Research Grant

Offer Description

Itecons – Institute of Research and Technological Development for Construction, Energy, Environment and Sustainability, based in Coimbra, informs that is open a tender for a Research Grant (BI, refª BI/02/2026/SUS-TA-IN), for carrying out research under the research project number 14890, with operation code COMPETE2030-FEDER-00845500, entitled “Sustainability of “tabique” mortars through innovation”, co-financed by European Regional Development Fund, in the framework of the Innovation and Digital Transition Program (COMPETE 2030).

Scientific area: Civil Engineering, Architecture or related scientific areas. Previous experience in the subject of the research project will be valued, namely in mortars for coatings.

Eligibility of candidates:PhD students or masters enrolled in non-academic degree courses.

Only candidates who show that they have the necessary qualifications within the application deadline will be admitted. The granting of the research grant is always dependent on the presentation of proof of ownership of the required academic and eligibility qualifications. Applicants must have the eligibility conditions provided for in article 9 of FCT Regulation No. 950/2019, of December 16th, in its updated wording.

Work plan and Objectives to be achieved:The grant holder will participate in the tasks of the research project in charge of Itecons, namely in the preparation and laboratory characterization of mortars with incorporated waste materials.

The grant holder should participate in the tasks of the project mentioned above, whether of a bibliographic, numerical or experimental nature, prepare the respective reports and publish scientific articles within the scope of the project, together with the other members of the research team. The grant holder should demonstrate skills for the different tasks mentioned.

Applicable legislation and regulations: Law 40/2004, of August 18th, in its updated wording (FCT Scientific Research Scholarships Regulation); FCT Regulation No. 950/2019, of December 16th, in its updated wording, and Itecons Research Grants Regulation.

Workplace and Scientific Supervision:The work will be carried out at Itecons - Institute of Research and Technological Development for Construction, Energy, Environment and Sustainability, under the scientific supervision of Professor Doctor Maria Isabel Morais Torres.

Duration of the Scholarship:The research grant will have the duration of 12 months, starting on October 2026.

Monthly allowance:The amount of the scholarship will be of €1 359,64 in accordance with the table of FCT, I.P, in the country (https://www.fct.pt/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Tabela-de-Valores-SMM-2026.pdf). The grant holder benefits also a personal accident insurance. To this amount may be added the voluntary social insurance corresponding to the first level referred to in article 180 of the Code of Contribution Regimes of the Portuguese Social Security Social Security System (grants with a duration equal to or greater than six months), if the grant holder chooses to adhere this regime.

Payments will be made by bank transfer to the IBAN indicated by the research grant holder.

Selection criteria: The candidates will be ranked according the curricular evaluation (AC) criteria that includes parameters as: (1) curricular assessment related to the objectives of the project; (2) previous experience in areas related to the topic of the research project. The formula for assessing the candidates in what concerns this criteria is, where M refers to the absolute merit (CV evaluation), in which the grade of the basic academic education (bachelor's degree, master's degree or integrated master's degree and doctor degree) is valued; PT to the adequacy of the candidate's profile to the required scientific area (scientific and/or professional experience, valuing above all the valences considered relevant for the performance of the research and technological development activities listed above) and CA to additional characteristics such as motivation, school quality and fluency in written and spoken English.

If the jury considers necessary for the evaluation of the candidates, they can interview the 3 best ones. The individual interview can be presential or by video-conference. In this case, the ranking formula for the final placement will be , where AC is related to the curricular evaluation and E to the interview.

• If the quality of the candidates does not meet the requirements of the tender, the jury may propose not to hire any candidate.

Composition of the Jury: President: Professor Dr António José Barreto Tadeu; Effective members: Professor Dr Maria Isabel Morais Torres and Professor Dr Gina Maria Lourenço Matias; Supplementary members: Professor Dr Julieta Maria Pires António.

All Jury members commit to respect the duties of impartiality, the declaration of any potential conflict of interest situations and confidentiality.

Deadline and way of the applications submission: The tender is open in the period from 28/08/2026 to 10/09/2026.

Applications must include, under penalty of exclusion, the following documents:

1. Letter of introduction;
2. Curriculum Vitae (CV) detailed with the description of qualifications, enumeration of previous experience in research and/or development projects, and mention of previous contracts as research grant holder and their duration (if applicable);
3. Copy of certificate(s) of qualification of the academic degrees achieved (with the final average and classification in all courses realized), document of recognizing of the qualification degree in Portugal. (if applicable). Alternatively, candidate's declaration of honor regarding academic qualifications (model attached);
4. Copy of document proving enrolment in a doctoral program, integrated master or master leading to obtaining the respective academic degree;
5. Declaration, under honor, signed by the candidate, of how he / she will exercise the functions of an exclusive dedication regime, according Law 40/2004, of August 18th, in its updated wording (FCT Scientific Research Scholarships Regulation); FCT Regulation No. 950/2019, of December 16th, in its updated wording and Itecons Research Scholarship Regulations;
6. Other documents which the applicant considers relevant to the evaluation.

Applications must be sent to the following email address projetos@itecons.uc.pt with the subject “Bolsa BI/02/2026/SUS-TA-IN”.

Advertising/notification of results:The results of the evaluation will be announced by 16/09/2026 through notification of the candidates, attaching the minutes with the deliberations of the jury. After the notification of research grant, the selected candidate must declare, in writing, his/her intention to accept the research grant within 10 working days from that notification.

The candidate placed in second place will be part of a selection reserve list, valid for a period of two months, counting from the date of notification of the final decision. In case of non-acceptance by the selected candidate, the research grant will be awarded to the second placed candidate.

Complaint and appeal procedures: Candidates may submit a complaint addressed to the Itecons Board, within 10 working days after the respective communication of the evaluation results, under the terms of article 12 of the Research Grants Regulation of Itecons.

Requirements for granting a grant:When granting the grant, for the purposes of contracting it, the following documents must be sent:

1. Copy of the civil identification/passport/visa/residence and tax documents;
2. Copy of academic degree qualification certificate(s);
3. Copy of the document recognizing the qualification degree in Portugal and conversion of the respective final classification to the Portuguese classification scale, if applicable;
4. Copy of document proving enrolment in a doctoral program leading to obtaining the respective academic degree or in non-academic degree course;
5. Updated document proving compliance with the exclusive dedication regime;
6. Science ID.

Failure to submit the necessary documentation for the grant contracting process, within six months after the date of communication of the conditional granting of the grant, implies the expiry of the concession.

Itecons actively promotes a policy of non-discrimination and equal access, so that no candidate may be privileged, benefited, harmed or private from any right or exempt from any duty on grounds, in particular, of ancestry, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, family situation, economic situation, education, origin or social condition, genetic heritage, reduced working capability, disability, chronic illness, nationality, ethnic origin or race, territory of origin, language, religion, political or ideological beliefs and trade union membership. Pursuant to Decree-Law No. 29/2001 of February 3rd, the candidate with disabilities has preference in equal classification, which prevails over any other legal preference. Applicants must declare in the application, under a commitment of honour, their degree of disability, the type of disability and the means of communication/expression to be used in the selection process, in accordance with the above-mentioned diploma.

1. If the degree has been issued by a foreign institution, the candidate must have the degree recognized by a Portuguese institution in accordance with article 25 of Decree-Law nº. 66/2018, of August 16th and article 4 of Decree-Law nº. 60/2018, of August 3rd. Any formalities must be fulfilled by the date of the contracting act.

Where to apply

E-mail: projetos@itecons.uc.pt

Requirements

• Research Field: Engineering
• Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent

Additional Information

Website for additional job details: https://www.itecons.uc.pt/articles

Work Location(s)

• Number of offers available: 1
• Company/Institute: ITECONS
• Country: Portugal
• City: Coimbra

Contact

• City: Coimbra
• Website: https://www.itecons.uc.pt/
• Street: Rua Pedro Hispano, s/n
• Postal Code: 3030-289
• E-Mail: projetos@itecons.uc.pt