Job Information
- Organisation/Company: INESC ID
- Research Field: Engineering » Computer engineering
- Researcher Profile: First Stage Researcher (R1)
- Positions: Master Positions
- Application Deadline: 10 Sep 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Lisbon)
- Country: Portugal
- Type of Contract: Not Applicable
- Job Status: Not Applicable
- Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?: Not funded by a EU programme
Offer Description
Public notice for one research grant Refª BI|2026/949
Projet HIITS – refª 2024.16976.PEX
funded by Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia I.P.
Application submission from August 27 to September 10, 2026
WHO WE ARE
INESC-ID (www.inesc-id.pt) , “Instituto de Engenharia de Sistemas e Computadores: Investigação e Desenvolvimento em Lisboa” is a Research and Development and Innovation Organization (R&D+i)) in the fields of Computer Science and Electrical and Computer Engineering.
INESC-ID’s research impact is focused on four Thematic Lines
- Energy transition
- Life and health technology
- Security and privacy.
- Societal digital transformation.
INESC-ID promotes cooperation between academia and industry by addressing research on daily life issues, such as healthcare, space, mobility, human language technologies, agri-food, industry 4.0, and smart grids. This high level of knowledge transfer is achieved through both competitive research projects and direct contracted research. Therefore, public and private entities have access to a pool of knowledge, resources and services provided through the unique competencies available at the institution.
INESC ID has a strong international academic environment and inclusive work environment.
ONE (1) research grant for students enrolled in a PhD programme with reference number BI|2026/949 under the scope of the Projet HIITS – refª 2024.16976.PEX, funded by Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia I.P., is now available under the following conditions:
OBJECTIVES | FUNCTIONS
The main objective of this grant is to lead the design, implementation, and evaluation of novel haptic interfaces and perceptual measurement techniques within the HIITS project.
The work plan spans across three central tasks of the project:
- Explore force feedback interaction in immersive environments (HIITS T2): Design and implement prototypes to produce force-feedback in Virtual Reality without relying on a fixed substrate (exploring inertial, gravitational, or body-grounded approaches).
- Force and cutaneous feedback for surgery simulation (HIITS T3): Develop mathematical models to compute and combine mechanical force-feedback with cutaneous vibrotactile information (e.g., surface texture and rugosity) for highly realistic surgical simulations.
- Perceptual Acuity in Immersive Interactive Systems (HIITS T4): Assist in the definition and validation of new methods for assessing both visual and haptic perceptual acuity in VR, conducting formal psychophysical user studies.
BINDING LEGISLATION
Law 40/2004 of 18th of August (Scientific Research Fellow Status) in its current wording.
https://www.fct.pt/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/RBi_Republicado_2025.pdf
Regulations for Research Grants of the Foundation for Science and Technology in force
https://www.fct.pt/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/RBi_Republicado_2025.pdf
INESC-ID Lisboa Grant Regulations in force
https://www.inesc-id.pt/scholarship-regulations/
The fellowship contract is awarded on an exclusive dedication basis – art. 5 of Scientific Research Fellow Status and art. 16 of Regulations for Research Grants of the Foundation for Science and Technology.
DURATION
Six (6) months, starting in September 2026, renewable subject to suitable performance within the period of the project, not exceeding the maximum period set by FCT for such grants.
RENEWALL
Renewable is subject to performance if the candidate is enrolled in a:
PhD program - art. 6º, n.4 c)
https://www.fct.pt/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/RBi_Republicado_2025.pdf
subject to suitable performance within the period of the project, not exceeding the maximum period set by FCT for such grants – 4 years (included contract renewals)
Non-renewable if the candidate is enrolled in a:
Non-degree programme – art. 6º, n. 4 a)
https://www.fct.pt/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/RBi_Republicado_2025.pdf
subject to suitable performance within the period of the project, not exceeding the maximum period set by FCT for such grants – 1 year (included contract renewals)
MONTHLY AMOUNT
The monthly amount of the grant is 1359,64€ according to the “Regulations for Research Grants of the Foundation for Science and Technology” in force.
The payment will be made through a monthly bank transfer to a portuguese bank account, held by the grantee.
https://www.fct.pt/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Tabela-de-Valores-SMM-2026.pdf
SCIENTIFIC SUPERVISION
The activity will be supervised by :
- Alfredo Manuel dos Santos Ferreira Júnior, Associate Professor at Instituto Superior Técnico and Researcher at INESC ID.
WORKPLACE
- INESC ID - Headquarters Rua Alves Redol, 9, 1000-029 Lisboa
- INESC-ID - Taguspark Avenida Professor Cavaco Silva, Edifício IST 2744-016 Porto Salvo
ELIGIBILITY CONDITIONS
Any national, foreign and stateless candidate(s) enrolled In a PhD programme in Computer Science and Engineering area, and with a suitable scientific and professional curriculum may apply.
The candidate(s) must be enrolled in a
PhD program - art. 6º, n.4 c)
https://diariodarepublica.pt/dr/detalhe/regulamento/950-2019-127238533
or
Non-degree programme – art. 6º, n. 4 a)
https://diariodarepublica.pt/dr/detalhe/regulamento/950-2019-127238533
The applicants are required to have proficiency in Portuguese and English, both written and spoken, as well as being enthusiastic, proactive, collaborative and able to work individually and as a team.
Preferential factors:
- Previous knowledge in Virtual Reality (VR) and Human-Computer Interaction (HCI).
- Experience in interactive graphics and physics-based simulation.
- Proficiency in C++/C# and experience with Unity game engines.
- Previous knowledge in haptic interaction, namely Phantom devices or equivalent.
- Experience in conducting user studies and psychophysical experiments.
- Basic understanding of mechatronics and/or hardware-software integration.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
The selection will be based on the following criteria:
- Academic curriculum and grades in relevant courses (30%).
- Prior experience in development in Virtual Reality and haptics (40%).
- Demonstrated knowledge in physics-based animation or haptic interaction (20%).
- Motivation and English proficiency (10%)
The members of the evaluation panel assign a classification to each of the candidates on a scale of 0 to 100 points, ranking the candidates according to their classification consisting on the sum of the partial classifications assigned in each evaluation criterion, and considering the weighting factor given to each parameter. In this process abstentions are not allowed.
In the event of a tie among candidates with the same highest evaluation score, the Evaluation Panel reserves the right to conduct interviews to have a more objective assessment of specific criteria. The interview result will weigh 50% towards the final evaluation score.
Additionally, the evaluation panel retains the discretion to withhold the scholarship if the candidates fail to fulfil the stipulated requirements.
The evaluation panel may also decide not to assign the scholarship, if none of candidates meets the required conditions.
If the requirements mentioned above are not fulfilled, the evaluation panel may choose not to select a candidate.
Candidates with an average score below 70, are not recommended for hiring
Minutes of the evaluation panel meeting are drawn up with a summary of what has taken place in the meeting, as well as the votes emitted by the jury, being available to the candidates whenever requested.
EVALUATION PANEL
Jury
| Role | Name | Professional Status | Institutions |
|---|---|---|---|
| President | Anderson Maciel | Researcher / Associate Professor | INESC ID - Tecnico | ULisboa |
| Member | Alfredo Manuel dos Santos Ferreira Júnior | Researcher / Associate Professor | INESC ID - Tecnico | ULisboa |
| Member | Nuno Filipe Verdelho Trindade | Researcher | INESC ID |
| Substitute member | António Paulo Teles de Menezes Correia Leitão | Researcher / Associate Professor | INESC ID - Tecnico | ULisboa |
| Substitute member | João António Madeiras Pereira | Researcher / Associate Professor | INESC ID - Tecnico | ULisboa |
APPLICATION
The application and supporting documents must be submitted via email to bolsas@inesc-id.pt.
The application email should clearly state the reference of the grant on the subject.
BI|2026/949- Projet HIITS – refª 2024.16976.PEX
Applications without the reference of the grant will not be considered
The candidate should clearly state his / her consent so that the communications and notifications in the context of this call can take place to the electronic address bolsas@inesc-id.pt.
The application and supporting documents may be submitted in Portuguese or English, although the President of the evaluation panel when a member of the evaluation panel is a non-native Portuguese speaker, may request that, within a reasonable time, the candidate translates into English a document previously presented in Portuguese.
Candidates who submit their application incorrectly or who do not prove the requirements required in this public notice are excluded from admission. In case of doubt, the evaluation panel may demand any candidate to present documents proving those statements.
False statements by the candidates will be punished according to the law.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
The supporting documents listed below must be presented in pdf form.
Supporting documents presented in another format will not be considered by the evaluation panel.
- Motivation letter Addressed to the Evaluation Panel, including full name, and contact address, including email address and telephone.;
- Detailed curriculum vitae;
- Detailed list of grades
- Proof of enrolment required in the ELIGIBILITY CONDITIONS at grant starting date; In the application submission, the candidates may replace the proof of enrolment by a declaration of honour, stating that they are/will be enrolled in the program required ELIGIBILITY CONDITIONS
It is mandatory for the approval of the fellowship, that the selected candidate present the official proof of enrolment required in the ELIGIBILITY CONDITIONS.
NOTIFICATION, PRIOR HEARING, COMPLAIN AND APPEAL DEADLINES
The admitted and excluded candidates will be notified by email of the final ranking list.
After being notified, all candidates have 10 working days to submit a formal rebuttal. After that period, the evaluation panel notifies the candidates of the final report.
Excluded candidates may complain about the evaluation panel final report for 15 working days after notification or appeal to the evaluation panel decision to the INESC ID Board of Directors for 30 working days, after notification.
Non-discrimination and equal access policy
INESC-ID actively promotes a policy of non-discrimination and equal access, so that no candidate can be privileged, benefited, disadvantaged or deprived of any right or exemption from any duty owing, in particular, to ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, economic situation, education, social origin or condition, genetic heritage, reduced working capacity, disability, chronic illness, nationality, ethnic origin or race, territory of origin, language, religion, political or ideological beliefs and trade union membership.
Under the terms of D.L. No. 29/2001, of February 3, a disabled candidate has a preference when in equal classification, which prevails over any other legal preference. Candidates must declare on the application form their respective degree of disability, the type of disability and the means of communication / expression to be used in the selection process, under the terms of the aforementioned diploma.
Where to apply
E-mail: bolsas@inesc-id.pt
Requirements
- Research Field: Engineering » Computer engineering
- Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
Work Location(s)
- Number of offers available: 1
- Company/Institute: INESC ID
- Country: Portugal
- State/Province: Lisbon
- City: Lisbon
- Postal Code: 1000-029
- Street: Rua Alves Redol, 9
Contact
- State/Province: Lisboa
- City: Lisboa
- Website: http://www.inesc-id.pt
- Street: Rua Alves Redol, 9
- Postal Code: 1000-029
- E-Mail: bolsas@inesc-id.pt
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