PhD scholarships

Call for applications for individual PhD scholarships Radiation Biology and Biophysics Doctoral Training Programme

Job:

PhD scholarships

Job/Fellowship Reference: FCT/UNL - Radiation Biology and Biophysics Doctoral Training Programme

General scientific area: Exact Sciences and Engineering

Summary

The current societal need for advanced research in radiation biology and biophysics, is getting extremely relevant when modern societies are facing several clinical pathologies related to aging, oxidative stress and cancer.

The International Doctoral Programme in Radiation Biology and Biophysics offers a broad education in all aspects of radiation damage of biological tissue, which represents a complex process involving physics, chemistry and biology. The structure of the programme is built in such a way, that a student attends basic lectures in the first year, which provides an introduction into the field of radiation damage. In the following three years a research project is carried out focusing on one or more aspects in the biology, chemistry or physics related to radiation damage. This project will be also topic of the PhD-study of the candidate, which will be carried out at Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia da Universidade Nova de Lisboa (FCT/UNL) or at one of the 4 international universities/research centres, which joined this programme. Depending on the institution training in experimental and/or theoretical methods in one of the disciplines mentioned will be offered.

The International Doctoral Programme in Radiation Biology and Biophysics (RaBBiT), Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia da Universidade Nova de Lisboa (FCT/UNL), was approved for funding under the National Competitive Call for Funding PhD Programmes of the Foundation for Science and Technology, IP (FCT, IP). The programme is hosted by FCT/UNL and 4 international universities/research centres which contribute with outstanding scientific and teaching know-how, Queen’s University Belfast and The Open University from UK, Universität Innsbruck from Austria, and Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) from Spain.

The scope of possible research themes can be found at https://sites.fct.unl.pt/rabbit/, which provides also all further information on the programme and partner institutions.

In accordance with the Research Grant Holder Statute, published by Law no. 40/2004 of August 18, in its current wording, and the Regulations for Fellowships and Grants of the Foundation for Science and Technology, the Directive Board of the programme hereby opens this call for 3 individual Mixed PhD scholarships for the 2016 cohort.

PhD scholarships

The 3 scholarships are intended for individuals who meet the requirements specified in Article 30, paragraph 1, of Decree-Law nº 74/2006, of March 24, as amended by Decree-Law nº 107/2008 of June 25, and 230/2009 of September 14. These grants are one year in duration, renewable for up to a total of four years.

 Candidates

The following individuals may apply to this Doctoral Training Programme:

·         Portuguese citizens or citizens of other European Union member; Citizens of other countries holders of a valid permanent residence authorization in Portugal or beneficiaries of the status of long term resident, under the terms of Law 23/2007 of July 4, amended by Law No. 29/2012 of August 9; Citizens of other countries which holds reciprocity agreements with Portugal; Citizens of other countries, through a preliminary personal interview;

·         Admission criteria are those stated in the Regulations of Third Cycle Studies, from Universidade Nova de Lisboa, in accordance with the regulations of the FCT- MEC, respecting the following:

-        Successful applicants must hold either an MSc degree or the legal equivalent in Physics Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Physical Chemistry, Chemistry, Biochemistry or Biophysics or related areas, whose curriculum is considered appropriate by the programme Directive Board;

-        To hold an academic, scientific or professional curriculum recognized as attesting the capacity to carry out this cycle of studies by the programme Directive Board;

·           In addition to the above criteria the following parameters will also be considered:

-        Demonstration of ability, motivation and soft skills during the application process and interview;

-        Previous experience (personal and scientific);

-        Letters of recommendation submitted by the applicant;

-        Proficiency in the English language, at the oral and written levels.

Duration of the scholarships

The scholarship has a duration of 12 months starting, in principle in March 2017, renewable up to a maximum of four years.

Workplace
The research will be developed in the research laboratories of the supervisors, national or international, affiliated to the Doctoral programme.

Application process

This call is open from 11 November to 31 December 2016.
Applications must be submitted through the website of the Radiation Biology and Biophysics Doctoral Training Programme (http://sites.fct.unl.pt/rabbit/pages/admission).

Evaluation
The selection and evaluation of candidates will be carried out by a panel composed of the Directive Board from the PhD Programme together with Professor Maria de Fátima Raposo and Professor Carlos Salgueiro. After selection of eligible applicants, the panel will rank the applicants based on the excellence of the academic record of the candidate, their suitability to the PhD program, motivation and letters of recommendation, among others, according to weighting mentioned below. An ordered list of candidates will be drawn up. The first ten candidates will be invited for a personal interview (in person or by videoconference). The interview, which can be conducted in English language, shall be conducted by at least three members of the panel and will aim to assess the motivation and maturity (scientific, social and cultural) of the candidates as well as their ability to successfully complete the Doctoral work plan. After the interview a final list of candidates will be established, according to the weighing of the criteria specified below. The first five candidates that have achieved a total score equal or above of 75 points will be admitted to the program.

Weighted evaluation criteria:

-        Excellence of academic record of the candidate - 25%

-        Personal history statement (social and cultural) - 10%

-        Statement of purpose - 15%

-        Letters of recommendation - 5%

-        Experience in the scientific areas of interest of the Doctoral program - 10%

-        Relevant work experience - 10%

-        Individual Interview - 25%

Dissemination of results

The final evaluation results will be disseminated on the Internet, on the website of the Doctoral program (http://sites.fct.unl.pt/rabbit/). In case of an unfavourable award decision (i.e. for applicants not selected to receive a grant), the applicant has a period of 10 days after disclosure, to be heard by the Directive Board, by request of a preliminary hearing, pursuant to the Portuguese Código do Procedimento Administrativo. The final decision may be appealed to the Directive Board of the Doctoral programme, within 15 days after the respective notification.

Financing
Grants awarded under this contract will be financed by funds from the State Budget of the Ministry of Education and Science and, when eligible by funding from the European Social Fund through the Human Potential Operating Programme of the Portuguese NSRF 2007-2013, according to the established by Law nº 40/2004 of 18 August, amended by Decree-Law nº 202/2012 of 27 August and Decree-Law nº 233/2012 of 29 October and by Law nº 12/2013 of 29 January and Decree-Law nº 89/2013 of 9 July (Status of Scientific Research Fellow). Any question not addressed in the present call is covered by the Regulations for Research Grants of the Foundation for Science and Technology, available at https://www.fct.pt/apoios/bolsas/regulamentos.