Research Scholarship

by the Principal Investigator Tatiana Moura.

CES provides a stimulating intellectual environment in social sciences and humanities. The project is part of the research line Europe and the Global South: Heritages and Dialogues, which includes researchers interested in analysing the articulations between Europe and the Global South, at various scales, in the framework of an increasingly multipolar world marked by colonial legacies that shape multiple forms of violence. (https://ces.uc.pt/pt/ces/linhas/lt3).

a. Project Description:

SAFEBOT - Supporting Adolescents’ feelings & emotions through a chatbot for a whole-school approach to students' emotional education and well-being.

The SAFEBOT project aims to promote students’ well-being and support teachers in creating emotionally safe, inclusive and digitally competent school environments, through a whole-school approach to socio-emotional education, embedding well-being into the school’s culture, policies and everyday practices.

Throughout the project, three key resources will be developed: Pedagogical Toolkit for Teachers; SafeBot chatbot; Students’ Library.

The project also seeks to promote the responsible use of technology and strengthen digital literacy, supporting students and teachers in developing the critical skills needed to navigate the digital environment and identify misinformation related to emotional and mental well-being. In summary, this initiative aims to enhance students’ social, emotional and relational competences, support teachers with innovative, inclusive and accessible methodologies, and contribute to the creation of school environments where everyone feels supported, heard and empowered to thrive within the school community and beyond.

Expected duration of project execution: 24 months, starting November 1, 2025.

b. Scientific field:

Social and Human Sciences – Sociology, Education, Pedagogy and Psychology

c. Work plan, tasks:

The selected applicant is expected to have the following responsibilities:

i) Support research, data collection and analysis within the scope of the projects.

ii) Contribute to the development, review and adaptation of educational materials and digital resources.

iii) Participate in the development, testing and evaluation of educational tools.

iv) Collect, organise and validate relevant information, resources and content.

v) Support the organisation of meetings, events and dissemination activities.

vi) Produce communication content and monitor digital channels and related performance indicators.

d. Applicable Legislation and Regulations:

Portuguese Law nº 40/2004, of August 18 (Scientific Research Fellow Statute) and the following amendments; FCT's (National Agency for Science and Technology) Regulations for Advanced Training and Qualification of Human Resources, and Regulations for Fellowships at the Centre for Social Studies.

Template of the fellowship contract: https://ces.uc.pt/oportunidades/bolsasemprego/Minuta_Contrato_Bolsa_CES.pdf

Template of the final activities report: https://ces.uc.pt/oportunidades/bolsasemprego/E_Relatorio_actividades.pdf

e. Workplace:

The tasks will be performed at the Centre for Social Studies facilities in Coimbra, or in other locations when necessary for the good implementation of the work plan, under the scientific supervision of the Project's Principal Investigator, Tatiana Moura.

f. Duration of the fellowship contract:

The fellowship will last 6 months, starting in November 2026. The fellowship contract may be extended for equal or different periods until the end of the project, depending on the evaluation of the work carried out, the project's financial provisions, and scientific needs.

g. Application dates:

Opens on: 23 October 2026

Closes on: 06 November 2026

h. Application process:

Applications must include:

a) a letter of intent/motivation in English with the contest reference (CES/28/2026-BI-SAFEBOT), e-mail and phone number;

b) detailed Curriculum Vitae;

c) copies of degree certificates; (note: candidates must meet the eligibility conditions and conditions indicated in point k.)

d) copy of the enrolment in a non-academic degree, but integrated into the pedagogical project of a higher education institution (note: candidates must meet the eligibility conditions) and conditions indicated in point k.).

Applications should be sent by e-mail to concursos@ces.uc.pt until the final deadline and will be valid only after a reading receipt is sent. Applications must include a clear indication of the reference of this call (CES/28/2026-BI-SAFEBOT NAME OF APPLICANT).

Where to apply

E-mail: concursos@ces.uc.pt

Requirements

Research Field: Other

Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

i. Preferred selection criteria and their weighing:

Applicants must demonstrate expertise on the topic of the project by fulfilling the following criteria:

1. Motivation letter explaining how the scientific track of the applicant relates to the SAFEBOT project (30%);
2. Previous research experience in similar projects with focus on mental health, masculinities and emotional intelligence (20%);
3. Experience or documented knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies (20%);
4. Knowledge of gendered analysis (10%);
5. Experience in Communication (social media content and management and science communication) (10%);
6. Proficiency in Portuguese and English (10%).

The jury reserves the right not to select any candidate.

Level: Good

Research Field: Other

Additional Information

Benefits

j. Monthly Allowance

The monthly stipend is 1359,64 euros according with the Regulations for Fellowships at the Centre for Social Studies and at FCT (https://www.fct.pt/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Tabela-de-Valores-SMM-2026.pdf). The payment of the Voluntary Social Insurance and the Personal Accident Insurance adds up to this amount.

Eligibility criteria

k. Mandatory requirements

1. Be a PhD student in the year 2026/2027 or have a master’s degree and be enrolled in a course that does not confer an academic degree but is part of the educational project of a higher education institution (see associated conditions in a);
2. Hold a master's degree in the area of Social Sciences and/or Humanities – preference to Sociology, Education, Pedagogy and Psychology (see associated conditions in b);

a) Applicants must provide proof of enrolment in a master degree course, in the current academic year. If at the time of application, the applicant does not have a valid document proving their enrolment, they must send a declaration of honour in which they state to undertake the enrolment within a maximum period of 30 days after the communication of the results, under penalty of not contracting the scholarship.

b) Applicants with an academic degree and diploma issued by a foreign Higher Education Institution must present proof of recognition of the academic degree by the Portuguese Higher Education System, (law DL66/2018). Any candidate without the recognition of the degree(s) will be admitted to the competition, but during the evaluation process the selection panel, cannot:

i) recognise the candidate's grades and assess according to the possession of such grades;

ii) give equivalence to, or validate, the grade of her/his degree;

iii) use that note or its conversion as an evaluation parameter.

In case of selection, the fellowship contract can only be signed after the recognition of the academic degree by the Portuguese authorities, under the terms of the Law-decree n66/2018, August 16. The selected candidate must deliver the recognition of the degree within 30 days after the communication of the results. After 30 days, the jury may decide to 1. either extend the deadline for the candidate to prove the recognition; 2. assign the fellowship to the second place; 3. or not award the fellowship.

Selection process

l. Selection process

Applicants will be selected based on their curricular evaluation. In case of equivalent curricular evaluations, the best-positioned applicants should be short-listed for an interview, meant to assess the applicant's potential in integrating the project's scientific dynamic and his/her motivation in pursuing studies related to the project's thematic areas. Each of the two methods of selection applied will have a rating of 50% in the final classification.

m. Selection panel:

• Tatiana Moura (President)
• Inês Amaral (permanent member)
• Cristiano Gianolla (permanent member)
• Mara Pieri (substitute member)
• Fernando Fontes (substitute member)

n. Communication of Results:

All candidates will receive the results by e-mail. The meeting minutes of the selection panel will become available publicly. After communicating the results, applicants have 10 working days to present a redress to the evaluation and the result by e-mail.

Additional comments

Equality of opportunities:

CES abides by the national law that regulates the prevention, prohibition and fighting against discrimination on the grounds of racial and ethnic identity, colour, nationality, family background, territory of origin, and disability.

(Law nº 93/2017, 23 August; Law nº 4/2019, 10 January).

Data protection:

By submitting your application, you are agreeing with the use of your personal data by CES administrative services for the sole purpose of the current call, namely to be contacted directly by CES services and allow the communication of results as in point n. of this call. CES abides by the principles of GPDR.

Contact:

Centro de Estudos Sociais

Colégio S. Jerónimo, Apartado 3087

3000-995 Coimbra, Portugal

concursos@ces.uc.pt

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available: 1

Company/Institute: Centro de Estudos Sociais

Country: Portugal

Contact

City: Coimbra

Website: http://www.ces.uc.pt

Street: Colégio S. JerónimoApartado 30873001-401 Coimbra