1 Bolsa de Investigação - Mestre

Reference Number: COMPETE2030-FEDER-01465400 -Carob4All-18348

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?: No

Offer Description

NOTICE NO. 95/2026

COMPETITION FOR THE AWARD OF A GRANT, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE RESEARCH GRANT REGULATIONS OF UALG

Title: 1 Bolsa de Investigação - Mestre

A competition is open for the award of 1 Bolsa de Investigação - Mestre within the scope of the R&D project/institution (Carob4All - Desenvolvimento de clones selecionados de alfarrobeira com tolerância às alterações climáticas, acolhido no MED/CHANGE), COMPETE2030-FEDER-01465400 -Carob4All-18348, funded PT2030-SIID -I&D Empresarial - Copromoção), under the following conditions:

1. Scientific Area: Biological Sciences.
2. Admission Requirements: Bachelor's degree in Biology, Biotechnology, Biochemistry or related fields, Master's degree in Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Biology, Biotechnology or related fields, driving license for light vehicles, availability of own vehicle for field trips and fluency in Portuguese. Preferred conditions include training and proven experience in metagenomic analysis, in particular sequencing on the Oxford Nanopore Technology platform and respective bioinformatics analysis, proven experience in Microbiology techniques, as well as scientific rigor, organization and good teamwork skills; communication skills and expressed willingness to continue with training.

   Taking into account paragraphs 1 and 2 of Article 6 of the Research Grants Regulations of the Foundation for Science and Technology or paragraphs 1 and 2 of Article 5 of the University of the Algarve's Research Fellowship Regulations:

   “1. Research grants, hereinafter referred to as BI, are intended for R&D activities by students enrolled in an integrated master's degree, a master's degree or a doctorate, with a view to consolidating their scientific training through the development of research work leading to the award of the respective academic degree, whether or not integrated into R&D projects.

   2. The scholarships referred to in this article may also be intended for the performance of R&D activities by graduates or masters enrolled in non-degree courses integrated into the educational project of a higher education institution, developed in association or cooperation with one or more R&D units.”

3. Project Objectives: The work to be developed consists of supporting the execution of the work foreseen in the Carob4all project - "Development of selected clones of carob trees with tolerance to climate change", namely:

• Collection of soil and root samples, DNA extraction and metagenomic analysis of soil samples under cultivation of different varieties of carob.
• Characterization of the rhizosphere and root microbiome.
• Isolation and characterization of mycorrhizal microorganisms from soil and root samples.
• Participation in the preparation of technical and scientific reports and articles.
• Collaboration in other tasks to be carried out within the scope of the project.

3. Applicable Legislation and Regulations: Research Fellow Statute, approved by Law No. 40/2004 of August 18, as amended by Decree-Law No. 65/2024 of October 1, and the University of Algarve Research Grant Regulations (https://files.dre.pt/2s/2021/10/210000000/0013700149.pdf).

4. Workplace: The work will be carried out at Laboratory of Microbiology of the Research Center ABC-RI from the University of Algarve, under the supervision of the Professor Maria Leonor Faleiro.

5. Duration of grant(s): The grant will last 6 months, with the start date scheduled for November 2026. The grant contract may be renewed until the end of the project, taking into account the University of Algarve Research Grant Regulations (https://files.dre.pt/2s/2021/10/210000000/0013700149.pdf).

6. Monthly maintenance allowance amount: The monthly maintenance allowance is €1359.64. The maintenance allowance will be paid monthly by bank transfer. (https://www.fct.pt/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Tabela-de-Valores-SMM-2026.pdf).

7. Candidate evaluation: In accordance with the provisions of Article 11.2 of the Foundation for Science and Technology Research Grant Regulations In the Science and Technology field, the evaluation of candidates will be based solely on the following criteria: curriculum evaluation and individual interview, with a maximum score of 20. In the first phase, the evaluation of candidates will focus on the following criteria: scientific area of training (30%), final average of the courses (bachelor's and master's degrees) weighted by ECTS (30%), and experience in research and experimentation (40%). If justified, candidates may be selected for an individual interview. In the case of an interview, the weighting for calculating the final grade will be: curriculum evaluation 80% and interview 20%.

8. Composition of the Application Evaluation Board: The Application Evaluation Board is composed of three full members and one alternate (all PhDs):

Maria Leonor Faleiro (Presidente) (Professor associado; Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia);

Amílcar Manuel Marreiros Duarte (1º Vogal efetivo) (Professor auxiliar; Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia);

Pedro José Realinho Gonçalves Correia (2º Vogal efetivo) (Professor associado; Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia);

Maribela Fátima de Oliveira Pestana Correia (1º Vogal suplente) (Professor associado com agregação; Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia);

9. Publication/Notification of Results: The final evaluation results will be published on the Ualg website, in a list ordered by the final grade obtained, and the successful candidate will be notified via email.

10. Application Deadline and Submission Method: The competition is open from 28/09/2026 to 12/10/2026.

11. Applications must be accompanied by the following documents:

a) Official identification document (simple copy or legal equivalent). Applicants of non-Portuguese nationality must present a residence permit, permanent residence certificate, or long-term resident status, valid on the scholarship start date. Any of these may be replaced, in its absence, by a declaration of honor by the candidate. However, this must be submitted during the scholarship contracting phase, under penalty of forfeiture of the scholarship award;

b) Curriculum Vitae;

c) Copy of the qualification certificates for the academic degrees held, specifying the final grade and, if possible, the grades obtained in all courses taken;

d) Other documents deemed relevant due to the type and modality of the scholarship.

e) The Application for Application to the Competition, dated and signed, must be addressed to the President of the Competition Evaluation Panel, https://www.ualg.pt/sites/default/files/documentos/2022-12/anexo-iii-requerimento-para-candidatura-bolsa-pt.pdf, by email to mfaleiro@ualg.pt with the Refª. Notice Nº95/2026. In the aforementioned application, you must expressly consent to all notifications related to the bidding process being sent to the indicated email address.

12. Documents to be submitted for the scholarship agreement:

a) Individual Taxpayer Registry (INV) information, if the applicant is a nationality other than Portuguese, must be submitted during the scholarship agreement process, under penalty of forfeiture of the scholarship award;

b) Documents proving that the applicant meets the requirements for the respective type of scholarship, namely, proof of enrollment and registration and the study cycle or course that does not confer an academic degree;

c) Declaration of the advisor(s) assuming responsibility for supervising the work plan, in accordance with Article 5-A of the Research Scholarship Statute, as well as guaranteeing the necessary conditions for the successful development of the work and compliance with the duties set forth in Article 13 of the Research Scholarship Statute;

d) Declaration of Commitment to the Exclusive Dedication Regime.

13. Deadlines and Procedures for Complaints and Appeals:

Candidates may, if they so wish, comment on the draft decision to award the requested scholarship, at a hearing for interested parties within 10 business days, under the terms and for the purposes set forth in Article 121 of the Code of Administrative Procedure.

Candidates have the right to complain to the evaluation panel within 10 business days regarding the commission or omission of any act.

An appeal may be filed against the final decision of the application evaluation panel to the Rector within 10 business days of notification.

14. Scholarship Contract:

After receiving all required documentation, a scholarship contract will be signed with the selected candidate(s) in accordance with the attached template.

15. Evaluation of Fellow(s):

At the end of each fellowship contract period, the advisor will evaluate the fellow(s)' work by applying the following criteria, in accordance with the attached template:

1. Activity report detailing the activities carried out, their results and the milestones achieved.
2. Supervisor's declaration.

The University of Algarve reserves the right to cancel the fellowship award process, within the scope of the Project in question, whenever funding is not awarded or the scholarship duration exceeds the project completion date.

University of Algarve, 24th of September of 2026

The Principal Investigator

Professor (Pedro José Realinho Gonçalves Correia)

Where to apply

E-mail: mfaleiro@ualg.pt

Requirements

Research Field: Biological sciences

Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

Details described in the Basic Information – Offer Description

Specific Requirements

Details described in the Basic Information – Offer Description

Internal Application form(s) needed

Formulario candidatura EN_9.pdf

English

(66.31 KB - PDF)

Additional Information

Benefits

Details described in the Basic Information – Offer Description

Eligibility criteria

Details described in the Basic Information – Offer Description

Selection process

Details described in the Basic Information – Offer Description

Additional comments

Details described in the Basic Information – Offer Description

Website for additional job details: https://www.ualg.pt/bolsas-de-investigacao?id=481611

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available: 1

Company/Institute: University of Algarve

Country: Portugal

State/Province: Campus de Gambelas e Campus da Penha

City: Faro

Postal Code: 8005-139

Contact

State/Province: Faro - Algarve

City: Faro

Website: http://www.ualg.pt

Street: Campus da Penha

Postal Code: 8005-139