1 (one) Research Fellowship for R&D Initiation (BII) for Master Student

FCiências.ID; Portugal; On-site; EUR 7,800 - 8,900; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Personal accident insurance

Job summary

FCiências.ID invites applications for one Research Fellowship for R&D Initiation in Instrumentation for Astronomy. The aim is to design and build a cryogenic test system for VIS and NIR detectors, under supervision at IA - Institute of Astrophysics and Space Sciences in Lisbon.

The 6-month fellowship starts in November 2026, with a monthly allowance of 701,12€ and eligible for social security. Candidates must hold a BSc and be enrolled in a Master’s program in Physical Engineering.

Qualifications

• BSc in Physics Engineering, Physics or similar areas.
• Experience in laboratory work and automatic data acquisition.
• LabVIEW experience; knowledge of radiometry and optical signal detection under low-noise conditions.
• Knowledge of optics and metrology; electronic testing and measurement instrumentation.
• Familiarity with C, C++, and Python.
• Knowledge of SolidWorks and thermomechanical design and modelling.
• Available to start immediately.
• Enrolment in Master’s student in Physical Engineering.

Responsibilities

• Design and prepare a test system for VIS and NIR light detectors operating in a cryogenic environment.
• Study operating principles of photodetectors and evaluate noise levels under cryogenic conditions.
• Design a test setup including photosensor, amplification electronics, vacuum and cryogenic systems, control instruments, and data acquisition.
• Perform thermal modelling of the sensor/electronics/cold finger system.
• Plan and conduct tests on InGaAs and InSb detectors.
• Work at IA - Institute of Astrophysics and Space Sciences, Lisbon.

Skills

Lab work experience

Automatic data acquisition

Optics & metrology

Available immediately

Education

BSc in Physics Engineering or Physics

Master’s enrolment in Physical Engineering

Tools

LabVIEW

C

C++

Python

SolidWorks

Job description

Organisation/Company FCiências.ID Department Bolsas Research Field Astronomy » Other Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions Bachelor Positions Application Deadline 9 Nov 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Lisbon) Country Portugal Type of Contract Not Applicable Job Status Not Applicable Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Reference Number PRODEX - ESA Contract Nº 4000138111 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

1 (one) Research Fellowship for R&D Initiation (BII) for Master Student

• Scientific Area: Instrumentation for Astronomy
• Admission requirements: BSc in Physics Engineering, Physics or similar areas.
• Additional optional skills and qualifications: Experience in laboratory work and automatic data acquisition, particularly in the development of instrument control interfaces using LabVIEW. Knowledge of radiometry and optical signal detection under low-noise conditions. Knowledge of optics and metrology, as well as electronic testing and measurement instrumentation. Familiarity with other programming languages (C, C++, and Python). Knowledge of SolidWorks and thermomechanical design and modelling. Available to start immediately.
• Contracting requirements: Presentation of the academic qualifications and/or diplomas,if applicable. Enrolment inMaster’s student in Physical Engineering.
• Work plan: The aim of this work is to design and prepare a test system for VIS and NIR light detectors operating in a cryogenic environment. The main tasks are as follows: a) Study the operating principles of photodetectors and evaluate noise levels under cryogenic conditions. b) Design a test setup incorporating the photosensor, amplification electronics (suitable for operation under cryogenic conditions), vacuum and cryogenic systems, control instrumentation, and data acquisition systems. c) Perform thermal modelling of the sensor/electronics/cold finger system. d) Plan and conduct tests on InGaAs and InSb detectors. f) Process the data and draw conclusions.
• Place of work: The work will be developed at the IA - Institute of Astrophysics and Space Sciences , Lisbon Pole , under the scientific supervision of Professor Manuel Adler Abreu.
• Fellowship duration: This position is initially opened for 6 months due to start in November 2026. The fellowship contract may be potentially renewed for 6 months, in accordance with the provisions of Regulation of Research Fellowships from the Foundation for Science and Technology, I.P and FCiências.ID Fellowship Regulation.
• Monthly allowance: The fellowship amounts to 701,12€, according to table values of the FCiências.ID Fellowship Regulation. The fellowship holder will have a personal accident insurance and can ensure the right to social security through adherence to the voluntary social insurance scheme, if not covered by any other social protection scheme, pursuant to C ódigo dos Regimes Contributivos do Sistema Previdencial de Segurança Social. The fellowship will be paid monthly by bank transfer.
• Evaluation and selection process: Candidates will be assessed by Curriculum vitae assessment (70%), motivation letter (30%). If necessary, an interview will be conducted with the 3 (three) best candidates. If an interview takes place, the final evaluation will be as follows: curriculum vitae assessment (50%), motivation letter (25%), and interview (25%). Applicants whose application is scored with a final classification of less than 80 points are not eligible for granting a fellowship.
• Publication/notification of results: All the candidates will be notified by e-mail, sent by the call holder, with the selection meeting minutes enclosed.
• Deadlines: This call for applications is open from 19/10/2026 to 09/11/2026.
• Processing of personal data: FCiências.ID – Associação para a Investigação e Desenvolvimento de Ciências, as the controller under the General Data Protection Regulation, collects and processes the personal data requested in the context indicated in paragraph 14., under the legitimate interests in ensuring the award of the research fellowship to candidates with the indicated profile. The personal data will be kept for the period necessary for the execution of the purposes for which they are intended, being ensured the processing and protection in an appropriate and diligent way, the confidentiality and integrity of these data, through appropriate technical and organizational measures. Personal data may be transmitted to third parties, namely the entity funding the research project, solely for the purposes specifically established. In this sense, whenever the transfer of personal data to countries outside the European Union and/or international organizations is necessary, compliance with the applicable legal provisions is ensured. You have the right to request access, rectification, elimination, limitation of processing, the right to object and also data portability (if technically feasible), through the e-mail address: [e-mail] . You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the National Data Protection Commission. For more information, we recommend consulting the Internal Rules of Data Protection of FCiências.ID - Association for Research and Development of Sciences at https://fciencias-id.pt/ .
• Time limits for the appeal procedure: In case of negative decision, the candidates have 10 business days, after the date of announcement of the results of the candidates evaluation, to pronounce their disagreement in accordance with the Código do Procedimento Administrativo. Appeals against the final decision may be submitted to the Administration Board of FCiências.ID ( [e-mail] ) within 15 business days after the notification date.

Note 1: The documents that prove the entitlement of the academic qualifications and diplomas can be dismissed during the application period and replaced by a declaration on their honour from the applicant ( Minuta PT , Minute EN ) . Their delivery is mandatory for the fellowship contractualization.

Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute IA - Institute of Astrophysics and Space Sciences Country Portugal State/Province Lisboa City Lisboa Postal Code 1749-016 Street Campus da Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa Geofield