Research Fellowship (Master's Degree Holder)

Reference Number: UID/04097/2025, https://doi.org/10.54499/UID/04097/2025

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

Offer Description

Applications are now open for the award of one (1) Research Fellowship (Master's Degree Holder) within the framework of CETAPS – Centre for English, Translation and Anglo-Portuguese Studies, under the R&D Unit funding reference UID/04097/2025, funded by national funds through FCT/MECI (PIDDAC), as part of the project TAM-bMOOC – Transforming Assessment Mindsets: Professional Development through a blended MOOC and an e-Community of Practice, under the following conditions:

Research Plan

The fellowship forms part of the project TAM-bMOOC – Transforming Assessment Mindsets: Professional Development through a blended MOOC and an e-Community of Practice, coordinated by CETAPS. The project has generated a longitudinal, multimodal research corpus collected over three editions of the MOOC Classroom-Based Assessment in Primary English Language Education. This corpus provides a unique opportunity to investigate the development of Language Assessment Literacy, teacher professional development, formative assessment, and online learning in the context of continuing professional development.

The research undertaken as part of this fellowship will contribute to advancing scientific knowledge of teacher professional development in digital learning environments and to generating empirical evidence on the impact of continuing professional development models centered on formative assessment.

Fellowship Objectives

The successful candidate will be expected to develop a research project that contributes to one or more of the following objectives:

• deepen the analysis of the data collected across the three editions of the TAM-bMOOC;
• investigate processes involved in the development of teachers' Language Assessment Literacy;
• identify changes in participants' conceptions and practices of formative assessment;
• examine the role of reflection, online interaction and the community of practice in teacher professional development;
• contribute to advancing knowledge of MOOCs and hybrid models of continuing professional development for teachers.

Research Activities

The fellowship will involve the analysis and interpretation of the research corpus collected across the three editions of the MOOC Classroom-Based Assessment in Primary English Language Education. Depending on the research questions addressed and the scientific objectives of the project, the study may draw on qualitative, quantitative and/or mixed-methods research approaches.

The corpus includes, among other sources:

• questionnaires;
• discussion forum interactions;
• written reflections;
• e-portfolios;
• peer feedback;
• focus group transcripts;
• other materials produced during the course.

Expected Outcomes

During the fellowship period, the successful candidate will be expected to:

a) develop, in collaboration with the Scientific Supervisor, a research plan aligned with the scientific objectives of the TAM-bMOOC project and CETAPS;

b) participate regularly in the scientific activities of the TEALS – Teacher Education and Applied Language Studies research group;

c) produce research reports and contribute to the organisation and management of the project's research database;

d) prepare, either as sole author or co-author, at least one scientific article for submission to an international peer-reviewed journal;

e) present research findings at least one national or international scientific conference;

f) contribute to other scientific publications, technical reports, or dissemination activities associated with the project.

Fellowship Duration

The fellowship will be awarded for a period of 12 months, with an expected starting date of January 2027.

Applications must be submitted by email and must include the following documents:

• a copy of the applicant's identity card, citizen card or passport;
• the applicant's curriculum vitae, in English, including personal details, academic qualifications, professional experience, participation in scientific events (with or without presentations), participation in research projects, publications, and any other information considered relevant to the assessment of the application;
• copies of the applicant's academic degree certificates (Bachelor's and Master's degrees), clearly indicating the final degree classification and, where possible, the grades obtained in all completed courses;
• proof of enrolment in a doctoral programme;
• where applicable, proof of recognition of academic degrees awarded by foreign higher education institutions and proof of conversion of the final degree classification to the Portuguese grading scale; alternatively, applicants may submit a declaration of honour stating that they will obtain recognition of the foreign degree equivalent to a Portuguese Master's degree before the fellowship agreement is signed, should they be selected. Proof of recognition must be provided before the fellowship agreement is concluded;
• a motivation letter, in English (maximum 1,500 words).

Applications should be sent by email to cetapsgestao@fcsh.unl.pt, with the subject line: BI Mestre TAM-bMOOC 2026.

The work will be carried out at the Centre for English, Translation and Anglo-Portuguese Studies (CETAPS), NOVA School of Social Sciences and Humanities (NOVA FCSH), Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, under the scientific supervision of Professor Sandie Mourão, PhD.

Where to apply

E-mail: cetapsgestao@fcsh.unl.pt

Requirements

Research Field: Language sciences » Languages

Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

Applicants must:

1. Be enrolled in a doctoral programme. Preference will be given to candidates enrolled in a doctoral programme in Education, Teacher Education, Applied Linguistics, Language Studies, Language Education, Educational Assessment, Educational Technologies, or related fields.
2. Hold a Master's degree.
3. Demonstrate English language proficiency at a minimum level of C1 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Preference will also be given to candidates with knowledge of, or experience in, educational research, qualitative, quantitative or mixed-methods research, data analysis, and academic publishing.

Academic degrees awarded by foreign higher education institutions must be recognised by a Portuguese institution in accordance with Decree-Law No. 66/2018 of 16 August and Ministerial Order (Portaria) No. 33/2019 of 25 January. Proof of recognition must be presented before the fellowship agreement can be signed. Further information is available at: https://www.dges.gov.pt/pt/pagina/reconhecimento?plid=374

Additional Information

Benefits

The fellowship provides a monthly maintenance allowance of €1,359.64, in accordance with the FCT table of fellowship amounts applicable in Portugal. In addition, the fellowship includes reimbursement of voluntary social security contributions at the first contribution level, should the fellow choose to enroll, as well as personal accident insurance.

Selection process

Selection Criteria:

Applications will be evaluated based on the candidate's academic and scientific merit, as well as their potential to undertake research within the TAM-bMOOC project.

Eligible applications will be assessed on a scale from 0 (zero) to 100 (one hundred) points, according to the following criteria:

Criterion A – Candidate's Academic and Scientific Merit (50%)

1. Academic Record (20%)

Assessment of the candidate's academic qualifications, final degree classifications, and their relevance to the objectives of the fellowship.

2. Scientific and Professional CV (30%)

Assessment of the candidate's research experience, participation in research projects, publications, conference presentations, methodological expertise, and other relevant academic or professional activities.

Criterion B – Scientific Merit and Motivation (50%)

This criterion will be assessed on the basis of the candidate's motivation letter, taking into account:

1. the relevance of the candidate's academic and scientific background to the objectives of the fellowship;
2. the motivation to undertake research within the TAM-bMOOC project;
3. the ability to identify research interests or research directions relevant to the project's scientific objectives;
4. the quality, clarity, and justification of the arguments presented;
5. the candidate's demonstrated potential to undertake independent research and contribute to the project's scientific outputs.

For the purpose of awarding the fellowship, candidates will be ranked according to the weighted average of the scores obtained for each evaluation criterion, calculated using the following formula:

Final Score = (50% × A) + (50% × B)

In the event of a tie, candidates will be ranked according to the scores obtained, in the following order:

1. Criterion B – Scientific Merit and Motivation;
2. Criterion A – Candidate's Academic and Scientific Merit.

Important Information for Applicants Holding Degrees Awarded by Foreign Higher Education Institutions

• Applicants holding degrees awarded by foreign higher education institutions are eligible to apply and will be assessed according to the same criteria as applicants holding degrees awarded by Portuguese higher education institutions, provided that, at the time of application, they submit proof of recognition of their academic qualifications and conversion of their final degree classification to the Portuguese grading scale, in accordance with the applicable legislation.
• Applicants holding foreign degrees who do not provide proof of conversion of their final degree classification to the Portuguese grading scale will be awarded the minimum score for the Academic Record component of Criterion A.
• In all cases, fellowship agreements with applicants holding degrees awarded by foreign higher education institutions will only be concluded upon presentation of proof of recognition of their academic qualifications and conversion of their final degree classification, as described above.

Applicants whose final score is below 75 points will not be eligible for the award of the fellowship.

Composition of the Selection Committee:

• Chair: Professor Carlos Ceia, PhD (NOVA FCSH)
• Members: Professor Sandie Mourão, PhD (NOVA FCSH); Professor Carolyn Leslie, PhD (NOVA FCSH)
• Alternate Member: Professor Ana Matos, PhD (NOVA FCSH)

Additional comments

Draft_ scholarship_contract: https://www.fcsh.unl.pt/static/documentos/concursos/bolseiros/Minutas/Contrato_Bolsa.pdf

Draft_Final report to be prepared by the grantee: https://www.fcsh.unl.pt/static/documentos/concursos/bolseiros/Minutas/Relatorio_%20final_bolseiro.pdf

Draft_Final report to be prepared by the supervisor: https://www.fcsh.unl.pt/static/documentos/concursos/bolseiros/Minutas/Relatorio_final_a_elaborar_pelo_Orientador_Cientifico.pdf

This fellowship is governed by Law No. 40/2004 of 18 August (Statute of the Research Fellow), as amended by Decree-Law No. 123/2019 of 28 August, and by the FCT Regulation for Research Fellowships, available at:

https://www.fct.pt/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/RBi_Republicado_2025.pdf

https://dre.pt/application/file/a/127230968

Notification of Results

The final results of the evaluation will be communicated by email to all applicants through the publication of a ranked list based on the final scores obtained.

Following notification of the provisional evaluation results, applicants will have 10 working days to submit comments, if they wish, within the framework of the prior hearing of interested parties, in accordance with Articles 121 and subsequent articles of the Portuguese Code of Administrative Procedure.

The final decision may be challenged by submitting a complaint within 15 working days, or an appeal to the highest executive body of the funding institution within 30 working days, both following notification of the final decision.

Website for additional job details: https://www.fcsh.unl.pt/faculdade/concursos_para_bolseiros/

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available: 1

Company/Institute: Centre for English, Translation and Anglo-Portuguese Studies (CETAPS)

Country: Portugal

Contact

City: Lisboa

Website: http://www.fcsh.unl.pt

Street: Av. de Berna, 26 C

Postal Code: 1069-061