Research Grant (1 position) BI/UTAD/65/2026

University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro; Portugal; On-site; EUR 11,000 - 13,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro opens a call for one Research Grant for students enrolled in an integrated master's, master's, doctoral or non-academic degree course, in Engineering, in the frame of the R&D project ‘DouroRisk – Prevenção e Mitigação de Riscos Naturais à Escala Local’, with financial support from La Caixa and partners.

The fellowship lasts 6 months, starting January 2027, with possible renewal.

Qualifications

• Holders of a Bachelor's degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering.
• Prior training or proven experience in electronics, sensors, and wireless communication.
• Ability to do field work and join a research team in a rural environment.
• Compliance with RBI 950/2019 provisions; Article 6.
• Valued: ability to work in multidisciplinary team; English and Portuguese proficiency; knowledge in technical communication.

Responsibilities

• Task 1: literature review and scientific framework.
• Task 2: requirements survey and analysis.
• Task 3: sensor development and pilot installation.
• Task 4: calibration, validation, and demonstration.
• Task 5: development and validation of predictive models.
• Task 6: scientific production and dissemination.

Skills

English proficiency

Portuguese proficiency

Field work

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering

Job description

University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro

Organisation/Company University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro Department Research Support Office Research Field Engineering » Other Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions Research Support Positions Application Deadline 20 Nov 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Lisbon) Country Portugal Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Offer Starting Date 1 Jan 2027 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Other EU programme Reference Number BI/UTAD/65/2026 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Research Grant — R&D activities to be carried out by students enrolled in an integrated master's, master's, doctoral or non-academic degree course, Article 6, FCT Regulation No. 950/2019. 1 position. BI/UTAD/65/2026

Reference: BI/UTAD/65/2026

The University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD) opens a call for one (1) Research Grant for students enrolled in an integrated master's, master's, doctoral or non-academic degree course , in Engineering, in the frame of the R&D project ‘DouroRisk – Prevenção e Mitigação de Riscos Naturais à Escala Local’ with the financial support of Foundation ''La Caixa'' in the framework of “Promove. O futuro do interior”, programme with BPI and Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology, under the following conditions:

Scientific area/research field:

Researcher profile:

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Admission requirements:

• Holders of a Bachelor's degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering*;
• Prior training or proven experience in electronics, sensors, and wireless communication*;
• Ability to do field work and integrate into a research team in a rural environment*;
• Compliance with the provisions of the FCT Research Grant Regulations (RBI No. 950/2019), in particular with the provisions of Article 6*;
• Candidates who demonstrate the following will be particularly valued:
  • Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team;
  • Proficiency in English and Portuguese (speaking and writing);
  • Relevant additional knowledge in technical communication or science outreach applicable to preparing documentation and in dissemination and knowledge transfer activities.

* mandatory requirement

Work plan:

Task 1 – Literature review and scientific framework:

• Systematic review of the literature related to natural risk monitoring and similar solutions;
• Identification of methodologies and best practices applicable to the project;
• Production of scientific framework reports.

Task 2 – Requirements survey and analysis:

• Identification of technical requirements and specifications of the necessary sensors.

Task 3 – Development:

• Support in the acquisition and testing of sensors and communication modules (LoRaWAN) in a laboratory environment;
• Development of the first prototypes;
• Pilot installation of the sensor network in the project's study area;
• Tests of communication, energy autonomy, and reliability of the collected data.

Task 4 – Calibration, validation, and demonstration:

• Calibration of sensors in the field and systematic data collection;
• Preliminary data processing and validation with conventional methods for measuring meteorological and environmental parameters;
• Support for pilot implementation on the platform.

Task 5 – Development and validation of predictive models:

• Support in integrating data with Machine Learning algorithms, in collaboration with the data science team;
• Start of predictive model development;
• Validation of risk mapping models with real data;
• Comparative analysis and optimization suggestions.

Task 6 – Scientific production and dissemination:

• Participation in the preparation of technical and scientific reports;
• Preparation and submission of scientific articles for international conferences and journals;
• Participation in scientific events to present project results;
• Support for dissemination activities of the project results to stakeholders and for knowledge transfer;
• Preparation of the final activity report.

Applicable legislation and regulations:

Law N.º 40/2004, of 18 August (Statute of Scientific Research Fellow), amended by DL 123/2019 of 28 August; FCT, IP Research Grant Regulation, approved by Regulation N.º 234/2012, published in the II Series of the Diário da República of June 25, 2012, amended and republished by Regulation No. 326/2013, published in the II Series of the Diário da Republic of July 27, 2013, amended by Regulation No. 339/2015, published in the II Series of the Diário da República of June 17, 2015 and Law No. 71/2018 (State Budget Law for 2019) and by Regulation No. 950/2019, published in the II Series of the Diário da República of December 16, 2019, and the Regulation of Research Grants of the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro - Dispatch RT.36/2011, of July 6, of Mr. Rector, published in Diário da República by Order No. 9157/2011 (II Series), of July 19 in its current wording.

Workplace:

The work will be developed at the Engineering Department of the School of Sciences and Technology of the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, under the scientific guidance of Professor Margarida Lopes Rodrigues Liberato.

Duration of scholarship:

The fellowship will last for 6 months, expected to start in January 2027. The scholarship contract may be renewed, under the terms of the FCT Research Grant Regulation (no. 950/2019).

Note:

If the grant is awarded to students enrolled in a course that does not confer an academic degree, the contract cannot exceed a total duration of 12 months.

Monthly maintenance allowance amount:

The scholarship amount corresponds to 1.090,98€ according to the table of scholarships awarded directly by the FCT, I.P. in the country ( https://www.fct.pt/apoios/bolsas/valores ). The period of payment of the scholarship is monthly and through bank deposit, check or another equivalent method.

Selection Methods:

The selection methods to be used will be as follows:

• A. Motivation letter assessment and ability to work in a multidisciplinary team: 20%
• B. Suitability of the academic and scientific profile to the work plan: 25%
• C. Experience in technological development and fieldwork: 25%
• D. Interview (to all candidates): 30%

Composition of the Selection Jury:

Chair – MARGARIDA DA CONCEIÇÃO RASTEIRO MAGANO LOPES RODRIGUES LIBERATO, Associate Professor from the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro

Effective Member - ANTÓNIO LUÍS GOMES VALENTE,AssociateProfessorfrom the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro

Effective Member - LUÍS MANUEL DE OLIVEIRA SOUSA,AssociateProfessorfrom the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro

Form of advertising/notification of results:

Based on the final ranking list, a reserve list will be drawn up, valid for the maximum duration of the project funding this grant or the maximum duration of the grant provided for in Article 3rd , nº 2, of theStatute of Scientific Research Fellow, Law no. 40/2004, of 18th August, revised by Decree-Law no. 123/2019, of 28th August (whichever comes first), which will be used for the possible recruitment of new grant holders within the scope of this project or in the event of the first‑placed candidate withdrawing. If none of the candidates demonstrates that they have the profile indicated to carry out the work plan, the jury reserves the right not to award the scholarship to the competition.

If the decision to be taken is unfavourable to the granting of the requested scholarship, the candidates have a period of 10 working days, after the aforementioned disclosure, to express their opinion, if desired, in a prior hearing, under the terms provided for in the Code of Administrative Procedure.

Application deadline and form of submission of applications:

The tender is open from 09/11/2026 and 20/11/2026.

Applications must be formalized, obligatorily, by sending an application form accompanied by the following documents: Curriculum Vitae [proving the above-mentioned requirements]; Indication of the following data: citizen card number, tax identification number, date of birth, mobile phone number and email address; motivation letter; declaration of honour (to be requested by email to [e-mail] ) and documentary evidence of the requested requirements.

The application must be made through the UTAD Campus Online Page, in the Research Grants section, following the instructions:

• Select the scholarship you intend to apply for.
• When selecting the “Apply” option, you will be redirected to the application page where you must complete and submit the respective form.

Equality of opportunities:

The candidate has the right to equal opportunities and treatment, and may not be privileged, benefited, prejudiced, deprived of any right or exempt from any duty due, in particular, to ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, family situation, economic situation, education, origin or social condition, genetic heritage, reduced work capacity, disability, chronic illness, nationality, ethnic origin or race, territory of origin, language, religion, political or ideological convictions and union membership.

Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute Engineering Department of the School of Sciences and Technology of the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro Country Portugal State/Province Vila Real City Vila Real Postal Code 5000-801 Geofield