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

Offer Description

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

1 Research Fellowship(s) for R&D Initiation (BII) is(are) open at the FCiências.ID – Associação para a Investigação e Desenvolvimento de Ciências, for the project “ARIEL OGSE”, funded by ESA, under the following conditions:

1. Scientific Area: Instrumentation for Astronomy
2. Admission requirements: BSc in Physics Engineering, Physics or similar areas.
3. 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.
4. Contracting requirements: Presentation of the academic qualifications and/or diplomas, if applicable. Enrolment in Master’s student in Physical Engineering.
5. 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.
6. Legislation framework: This call is governed by the Research Fellowship Holder Statute, approved by Law 40/2004, of 18 August, as amended; by the FCT Regulation for Research Studentships and Fellowships, as currently in force, amended and republished by the Notice (Extract) No. 412/2026/2 (available at: https://diariodarepublica.pt/dr/detalhe/aviso-extrato/[contact details available in the full listing] and https://www.fct.pt/financiamento/programas-de-financiamento/bolsas/); and by the FCiências.ID Regulation for Research Fellowships, approved on 12 May 2020 (available at Regulamento de Bolsas de Investigação Científica da FCiências.ID).
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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 Código dos Regimes Contributivos do Sistema Previdencial de Segurança Social. The fellowship will be paid monthly by bank transfer.
10. 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.
11. Selection Committee:
    • President – Manuel Abreu;
    • 1st Effective member – Alexandre Cabral;
    • 2nd Effective member – Cedric Pedroso;
    • 1st Alternate member – David Alves;
    • 2nd Alternate member – João Coelho.
12. Publication/notification of results: All the candidates will be notified by e-mail, sent by the call holder, with the selection meeting minutes enclosed.
13. Deadlines: This call for applications is open from 19/10/2026 to 09/11/2026.
14. Application: Applications should be sent via e-mail to [contact details available in the full listing], by attaching the following documents:
    a) Curriculum vitae;
    b) Certificate of completion of previous degree Note 1, 2;
    c) Motivation letter.
15. 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: [contact details available in the full listing]. 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/.
16. 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 ([contact details available in the full listing]) 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.

Note 2: Please note that - higher education degrees and diplomas awarded by foreign higher education institutions need to be recognized by a Portuguese higher education institution, pursuant to the Decree-Law nr. 66/2018 (August 16) and the Ministerial Order nr. 33/2019 (January 25). The presentation of the recognition certificate is mandatory for contract signature. More information can be obtained at: https://www.dges.gov.pt/en/pagina/degree-and-diploma-recognition.

Where to apply

E-mail: [contact details available in the full listing]