Research Grant (BI)

Reference Number: P577796

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

Offer Description

Applications are open for a Research Grant (BI) within the scope of the project “ecoOLIVAL – Technological innovation to foster the green and digital transition of olive groves in Northeast Portugal,” funded by the “Norte 2030 – North Regional Program,” under the following conditions:

1. Scientific Area:

Electrical Engineering

2. Admission Requirements:

• Enrollment in a PhD program in Intelligent Systems Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related scientific fields, or enrollment in a non-degree course;
• Hold a master’s degree in electrical and computer engineering or related scientific fields;
• Alignment of the candidate's background and experience with the objectives of the work to be carried out;
• Relevant experience in automation, programming (Python), and Machine Learning/Neural Network techniques;
• Proficiency in the English language (written and oral communication) will be considered an asset.

3. Work Plan:

The work to be performed under the grant includes:

1. analysis of case study requirements;
2. development of a data management platform;
3. development of forecasting algorithms for pattern analysis and farmer decision support; and
4. testing and validation of the developed algorithms. Selected candidates will be expected to collaborate on writing technical reports and scientific publications.

4. Objectives:

Development and implementation of artificial intelligence techniques to analyze water stress or pest patterns, enabling timely and precise interventions.

5. Applicable legislation and regulations:

Statute of the Scientific Research Grant Holder, approved by Law No. 40/2004 of August 18, as currently in force; FCT, I.P. Research Grant Regulations, currently in force (https://www.fct.pt/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/RBi_Republicado_2025.pdf); Regulation No. 522/2020, published in the Diário da República, 2nd Series, No. 113, of June 12 – Research Grant Regulations of the Polytechnic University of Bragança.

6. Workplace and scientific supervision:

The work will be carried out at the CeDRI (Research Center in Digitalization and Intelligent Robotics) Research and Innovation Laboratory of the Polytechnic University of Bragança, under the scientific supervision of Dr. José Barbosa.

7. Grant duration:

The grant will have an initial duration of 6 months, with a scheduled start date of October 5, 2026 (with the possibility of renewal up to a maximum of 24 months, including the initial period).

8. Monthly maintenance allowance amount:

The grant amount is 1,359.64€, in accordance with the table of grant values ​​awarded by FCT, I.P. within the country.

Grant holders will be covered by personal accident insurance and, if not covered by any social protection scheme, may secure their right to social security by enrolling in the voluntary social security scheme, under the terms set out in the Social Security System Contributory Schemes Code. The grant amount will be paid monthly via bank transfer.

9. Selection methods and respective weighting:

The selection methods to be used will be as follows:

a) Academic qualifications and their suitability for the work in question (40%);

b) Scientific track record in areas related to the work in question, considering publications and participation in R&D projects (20%);

c) Experience in the topics defined for the desired profile (40%).

The jury may call candidates for an interview to clarify aspects of their CV to better evaluate these criteria. The jury may decide not to award the grant if the candidate’s score is lower than 9.5 points.

10. Composition of the Selection Jury:

The Jury will be composed of Dr. José Barbosa (Chair), Dr. Flávia Pires (member), Dr. João Paulo Coelho (member), and Dr. José Augusto Carvalho (alternate).

11. Method of announcing/notifying results:

Communications and final evaluation results will be published via the UPB application submission portal or, if necessary, via email notification.

12. Application period:

The competition is open from September 18, 2026, to October 1, 2026.

13. Submission method:

Applications may be submitted via the UPB application portal (http://concursos.ipb.br), including the following documents:

a) Curriculum Vitae;

b) Certificate of qualifications;

c) Motivation letter;

d) Other documents considered relevant for the assessment of the application.

Documents proving the possession of academic degrees or diplomas, or enrollment in an academic degree or diploma program, may be waived at the application stage and replaced by a declaration of honor from the candidate; however, verification of this status is mandatory at the grant contracting stage.

Academic degrees obtained in foreign countries must be recognized by a Portuguese institution in accordance with Decree-Law no. 66/2018, of August 16, and Ordinance no. 33/2019, of January 25. Proof of such recognition is mandatory for the signing of the contract.

14. Deadlines and procedures for complaints and appeals:

Should the decision regarding the requested grant be unfavorable, candidates have a period of 10 business days following the announcement of the evaluation results to submit comments—if they so wish—during a preliminary hearing, in accordance with the Code of Administrative Procedure.

An appeal against the final decision may be lodged with the UPB Rector within 15 business days following notification of said decision.

Where to apply

Website: https://concursos.unipb.pt/ui/#/public/concursos/detalhe/1090

Requirements

Research Field: Engineering » Electrical engineering

Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

• Be enrolled in a Doctoral Program in Intelligent Systems Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related scientific fields, or be enrolled in a non-degree program;
• Hold a Master's degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering or related scientific fields;

Specific Requirements

• Alignment of the candidate's background and experience with the objectives of the work to be carried out;
• Possess relevant experience in automation, programming (Python), and Machine Learning/Neural Network techniques;

Languages: PORTUGUESE — Level: Excellent

Languages: ENGLISH — Level: Good

Additional Information

Benefits

The grant amount is 1,359.64€, in accordance with the table of grant values ​​awarded by FCT, I.P. within the country.

Grant holders will be covered by personal accident insurance and, if not covered by any social protection scheme, may secure their right to social security by enrolling in the voluntary social security scheme, under the terms set out in the Social Security System Contributory Schemes Code. The grant amount will be paid monthly via bank transfer.

Eligibility criteria

• Enrollment in a PhD program in Intelligent Systems Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related scientific fields, or enrollment in a non-degree course;
• Hold a master’s degree in electrical and computer engineering or related scientific fields;
• Alignment of the candidate's background and experience with the objectives of the work to be carried out;
• Relevant experience in automation, programming (Python), and Machine Learning/Neural Network techniques;
• Proficiency in the English language (written and oral communication) will be considered an asset.

Selection process

The selection methods to be used are as follows: The selection process will comprise the following components: a) Academic qualifications and their suitability for the work in question (40%); b) Scientific track record in areas related to the work in question, considering publications and participation in R&D projects (20%); c) Experience in the topics defined for the desired profile (40%). The jury may invite candidates for an interview to clarify aspects of their CVs and better evaluate these criteria. The jury may decide not to award the scholarship if the candidates' scores are below 9.5 points.

Additional comments

Documents proving the ownership of academic degrees or diplomas, or enrollment in an academic degree or diploma, may be dispensed with during the application stage, being replaced by a declaration of honor by the candidate, and verification of this condition is mandatory during the grant contracting stage. Academic degrees obtained in foreign countries require recognition by a Portuguese Institution in accordance with Decree-Law No. 66/2018, of August 16th and Ordinance No. 33/2019, of January 25th. The presentation of recognition is mandatory for the signing of the contract.

Website for additional job details: https://concursos.unipb.pt/ui/#/public/concursos/detalhe/1090

Work Location(s)

• Number of offers available: 1
• Company/Institute: Instituto Politécnico de Bragança - CeDRI
• Country: Portugal
• State/Province: Bragança
• City: Bragança
• Postal Code: 5300-253
• Street: Campus de Santa Apolónia

Contact

• State/Province: Bragança
• City: Bragança
• Website: http://portal3.ipb.pt/index.php/pt/ipb
• Street: Campus de Sta Apolónio
• Postal Code: 5300-253
• E-Mail: fpires@ipb.pt