Research Grant

Universidade de Aveiro Research Field: Engineering » Mechanical engineering; Engineering » Design engineering Researcher Profile: First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions: Master Positions Application Deadline: 23 Nov 2026 - 11:13 (Europe/Lisbon) Country: Portugal Type of Contract: Temporary Job Status: Full-time Offer Starting Date: 10 Nov 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Reference Number: NORTE2030-FEDER-02215100 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No Offer Description A tender is hereby opened for the award of one Research Grant (RG) under the scope of project “DigiShoes– Desenvolvimento Digital de Produto no Setor do Calçado”, with reference NORTE2030-FEDER-02215100, of the organic unit Escola Superior de Design, Gestão e Tecnologias da Produção de Aveiro - Norte (ESAN-UA), under the following conditions: 1. Scientific Area Mechanical Engineering. 2. Financing Source Financed by the European Regional Development Fund – FEDER, through the Norte Regional Program. 3. Admission Requirements Master in the field of Mechanical Engineering, Engineering and Product Design or related areas, enrolled in a Doctorate Program in the scientific area of the call and integrated in the educational project of the University of Aveiro Or Master in the field of Mechanical Engineering, Engineering and Product Design or related areas, enrolled in courses that do not confer academic degree, integrated in the educational project of the University of Aveiro The proof of enrolment must be made available until the contract is awarded, and the candidate may attach a declaration of honor to confirm that they meet the requirements for enrolment in an integrated master's degree, master's or doctoral program or in a course that does not confer an academic degree. If the qualification has been conferred by a foreign higher education institution it must be recognized by a Portuguese higher education institution , under the terms of the provisions of article 25 of Decree-Law no. 66/2018, of August 16th, which approves the legal regime of recognition of academic degrees and diplomas of Higher Education, attributed by foreign higher education institutions, and of paragraph e) of no. 2 of article 4 of Decree-Law no. 60/2018, of August 3rd, and any formalities established therein must be fulfilled by the date of the hiring act. 4. Eligibility Applicants are eligible if they comply with paragraph a) of no.1 of article 2, of the Research Fellow Statute in the wording given by Decree-Law no. 123/2019, of August 28th, and also the provisions of article 9 of the Scientific Research Grant Regulations of the University of Aveiro. 5. Work Plan This project aims to develop solutions based on Virtual and Augmented Reality to optimize footwear development processes. Mixed Reality techniques will be explored to enhance workflows, enable high-quality 3D model visualization, and reduce development time, minimize the need for physical prototypes, and facilitate collaboration among design, production, and client teams. In this context, the following tasks are planned: Preliminary studies and technology monitoring; Specifications and methodologies for developing digital products for footwear; Research into technological and digital solutions for footwear; Research into digital and sustainable manufacturing for footwear; Promotion and dissemination of results. 6. Applicable legislation and regulations Research Fellow Statute, as amended by Decree-Law No. 123/2019, of August 28th; Scientific Research Grant Regulation of the University of Aveiro, Regulation No. 292/2020, published in Diário da República No. 61, Series II, of March 26th; Decree-Law No. 66/2018, of August 16th (Legal regime of recognition of academic degrees and diplomas of higher education awarded by foreign higher education institutions). 7. Workplace The work will be carried out at Escola Superior de Design, Gestão e Tecnologias da Produção de Aveiro –Norte (ESAN) of the University of Aveiro, headquartered in Oliveira de Azeméis, under the scientific supervision of Professor Doctor António José de Jesus Gomes. 8. Duration of the grant The grant duration will be 12 months, scheduled to start in January of 2027 , and may be renewed up to the maximum limit of approved funding. Under no circumstances shall it exceed the limits defined in nos. 5 and 6 of article 9, of Regulation no. 292/2020, of February 28th, published in Diário da República, no. 61, Series II, of March 26th (Scientific Research Grant Regulation of the University of Aveiro). 9. Amount of monthly maintenance allowance The monthly allowance is 1.359,64 €, according to the table of values of monthly allowance set out in Attachment III of the Regulation on Scientific Research Scholarship of University of Aveiro, subject to any updates that may occur if applicable. The candidate may also be reimbursed for the amount corresponding to the Voluntary Social Security, in case of adherence. The selected candidate that is enrolled in a doctoral programme, will receive an additional monthly supplement up to 229,20€, foreseen in the Rectoral Order nº58 -REIT/2022 – University of Aveiro. The supplement value will be precisely defined according to the doctoral programme in which the candidate is enrolled and subject to any updates that may occur and are applicable. 10. Selection methods The selection methods to be used will be Curriculum Evaluation, with the option of an Assessment Interview. The Curriculum Evaluation (100%), with a weighting of 0-20 values, will be carried out according to the following criteria and weightings: Adequacy and merit of the candidate´s curriculum considering the opening Scientific Area of the following notice (60%); Previous experience in research and/or product development projects, with a particular focus on projects involving process analysis, digitalization, and sustainability (30%); Evidence of proficiency in 3D CAD applications, footwear design, and photorealistic image generation (10%). The jury may understand that it is necessary to carry out an individual interview with the candidates, if the evaluation of the candidates' CVs is not sufficient for their ranking. The interview will be carried out with the three best candidates classified in the curriculum evaluation. In this case, the curriculum evaluation will have the weight of 50% and the interview 50%. The jury has the right to exclude from the interview candidates who do not reach the minimum score of 9,5 in a valuation of 0-20, as well as not to award the grant if none of the candidates has a minimum final rating of 9,5 in a valuation of 0-20. 11. Composition of the Selection Jury Head of Jury: Professor Doctor António José de Jesus Gomes; Effective vowels: Professor Doctor Ana Miriam Duarte Reis da Silva and Professor Doctor Tiago Davi Oliveira de Araújo; Substitute vowels: Professor José Augusto Rodrigues de Sousa Coelho and Professor Doctor André Figueiredo Quintã. 12. Deadline for applications and how to submit applications The call is open from November 10th to November 23th of 2026 , and only applications submitted within the deadline will be admitted. Applications must be formalized by sending a letter of application accompanied by the following documents: Letter of interest (must indicate the grant reference to which you are applying); Curriculum vitae; Certificate of qualifications; Other supporting documents considered relevant. You must also indicate the email address to which, by that indication, you agree to be notified for all purposes within the scope of this call. Applications should be sent by email to esan.concursos@ua.pt , and addressed to Professor Doctor António José de Jesus Gomes. 13. Form of publication/notification of results The results of the evaluation shall be made public no later than 60 working days after the closing date for submission of applications and shall be notified to the applicants. The candidates are informed, in a prior hearing, under the terms established in the Code of Administrative Procedure, of the probable meaning of the final decision, and may, within 10 working days of this notification, express their opinion on this decision. The final results may be appealed to the Rector, to be submitted within 10 working days from the respective notification. 14. Tender duration The final ranking list of candidates will be valid for up to 12 months for the purpose of constituting a reserve list for selection. Where to apply E-mail: esan.concursos@ua.pt Requirements Research Field: Engineering » Mechanical engineering; Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent Research Field: Engineering » Design engineering; Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent Work Location(s) Number of offers available: 1 Company/Institute: Escola Superior de Design, Gestão e Tecnologias da Produção de Aveiro - Norte da Universidade de Aveiro Country: Portugal State/Province: Aveiro City: Oliveira de Azeméis Postal Code: 3720-511 Santiago de Riba-Ul Street: Estrada do Cercal, 449 Contact State/Province: Oliveira de Azeméis City: Oliveira de Azeméis Website: https://www.ua.pt/esan/ Street: Estrada do Cercal, 449 Postal Code: 3720-509 Santiago de Riba-Ul