BASIC INFORMATION

Name

Secondment „Saponin Extraction and Analysis” within the program Early Career Researcher   

Objective

The purpose of participating in the research secondment is to gain practical experience in the extraction, purification, and structural characterization of saponins, as well as to develop competencies in the use of advanced analytical techniques such as NMR spectroscopy and sugar analysis. The secondment will also enable the development of scientific collaboration and knowledge exchange, which may contribute to the implementation of joint research projects in the future. 

Format and Duration of the Initiative

The international mobility will be conducted at SEA-EU’s partner university, University of Cádiz, Spain from June 16th to July 7th, 2026. 

Detailed program  

Coming soon on the website. 

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE INITIATIVE

Participants

To apply for international mobility, the applicant must have current status as a research staff member of the University of Gdańsk on the day of applying for the recruitment process and the planned mobility. Applicants must be employed as an academic teacher (in a research-teaching or research group) and have obtained a doctoral degree no earlier than 7 years prior to submitting the application. Applicants are not allowed to be on any type of leave. The participant’s declared English language level is a minimum of B2. 

Recruitment

All candidates are required to complete a special registration form at: Registration form- NAWA – Research Secondment . The form must be completed and submitted by April 16^th, 2026. 

The order of funding allocation depends on the total number of points obtained – applications with a higher total score will have priority in funding allocation and will be processed according to the ranking list.  

The candidates who have submitted a complete set of required documents and met the mobility criteria may be eligible for mobility. Funds within the entire  Early Career Researcher  programme have been allocated for a minimum of 10 participants. Recruitment is conducted in accordance with the horizontal principles outlined in § 2 point 8 of the Project Regultions. If support is needed during the recruitment process for persons with disabilities or special needs, please contact the task coordinator seaenergy@ug.edu.pl.   

RULES FOR PROVIDING SUPPORT 

Recruitment Criteria

1. Formal Criteria (must be met)

• Status of an academic teacher at the University of Gdańsk
• Minimum English language level B1+
• Complete application

2. Substantive Criteria (Scoring)

• the substantive evaluation of the cover letter justifying the choice of mobility which should contribute to enhancing competencies 0-5 
• the alignment of the thematic scope of the mobility with the researcher’s scientific activities and area of specialization 
  0-5 
• the degree of alignment between the candidate’s scientific profile and the research topics pursued by the host institution 0-5 

Recruitment Results

The committee responsible for verifying and evaluating the applications is required to prepare a ranking list, dividing it into the list of qualified candidates, reserve candidates, and those who do not meet the criteria. All candidates participating in the recruitment process will be individually informed about the results via email by April 17^th, 2026. The list of selected candidates will also be available https://sea-eu.ug.edu.pl/aktualnosci/.  

Funding

Funding may be granted for the implementation of the mobility from June 16^th to July 7^th,2026 plus plus days for travel. The funding is provided as a lump sum of approximately 12,600 PLN.  The funding must be used to cover travel expenses, accommodation, and daily allowances. Detailed list of funding rates is available on the website. 

Documentation before mobility 

Those who are qualified for mobility are required to complete the following: 

• an online pre-test which will assess the participants’ knowledge and skills related to the course content before starting the secondment, 
• registration on the NAWA platform to confirm the participant’s eligibility for the project, 
• a business trip request submitted through the employee portal, 
• bank transfer details, 
• agreement Secondment Agreement between Partners and Annex No 1 Secondment plan, 
• Letter of Intent. 

Documentation after mobility  

Those who complete the mobility are required to: 

• complete an online post-test which measures the participants’ knowledge and skills after the secondment,  
• submit Annex No 2, the Secondment Report from the Secondment Agreement between Partners, 
• settlement of the trip at the Research Office. 

Completion of mobility 

The verification of learning outcomes includes completing a post-test, in which the participant should achieve a higher score compared to the pre-test in order to receive a certificate of competence enhancement. Both tests are completed remotely via the Microsoft Forms application. 

OUTCOMES

Set of learning outcomes (competencies):

1. Advanced knowledge of methods for the extraction, purification, and structural analysis of saponins using advanced analytical techniques (NMR, UPLC-MS, sugar analysis).
2. Ability to independently conduct research involving extraction, purification, and interpretation of structural analysis results using modern instrumental methods.
3. Readiness for effective collaboration in an international scientific environment and active exchange of knowledge and research experience.

Learning outcomes:

• Knowledge:
  has knowledge of methods for the extraction and purification of natural compounds, in particular saponins.
  has knowledge of analytical techniques used in organic chemistry (NMR, UPLC-MS, sugar analysis).
  understands the principles of structural characterization of complex biomolecules.
• Skills:
  2.1. is able to perform the extraction and purification of saponins from biological material.
  2.2. is able to carry out sugar composition analysis and interpret spectroscopic data (NMR, MS).
  2.3. is able to apply advanced analytical techniques in laboratory research.
• Social competencies:
  3.1. is ready to work in an international research team.
  3.2. demonstrates the ability to cooperate and communicate in a scientific environment.
  3.3. understands the importance of knowledge exchange and building scientific relationships for the development of a research career.

Criteria for assessing learning outcomes:

Learning outcome	Verification criteria	Form of verification
1.1. has knowledge of methods for the extraction and purification of natural compounds, in particular saponins	1.1.1. correctly describes methods of extraction and purification of saponins and their application depending on the type of research material 1.1.2. appropriately selects methods of extraction and purification of natural compounds, in particular saponins, for a specific research problem	Test
1.2. has knowledge of analytical techniques used in organic chemistry (NMR, UPLC-MS, sugar analysis)	1.2.1. characterizes analytical techniques used in organic chemistry (NMR, UPLC-MS, sugar analysis) and indicates their capabilities and limitations 1.2.2. distinguishes between the applications of individual analytical techniques and justifies their selection in the context of structural analysis of natural compounds	Test
1.3. understands the principles of structural characterization of complex biomolecules	1.3.1. explains the stages and principles of structural characterization of complex biomolecules 1.3.2. interprets analytical data (e.g. NMR, MS) in the context of determining the structure of biomolecules	Test
2.1. is able to perform the extraction and purification of saponins from biological material	2.1.1. performs the extraction and purification of saponins from biological material in accordance with established laboratory procedures 2.1.2. optimizes extraction and purification conditions depending on the type of material and the compound being analyzed	Test
2.2. is able to carry out sugar composition analysis and interpret spectroscopic data (NMR, MS)	2.2.1. performs sugar composition analysis using appropriate analytical methods 2.2.2. analyzes and interprets spectroscopic data (NMR, MS) in order to identify and characterize the studied compounds	Test
2.3. is able to apply advanced analytical techniques in laboratory research	2.3.1. selects appropriate advanced analytical techniques (e.g. NMR, UPLC-MS, sugar analysis) for a specific research problem and justifies their choice 2.3.2. performs analyses using advanced analytical techniques and correctly interprets the obtained results	Test
3.1. is ready to work in an international research team	3.1.1. actively participates in the work of an international team, communicating in English in a way that enables the completion of research tasks 3.1.2. demonstrates openness to cultural differences and takes into account diverse perspectives in the implementation of joint research tasks	Test
3.2. demonstrates the ability to cooperate and communicate in a scientific environment	3.2.1. effectively communicates research results and scientific information in both oral and written forms 3.2.2. collaborates with members of the research team in carrying out tasks, sharing knowledge and experience	Test
3.3. understands the importance of knowledge exchange and building scientific relationships for the development of a research career	3.3.1. identifies the benefits arising from scientific collaboration and knowledge exchange in an international environment 3.3.2. undertakes activities that support establishing and maintaining scientific relationships (e.g. participating in discussions, initiating contacts)	Test

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If you have any questions, please contact: sea-eu@ug.edu.pl.

The initiative is implemented as part of the project „Support for synergistic and complementary activities of the SEA-EU 2.0 – SEA-nergy project”, which is part of the NAWA program „Support for European Universities Alliances” from the European Funds for Social Development