NOVA FCT is an associate partner of FERNS, an European research initiative to reshape how electronic devices are designed, manufactured, and reused. The project is now recruiting 15 PhD researchers to help build the next generation of sustainable electronics, and 2 of these positions are at NOVA FCT.
Funded through the 2024 Horizon Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Networks programme, FERNS offers early-stage researchers the chance to work across disciplines and countries, addressing the environmental impact of electronics and advancing circular design principles.
Electronic waste is one of the fastest-growing global challenges, with millions of tonnes discarded annually. These devices contain valuable and increasingly scarce materials. FERNS responds by embedding sustainability into every stage of electronics development, from materials and manufacturing to design and societal impact.
The project focuses on three application areas: fitness technologies, short-use health devices, and smart farming solutions.
Training will span eco-design, Safe & Sustainable by Design (SSbD), materials synthesis, advanced manufacturing, system integration, circular business models, and societal acceptance.