Investigador FCT program

Under the priorities established for the consolidation of the National Scientific and Technological System (NSTS), high priority is given to the recruitment of the most qualified human resources in Science and Technology, aiming at strengthening productive collaborations with the stakeholders of the NSTS and guaranteeing that the scientific community has , on a regular basis, the instruments to attract and retain in Portugal the best scientists.

To achieve these major objectives, the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) launches an international call for the recruitment of eighty Researchers FCT to be hired in 2012.

The typical profile of the FCT Researcher corresponds to highly motivated researchers seeking to develop, conduct and coordinate internationally competitive highly qualified scientific research activities.

Candidates

The call is aimed at researchers holding a PhD degree, stipulated according to the number of years after the award of the degree and the number of years worked as an independent researcher. Independent researchers are scientists that have already established themselves as a research leader in their own right, often as Principal Investigators or Group Leaders, supervising a research team and by attracting funding in competitive grant applications by national and international funding agencies.

  1. “starting grants” (equivalent to index 195 of the Scientific Research Career Remuneration Statute, corresponding to the first level of the category of Auxiliary Researcher), intended for PhD holders with less than 6 years after the award of the degree, with no need for previous scientific independence;
  2. “development grants” (equivalent to index 220 of the Scientific Research Career Remuneration Statute, corresponding to the first level of the category of Principal Investigator), intended for PhD holders with more than 6 years and less than 12 years after the award of the degree, being independent researchers for less than 6 years.
  3. “advanced grants” (equivalent to index 285 of the Scientific Research Career remuneration statute, corresponding to the first level of the category of Coordinating Researcher), intended for PhD holders who are independent researchers for more than 6 years.

In all cases, the applicants must hold a CV that is consider competitive by international standards and demonstrate a track-record and achievements appropriate to their research field and career stage. These include:

  1. Publications in major international peer-reviewed scientific journals;
  2. Grants funded in national and international competitive applications;
  3. Granted patents (if applicable);
  4. Participation in advanced training activities including supervision oh PhD students and post-docs.

Each applicant may only apply for one level.

Application

Applications must include, along with the curriculum vitae, a research project and a career development plan; all elements will be subject to evaluation.

It is the researcher responsability to identify the host institution and to obtain the agreement to carry out the scientific project and the career development plan. The host institutions must provide all means, including materials, support services, critical mass and institutional policies that ensure the implementation of the research project and career development plan.

Applications will have to be submitted electronically, in an appropriate web application at FCT website.

Dates and deadlines

The call opened on the 2nd of April, and will close on the 10th of May 2012, 17:00 Lisbon time.

The FCT Board of Directors,
FCT