2 (TWO) RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP(S) FOR STUDENTS ENROLLED IN A DOCTORAL PROGRAM

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

Offer Description

A call for applications is now open for two research fellowships for master’s degree holders, as part of the WOMEN’S POWER project — Promotion and empowerment of active and healthy lifestyles for women throughout their life cycle, reference number ALT2030-FEDER-02660000, funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the ALENTEJO 2030 Program, under the following conditions:

Science Area: Sports Sciences – Physical Activity and Health

Work Plan: The grant is intended to support the project’s research activities, specifically:

1. Characterization of the prevalence and determinants of health, physical activity, physical fitness, and healthy lifestyles among women in the reproductive, pregnancy, postpartum, and menopausal phases who reside in the Alentejo region;
2. Planning, development, and validation of programs to promote an active and healthy lifestyle for women during the reproductive, pregnancy, postpartum, and menopausal phases, in accordance with the CREDECI2 guidelines;
3. An intervention protocol based on a physical exercise program combined with the promotion of an active and healthy lifestyle for women during the reproductive, pregnancy, postpartum, and menopausal phases, in accordance with the SPIRIT 2025 guidelines;
4. Implementation, outcomes, and evaluation of physical exercise programs combined with the promotion of an active and healthy lifestyle for women during the reproductive, pregnancy, postpartum, and menopausal phases, in accordance with the CONSORT 2025 guideline;
5. Implementation of physical exercise programs combined with the promotion of an active and healthy lifestyle for women during the reproductive years, pregnancy, the postpartum period, and menopause, totaling a minimum of 250 training sessions;
6. Assessment of the parameters under study (physical fitness, physical activity, lifestyle) through questionnaires and field tests at two time points—before and after participation in the programs;
7. Assessment of adherence to and satisfaction with physical exercise programs combined with the promotion of an active and healthy lifestyle for women during the reproductive years, pregnancy, the postpartum period, and menopause, using a specific questionnaire;
8. Analysis of preferences, usability, structural design, and testing of mobile applications—the WOMEN’S POWER app—Active Woman / Active Pregnancy / Active Mom / Active Menopause—supported by a website—to provide guidance and training for women throughout their life cycle regarding factors associated with an active and healthy lifestyle, facilitate communication with and among healthcare professionals and physical exercise professionals, and enable data collection and analysis to generate evidence-based information, as well as ensure interoperability with other systems;
9. Support for the intellectual property registration process (procedure) for the structure of the website-supported mobile applications;
10. Analysis of preferences, mapping of opportunities, and support for the development and updating of educational resources in digital format (e.g., Guide for Women’s Health Professionals, WOMEN’S POWER MOOC), supported by a website, for the training of professionals.
11. Analysis of preferences, mapping of opportunities, and support for the development and updating of digital educational resources (e.g., Active Women’s Guide, Active Pregnancy Guide, etc.), supported by a website, to empower women throughout their life cycle.
12. Support for organizing a conference to train health professionals and professionals in physical exercise and physical education.

Place of Work: The work will be carried out at the Rio Maior School of Sports, and occasionally at the project’s implementation sites through its partners located in the Alentejo region, under the scientific guidance of Principal Coordinating Professor Rita Alexandra Prior Falhas Santos Rocha, a professor at the Rio Maior School of Sports and a researcher at SPRINT — Center for Research and Innovation in Sports, Physical Activity, and Health—and may collaborate with other faculty members and researchers associated with the project.

Duration of the fellowship(s): The fellowship will last for 12 months and may be renewed until the project’s end date or until the maximum duration allowed for this type of fellowship, with a planned start date in November 2026.

Where to apply

E-mail: ritasantosrocha@esdrm.ipsantarem.pt

Requirements

Research Field: Other

Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

Preferred qualifications:

• Master’s degree in the scientific field of Sports Sciences, with a specialization in Physical Activity and Health.
• Scientific publications in the field related to the position.
• A research fellowship in projects related to the field of the position.
• Specialized training in the assessment and prescription of exercise during specific life stages.
• Specialized training in technology applied to exercise and health.
• Professional certification as a Physical Exercise Technician.
• Professional experience working with women.

Specific Requirements

Admission requirements:

1. Hold a master’s degree in the scientific field of sports sciences—subfield of physical activity and health.
2. In compliance with the provisions of Article 6 of the FCT Research Fellowship Regulations (Reg. No. 950/2019):
   1. Research fellowship (doctoral student): Be enrolled in a doctoral program in sports sciences.
3. Applicants who obtained their degree abroad must have the degree recognized in Portugal, in accordance with Decree-Law No. 66/2018, of August 16, and Administrative Order No. 33/2019, of January 25. Submission of the certificate is mandatory for signing the contract. Further information is available at: https://www.dges.gov.pt/pt/pagina/reconhecimento?plid=374
4. Possess a valid driver’s license for Category B passenger vehicles.

Languages: ENGLISH
Level: Good

Additional Information

Benefits

Monthly Maintenance Fellowship Amount: The fellowship amount is €1,359.64, in accordance with the table of fellowship amounts awarded by FCT, I.P. in Portugal (https://www.fct.pt/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Tabela-de-Valores-SMM-2026.pdf).

Fellowship recipients will be covered by personal accident insurance and, if they are not covered by any social protection program, may ensure their right to social security by enrolling in the voluntary social insurance program, under the terms set forth in Decree-Law No. 40/89, of February 1. The fellowship is paid monthly.

Eligibility criteria

Applicable legislation and regulations: The Research Fellowship will be awarded upon the execution of a contract between the Polytechnic University of Santarém and the fellow, in accordance with the Regulations on Research Fellowships of the Foundation for Science and Technology, I.P. (FCT) and the Statute of the Scientific Research Fellow (Law No. 40/2004 of August 18, as amended by Notice (excerpt) No. 412/2026/2, which amends and republishes the FCT, I.P., Research Fellowship Regulations, Regulation No. 950/2019, published in the Diário da República, 2nd series, No. 241, of December 16, 2016) https://diariodarepublica.pt/dr/detalhe/aviso-extrato/412-2026-996320857

Selection process

Selection process: The selection methods to be used will be evaluation of the applicant’s academic record, with the option of an assessment interview. The following criteria will be taken into account when evaluating applications:

a) Evaluation of the applicant’s academic record, scored on a scale from 0 to 20, weighted according to the following criteria and weightings:
a. Academic background, professional experience, and research experience (50%);
b. Other relevant professional and training experience (40%);
c. Letter of motivation (10%).

b) Candidates admitted to the selection process will be ranked according to the curriculum evaluation criteria. If the difference in scores between the top three candidates on the ranked list is two points or less, an individual interview will be conducted in person or via videoconference. In this case, the percentage weighting of the selection methods will be: curriculum evaluation = 80%; interview = 20%. Candidates will be ranked on a scale from 0 to 20, with scores rounded to the nearest tenth;

Additional comments

Applications must be submitted via email to ritasantosrocha@esdrm.ipsantarem.pt and must be accompanied by the following documents:

1. Letter of motivation;
2. Detailed Curriculum Vitae, in the “Ciência Vitae” format: https://cienciavitae.pt/;
3. Certificates of academic qualifications and other supporting documents;
4. Proof of enrollment in a doctoral program in sports sciences;
5. Declaration of Commitment on Honor – BI (draft available at https://www.ipsantarem.pt/projetos/gabineteprojetos/);
6. Other documents that applicants deem relevant (optional).

The reference number for the call for applications, Ref. “BI_ALT2030-FEDER-02660000_1/2026,” must be included in the subject line of the email.

Website for additional job details: https://www.ipsantarem.pt/idi/bolsas-de-investigacao/

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available: 2

Company/Institute: Universidade Politécnica de Santarém

Country: Portugal

Contact

City: Santarém

Website: https://www.ipsantarem.pt/pt/home/

Street: Complexo Andaluz