ITQB NOVA is inviting applications for PhD Fellowships Plants for Life at foreign research laboratories for the year 2018. The Program is funded by the Foundation for Science and Technology.

International PhD Program Plants for Life aims to train world-class researchers in plant sciences able to address key biological questions related to plant growth and development, to plant responses to environmental stress, and to the improvement of crop varieties and plant products.

ITQB NOVA – Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier is a scientific research and advanced training institute of the Universidade NOVA de Lisboa. The mission of ITQB NOVA is to carry out scientific research and postgraduate teaching in life sciences, chemistry and associated technologies, for the benefit of human health and the environment.

Course Level: Fellowships are available to pursue a PhD program.

Study Subject: The PhD Program Plants for Life associates eight European plant research centers devoted to basic research with a strong focus on translating scientific results into agricultural and industrial applications.

Scholarship Award: Stipend of Plants for Life Fellowships
The stipend for national and mixed fellowships will be according to the values of FCT Scientific Fellowships (see Bolsa de Doutoramento – BD).

Tuition Fees
Tuition fees are 2750 €/year. Students with a Plant for Life or FCT fellowship have their tuition fees covered.

Number of Scholarships: Up to six PhD positions are available.

Scholarship can be taken at Foreign Laboratories

Eligibility: The following criteria must be met in order for applicants to be eligible for the scholarship:

The Plants for Life PhD program is funded by Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia with six PhD fellowships (two national and four mixed) for 2018. Mixed fellowships (students can stay up to two years in an associated foreign lab) are only available for students with Portuguese nationality or students with proved permanent residency in Portugal.  Nevertheless, students with other sources of funding may also be admitted. This PhD program provides high quality and state-of-the-art training to exceptionally motivated students. PhD candidates enrolling in this Program will receive the comprehensive and multidisciplinary training required to carry out state-of-the-art research at the interface of various disciplines in plant sciences. They will be in a privileged position to contribute to basic discoveries and deliver valuable inputs for more sustainable agriculture and forestry systems as well as for innovative uses of plant systems.
Admission of applicants is competitive and based on the educational background, academic qualification, track record, and motivation.

Educational background: Applicants with a background in agronomical and biological sciences or areas that interface with these are encouraged to apply to the PlantsforLife PhD Program. Non-Portuguese academic degrees can only be considered upon recognition by Direção-Geral do Ensino Superior or by a Portuguese Higher Education Institution, according to the applicable legislation (Decreto-Lei n.º 341/2007, de 12 de Outubro, and Decreto-Lei n.º 283/83, de 21 de junho).

Academic qualification: The graduation record of the applicants should be strong and meet one of the following requirements:

1. a) hold a Masters degree or legal equivalent at the date of application;
   b) hold a Bachelor’s degree with a total number of academic credits equal or above 240 (pre-Bologna degrees);
   c) exceptionally, hold a Bachelor’s degree with a total number of academic credits below 240 (post-Bologna degrees) and an academic or scientific curriculum vitae of outstanding quality recognized by the Directive Board of the PhD Program.

A good knowledge of English is absolutely required and, although not mandatory, applicants should support the candidature with scores of internationally valid language exams (e.g. TOEFL, IELTS).

Nationality: Mixed positions are only available for Portuguese citizens.

College Admission Requirement

Entrance Requirements: Applicants must hold a Masters degree or legal equivalent at the date of application.

English Language Requirements: A good knowledge of English is absolutely required and, although not mandatory, applicants should support the candidature with scores of internationally valid language exams (e.g. TOEFL, IELTS).

PhD Scholarships

How to Apply: The mode of application is online.

Admission criteria are verified by analysis of a written application that should include the following documents received prior to the deadline:

a) Curriculum vitae including personal and educational information (degrees, grades obtained, courses attended, research experience) and publications, if any;
b) Personal statement including a description of scientific interests and career goals and reasons for applying to the Program;
c) Detailed documentation of the academic record including certified copies of Diplomas/Certificates of relevant examinations (e.g. Bachelor’s and Master’s degree) in Portuguese or English or official academic transcripts in one of these languages; Bachelor’s and Master’s degree certificates including the final grade are mandatory.
d) Two reference letters are strictly required and must be submitted online by the referees. The contact information of two referees must be provided by the applicant.

Application Form

Application Deadline: Applications must be submitted online by October 22, 2017.

Scholarship Link