1 (one) research fellowship for a master, PhD student, area Computer Science (ref.ª HIDROPON.IA_MSc5)

University of Beira Interior; Portugal; On-site; EUR 14,000 - 17,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Accident insurance

Voluntary social insurance

Monthly maintenance allowance €1,359.６

Job summary

The University of Beira Interior invites applications for a 12-month research fellowship in the Computer Science Department under the HIDROPON.IA project. The regime is exclusive dedication, with a start planned for January 2027 and a possibility of renewal until project completion.

Requirements include a Master’s degree in Computer Science and good English; the fellowship provides a monthly maintenance allowance of 1,359.64 €, accident insurance and optional social coverage.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Computer Science and eligibility for doctoral studies.
• English proficiency for academic research communication.

Responsibilities

• Validate integrated AI and digital twin components for hydroponic irrigation in simulated environments.
• Verify data integration with official record-keeping forms and ensure compliance with legal requirements.

Skills

Fluent English

Education

Master's degree in Computer Science

Job description

Organisation/Company University of Beira Interior Department Informatics Research Field Computer science » Informatics Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions Master Positions Application Deadline 23 Nov 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/London) Country Portugal Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 35 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Reference Number HIDROPON.IA_MSc5 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

A call is open for the allocation of 1 (one)research fellowship for a master, PhD student, within the Research Project entitled “HIDROPON.IA” , operation code COMPETE2030-FEDER-01488700 (n.º 18490), funded by COMPETE 2030 Programme through the Portugal 2030 and the European Union, taking place at the Computer Science Department of the University of Beira Interior, under the following conditions:

Research Field: Computer Science

Objectives:

This activity aims to validate, in simulated and relevant environments, the intelligent systems integrated into the digital twin that are responsible for irrigation and nutrient management of hydroponic crops, as well as the integration of the digital twin with official record-keeping forms, namely the field logbook. It will assess the platform’s ability to recommend and adjust AI-assisted fertigation strategies according to crop status and environmental conditions, and ensure that the information generated is recorded automatically, traceably and in compliance with the applicable legal requirements.

Work plan:

• Validation of integrated intelligent systems in simulated and relevant environments for AI-assisted irrigation and nutrient management: The task involves validating the integrated systems responsible for defining and adjusting fertigation strategies (irrigation volume and frequency, electrical conductivity, pH and macro- and micronutrient concentrations) for hydroponic tomato, pepper and/or vegetable crops. The accuracy, stability and efficiency of the recommendations produced by the AI models will be assessed under controlled conditions that reproduce real scenarios, including the response to changes in environmental conditions and to anomalous events recorded by the sensors. This validation will ensure that the system optimises water and fertiliser use without compromising crop development and productivity.
• Validation of the integration of the digital twin with official record-keeping forms: This task aims to validate the integration mechanisms between the digital twin and the official record-keeping forms of agricultural holdings, namely the field logbook. The completeness, consistency and traceability of the records automatically generated from platform data (cultivation operations, applications of fertilisers and plant protection products, water consumption) will be verified, as well as their compliance with the forms and legal requirements in force. The goal is to reduce the administrative burden on growers and to ensure that the recorded information is reliable and auditable.

Applicable legislation and regulations:

Research Fellowship Holder Statute, approved by Law No. 40/2004, of 18 August, in its current wording (amended by Decree-Law No. 123/2019, of 28 August); Regulation for Research Studentships and Fellowships of the Foundation for Science and Technology (Regulation No. 950/2019) published in the Diário da República, 2nd series, No. 241, 16 December 2019; Regulation for Research Fellowships of the University of Beira Interior - RBIUBI (Regulation No. 100/2020) published in the Diário da República, 2nd series, n.º 27, 7 February 2020.

Work location: The work will be developed at the HULTIG, Computer Science Departmentunder the scientific supervision of Doctor Sebastião Pais ( [e-mail] ).

Fellowship duration and conditions:

The fellowship is open for 12 months, expected to start in January 2027. The activity is in the regime of exclusive dedication in accordance with the RBIUBI. The scholarship contract may, if necessary, be renewed until the project is completed.

Selection Committee: Applications will be assessed by a panel as follows:

Documents for application: The candidates should present:

. Detailed Curriculum Vitae ;

. Certificate of completion of the previous degree;

.Other documents considered relevant;

. Declaration of honor from the candidate stating that he/she meets the conditions for being awarded the scholarship BI according to Article 6 of the RBIUBI.

Receipt of applications:

Applications should be addressed to Doctor Sebastião Pais, Researcher Responsible for the Project, to email [e-mail] , with the subject “HIDROPON.IA_MSc5 –Application”.

Publication/notification of results:

The final results of the evaluation process will be published in a sorted list, by the final classification obtained, and posted in a visible and public place of the Faculty of Engineeringof the University of Beira Interior. The candidate(s) will be notified of the decision by e-mail.

Where to apply

E-mail [e-mail]

Requirements

Research Field Computer science » Informatics Education Level Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

- Hold a Master’s degree in the scientific field of Computer Science and meet the requirements to enrol in a study cycle leading to a doctoral degree.

If the required academic degree has been conferred by a foreign higher education institution, the requirements of Decree-Law 66/2018, of 16th August and Ministerial Order no. 33/2019, of 25th January, shall be obeyed. The presentation of the certificate(s) recognizing foreign academic degrees is mandatory for the signing of the fellowship contract. More information can be obtained at: https://www.dges.gov.pt/en/pagina/degree-anddiploma-recognition .

The proof of enrolment in the 3rd cycle of studies must be provided, without exception, before the scholarship contract is signed.

Languages ENGLISH Level Good

Internal Application form(s) needed

A monthly maintenance allowance will be granted in accordance with the Annex I of the RBIUBI, with the amount of 1.359,64 € according to the updated values that can be consulted at https://www.fct.pt/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Tabela-de-Valores-SMM-2026.pdf . The fellowship holder will have a personal accident insurance and can choose to be covered by the voluntary social insurance. These values will be added to the amount of monthly maintenance allowance.

Eligibility criteria

- Hold a Master’s degree in the scientific field of Computer Science and meet the requirements to enrol in a study cycle leading to a doctoral degree.

If the required academic degree has been conferred by a foreign higher education institution, the requirements of Decree-Law 66/2018, of 16th August and Ministerial Order no. 33/2019, of 25th January, shall be obeyed. The presentation of the certificate(s) recognizing foreign academic degrees is mandatory for the signing of the fellowship contract. More information can be obtained at: https://www.dges.gov.pt/en/pagina/degree-anddiploma-recognition .

The proof of enrolment in the 3rd cycle of studies must be provided, without exception, before the scholarship contract is signed.

Selection process

The selection process will comprise two assessment stages:

• 1ststage – Curriculum evaluation;
• 2nd stage – Interview, which may be conducted by videoconference

The 1st-stage assessment uses the following criteria: Curriculum Vitae/Academic record (45%); alignment of the candidate’s profile with the project based on relevant experience in the tasks described in the work plan (45%); fluency in spoken and written English (10%).

The three candidates with the highest scores after the 1st stage will advance to the 2nd stage.

In the final ranking, each stage will carry equal weight (50%).

Additional comments

Applicable legislation and regulations:

Research Fellowship Holder Statute, approved by Law No. 40/2004, of 18 August, in its current wording (amended by Decree-Law No. 123/2019, of 28 August); Regulation for Research Studentships and Fellowships of the Foundation for Science and Technology (Regulation No. 950/2019) published in the Diário da República, 2nd series, No. 241, 16 December 2019; Regulation for Research Fellowships of the University of Beira Interior - RBIUBI (Regulation No. 100/2020) published in the Diário da República, 2nd series, n.º 27, 7 February 2020.

Complaint and Appeal Procedures:

After communication of the provisional lists of the results in the different phases of the selection process (Admission and Exclusion, Curricular Evaluation and Interview), the candidates have 10 working days topronounce their disagreement, under the terms of article 121 and the Código do Procedimento Administrativo. If any allegations are presented, the final decision will be issued after the analysis of the statements presented during the prior hearing of interested parties. After the statutory deadline of 10 working days, the proposal for the final classification and ranking of the candidates becomes definitive.