Research Studentships PhD students

Offer Description

Reference: BI 29.PL739.2026.IDMEC

The Institute of Mechanical Engineering – IDMEC is opening a call for Research Studentships PhD students

Applications are open for one Research Studentships PhD students within the framework of project Carbon-FreePorts, Operação n.º 15775 - LISBOA2030-FEDER-00688200, financed by national funds (OE) through FCT.IP and, when applicable, co-financed by the Fundo Europeu de Desenvolvimento Regional (FEDER), under the program COMPETE2030, under the following conditions:

Scientific Area: Mechanical Engineering

Admission Requirements:

• Be enrolled for a PhD, or declaration of honor in which undertakes to be enrolled until the grant's contract is done.

Workplan and the objectives to achieve:

This work plan seeks to address the high costs that limit investment in wave energy conversion by developing industrial-grade air turbines for Oscillating Water Column (OWC) devices. The research integrates numerical modelling, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), and experimental testing to optimise turbine-generator sets. A new method will be developed to design turbines that meet specific air-chamber damping requirements, verified through CFD analysis and steady-state testing. A novel hardware-in-the-loop configuration will simulate OWC hydrodynamics in the laboratory, facilitating the development of optimal control laws. The project will proceed in two deployment phases: first, testing an 18 kW power take-off system at the Mutriku wave power plant; second, designing, manufacturing, and testing full-scale turbines for a novel multi-chamber floating device in collaboration with industry partners. This integrated approach aims to deliver high-efficiency, cost-effective solutions that advance renewable energy production and support the transition to carbon neutrality.

Legislation and Regulations: Statute of Scientific Research Fellow, approved by Law nr. 40/2004, of August 18, as worded by Decree-Law nr. 123/2019, of August 28; FCT Regulation for Research Studentships and Fellowships, available on https://diariodarepublica.pt/dr/detalhe/regulamento/950-2019-127238533

Workplace: The work will develop at IDMEC - Institute of Mechanical Engineering, bei both the Host and Contracting Entity, and under the scientific supervision of Prof. Luís Manuel de Carvalho Gato.

Duration: The research fellowship(s) will have the duration of 12 months. It's expected to begin in October 2026 and may be eventually renewed up to the maximum stated by the law or the end of the project.

Monthly maintenance allowance: According to the values for Research Fellowships awarded by FCT in Portugal (https://www.fct.pt/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Tabela-de-Valores-SMM-2026.pdf), the amount of the monthly maintenance allowance is € 1.359,64 being the payment method by Wire Transfer.

Selection methods: The selection methods will be the following: Curriculum evaluation and experience in numerical and experimental modelling of turbomachines, with 50% of the marks for each criterium.

Composition of the selection Jury:

Prof. Luís Manuel de Carvalho Gato (President)

Prof. Luis Rego da Cunha de Eça

Prof. João Carlos de Campos Henriques

Announcement/ notification of the results: The final evaluation results will be communicated to all applicants by email.

After being notified, candidates have 10 working days to submit a formal rebuttal, by email.

A selection reserve list will be drawn up that can be used until the end of 2026.

Application deadline and formalization: The call is open in the period between September 11th and September 25th, until 18:00, 2026.

Research Studentships

It is mandatory to formalize applications with the submission of the following documents: Curriculum Vitae; academic degree certificate; proof of enrollment at an academic degree course (PhD); motivation letter;

Applications should be submitted to the email: luis.gato@tecnico.ulisboa.pt

The contract draft and final report draft are available on https://www.idmec.tecnico.ulisboa.pt/about/job-openings/

Where to apply

E-mail: luis.gato@tecnico.ulisboa.pt

Requirements

• Research Field: Engineering » Mechanical engineering
• Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent

Additional Information

Website for additional job details: https://www.idmec.tecnico.ulisboa.pt/about/job-openings/

Work Location(s)

• Number of offers available: 1
• Company/Institute: IDMEC- Instituto de Engenharia Mecânica
• Country: Portugal
• State/Province: Lisboa
• City: Lisboa
• Postal Code: 1049-001
• Street: IDMEC, Av Rovisco Pais, 1

Contact

• State/Province: Lisboa
• City: Lisboa
• Website: https://www.idmec.tecnico.ulisboa.pt/
• Street: Av Rovisco Pais, 1
• Postal Code: 1049-001