16 Sep 2026
Job Information
- Organisation/Company: Centro de Estudos Sociais da Universidade de Coimbra
- Research Field: Other
- Researcher Profile: First Stage Researcher (R1)
- Positions: PhD Positions
- Application Deadline: 30 Sep 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Lisbon)
- Country: Portugal
- Type of Contract: Temporary
- Job Status: Part-time
- Hours Per Week: 17.5
- Offer Starting Date: 1 Nov 2026
- Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?: Other EU programme
Offer Description
The Centre for Social Studies (CES) – Associate Laboratory - University of Coimbra (Portugal), invites applications for one (1) Post-Doctoral Researcher position part-time (CES/24/2026-PD-EJMAPPING) in the FCT project “EJMAPPING: Counter-mapping environmental just conflicts in the European periphery: The case of Portugal”, funded by national fundings and FEDER, with the reference COMPETE2030-FEDER00931800, and coordinated by Gustavo García López.
CES provides a stimulating intellectual environment in the domain of social sciences and humanities. The project is a collective effort of the CES working group Ecology and Society Workshop (ECOSOC) and its themes are embedded in the research line RISE – Risks, Ecology, and Health, and the Observatory of Risks (OSIRIS).
A. Project Description EJMAPPING: Counter-mapping environmental just conflicts in the European periphery: The case of Portugal
This project addresses theoretical and methodological gaps in Environmental justice (EJ) studies through qualitative-quantitative participatory-action research (PAR) of EJ conflicts in Portugal, analyzed through a decolonial/south framework. Our main objectives are to enrich the theory of EJ, develop a comprehensive analysis of the state of EJ conflicts in Portugal, and identify solutions to advance transitions towards equitable and ecologically-sustainable development. The overall objective of this project is to generate actionable knowledge that contributes to addressing environmental injustices, and to promote pathways for transformative, “just sustainability” (or “just transitions”), while simultaneously enriching the conceptual and methods applied to these conflicts. To address these objectives, the project combines counter-mapping methods, committed to listening to the perspectives of those who inhabit the territories and/or establishing a relationship of proximity with them. These methods will include: a) a historical analysis of conflicts and struggles for environmental justice in Portugal, b) characterizing the current state of environmental struggles through a national inquiry focusing on the period after 2018, c) producing a national map (similar to the Environmental Justice Atlas: ejatlas.org), and d) developing case studies selected from the Centro, Alentejo, and Algarve regions. In each of the case studies, methods such as interviews, participatory observation, body-territory and environmental health mapping, and image and story mapping techniques will be used.
Expected duration of the project execution: from March 1, 2026 to March 31, 2028.
B. Scientific Field
Social Sciences and Humanities, with a focus in Political Ecology
C. Work plan, tasks: National mapping and historical political-economic analysis of EJ conflicts
The selected candidate will have a background in Social-environmental sciences with a specialization in Anthropology, Geography, or related fields. He/she is expected to show methodological rigor and transdisciplinary sensitivity, proven experience in the execution and support of research projects, the ability to work collaboratively and manage tasks autonomously, and excellent analytical, written and oral communication skills in Portuguese and English.
The candidate is expected to contribute in the following ways to the project:
- Systematic literature review on (a) environmental justice theories, (b) environmental conflicts in Portugal;
- National mapping of historic and current environmental conflicts in Portugal, systematically analyzing main conflicts, their characteristics and their evolution across different periods;
- Systematizing the knowledge on the impacts, movements, and changes in the case study territories;
- Scientific and outreach activities, including presentations, writing and editing reports, publications, and scientific communication materials.;
- Organization and facilitation of project meetings, website maintenance, team consolidation and collaborative relationships with institutional and community stakeholders.
D. Applicable Legislation and Regulations
The successful candidates will be hired under Law no. 57/2016, August 29, altered by Law 57/2017, which approves a doctoral hiring regime with a view to boosting scientific and technological employment in all areas of knowledge (RJEC). The hiring will also be governed by the Labor Code approved by Law no. 7/2009 of February 12, as currently worded.
E. Workplace
Research will be performed at the Centre for Social Studies facilities in Coimbra, Portugal, as well as in fieldwork sites in Portugal. Selected researchers will occasionally need to travel to other locations to perform research tasks.
F. Duration of the Contract
The temporary contract (“termo incerto”) will be signed for the sole purpose of the execution of the project and will automatically end with the completion of the activities foreseen in the activity plan. Moreover, according to Article 112 of the Labour Code, paragraph 2 a), a trial period of 30 days is established.
The contract will be foreseeably starting in November, 2026.
G. Application dates
From September 16 – 30, 2026. After September 30 (23h59 Lisbon time), 2026, applications will not be considered for evaluation.
H. Application process
Applications must include:
- Presentation/Motivation letter with the call reference (CES/24/2026-PD-EJMAPPING) of maximum 2 pages in English in which the candidate addresses at least four points:
- Motivation to be part of the EJMAPPING project within the ECOSOC working group and the associated research line;
- How they will execute the project tasks described above;
- To what extent education and previous experience match the selecting criteria listed;
- Demonstration of oral and written language proficiency in both English and Portuguese (with reference to the context where the candidate learned and perfected both languages or to whether they are native speakers);
- Detailed Curriculum Vitae;
- Copies of degree certificates. It is mandatory to be holder of a PhD degree by the date to start the contract (note: candidates must meet the eligibility conditions and conditions indicated in point “K. Mandatory requirements”);
- One publication which better represents the writing skills of the applicant and their proximity with the EJMAPPING project, in Portuguese or English;
- Other relevant documents for eligibility purposes.
Applications should be sent by email to concursos@ces.uc.pt until the final deadline. Applications must include a clear indication of the reference of this call (CES/24/2026-PD-EJMAPPING).
Where to apply
E-mail: concursos@ces.uc.pt
Requirements
- Research Field: Other
- Education Level: PhD or equivalent
Specific Requirements
I. Preferred selection criteria and their weighing
Applicants must demonstrate expertise on the topic of the project, and in the research line listed above, by fulfilling the following criteria:
- Academic background and research carried out in Anthropology, Geography, Sociology, or related fields, with demonstrated research related to political ecology and environmental policy and politics (publications and presentations, participation in research projects, membership in research groups or networks) (20%);
- Experience in the topics of environmental conflicts and justice, environmental movements and community-based environmental initiatives. Experience with research in Portugal constitutes additional merit (20%);
- Experience in over-time qualitative data collection and analysis, including systematic literature reviews and mapping of scientific knowledge and political-economic analysis. Experience with quantitative data collection and analysis –specifically, statistical analysis of survey databases-- constitutes additional merit (25%);
- Experience in research project administration, team work and communication, organisation and dissemination, event organisation and publication editorial work. Previous project management experience constitutes additional merit (25%);
- Level of language proficiency in both English and Portuguese (10%);
The jury reserves the right not to select any candidate.
- Languages: ENGLISH
- Level: Excellent
- Languages: PORTUGUESE
- Level: Excellent
- Research Field: Other
Additional Information
Benefits
J. Monthly Salary
The monthly salary for the Part-time, corresponding to 17,5 hours a week, will be 1.202,55 Euros gross (plus months 13 and 14), meal allowance, and all social security charges, in accordance with the Portuguese Labour Code.
Eligibility criteria
K. Mandatory requirements
- Applicants must hold a PhD in the subject area indicated above; Applicants with an academic degree and diploma issued by a foreign Higher Education Institution must present proof of recognition of the academic degree by the Portuguese Higher Education System, (law DL66/2018). Any candidate without the recognition of the degree(s) will be admitted to the competition, but during the evaluation process the selection panel, cannot:
- recognize the candidate’s grades and assess according to the possession of such grades;
- give equivalence to, or validate, the grade of her/his degree;
- use that note or its conversion as an evaluation parameter.
In case of selection, the contract can only be signed after the recognition of the academic degree by the Portuguese authorities, under the terms of the Law-decree n66/2018, August 16. The selected candidate must deliver the recognition of the degree within 30 days after the communication of the results. After the 30 days, the jury may decide to (1) either extend the deadline for the candidate to prove the recognition; (2) assign the position to the next candidate for merit; (3) or not award the position.
- Be proficient in Portuguese and English;
- Demonstrate expertise on the topics of the project (see criteria A. to C. above).
Selection process
L. Selection Process
Applicants will be selected based on their scientific merit and curricular path. In case of equivalent curricular profiles, the best-positioned applicants will be short-listed for an interview, meant to assess each applicant’s potential contribution to the development of the project. The two stages of evaluation (the curricular merit assessment and the interview) will weigh 50% each in the final score. The scale applied to each criterion is 0 to 20.
The jury reserves the right to not select any applicants for the positions, if applications do not meet the necessary standards and/or profiles in terms of absolute merit.
If the President of the jury is unable to perform his or her duties, s/he shall be replaced by the permanent member of the jury with the highest professional rank.
When any conflicts of interest involving permanent or substitute members of the jury compromise the jury’s ability to meet the minimum quorum, the Presidency of the CES Scientific Board is responsible for appointing new substitutes.
M. Selection Panel
- Gustavo García López (President)
- Jonas Van Vossole (Permanent member)
- Joana Vaz Sousa (Permanent member)
- Monica Soares (Substitute member)
- Cristiano Gianolla (Substitute member)
N. Communication of Results
The results of the selection process will be emailed to all candidates, and the meeting minutes of the selection panel will become publicly available.
Additional comments
Additional comments
Equality of opportunities
CES abides by the national law that regulates the prevention, prohibition and fighting against discrimination on the grounds of racial and ethnic identity, colour, nationality, family background, territory of origin, and disability (Law nº 93/2017, 23 August; Law nº 4/2019, 10 January).
Data protection
By submitting your application, you are agreeing with the use of your personal data by CES administrative services for the sole purpose of the current call, namely to be contacted directly by CES services and allow the communication of results as in point n. of this call. CES abides by the principles of GPDR.
Contact:
Centro de Estudos Sociais
Colégio S. Jerónimo, Apartado 3087
3000-995 Coimbra, Portugal
Website for additional job details: https://ces.uc.pt/en/agenda-noticias/emprego-bolsas-estagios
Work Location(s)
- Number of offers available: 1
- Company/Institute: Centre for Social Studies (CES)
- Country: Portugal
- Geofield
Contact
- City: Coimbra
- Website: https://ces.uc.pt/en/home
- Street: Colégio S. JerónimoApartado 30873001-401 Coimbra
- E-Mail: concursos@ces.uc.pt
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