Research Initiation Grant

Reference Number: PG

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

A call for applications is open for the award of 2 research initiation grant(s), within the of the ALGORITMI Centre's research activities, funded by the Department of Industrial Electronics' own resources, under the following conditions:

Scientific Area: Industrial Electronics Engineering and Computers, or related fields.

Recipient category: for students enrolled in bachelor’s, integrated master’s, or master’s degree programs to carry out introductory R&D activities, aiming to initiate their scientific training through integration into R&D projects conducted at national institutions.

Requirement for granting the fellowship: Candidates may apply without prior enrollment in the course for which the scholarship is open. The requirement to be enrolled on a degree or non-degree course will be verified on the date the scholarship is awarded.

Scholarships will only be contracted if the successful candidates present valid proof of enrolment on a degree or non-degree course, depending on the type of scholarship being applied for, issued by a Higher Education Institution, respectively indicating the academic year in progress or its duration (start and end).

Preferred qualifications:

• Knowledge of electronics and computers, particularly in courses related to control, automation, and robotics;
• Experience with projects in the fields of control, automation, and robotics;
• Basic knowledge of computer vision.

Applicants’ eligibility: Candidates who meet the conditions set out in Article 8 of the University of Minho's Scientific Research Grant Regulations are eligible. Nationals or citizens of other European Union member states, third-country nationals, stateless persons, and citizens with political refugee status are eligible to apply for this competition.

Candidate eligibility requirements: b) Preferential factors: Knowledge in the areas of electronics and computers, particularly in curricular units related to control, automation, and robotics.

Workplan and objectives to be achieved: The work plan should aim at consolidating the scientific training of the research fellow in the framework of the course conferring a degree or academic diploma. The selected candidates will conduct research and development activities in the mobile and anthropomorphic robotics laboratory, within a project aimed at developing and experimentally validating control strategies for mobile robot navigation.

• Acquisition of critical knowledge related to vehicle control strategies;
• Acquisition of critical knowledge related to robotics simulators;
• Acquisition of critical knowledge related to the use of ROS (Robot Operating System);
• Development of a simulation environment;
• Development of control strategies for vehicle navigation;
• Experimental validation (in both simulation and real environments).

Applicable legislation and regulations: Research Grant Holder Statute (EBI), approved by Law nº. 40/2004 of August 18, in its current wording, and the University of Minho Scientific Research Grant Regulations (hereinafter referred to as the Regulations (RBIC)), approved by Order nº. 4998/2025, published in the Official Gazette, 2nd series, nº. 81, of April 28, rectified and republished through Rectification Statement nº. 634/2025/2, published in the Official Gazette, 2nd series, nº. 132, of July 11.

Host/Contracting institution and scientific supervision: The work plan will be carried out at the ALGORITMI Centre (research unit | UOEI) of the University of Minho, located at (place of physical execution), under the scientific supervision of Estela Guerreiro da Silva Bicho Erlhagen, Full Professor at the Department of Industrial Electronics of the School of Engineering of the University of Minho, with co-supervision by Sérgio Paulo Carvalho Monteiro, Assistant Professor at the Department of Industrial Electronics of the School of Engineering of the University of Minho, and Luís Filipe de Castro e Freitas Louro, Assistant Researcher at the ALGORITMI Centre, and coordination by Paula Fernanda Varandas Ferreira.

Fellowship duration: The grant will take place for a period of 3 months, with a provisional starting date on the september 2026. The fellowship grant may, eventually, be renewed up to the maximum limit allowed by the project and/or applicable legislation.

Amount of the research grant: The amount of the grant corresponds to 701,12 €/month, according to the table of values of the Research Grants of the University of Minho, updated annually, as decided by the Management Board.

Payment is made until the 23rd of each month, through bank transfer to the fellowship holder's NIB indicated in the contracting process.

Other components of the research grant: Define other scholarship components, as provided for in Article 21º of the University of Minho's Scientific Research Scholarship Regulations.

Exclusivity regime: The grantee will perform the activities under exclusivity, as foreseen in article 5º of the Research Fellow Statutes and applicable regulations.

Selection panel:

President: Estela Guerreiro da Silva Bicho Erlhagen, Full Professor at the Department of Industrial Electronics, School of Engineering, University of Minho.

Effective members: Sérgio Paulo Carvalho Monteiro, Assistant Professor at the Department of Industrial Electronics, School of Engineering, University of Minho; Luís Filipe de Castro e Freitas Louro, Assistant Researcher at the ALGORITMI Centre, School of Engineering, University of Minho.

Alternate Members: Sérgio Abílio Pereira Gonçalves, Junior Researcher at the ALGORITMI Centre, School of Engineering, University of Minho; Nélson José Fernandes Castro, Junior Researcher at the ALGORITMI Centre, School of Engineering, University of Minho.

The first effective member will substitute the President of the selection panel in case of impediment, being nominate the first substitute member in the place of the first effective member.

Criteria and procedures for applications assessment and selection: The applications assessment will focus on the candidate's Merit, following evaluation criteria, valued on a scale of 0 to 5 values:

Applicant Merit - AM (100%):

• Academic record (which reflects the classifications of academic degrees with a weighting of 50%);
• Average Classification of the Course Units, with a weighting 50%;
• Relevance of the scientific area of the Course, with a weighting 50%;
• Personal curriculum vitae (reflecting scientific and professional background), with a weighting of 40%;
• Letter of motivation, with consideration of 10%.

The final classification of the applicant’s merit with the achieved through the following formula: MC = (A.1 x 0,5) +(A.2 x 0,4) +(A.3 x 0,1), where, A= (A.1*0,5) + (A.2*0,5).

If the Jury considers that it is not able to decide based solely on the method indicated in A (MC), it may choose to conduct an interview. In this case, MC will have a weighting of 70%, and the candidates ranked in the top 3 positions who obtain a minimum score of 3.5 in MC will be admitted to the Interview phase. The Jury will then evaluate the following subcriteria:

B. Interview – ENT (30%): B.1: Interpersonal skills: 30%; B.2: Knowledge demonstrated in the area of the call: 40%; B.3: Motivation: 20%; B.4: Language skills: 10%.

The Interview classification (ENT) will be calculated using the following formula: ENT = (a. × 0,3) + (b × 0,4) + (c × 0,2) + (d. × 0,1).

The final classification (CF), combining Candidate’s Merit (MC) and Interview (ENT), will be calculated using the following formula: CF = (MC × 0.7) + (ENT × 0.3).

Application deadline and submission: The call for applications is open from 10 days after publication. Applications must be submitted by email to luislouro@algoritmi.uminho.pt indicating the reference number of the competition in the subject line. Only applications submitted within the established deadline and accompanied by the following documents will be accepted:

• Candidate's updated curriculum vitae;
• Certificates of the academic degrees obtained or, if applicable, the candidate's declaration of honor that he/she has completed the degrees required in the notice by the application deadline (not applicable to research initiation grants).
• For degrees obtained abroad, the record of recognition of the academic degrees and record of the conversion of the respective final classification to the Portuguese classification scale must be presented, or, alternatively, a declaration of honor from the candidate. This declaration must attest to facts that occurred prior to the application. In the event of a discrepancy between the information contained in the declaration and the documentation submitted for the purposes of contracting the scholarship, only the information contained in the latter will be considered. If it is found that the documents proving the academic degree and diploma, or their recognition under the terms of Decree-Law n. º 66/2018, of August 16, do not correspond to the classifications awarded in the assessment of the academic career and may consequently alter the candidate's ranking, the scholarship will not be contracted;
• Other mandatory documents to be attached at the time of application.

Note: The jury may request other documents it deems relevant (which shall not constitute grounds for exclusion): Examples: a) Letter of motivation; b) Other documents that the candidate considers relevant to the evaluation process.

Form of publication/notification of results: The results of the evaluation are published in a single list (in alphabetical order or by final score obtained), posted in a visible and public place in the host unit, as well as by email to all candidates, attaching, for this purpose, the minutes of the jury's deliberations, within a maximum period of 90 working days from the deadline for submission of applications.

Candidates are informed, at a preliminary hearing, in accordance with Articles 121 and 122 of the Administrative Procedure Code, of the likely outcome of the final decision, and may comment within 10 working days of this notification. (The waiver of the hearing for interested parties must be justified in accordance with Article 124 of the CPA).

An appeal may be lodged against the final decision within 15 working days, or an appeal may be lodged with the highest executive body of the funding entity within 30 days, both after the respective notification (Article 12(nº6) of the FCT Research Grant Regulations).

Within 10 working days of notification of the grant award, the applicant must declare their acceptance in writing. In case of non-acceptance, the next highest ranked applicant will be notified immediately.

Fellowship contractualization: The scholarship is awarded through the signing of a contract between the University of Minho and the scholarship recipient, in accordance with the draft contract in Annex II of the University of Minho Regulations (RBIC). The contract can only be signed after receipt of all the documentation required for the type of scholarship, which must occur within a maximum period of 6 months, including proof of academic degrees or diplomas, as well as enrollment in non-degree study cycles or courses, as applicable. Once all the documentation has been received, the contracting entity has 60 working days to sign the scholarship contract, in accordance with nº3 of the Article 14º the University of Minho Regulations (RBIC).

Term and cancellation of fellowship contracts: Without prejudice to the other grounds laid down in the University of Minho's Regulations for Scientific Research Scholarships and in the Research Fellow Statute, the scholarship will cease on completion of the contracted work plan, as well as on expiry of the period for which it was granted or renewed. The final report must be submitted to the scientific advisor, in accordance with the defined objectives and evaluation criteria, no later than 60 working days after the end of the scholarship and must be drawn up in accordance with Annex I of the Regulations of the University of Minho.

Non-discrimination and equal access policy: Universidade do Minho actively promotes a policy of non-discrimination and equal access, so that no candidate may be privileged, benefited, harmed or deprived of any right or exempt from any duty due, namely, 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 convictions and trade union membership.

Declaration of Honor – Academic qualifications

I, (full name), candidate for the vacancy for the award of a (type of scholarship), within the scope of the project (name or reference of the project), with the reference (ref. notice), declare on my honor that I have completed the academic degree of (academic degree), qualifying for the type of scholarship in the competition, namely the course (designation), by the (University conferring the degree), on the date XX/XX/XXXX, with a final average of XXXXX values on the YY scale.

As it is not possible for me to present proof of qualifications until the end of the competition, I declare that I undertake to present the aforementioned certificate at the conclusion of the scholarship contract, in the event that I am selected for the vacancy in the competition.

As this is true, I hereby date and sign this declaration. (Place), (date).

(full name)

NOTE: The declaration may only attest to facts that occurred prior to the application. In the event of a discrepancy between the information contained in the declaration and the documentation submitted for the purpose of contracting the scholarship, only the information contained in the latter will be taken into account.

Declaration of Honor

I, (full name), bearer of identification document number (XXXX), candidate for a research grant (type of grant), within the scope of the project (name or reference of the project), with the reference (ref. call for proposals), declare on my honor that (I have not received any research grants to date / I have received the following research grants) under the Research Grant Holder Statute.

As this is true, I hereby date and sign this declaration. (Place), (date).

(full name)

University – Financing Entity – Project – Type of grant – Duration – Start – End

Where to apply

E-mail: luislouro@algoritmi.uminho.pt

Requirements

Research Field: Engineering » Electronic engineering

Education Level: Bachelor Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications: For students enrolled in bachelor’s, integrated master’s, or master’s degree programs to carry out introductory R&D activities, aiming to initiate their scientific training through integration into R&D projects conducted at national institutions.

Specific Requirements: Candidates may apply without prior enrollment in the course for which the scholarship is open. The requirement to be enrolled on a degree or non-degree course will be verified on the date the scholarship is awarded.

Scholarships will only be contracted if the successful candidates present valid proof of enrolment on a degree or non-degree course, depending on the type of scholarship being applied for, issued by a Higher Education Institution, respectively indicating the academic year in progress or its duration (start and end).

Preferred qualifications:

• Knowledge of electronics and computers, particularly in courses related to control, automation, and robotics;
• Experience with projects in the fields of control, automation, and robotics;
• Basic knowledge of computer vision.

Additional Information

Benefits

The amount of the grant corresponds to 701,12 €/month, according to the table of values of the Research Grants of the University of Minho, updated annually, as decided by the Management Board. Payment is made until the 23rd of each month, through bank transfer to the fellowship holder's NIB indicated in the contracting process.

Eligibility criteria

Candidates may apply without prior enrollment in the course for which the scholarship is open. The requirement to be enrolled on a degree or non-degree course will be verified on the date the scholarship is awarded. Scholarships will only be contracted if the successful candidates present valid proof of enrolment on a degree or non-degree course, depending on the type of scholarship being applied for, issued by a Higher Education Institution, respectively indicating the academic year in progress or its duration (start and end).

Preferred qualifications:

• Knowledge of electronics and computers, particularly in courses related to control, automation, and robotics;
• Experience with projects in the fields of control, automation, and robotics;
• Basic knowledge of computer vision.

Selection process

President: Estela Guerreiro da Silva Bicho Erlhagen, Full Professor at the Department of Industrial Electronics, School of Engineering, University of Minho.

Effective members: Sérgio Paulo Carvalho Monteiro, Assistant Professor at the Department of Industrial Electronics, School of Engineering, University of Minho; Luís Filipe de Castro e Freitas Louro, Assistant Researcher at the ALGORITMI Centre, School of Engineering, University of Minho.

Alternate Members: Sérgio Abílio Pereira Gonçalves, Junior Researcher at the ALGORITMI Centre, School of Engineering, University of Minho; Nélson José Fernandes Castro, Junior Researcher at the ALGORITMI Centre, School of Engineering, University of Minho.

The first effective member will substitute the President of the selection panel in case of impediment, being nominate the first substitute member in the place of the first effective member.

Website for additional job details: https://www.dei.uminho.pt/ofertas/bolsa-bii/

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available: 2

Company/Institute: Universidade do Minho

Country: Portugal

State/Province: Guimarães

City: Guimarães

Postal Code: 4800-058

Street: Campus de Azurém

Contact

State/Province: Guimarães

City: Guimarães

Website: http://www.uminho.pt

Street: Campus de Azurém

Postal Code: 4800-058

E-Mail: luislouro@algoritmi.uminho.pt