Call for Research Grant Assignment | 1238447 | INDUMOLD

Universidade de Coimbra; Portugal; On-site; EUR 11,000 - 13,000; Full time

Job summary

Universidade de Coimbra announces a call for a research grant assignment in the INDUMOLD project, focused on piloting an injection molding unit with induction heating and advanced cooling. The grant supports 6 months with potential renewal and is funded by ERDF under COMPETE 2030, with a monthly stipend of 1,090.98€ plus social security options.

Candidates must have a relevant engineering degree and be enrolled in a master’s program or a related non-degree course, and English knowledge is valued

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Civil/Mechanical/Environmental/Chemical Engineering or Architecture, enrolled in a master’s degree.
• Alternatively, graduates enrolled in a non-degree-granting course related to the grant activity.

Responsibilities

• Develop and validate a pilot injection molding unit with induction heating.
• Reduce cycle times, improve energy efficiency and part quality for complex geometries.

Skills

English knowledge

Education

Graduates in Civil/Mechanical/Environmental/Chemical Engineering or Architecture enrolled in master's degree

Graduates in Civil/Mechanical/Environmental/Chemical Engineering or Architecture enrolled in non-degree-granting course

Job description

Organisation/Company Universidade de Coimbra Department Department of Civil Engineering Research Field Engineering › Civil engineering Engineering › Mechanical engineering Environmental science › Other Engineering › Chemical engineering Architecture Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions Bachelor Positions Application Deadline 6 Nov 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Lisbon) Country Portugal Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 35 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Other EU programme Reference Number 21739 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Call for Research Grant Assignment

The University of Coimbra opens a call for the assignment of a research grant, with one position(s), under the project INDUMOLD - Pilot System Incorporating Advanced Thermal Management and Additive Manufacturing Innovations for Enhanced Molding Processes.

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: IT137-26-462

I - Legal admission requirements
I.I - Grant Recipients:
Graduates, in the scientific area of Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Architecture or similar areas, enrolled in a master’s degree.
OR
Graduates, in the scientific area of Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Architecture or similar areas, enrolled in a non-degree-granting course.

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 Civil Engineering, University of Coimbra

III - Scientific supervision/coordination of the grant: Luís Alberto Proença Simões da Silva

IV - Work Plan / Goals to be achieved: The main objective of the project is to develop and validate an innovative pilot unit for the injection molding process by integrating induction heating, high-pressure conformal cooling, and advanced digital control systems. This solution aims to significantly reduce cycle times, increase energy and production efficiency, and improve the dimensional accuracy and surface quality of components, including parts with highly complex geometries and microstructures. The technology developed is expected to provide high flexibility and scalability, enabling its application in demanding sectors. In parallel, the project seeks to contribute to more sustainable manufacturing technologies that promote the reuse and adaptations of mold components.

V - Initial grant duration: 6 months

V.I - Renewal Possibility: Possibily renewable

VI - Funding and financial conditions of the grant

VI.I - Monthly grant amount (paid by bank transfer at the end of each month): 1.090,98€

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 Innovation and Digital Transition Program (COMPETE 2030) of Portugal 2030| reference of operation no. 21739, operation COMPETE2030-FEDER-02305800 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 Innovation and Digital Transition Program (COMPETE 2030) of Portugal 2030.

VII - Selection Methods: Evaluation of the academic record (AR) and/or 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: Absolute merit of curriculum vitae
• Criterion 2: Specific knowledge related to the work plan
• Criterion 3: Knowledge of foreign languages, particularly English

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
• Criterion 2: Ability to express oneself and verbal fluency
• Criterion 3: Motivation and interest

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 * (40%) + criterion 2 * (40%) + criterion 3 * (20%) = 100%
• I: criterion 1 * (50%) + criterion 2 * (25%) + criterion 3 * (25%) = 100%
• Final Classification (FC): AR * (50%) + I * (50%) = 100%

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 - All candidates who score above 50 in the AR will proceed to the next method, i.e., 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: Luís Alberto Proença Simões da Silva
• Effective Members: Aldina Maria da Cruz Santiago, Carlos Alberto da Silva Rebelo
• Alternate Members: Helena Maria dos Santos Gervásio, João Pedro Simões Cândido Martins

IX – Application deadline: 26/10/2026 to 06/11/2026

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.