Pushing Science and Technology frontiers

The General Council of INESC TEC is an associative statutory body where INESC TEC’s associates are represented, namely the University of Porto, the Institute for Systems Engineering and Computers, the Polytechnic Institute of Porto, the University of Minho and the University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro. The General Council generally meets twice a year: once to discuss and vote on the report, accounts and evaluation of the Fiscal Council regarding the previous year, and another to approve the plan and budget for the following year. The General Council of INESC TEC is responsible for electing and dissolving the General Council Committee, the Administrative Board and the Fiscal Council; electing the members of the Scientific Council, Scientific Advisory Board and Business Advisory Board; assessing and voting on the report and accounts; and assessing and voting on the annual and/or multiannual investment plans, annual budget and supplementary budget, if any, and on the activity plan.

The Board of Directors is composed of seven people: João Claro – Chairman and CEO –, Gabriel David – Vice-Chairman of the Board –, and the directors Aníbal Matos, Clara Gouveia, Gabriel David, Lia Patrício, Luís Seca and Maria da Graça Barbosa.

The Scientific Advisory Board is a statutory body of assessment and strategic follow-up, the members of which are elected by a General Council, after a proposal from the BoD, for a five-year term, and may be re-elected one or more times. This external board is composed of recognised international scientists from prestigious institutions, international experts in INESC TEC fields of competence that support the institution in its search for continuous improvement and excellence, building a vision for future research under a valuable benchmark at an international level.

The Business Advisory Board is a body with an advisory status, which was created during the amendment of the Statutes in 2015, composed of individuals of proven competence in the economy sectors relevant to INESC TEC activities. It is responsible for reviewing and presenting proposals on activities that connect INESC TEC companies, particularly in the areas of innovation, technology transfer and training of human resources for the market.

The Scientific Council is an internal body responsible for monitoring and guiding INESC TEC scientific and technical activities.

The TEC4INDUSTRY acts as INESC TEC vehicle for value-added scientific research, promoting the balance between the competencies of research centres and the needs of industry, and as a facilitator for the development of a stronger national industrial ecosystem, composed of disruptive and unique companies and technologies. TEC4INDUSTRY aims to support the industry by addressing the sector's needs and challenges - with digital transformation, decarbonisation, sustainability or circular economy as main examples.

TEC4AGRO-FOOD is a new organisational approach that focuses on structuring the market-pull innovation process, as opposed to the science-push that occurs naturally in INESC TEC R&D Centres. The mission of TEC4AGRO-FOOD is to co-create the digital (r)evolution in agri-food and forestry, through research and technological development in digital technologies and robotics, for the creation of long-term value for INESC TEC, from customers, markets and relationships.

TEC4ENERGY coordinates and leverages INESC TEC resources, skills and technologies to develop and transfer innovative solutions adapted to the needs of the energy ecosystem.

The TEC4HEALTH initiative follows a market-pull approach to R&D, targeting all actors and processes in the value chain in the health and well-being sectors. In this sense, TEC4HEALTH explores activities in the healthcare sector in which technological needs and strategic roadmaps indicate a high potential for the application of INESC TEC competencies.

The Sea and the Oceans are increasingly being explored as strategic domains in multiple aspects: economic, political and military, social and environmental. The TEC4SEA initiative presents INESC TEC as a global major institution, capable of empowering the Blue Economy through sustainable approaches to exploit living ocean resources (aquaculture, marine biotechnology, stock forecasting and monitoring, fisheries and food processing) and non-living (deep and ultra-deepwater oil and gas, marine and deep-sea mining, offshore oil and gas (shallow water), dredging, ocean renewable energy, offshore wind energy.

The main goal of the TECPARTNERSHIPS initiative is to facilitate the creation of science-based products and services, allowing the research developed in the institution and its associates to become value-added to companies and institutions, so they can address the technological challenges and benefit from INESC TEC experience in the sectors it operates. Considering the institution's research lines, TECPARTNERSHIPS analyses the best ways to contribute to the technological improvement of the new sectors: public administration, construction, defense and security, space, financial, online market and mobility.

In November 2018, a work group composed of employees from different Centres and services was established to perform a thorough diagnosis of the social responsibility status in the institution. Following the results of said diagnosis, in October 2019, this Commission was formally established; the main mission is to incorporate social responsibility into INESC TEC's organisational practices and culture. The Technical Commission for Social Responsibility, which focuses on two dimensions – internal (comprising organisational principles, employees and the environment) and external (focusing on society and the market) -, has a renewed mandate every two years.

The INESC TEC Ethics Commission ensures the monitoring and promotion of standards of integrity, transparency and accountability in the different areas of INESC TEC research, issuing opinions on project proposals that may include ethical issues and implementing INESC TEC's Code of Ethics. Said Code of Ethics systematises and formalises the ethical and deontological principles that should guide INESC TEC institutional and individual actions during the fulfilment of the institution's mission.

INESC Tec's Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) Commission was established in September 2021; its main mission is to present and implement a D&I programme at the institution. The Commission is composed of INESC TEC employees, belonging to to different Centres/services, who work together to adopt the best practices at the institution, thus contributing to a culturally and socially inclusive environment for all.

The Data Protection Officer benefits from a unique legal status, with the crucial role of informing and advising the Board of Directors, as well as INESC TEC employees, on their obligations regarding data protection, thus promoting the awareness and training of HR on the same topics. The DPO is responsible for monitoring the compliance with applicable data protection legislation, as well as the policies and procedures established to meet said legislation, namely through audits and regular monitoring of activities. The DPO acts as a mediator with competent sectoral authorities, ensuring the fundamental rights of data owners - either internal HR or external third parties with connection to INESC TEC.

The conflict-of-interest management policy of INESC TEC applies to all employees classified as integrated human resources, and to other employees who participate regularly in the activities of the institution and have a formal contractual relation with INESC TEC.

Anti-corruption Compliance Officer. The Board of Directors at INESC TEC appoints the Regulatory Compliance Officer, who performs his/her duties independently, permanently and with decision-making autonomy; the Officer must ensure that he/she possesses the internal information and the human and technical resources necessary to perform said duties. At INESC TEC, the Regulatory Compliance Officer also takes on the duties of Implementation, Control and Review of the Risk Prevention Plan (PPR). The Regulatory Compliance Officer is assisted by a multidisciplinary team to ensure the necessary support and the fulfilment of established duties.

The Funding Opportunities Office (SAAF) aims to identify relevant funding opportunities to support INESC TEC’s R&D&I activities, always according to the institution's mission and strategic objectives. This service also supports the elaboration and submission of proposals to the different financing programmes, in liaison with the R&D Centres and other Business Development Services.

Marta Barbas is the Manager of this service, as well as an Executive Advisor to the Board of Directors.

The main mission of the Technology Licensing Office (SAL) is to protect and license technology developed at INESC TEC, working closely with the Legal Support Service, and CITE. In this sense, SAL is responsible for establishing and managing the processes of: internal scouting and dissemination of research results that can be protected by Intellectual Property (IP) rights; market and state-of-the-art assessment; definition of IP strategy; technology licensing; negotiation and monitoring of licensing contracts.

The SAL is led by Daniel Vasconcelos.

The Communication Service (SCOM) is responsible for the design and implementation of the institution's internal and external communication actions. The internal communication initiatives aim to promote a greater knowledge of INESC TEC activities among its community, namely through internal communication channels e.g., email, Mattermost or Intranet, and promote a greater interaction between the employees - through internal events like the Season Party, the Strategic Meeting, the Roasted Chestnuts Party, or other team building activities. Concerning external communication, SCOM focuses on promoting the institutional image at various levels, towards consolidating INESC TEC's prestige, also working together with researchers to promote and disseminate the science and innovation activities carried out at the institution. SCOM encompasses five main areas: content production, design and multimedia, organisation of events, support and/or leadership of the dissemination and communication activities of European and/or national projects and translation.

Joana Desport Coelho is the Manager of SCOM. Sofia Maciel is the Assistant Service Manager.

The International Relations Service (SRI) was established to support INESC TEC in the design, implementation and systematic monitoring of the institution's internationalisation strategy. SRI activities spread across three operational areas: International Cooperation, through the promotion of actions that aim to establish and consolidate partnerships with foreign entities, promoting and managing international Science and Technology partnerships, e.g., the UT Austin Portugal Program; International Mobility, by developing actions to welcome people from other countries (from the selection process to their first day at INESC TEC) and external mobility activities featuring INESC TEC employees; International Culture, by encouraging internationalisation in the institutional mindset, valuing interculturality as a prerequisite to open INESC TEC doors and ensuring the welcoming of top-level foreign delegations and visitors. The SRI is part of INESC TEC international hubs, namely Brazil, India and Brussels Hub.

Andreia Passos is the Manager of SRI.

The Accounting and Finance Service (CF) is responsible for the financial management of the institution, while coordinating an executing the accounting activities and fulfilling other fiscal obligations, ensuring the mediation between INESC TEC and external parties, according to the BoD guidelines. The CF also ensures travel and purchasing processes and manages the institution's fixed assets and insurance.

Paula Faria is the Manager of the CF and Libânia Caetano is the Assistant Service Manager.

The Legal Support (AJ) provides legal advice and appropriate action on most of the legal matters emerging within the INESC TEC universe, namely in the areas of human resources, institutional relations, project contracts and public procurement for goods, services and works. The service is committed to preserve the institution’s best interests, not only preventively, ensuring that INESC TEC complies with national, European or other applicable legal frameworks, but also in order to repair any damage or minimise costs.

Rita Ribeiro Barros is the Manager of AJ.

The Management Support Service (AG) promotes the coordination between the Board, R&D Centres and support services, ensuring process integration so that the institution provides a coordinated and coherent response. The AG also prepares and assures the operationalisation of the decision-making process at several levels, from the Board of INESC TEC to other empowered bodies at the institution.

Isabel Macedo is the manager of AG.

The Management Control Service (CG) is responsible for coordinating and executing the activities inherent to budgetary planning and control, and also for producing, coordinating and disseminating management information in order to make sure that all resources are obtained and used effectively and efficiently, so as to fulfil the purposes of the institution. The CG also monitors the financial management of different projects. The Service is also responsible for reporting to funding agencies regarding funded projects and for the respective reimbursement of expenses. The CG monitors funded projects to guarantee compliance with funding agencies’ terms and conditions by working closely with researchers and providing training whenever necessary.

Vanda Ferreira is the Manager of CG and Bárbara Maia is the Assistant Service Manager.

The Human Resources Service (HR) coordinates and executes all activities pertaining to human resources administrative management and to the implementation of HR related policies, according to the applicable law, internal regulations and guidelines provided by the Board of Directors.

Margarida Gonçalves is the Assistant Service Manager.

The System Administration Service (SAS) is responsible for managing servers, computer systems and collaborative applications, while supporting users (helpdesk and software registration) and R&D activities. The SAS is also responsible for managing the INESC TEC Living Lab, in collaboration with Centres and other Services, to enable INESC TEC’s building and infrastructures as real-life testbeds while promoting R&D results. Jaime Dias is the Manager of SAS.

Jaime Dias is the Manager of SAS.

The Management Information System Service (SIG) is in charge of the development and maintenance of INESC TEC’s management information system.

José Carlos Sousa is the Manager of SIG.

The Network and Communications Service (SRC) aims to address the communication needs of INESC TEC and ensure all voice and data resources. The SRC installs and monitors local communication infrastructures and implements/monitors network-based services, providing the necessary support.

Gil Coutinho is the Manager of SRC.

The Infrastructure Management Service (SGI) ensures the adequate management and maintenance of INESC TEC’s buildings and infrastructures.

Jorge Couto is the Manager of SGI.