CALL FOR RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP | Lugus 1231159 | WaterScan

Universidade De Coimbra; Portugal; On-site; EUR 14,000 - 17,000; Full time

Job summary

A Universidade de Coimbra abre uma bolsa de pesquisa para desenvolvimento de um protótipo de sistema optoelectrônico e um sistema de aquisição de dados, sob supervisão de António Morgado, com duração de 9 meses. O candidato deve possuir mestrado em áreas relacionadas e experiência em instrumentação, FPGA, Python e C++.

O valor mensal é de 1.359,64€ e a bolsa inclui condições de financiamento pela ERDF, situação de dedicação exclusiva e divulgação de apoio financeiro.

Qualifications

• Mestrado em Engenharia Física, Engenharia Elétrica/Eletrônica, Física, Engenharia Biomédica ou áreas correlatas.
• Conhecimentos em optoelectrônica, fotônica, instrumentação e aquisição de dados.
• Programação para instrumentação e análise de dados (Python, C++, etc.).
• Fluência em inglês científico (leitura e escrita).
• Conhecimento em OTDR e processamento de sinais.

Responsibilities

• Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento do protótipo do sistema optoelectrônico com validação funcional.
• Desenvolvimento do protótipo do sistema de aquisição de dados e módulo FPGA.
• Integração do sistema optoeletrónico com o sistema de aquisição e sincronização dos pulsos.
• Desenvolvimento de software de aquisição e análise de dados.

Skills

Inglês técnico

Education

Mestrado em áreas relacionadas

Tools

Python

C++

FPGA

Instrumentação

Job description

Offer Description

Call for Research Grant Assignment

The call is governed by this Notice of Opening, the University of Coimbra Research Grant Regulations (RBI‑UC), subsidiarily by the Research Grant Regulations of the Foundation for Science and Technology (RBI‑FCT), by the Research Fellow Statute (EBI), by the Norms for Grant Assignment and Management within R&D Projects, by the Code of Administrative Procedure (CPA), all in their current wording, and by other applicable national and community legislation.

Procedure Reference: IT137-26-422

I - Legal admission requirements

I.I - Grant Recipients:

• Master’s degree holders, in the scientific area of Engineering Physics, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Physics, Biomedical Engineering, or related fields enrolled in a non-degree-granting course.

It’ll be valued:

• Knowledge in optoelectronics and photonics, including practical knowledge with components such as lasers, optical fibers, and photodetectors.
• Knowledge of instrumentation and data acquisition systems.
• Knowledge in programming for instrumentation control and data analysis (e.g., Python, C++, or similar).
• Fluency in English (scientific reading and writing).
• Specific knowledge in the development or use of Optical Time-Domain Reflectometry (OTDR) systems.
• Knowledge of signal processing and analog/digital electronics for high-frequency signals.
• Previous knowledge of R&D projects, preferably in the assembly and testing of laboratory prototypes.

I.II - The non-degree-granting course must be related to the type of activity covered by the grant. Non-degree-granting courses are defined as those referred to in subparagraph e) of paragraph 3 of Article 4 of Decree-Law No. 74/2006, in its current wording, provided that, under subparagraph e) of Article 3 of RBI-FCT, they are developed in association or cooperation between the higher education institution and one or more R&D units.

I.III - Ineligible candidates:

• Candidates enrolled in non-degree-granting courses who have already benefited from a grant contract and who, with this grant assignment, including possible renewals, exceed a total accumulated period of two consecutive or non-consecutive years in this type of grant.

I.IV - Eligible for grant assignment if meeting the requirements:

• a) Portuguese nationals or nationals of other EU Member States
• b) Nationals of third countries
• c) Stateless persons
• d) Beneficiaries of political refugee status

II - Grant location: Department of Physics of the Faculty of Sciences and Technology of the University of Coimbra.

III- Scientific supervision/coordination of the grant: António Miguel Lino Santos Morgado.

IV - Work Plan / Goals to be achieved:

1. Research and Development of the Optoelectronic System Prototype
   • Execute functional validation and characterization tests of the optoelectronic system, namely in the generation of light pulses with the defined specifications.
2. Research and Development of the Data Acquisition System Prototype
   • Support the design and development of the FPGA-based electronic module.
   • Support the development and testing of the firmware for the electronic control of the pulsed laser and for high-frequency signal acquisition.
   • Collaborate in the implementation of data transfer interfaces (e.g., USB) to the control computer.
3. Integration of the Optoelectronic System with the Data Acquisition System
   • Actively participate in the integration of optoelectronic hardware with the FPGA-based data acquisition system, and in the implementation of the synchronization between the optical pulse emission and data acquisition.
4. Development of the Data Acquisition and Analysis Software.

V - Initial grant duration: 9 (nine) months.

V.I - Renewal Possibility: Non-renewable

VI - Funding and financial conditions of the grant

• VI.I - Monthly grant amount (paid by bank transfer at the end of each month): 1359,64€.
• VI.II - In addition to the above amounts, voluntary social security (SSV) is included when the grant has a duration of six months or more, corresponding to the first level, if the candidate opts for it, as well as mandatory personal accident insurance.
• VI.III - Funding: The grant(s) assigned under this call will be funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the Regional Programme (CENTRO 2030) of Portugal 2030| reference of operation no. 18368, operation CENTRO2030-FEDER-01468500 on Balcão dos Fundos.
• VI.IV - Information and publicity about the funding: All R&D activities directly or indirectly financed by the grant, namely all communications, publications and scientific creations, as well as theses, carried out with the support provided by the grant, must mention the financial support of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), through the Regional Programme (CENTRO 2030) of Portugal 2030.

VII - Selection Methods: Evaluation of the academic record (AR) and Interview (I)

VII.I - AR - In the evaluation of the academic record, the candidates' academic performance will be assessed according to the following weights and criteria:

• Criterion 1: Adequacy of the candidate’s profile to the work plan to be developed – 25%;
• Criterion 2: Specific knowledge related to the work plan – 25%;
• Criterion 3: Adequacy and relevance of the master’s thesis to the planned work – 20%;
• Criterion 4: Graduation average – 10%;
• Criterion 5: Masters average – 20%.

VII.II - I – In the evaluation of the interview, candidates' performance will be assessed according to the following weights and criteria:

• Criterion 1: Knowledge and profile appropriate to the functions to be developed – 50%;
• Criterion 2: Motivation and interest – 30%;
• Criterion 3: Ability to express oneself and verbal fluency – 20%.

VII.III - The evaluation of the criteria and the final classification will be based on a scale from 0 to 100, with scores rounded to the nearest hundredth, applying the following formulas:

• AR: criterion 1 * (25%) + criterion 2 * (25%) + criterion 3 * (20%) + criterion 4 * (10%) + criterion 5 * (20%) = X
• I: criterion 1 * (50%) + criterion 2 * (30%) + criterion 3 * (20%) = Y
• Final Classification (FC): AR * (70%) + I * (30%) = Z

VII.IV - All candidates who meet the admission requirements are subject to the academic record evaluation, carried out according to the criteria and weights defined in VII.I.

VII.V - Candidates who score below 50 in any selection method will be excluded, and subsequent methods, if any, will not apply to them. Candidates who are duly notified but fail to attend the interview (if applicable) or withdraw at any stage will also be excluded.

VII.VI - Only the top 4 candidates, based on the ranking from the academic record evaluation, will be admitted to the interview.

VII.VII - Tie-breaking criteria: In the event of a tie in the rankings, candidates will be ordered in descending order as follows:

• a) Based on the score obtained in the first method applied;
• b) Based on the score of their academic qualifications.

VII.VIII - All provisional and final jury decisions must be justified, recorded in minutes, and published on https://apply.uc.pt/ .

VII.IX - Jury Composition:

• President: António Miguel Lino Santos Morgado.
• Effective Members: João Manuel Rendeiro Cardoso and Custódio Francisco Melo Loureiro.
• Alternate Members: José Paulo Pires Domingues e Jorge Afonso Cardoso Landeck.

VII.X - Selection reserve list: the reserve list consists of candidates approved in all selection methods who do not secure one of the available vacancies under this procedure. The reserve list is valid for 3 (three) months

VIII – Application deadline: 28/09/2026 to 12/10/2026

X - Activity Regime: The grant does not create or constitute a legal-labor relationship. It is carried out under an exclusive dedication regime, and the grantee is awarded the Research Grantee Status, as stipulated in the EBI and the RBI‑UC.

XI - Notification of Candidates: All notifications will be made through the electronic platform Apply UC, under the terms of subparagraph c) of paragraph 1 and subparagraph b) of paragraph 2 of Article 112 of the CPA and Article 22 of the RBI‑UC. The notifications will take effect after being made, as provided in Article 113 of the CPA.

XII - Under Articles 121 and 122 of the CPA and Article 22 of the RBI‑UC, candidates may, if they wish, submit comments regarding the jury's decisions within 10 business days, through the "Audiência dos Interessados" option in the platform's procedure section.

XIII - Candidates may also submit a complaint within 15 business days or an appeal to the UC's highest-ranking official within 30 business days, both following the respective notification, under Articles 191 and 192 of the CPA.

XIV - Selected candidates must declare in writing, within five business days of notification, their acceptance of the grant and confirm that they meet the requirements to accept the proposed start date of the grant contract. Unless a justifiable reason is provided, failure to provide this declaration within the stipulated time will be considered a renunciation of the grant. In case of renunciation or withdrawal by the selected candidate, the next candidate on the final classification list will be notified.

XV - The full competition process can be consulted by candidates, subject to prior scheduling, by sending an email to the Human Resources Management Service at: [e-mail].

XVI - In compliance with subparagraph h) of Article 9 of the Constitution, the University of Coimbra, as an employer, actively promotes a policy of equal opportunities between men and women in terms of employment access and career progression, ensuring that any form of discrimination is strictly avoided. It encourages underrepresented minorities in each area to apply.

Accordingly, no one may be privileged, benefited, disadvantaged, or deprived of any right or exempted from any duty on the grounds of ancestry, age, sexual orientation, gender, marital status, family status, economic situation, education, social origin or condition, genetic heritage, reduced work capacity, disability, chronic illness, nationality, ethnic origin or race, place of origin, language, religion, political or ideological beliefs, or trade union membership.

The University of Coimbra also promotes measures to facilitate the balance between professional, family, and personal life, recognizing the efforts of its employees and fostering motivation.

XVII- The grantee must submit annual activity reports for each renewal and at the end of the grant contract, as stipulated in Article 7 of the RBI‑UC, subject to an opinion issued by the respective supervisor(s). The report models, performance evaluation criteria, and the grant contract model are those approved under the University of Coimbra's Research Grant Regulations.