Master’s Research Fellowship

First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions: Master Positions Application Deadline: 23 Sep 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Lisbon) Country: Portugal Type of Contract: Not Applicable Job Status: Full-time Hours Per Week: 35 Offer Starting Date: 10 Sep 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?: Not funded by a EU programme Reference Number: PR 8077 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?: No Offer Description A call for applications is open for the award of one (1) Master’s Research Fellowship within the scope of the R&D project (remaining balance project), PR 8077, funded by own funds, under the following conditions: Work Plan: The main objective of the proposed work is to implement and validate a computational methodology for the 3D geological modelling of complex mineralized systems, based on object-oriented programming and with integration and interoperability capabilities with Leapfrog software. The aim is to develop a functional code capable of representing and manipulating different geological entities, as well as incorporating and updating information derived from geological exploration. The methodology will be applied to a mining area with potential for lithium ore exploration and exploitation, integrating available geological, structural, geochemical, and drilling data. The threedimensional geometry and spatial relationships between the main geological units, structures, and mineralized bodies will be interpreted, while simultaneously testing, validating, and improving the developed code under real geological conditions. The work will also include geological exploration and field validation activities required for the characterization of the study area and the assessment of the resulting models. The expected outcomes are a functional modelling tool integrated with Leapfrog, a case study applied to a lithium mineralized system, and the preparation and submission of a scientific paper to an international indexed journal. Workplace: The work will be carried out at the Department of Earth Sciences and GeoBioTec of the NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, under the scientific supervision of Professor José António de Almeida. The contracting entity will be NOVA.id.FCT – Association for Innovation and Development of FCT. Fellowship duration: The fellowship will have a duration of six months, with an expected start date of 1 October 2026. The fellowship contract may be renewed within the duration of the project. Application deadline and form of application submission: The call for applications is open from 10 September to 23 September 2026. Documents to be submitted with the application: Applications must be submitted as a single PDF file containing the following documents: a) Motivation letter; b) Detailed Curriculum Vitae (including email address and telephone number); c) Copy of the academic qualification certificate¹; d) Declaration of honour stating that the candidate is eligible for enrolment in the Doctoral Programme in Geology or in a non-degree-awarding course at a higher education institution; e) Any other documents considered relevant. Submission of applications: Applications must be submitted in person, between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. (office hours), at the address indicated below, or sent by email to dct.secretariado@fct.unl.pt (the fellowship reference must be indicated in the subject line). Secretariado do Departamento de Ciências da Terra Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia Quinta da Torre 2829-516 Caparica Portugal Documents to be provided upon contracting: Proof of enrolment in the Doctoral Programme in Geology or in a non-degree-awarding course at a higher education institution. In the case of candidates enrolled in non-degree-awarding courses, the fellowship may only be awarded to candidates who, upon signing the fellowship contract, including any renewals provided for in this call, do not exceed a cumulative period of one year under this type of fellowship, whether consecutive or non-consecutive. Candidates must therefore submit a declaration of honour confirming that they meet this requirement. ¹ In the case of academic degrees awarded by foreign higher education institutions, and in order to ensure equal treatment of candidates holding foreign and Portuguese academic degrees, recognition of these degrees and conversion of the respective final grade to the Portuguese grading scale are mandatory. Applicable legislation and regulations: Law No. 40/2004, of August 18, amended and republished by Decree-Law No. 202/2012 of August 27 (Statute of the Scientific Research Fellow) and amended by Decree-Law No. 233/2012 of October 29, by Law No. 12 /2013 of 29 January, by Decree-Law No. 89/2013, of 9 July and Decree-Law No. 123/2019, of 28 August; Regulation of Research Grants of NOVA.id.FCT – Association for Innovation and Development of FCT; Regulation of Research Grants of the Foundation for Science and Technology, I.P. in force ( https://www.fct.pt/apoios/bolsas/regulamento.phtml.pt ). Where to apply E-mail: dct.secretariado@fct.unl.pt Requirements Research Field: Engineering » Geological engineering Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent Skills/Qualifications Mandatory requirements: At the time of application, candidates must hold a Master’s degree or an Integrated Master’s degree in Geology awarded by, or recognized by, a Portuguese university. If selected, the candidate will be required, at the time the fellowship contract is signed, to be enrolled in the Doctoral Programme in Geology or in a non-degree-awarding course. In the case of candidates enrolled in non-degree-awarding courses, the fellowship may only be awarded to candidates who, upon signing the fellowship contract, including any renewals provided for in this call, do not exceed a cumulative period of one year under this type of fellowship, whether consecutive or non-consecutive. Candidates must therefore submit a declaration of honour confirming that they meet this requirement. The selected candidate must ensure that they are able to reside in Portugal and begin working on the project on the date specified in Point 6 of this Call. Preferred qualifications: Proficiency in English and experience with 3D geological modelling using Leapfrog Geo (Seequent software). Languages: ENGLISH Level: Excellent Additional Information Benefits Monthly maintenance allowance amount: The fellowship amount is €1,359.64, in accordance with the table of fellowship rates for grants awarded directly by FCT, I.P. in Portugal. Payment will be made monthly by bank transfer. Where an increase in the fellowship amount is applicable, the provisions of the relevant Regulations shall apply. Eligibility criteria Selection criteria: The selection methods to be used and the respective weighting will be as follows: a. Curricular assessment (grade from 1 to 20) weighting 50%; b. Experience in the research area (score from 1 to 20) weighting 50%. The jury may conduct selection interviews with the three highest-ranked candidates who obtain a score above 15 points. If interviews are conducted, the selection methods and respective weightings will be as follows: a. Curricular assessment and experience in the research area (score from 1 to 20) weighting 50%; b. Interview (score from 1 to 20) weighting 50%. All applications will be evaluated on a scale from 0 to 20 values. Candidates who do not obtain a minimum grade of 15, because of the jury's evaluation according to the selection criteria, will not be selected. Selection process Composition of the Selection Jury : Chair: José António de Almeida Full Members: Paulo do Carmo Sá Caetano e Joaquim António Reis Simão Alternate Members: José Carlos Ribeiro Kullberg e Sofia Verónica Trindade Barbosa Form of advertising/notification of results: The jury’s draft evaluation decision will be notified to the candidates by email within 90 days of the application deadline, providing access to the minutes and the provisional ranking list. After notification, candidates will have 10 working days to comment on the draft decision (prior hearing of interested parties, under the terms of the Code of Administrative Procedure). The final decision will be taken after the expiry of the prior hearing period, again notified to all candidates by e-mail. Of this final decision the candidates can file a complaint within 15 working days (to the e-mail address used for the notification), or a hierarchical appeal, within 30 working days, addressed to NOVA.ID.FCT's Board through the address coord1@novaidfct.pt . Additional comments Drafts: The drafts of: i) fellowship contract, ii) final report to be presented by the fellowship holder, iii) final report to be presented by the scientific advisor, and; iv) declaration of honour, can all be found on NOVA.id.FCT website. Website for additional job details: https://www.novaidfct.pt/content/NOVAID.B532.EDI.0.pdf Work Location(s) Number of offers available: 1 Company/Institute: NOVA FCT Country: Portugal State/Province: CAPARICA City: ALMADA Postal Code: 2829-516 Contact City: Caparica Website: http://www.novaid.fct.unl.pt/ Street: Campus de Caparica Postal Code: 2829-516 Caparica