determination of the kinetics, equilibrium constants, selectivity and capacities of the most effective adsorbents;

4) Study of adsorption dynamics by computational simulation with fixed bed models with ASPEN Adsorption;

5) Development of multicolumn PSA processes by simulation (Aspen Adsorption) and experimental implementation in a semi-pilot process.

4. Objectives:

To develop an adsorption separation process (PSA/VPSA) from the components of synthesis gas (composition: CO, CO2, CH4, H2 and O2), with the objective of obtaining a stream enriched with CH4 and H2, optimized for use in catalytic pyrolysis processes.

5. Applicable legislation and regulations:

Statute of the Scientific Research Fellow, approved by Law No. 40/2004, of August 18, in its current wording; FCT, I.P. Research Grant Regulations

in force (https://www.fct.pt/apoios/bolsas/docs/RegulamentoBolsasFCT2019.pdf);

Regulation No. 522/2020, published in Diário da República, 2nd series, No. 113, of June 12 – Research Grant Regulations of the Polytechnic Institute of Bragança.

6. Workplace and scientific supervision:

The work will be carried out at CIMO-ESTiG, under the scientific supervision of José António Correia Silva.

7. Grant duration:

The grant will have an initial duration of 12 months, with a planned start date of 04/06/2026 (with the possibility of renewal up to a maximum of 23 months, including the initial period).

8. Monthly Maintenance Allowance Amount:

The grant amount corresponds to 1,901.00€, according to the table of grant values ​​awarded by FCT, I.P. in the country.

Grant recipients will benefit from personal accident insurance and, if they are not covered by any social protection scheme, they may ensure the exercise of the right to social security by joining the voluntary social security scheme, under the terms provided for in the Code of Contribution Regimes of the Social Security System. The grant amount will be paid monthly by bank transfer.

9. Selection Methods and their respective valuation:

The selection methods to be used will be the following:

a) Curriculum evaluation and its suitability for the work in question (40%);

b) Experience in research activities in areas related to the work in question (60%);

The jury may only call the best candidates for an interview, according to criteria a) and b).

The jury may not grant the grant if the candidate’s ranking is lower than desired.

10. Composition of the Selection Jury:

President: Adjunct Professor José António Correia Silva

Full Member: Coordinating Professor Helder Teixeira Gomes

Full Member: Dr. Lucas Zafanelli

Alternate Member: Adjunct Professor Antônio Ribeiro

11. Method of publication/notification of results:

Communications and final evaluation results will be published through the IPB application submission portal or, if necessary, by email notification.

12. Application period:

The competition is from May 21, 2026 to June 3, 2026.

13. Application Submission Method:

Applications can be submitted through the IPB application submission portal (http://concursos.ipb.pt), including the following documents:

a) Curriculum Vitae;

b) Academic qualifications certificate;

c) Letter of motivation

Documents proving the holding of academic degrees or diplomas, or enrollment in an academic degree or diploma, may be waived during the registration phase, being replaced by a declaration of honor from the candidate, with verification of this condition being mandatory during the contracting phase of the grant.

Academic degrees obtained in foreign countries need recognition by a Portuguese Institution in accordance with Decree-Law No. 66/2018, of August 16, and Ordinance No. 33/2019, of January 25. Presentation of the recognition is mandatory for signing the contract.

14. Deadlines and procedures for complaints and appeals:

If the decision to be made is unfavorable to the granting of the requested grant, candidates have a period of 10 working days, after the date of publication of the evaluation results, to express their opinion, if they wish, in a prior hearing, under the terms provided for in the Administrative Procedure Code.

An appeal against the final decision may be made to the President of the IPB within 15 working days after the respective notification.