NOVA Institute of Chemical and Biological Technology António Xavier

General

The Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier (ITQB NOVA) is an academic research centre of the Universidade Nova de Lisboa. Its mission is to carry out scientific research and postgraduate teaching in chemistry, life sciences, and associated technologies, while also serving the community and promoting science and technology.
The strong expertise in Molecular Biosciences present at ITQB NOVA drives research in two strategic societal challenges, focused on the well-being of human societies (Molecular Basis of Health and Disease) and on the environment (Biological Resources and Sustainable Development). ITQB NOVA coordinates two Research Units – MOSTMICRO and GREEN-IT - and is further involved in a third one – iNOVA4HEALTH.
With a track-record of scientific excellence and a focus for internationalization, ITQB NOVA is a leading centre for advanced training in Portugal. Currently with 59 independent teams, ITQB NOVA hosts more than 488 researchers (including PhD students) with different backgrounds and research interests, who contribute to the vibrant scientific atmosphere on site.
Researchers benefit from first-rate equipment, research facilities, and support services to carry out competitively funded research projects.
ITQB NOVA coordinates three PhD programs funded by the national science funding agency Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia. Molecular BioSciences, PlantsforLife, Microbiology at the Host-Pathogen Interface. The institute further participates in other FCT-funded PhD Programs: Neurosciences, Integrative Biology and Biomedicine, Sustainable Chemistry, Bioengineering Systems, Cell Therapies and Regenerative Medicine, Catalysis and Sustainability, Applied and Environmental Microbiology, Advanced Integrated Microsystems, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Applied to Chemistry, Materials and Biosciences. In total, ITQB NOVA is involved in ten FCT-funded PhD programs.
At the second cycle level (Master), ITQB-NOVA collaborates with other institutions within NOVA for the Master in Medical Microbiology, the Master in Biochemistry for Health, and the Master in Science Communication. Recently, ITQB NOVA has successufely register a new master course, entirely coordinated by ITQB NOVA, Master in Biotechnology for Sustainability. Different options of research initiation courses are also available at ITQB NOVA.

Mobility students

Science is usually international and cooperative and the majority of the research groups at ITQB NOVA actively cooperate with other institutions from around the world. Researchers and students travel frequently to other countries, either for presenting and discussing their results in meetings and conferences or for developing research work in other laboratories. Foreign researchers also come to ITQB NOVA with the same goal.

ITQB NOVA has a student selection policy based on the merit of candidates. The research scholarships are open to all students, national or foreign, who wish to conduct research at ITQB. Likewise, the short-term and long-term internships are also open to foreigners.

Upon arrival at ITQB NOVA, the academic services grant the necessary support to foreign researchers and students while adapting to Portugal (visa issues, taxes, accommodation, etc.).

Contact:
Cristina Amaral
Tel.: 214469227

ITQB NOVA also welcome Erasmus students within Training Framework. For these students upon arrival at ITQB NOVA the Academic Office will grant the necessary support for accommodation and other related matters.

Contact:
Erasmus Office
E-mail: cristina@itqb.unl.pt

Academic authorities

• Director Cláudio M. Soares
• Secretary Teresa Venda
• Scientific Council President Cláudio M. Soares
• Pedagogic Council President Cláudio M. Soares

Admission and enrollment

DOCTORATE DEGREE

In order to formalise their application for a Doctorate degree candidates should submit their application online by digitalizing the following documents:
1. An updated Curriculum Vitae, mentioning the country in which the secondary studies were carried out;
2. Identity card (or passport in the case of foreign candidates);
3. Taxpayer number card (Cartão de contribuinte);
4. Document showing that the candidate meets the conditions specified in Article 2 of the ITQB Doctoral Rules. In the case of foreign qualifications, the candidate should add an official document from the Portuguese embassy or consulate from the country of origin of the candidate or, as an alternative, from the embassy of the country of origin in Portugal.
5. Thesis Plan (if applicable) minimum of one page, signed by the candidate and by the supervisor;

Under the agreement with the Associated Laboratory - L.A. (in cooperation with the Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, the Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica and Chronic Diseases Research Center-CEDOC), students may be accepted under the supervision of one of these institutes, as long as the supervisor confirms his professional contract with the institution.

For the Master courses, please consult their webpages.

SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH TRAINING

List of requested documents:

(a) Application form (supplied by the Academic Office);
(b) Security Statement (supplied by the Academic Office);
(c) 1 passport-sized colour photograph;
(d) Copy of identity card (or passport in the case of foreign candidates);
(e) Copy of taxpayer number (Cartão de contribuinte);
(f) Work Plan (A4 sheet, signed by the supervisor);
(g) Statement from the supervisor (accepting the supervision of the work of the candidate);
(h) Curriculum Vitae (with the disciplines already done or copy of the Certificate of the Graduation or Master degree – always bring the original), whenever applicable.

Practical information

Libraries

The ITQB NOVA has a library, permanently accessible electronically, where reference works can be consulted or requested. The library also has several computers that provide access to its catalogue and online subscriptions.

Since 2004, ITQB NOVA participates in the national consortium - b-ON - which provides access to more than 16000 complete works.

Students have access to a wireless network and all resources can be accessed from any computer in the ITQB NOVA network or through a Virtual Private Network. The library also offers an interlibrary loan service to request articles from national and international libraries.

Other equipments

The ITQB NOVA has an IT service with its own technicians who can help with problems in this area.

Spaces are available for events, such as conferences, meetings, seminars, symposia, workshops, training sessions and academic ceremonies. These spaces are also available for external activities, subject to the approval and authorisation of the Director. The auditorium, located at the ground floor, provides a seating capacity of 150 places, and is equipped with a central audiovisual control system, where all academic events and scientific seminars take place. The existing meeting rooms and classrooms provide a capacity ranging from 20 to 60 places.

Interships

ITQB NOVA provides a range of opportunities for students wishing to participate in research projects.
Students are integrated in research teams and learn new work methods, participate in seminars, interact with the researchers and take part in the institute's scientific environment. A successful internship is an excellent starting point for a research career.
Every year, ITQB NOVA laboratories welcome students from Master courses of other institutes who will develop their Master research projects at ITQB NOVA. Short-term and long-term internships are also available throughout the year. To check for available internships and projects, please access the education section at ITQB-NOVA website.
The internships at ITQB NOVA may be certified through the enrollment in one of the University Extension Courses, with the corresponding ECTS and after evaluation.
In addition to these internships, ITQB offers short term summer internships to high school students. This internship program is promoted by the National Agency for Technological and Scientific Culture and is aimed at secondary school students who wish to contact with the everyday life of a research institute.

Scholarships

National scholarships:
• Fundação Luso-Americana para o Desenvolvimento (FLAD)
• Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT)
• Fundo de Apoio ao Estudante
International scholarships:
• UNESCO - International guide to higher-education study opportunities and scholarships
• UNESCO - International Institute for Educational Planning
• EUROPE - Marie Curie Actions

Language courses

ITQB NOVA students have access to the language courses available in the university (please refer to the language courses section of this Guide).

Food services

The Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier has its own restaurant/cafeteria. Inside the campus, researchers and students can also use the canteen in the National Agronomic Research Station and the bar of the National Forestry Station.

Special needs facilities

ITQB NOVA is located in a disabled-friendly building.

Two car parking spaces are reserved for disabled drivers and the building is wheelchair accessible.

Inside, corridors are wide and have anti-slippage floors; two lifts provide access to all floors. Each floor has two accessible toilets, designed to accommodate people with physical disabilities.

Other information

Accommodation reservations are possible at the Residence of the National Agronomic Research Station.

School calendar

2nd Semester: 2020-03-09 -> 2020-07-31

1st Semester: 2019-09-01 -> 2020-02-24