Job Information
- Organisation/Company: Instituto de Ciência e Inovação em Engenharia Mecânica e Engenharia Industrial
Offer Description
A call is open for the award of one Research Grant for PhD students within the scope of the project AI4BirthCare – An Innovative System to Improve Maternal Birth Outcomes, funded by the European Commission, under the following conditions:
Scientific area: Mechanical Engineering and/or Bioengineering.
Work plan: Research and Development of Computational Methods for the Prediction of Obstetric Injuries.
1. Grant duration and regime:
Duration of 8 months, starting in September 2026, potentially renewable up to the extent permitted by the relevant regulations. The granting of the scholarships does not generate or entitle a legal-labor relationship, it is exercised under an exclusive dedication regime, and the Scholarship holder is granted the Scholarship Holder Status, in accordance with the Regulation for Research Grants of the Foundation for Science and Technology, I.P., both in their current wording.
2. Activity scope:
AI4BirthCare is a data-driven decision support system designed to predict childbirth-related injuries. By integrating patient-specific data collected during routine prenatal care, the system provides real-time risk assessments during the final weeks of pregnancy. Unlike traditional approaches, this solution combines biomechanical simulations with artificial intelligence (AI) to identify injury-prone regions and support the development of optimized delivery strategies. The system is designed for seamless integration with existing hospital electronic health record systems through an intuitive user interface.
The primary objectives of AI4BirthCare are to inform obstetricians about patient-specific injury risks, identify likely pelvic injury areas, and predict delivery success. This approach aims to support more cautious delivery strategies, enable timely preventive actions, and guide targeted postpartum examinations, thereby improving women's quality of life.
From a scientific standpoint, the system represents a significant advancement by integrating biomechanical modelling, machine learning (ML), and clinical data, enabling more accurate and patient-specific injury prediction than currently available approaches. From a societal perspective, it has the potential to reduce preventable injuries, support early complication detection, strengthen obstetric decision-making, and decrease the long-term economic burden associated with maternal morbidity.
Overall, AI4BirthCare seeks to reduce preventable maternal injuries and improve women's long-term health outcomes, contributing to a positive global impact.
3. Scientific supervision:
Dr. Nilza Ramião. The work will be carried out in INEGI facilities in Porto.
4. Academic Qualifications:
- MSc degree in Mechanical Engineering or Bioengineering.
- Advanced experience in the application of the Finite Element Method (FEM) to Biomechanics problems, including the development and validation of computational models for analysing the mechanical behaviour of biological tissues.
- Experience in biomechanical characterisation, constitutive modelling, and numerical simulation of biological materials and soft tissues, including the implementation of advanced models through UMAT subroutines.
- Strong knowledge of Abaqus and Python.
- Experience in developing computational models for personalised medicine applications, including reconstruction and analysis of biological structures subjected to mechanical stimuli.
- Scientific programming skills, with proficiency in Python and FORTRAN, applied to data analysis, algorithm development, image processing, automation of analyses, and integration of computational models.
- Experience in biomedical image processing and segmentation, including the development of semi-automatic algorithms for quantitative image analysis, with potential applications in extracting information for predictive models based on clinical data.
- Experience in the analysis and interpretation of experimental and computational data, as well as in integrating results from multiple sources to support translational health research.
- Experience in writing scientific papers, technical reports, and conference presentations in the fields of computational biomechanics and biomedical engineering.
- Strong organisational, planning, and priority-management skills, ensuring the achievement of objectives and deadlines in demanding research environments.
- Autonomy, proactivity, and a strong sense of responsibility in carrying out research and development activities.
- Ability to integrate and collaborate effectively within multidisciplinary teams, fostering knowledge sharing among engineering, computing, and health sciences domains.
- Ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly and effectively, facilitating interaction with researchers, healthcare professionals, and other project stakeholders.
- Proficiency in written and spoken Portuguese and English.
5. Academic degrees obtained in foreign countries shall be registered by a Portuguese institution, according to the DL 66/2018, of August 16th, and the Ordinance nr. 33/2019, of January 25th. It is mandatory to present the certificate to sign the contract.
More information is available on http://www.dges.gov.pt.
6. Monthly allowance:
The scholarship amount corresponds to €1359,64 according to the table of values for scholarships directly awarded by FCT, I.P. ( https://www.fct.pt/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Tabela-de-Valores-SMM-2026.pdf ) paid at the end of the respective month by bank transfer. The payment of personal accident insurance will also be ensured, as well as the payment of voluntary social insurance if applicable.
7. Applicable Legislation:
Research Fellow Statute, approved by Law No. 40/2004 of August 18th, in the current wording published by Decree-Law No. 123/2019 of August 28; Regulation of Research Grants of the Foundation for Science and Technology, I.P. in force (Regulation No. 950 / 2019 of 16 December https://www.fct.pt/apoios/bolsas/regulamento.phtml.pt).
8. Evaluation criteria:
This evaluation results in the selection of applications that go on to the interview stage. The final evaluation is calculated based on a weight of 60% of the CV and 40% of the interview. The selection criteria are as follows: academic background, qualifications, adequacy between the candidate's profile and the objectives of the grant, motivation and relevant experience for the project in question, according to the admission requirements described above.
The jury reserves the right not to fill the position if there are no candidates that meet the requirements. If the candidate placed 1st does not accept the scholarship or withdraws from the scholarship during the respective work program, the candidate placed 2nd may be invited to accept the scholarship. This procedure may be repeated in subsequent cases of non-acceptance or withdrawal, according to the decision of the scientific supervisor, respecting the order of the list contained in the minutes of the selection process.
9. Composition of the evaluation panel:
President: Dr. Nilza Ramião
Members: Dr. Ana Guerra
Substitute: Dr. Rita Moura
10. Publication/notification of results:
The final evaluation results (ordered list) will be publicized in www.inegi.pt;
After being notified, candidates have 10 working days to submit a formal rebuttal by email (gestao.pessoas@inegi.up.pt).
11. Submission of applications:
Applications must include the following documents:
- motivation letter, stating the adequacy of the curriculum to the position.
- curriculum vitae, in which the candidate's academic background must be clear in the areas referred to in item 4 of this call for applications.
- certificate of qualifications.
- Proof of enrollment in the doctoral program.
12. Expressions of interest should be sent between the 16th and 30 of September 2026 through the official INEGI website www.inegi.pt in join us | Research Fellowship by pressing Apply Reference: BI UBS 46/2026.
13. Scholarship Support Centre:
The support center for scholarship holders works from Monday to Friday, from 10 am to 12 pm, at the People Management Services.
Where to apply
Website: https://careers.inegi.pt/jobs
Requirements
- Research Field: Engineering » Mechanical engineering — Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
- Research Field: Engineering » Other — Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
Specific Requirements
11. Submission of applications:
Applications must include the following documents:
- motivation letter, stating the adequacy of the curriculum to the position.
- curriculum vitae, in which the candidate's academic background must be clear in the areas referred to in item 4 of this call for applications.
- certificate of qualifications.
- Proof of enrollment in the doctoral program.
12. Expressions of interest should be sent between the 16th and 30 of September 2026 through the official INEGI website www.inegi.pt in join us | Research Fellowship by pressing Apply Reference: BI UBS 46/2026.
Languages: ENGLISH — Level: Excellent
Languages: PORTUGUESE — Level: Excellent
Additional Information
Eligibility criteria
12. Expressions of interest should be sent between the 16th and 30 of September 2026 through the official INEGI website www.inegi.pt in join us | Research Fellowship by pressing Apply Reference: BI UBS 46/2026.
Selection process
11. Submission of applications:
Applications must include the following documents:
- motivation letter, stating the adequacy of the curriculum to the position.
- curriculum vitae, in which the candidate's academic background must be clear in the areas referred to in item 4 of this call for applications.
- certificate of qualifications.
- Proof of enrollment in the doctoral program.
Work Location(s)
- Number of offers available: 1
- Company/Institute: INEGI
- Country: Portugal
Contact
- City: Porto
- Website: http://www.inegi.pt/
- Street: Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 400
- Postal Code: 4200-465
- E-Mail: gestao.pessoas@inegi.up.pt
- Phone: 911182471
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