Research Grant

Offer Description

Research Grant — R&D activities to be carried out by students enrolled in an integrated master's, master's, doctoral or non-academic degree course, Article 6, Regulation No. 950/2019 of the FCT

BII/UTAD/7/2026 (1 position)

Offer description:

The University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD) opens a call for one (1) Research Grant for graduated students, in Agrarian Sciences, in the frame of the R&D project I&D TRANSNATURA - Restauración de la Naturaleza y adaptación al Cambio Climático mejorando la rentabilidad de las inversiones verdes (R&D TRANSNATURA – Nature Restoration and Climate Change Adaptation by Improving the Profitability of Green Investments), with the financial support of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the Interreg VI-A Spain–Portugal Cooperation Programme (POCTEP) 2021–2027.

Reference:

BI/UTAD/7/2026

Scientific area/research field:

Agrarian Sciences

Researcher profile:

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Admission requirements:

1. Compliance with the Research Grant Regulations, particularly with regard to the mandatory enrolment in a degree-awarding or non-degree-awarding training programme (Article 6 of the Research Grant Regulations No. 950/2019)*
2. Be enrolled in a Master's degree or higher in one of the following fields: Forestry Sciences, Agricultural Sciences, Geosciences, Environmental Sciences, Computer Science, or related fields.*

* mandatory requirement

Work plan:

The candidate will carry out R&D activities within the scope of the TRANSNATURA project, namely:

Activities to be carried out by the Research Fellow

AT1. Carbon Forestry and Certification of CO₂ Sequestration (A.1.1–A.1.3)

• Support the review of the technical and methodological framework for emission offsetting schemes and the certification of carbon sequestration in oak and chestnut stands.
• Support the design, establishment and monitoring of Quercus pyrenaica and chestnut pilot sites, including forest inventories, collection of biomass, vegetation and soil data, characterisation of historical/current management practices, and monitoring of silvicultural interventions. The Research Fellow will be required to monitor Pilot 8, in an area of Quercus pyrenaica, as well as Pilot 6 involving Castanea sativa, under the responsibility of AguiarFloresta.
• Organise and analyse data to estimate CO₂ sequestration and compare plots representative of appropriate management practices with situations characterised by limited management or abandonment.
• Contribute to the identification of carbon forestry practices that combine carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation, forest stand health and economic viability, as well as to knowledge-transfer activities targeting landowners, managers and companies.

Activity deliverable: E.1.2 Manual – Chestnut: Validated database from the pilot sites; analysis of biomass, soil and management data; and technical contribution to the Manual.

AT2. Conservation, Restoration and Climate Change Adaptation in Natural Areas (A.2.1–A.2.2)

• Collect and systematise scientific evidence and examples of best practices related to adaptive forest management, restoration using native species, ecological connectivity, water regulation, agroforestry, extensive grazing and wildfire prevention.
• Participate in field visits, meetings and workshops with public authorities, managers and local stakeholders to assess vulnerabilities and validate measures.
• Contribute to management proposals integrating biodiversity conservation, ecological restoration, climate change adaptation, ecosystem services and environmental financing mechanisms.

Activity deliverable: E.2.1 Conservation/Restoration/CCA Strategies – Diagnosis, matrix of measures, and technical and scientific contributions to strategies for the relevant natural areas.

AT4. Sustainable Rural Development, Innovation and Economic Valorisation (A.4.1–A.4.3)

• Support the identification and characterisation of agro-silvo-pastoral holdings, business initiatives and practices with potential to promote generational renewal, innovation and diversification.
• Collect and process information on economic, social and environmental sustainability, ecosystem services, business models, direct marketing and the valorisation of local products.
• Collaborate on market studies, marketing strategies, inventories of natural and intangible heritage with tourism potential, and models for cooperation between producers, the restaurant and catering sector, rural tourism and gastronomy.
• Support capacity-building activities, workshops and engagement with young people, producers, associations, companies and public authorities.

Activity deliverable: E.4.1 Market Study and Commercial Strategies – Data and analyses on holdings/products; contributions to the market study and recommendations for their valorisation.

AT5. Support for Technical Monitoring, Indicators and Quality Assurance (A.5.2–A.5.3)

• Maintain structured records of UTAD's activities, data, evidence, results and contributions, and support the reporting of environmental and socio-economic indicators.
• Prepare technical notes, progress summaries and supporting documentation for coordination meetings, peer review of outputs and assessment of results.
• Contribute to the identification of technical risks, deviations and corrective measures related to UTAD's scientific tasks.

Activity deliverable: E.4.5 Producer–Restaurant Sector Methodology – Mapping of relevant stakeholders, analysis of cooperation models, and contribution to the methodology for direct agreements.

AT6. Communication, Dissemination and Capitalisation (A.6.1–A.6.3)

• Prepare technical and scientific content for the website, dissemination materials, maps, infographics, presentations, publications and awareness-raising activities.
• Support the organisation of and UTAD's participation in in-person and online events, including visits to pilot sites, stakeholder engagement activities, networking and presentation of results.
• Contribute to the documentation and evaluation of communication activities, including participation records, content, results and supporting evidence.

Activity deliverable: E.6.2–E.6.4 Communication – Multimedia/technical content and UTAD evidence dossier for the six-monthly reports on online and in-person activities.

Applicable legislation and regulations:

Law N.º 40/2004, of 18 August (Statute of Scientific Research Fellow), amended by DL 123/2019 of 28 August; FCT, IP Research Grant Regulation, approved by Regulation N.º 234/2012, published in the II Series of the Diário da República of June 25, 2012, amended and republished by Regulation No. 326/2013, published in the II Series of the Diário da Republic of July 27, 2013, amended by Regulation No. 339/2015, published in the II Series of the Diário da República of June 17, 2015 and Law No. 71/2018 (State Budget Law for 2019) and by Regulation No. 950/2019, published in the II Series of the Diário da República of December 16, 2019, and the Regulation of Research Grants of the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro - Dispatch RT.36/2011, of July 6, of Mr. Rector, published in Diário da República by Order No. 9157/2011 (II Series), of July 19 in its current wording.

Workplace:

The work will be developed at the facilities and laboratories of UTAD's Department of Forestry Sciences and Landscape Architecture of the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, under the scientific guidance of Professor Domingos Manuel Mendes Lopes.

Duration of scholarship:

The fellowship will last for 12 months, expected to start in november 2026. The scholarship contract may be renewed, under the terms of the FCT Research Grant Regulation (no. 950/2019).

Note:

If the grant is awarded to students enrolled in a course that does not confer an academic degree, the contract cannot exceed a total duration of 12 months.

Monthly maintenance allowance amount:

The scholarship amount corresponds to €1090,98 according to the table of scholarships awarded directly by the FCT, I.P. in the country (https://www.fct.pt/apoios/bolsas/valores). The period of payment of the scholarship is monthly and through bank deposit, check or another equivalent method.

Selection Methods:

The selection methods to be used will be as follows:

A. Academic curriculum assessment: 70%

B. Interview (to all candidates): 30%

Composition of the Selection Jury:

Chair – Domingos Manuel Mendes Lopes, Associate Professor with Habilitation Professor from the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro

Effective Member – Simone da Graça Pinto Varandas, Associate Professor from the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro

Effective Member – Luis Filipe Gomes Lopes, Assistant Professor from the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro

Form of advertising/notification of results:

The final results of the evaluation will be publicized through a ranked list posted on the UTAD Campus Online Page (http://www.campus.utad.pt/bolsasinvestigacao/candidaturas), with the candidate being approved notified via email.

Based on the final ranking list, a reserve list will be drawn up, valid for the maximum duration of the project funding this grant or the maximum duration of the grant provided for in Article 3rd, nº 2, of the Statute of Scientific Research Fellow, Law no. 40/2004, of 18th August, revised by Decree-Law no. 123/2019, of 28th August (whichever comes first), which will be used for the possible recruitment of new grant holders within the scope of this project or in the event of the first-placed candidate withdrawing. If none of the candidates demonstrates that they have the profile indicated to carry out the work plan, the jury reserves the right not to award the scholarship to the competition.

If the decision to be taken is unfavourable to the granting of the requested scholarship, the candidates have a period of 10 working days, after the aforementioned disclosure, to express their opinion, if desired, in a prior hearing, under the terms provided for in the Code of Administrative Procedure.

Application deadline and form of submission of applications:

The tender is open from 06-10-2026 to 19-10-2026.

Applications must be formalized, obligatorily, by sending an application form accompanied by the following documents: Curriculum Vitae [proving the above-mentioned requirements]; Indication of the following data: citizen card number, tax identification number – TIN, date of birth, mobile phone number and email address; motivation letter; declaration of honour (to be requested by email to bolsasinvestigacao@utad.pt) and documentary evidence of the requested requirements.

The application must be made through the UTAD Campus Online Page, in the Research Grants section, following the instructions:

• Access the UTAD Campus Online Page: www.campus.utad.pt and select the Research Grants option. Or go directly to www.campus.utad.pt/bolsasinvestigacao/lista.
• Select the scholarship you intend to apply for.
• When selecting the "Apply" option, you will be redirected to the application page where you must complete and submit the respective form.

Equality of opportunities:

The candidate has the right to equal opportunities and treatment, and may not be privileged, benefited, prejudiced, deprived of any right or exempt from any duty due, in particular, to ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, family situation, economic situation, education, origin or social condition, genetic heritage, reduced work capacity, disability, chronic illness, nationality, ethnic origin or race, territory of origin, language, religion, political or ideological convictions and union membership.

Where to apply

Website: http://www.utad.pt

Requirements

• Research Field: Agricultural sciences » Other
• Education Level: Undergraduate

Additional Information

Work Location(s)

• Number of offers available: 1
• Company/Institute: University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro
• Country: Portugal
• State/Province: Portugal
• City: Vila Real
• Postal Code: 501-801
• Street: Quinta de Prados

Geofield

Contact

• State/Province: Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro
• City: Vila Real
• Website: http://www.utad.pt
• Street: Quinta de Prados
• Postal Code: 5000-801
• E-Mail: bolsasInvestigacao@utad.pt