Be curious, ask questions, seek out collaborations, and don’t be afraid to explore paths outside academia.
Bruno Figueiredo, alumnus of the University of Aveiro and CICECO – Aveiro Institute of Materials, completed his PhD in Chemical Engineering in 2016. His academic work focused on microporous materials for selective ion removal, and later served as a foundation for his transition into technological entrepreneurship. Today, as co-founder of Graphenest, he reflects on the value of multidisciplinary research, the lessons learned during his doctoral training, and the challenges of transforming scientific knowledge into industrial innovation.
Experience at UA and CICECO
I began my Integrated Master"s in Chemical Engineering in 2005 at the University of Aveiro and completed it in 2010. In April 2011, I started my PhD in Chemical Engineering at the Department of Chemistry of the same university, within the CICECO research institute. My work was supervised by Professor João Carlos Rocha and Professor Carlos Manuel Silva. I defended my thesis in 2016, entitled "Microporous materials for Cs+ sensing and selective removal from aqueous solutions."My time at CICECO was undoubtedly a defining and formative experience. I was surrounded by a highly qualified scientific community in a multidisciplinary and international environment — ranging from materials synthesis and water treatment to computational modeling and photoluminescence. This allowed me to grow not only as a researcher but also as a professional.
At the time, I noticed a tendency for research groups to work very independently — almost as if each lab was its own "island." While this sometimes limited collaboration, it also taught me the importance of proactively building bridges between teams and embracing a collaborative, open-minded approach in multidisciplinary contexts.
As for living in Aveiro — it was, and still is, a wonderful place. It’s my hometown and offers excellent quality of life in a welcoming atmosphere.
PhD and Entrepreneurship Side by Side
After finishing my PhD, I chose to take a path outside academia and moved into tech entrepreneurship. Alongside two other founders, I started Graphenest, a company that now focuses on developing and commercializing graphene-based materials for advanced applications — including electromagnetic shielding in electric mobility and electronics.This journey has allowed me to apply much of my scientific knowledge while also building new skills in management, strategy, and technological innovation within a business context.
It may sound like a cliché, but the PhD was essential for consolidating knowledge. More than that, it helped me develop the ability to solve complex problems, critical thinking, resilience, and autonomy. My hands-on lab experience, exposure to advanced analytical techniques, and scientific writing were also key skills that continue to play a crucial role in the company’s R&D and in how I communicate with stakeholders at Graphenest.
Collaboration Beyond Research Years
At the moment, I don"t have a formal or contractual relationship with anyone at CICECO, but I still maintain good personal connections with many of the researchers there. In the early days of Graphenest, we collaborated with CICECO, particularly when we needed quick access to advanced material characterization equipment.Maintaining a strong link with academia is essential to keeping our scientific foundation solid and fostering innovation — and the University of Aveiro has been an excellent partner in that regard.
For the present researchers, I say: Make the most of your time at CICECO. Be curious, ask questions, seek out collaborations, and don’t be afraid to explore paths outside academia. Networking is still vastly underrated.
A PhD is not an end in itself — it’s a springboard to many different career opportunities, both within and beyond scientific research.
Be curious, ask questions, seek out collaborations, and don’t be afraid to explore paths outside academia.