Technical Officer

Offer Description

The Instituto de Sistemas e Robótica – Porto (ISR-Porto) is seeking a Technical Officer to provide administrative and research management support within the scope of the Research Center for Systems and Technologies (SYSTEC), UID/00147/2025.

The selected candidate will contribute to the administrative, organisational and operational support of SYSTEC's research and innovation activities, with particular emphasis on the management and monitoring of national and international R&D projects. Responsibilities will include the preparation and organisation of technical, administrative and financial documentation, support to reporting activities, liaison with funding bodies and institutional services, and the maintenance and systematisation of project-related information.

The position will also involve the management and updating of scientific information and databases, support to institutional communication activities, and the organisation and logistical coordination of scientific and institutional events, including conferences, workshops, consortium meetings, training activities and other research-related initiatives.

The selected candidate may also provide support to research teams and international researchers, including assistance with mobility and institutional procedures, preparation of documentation, updating of web content and research information systems, and other administrative and organisational tasks required for the effective operation of SYSTEC.

The position requires strong organisational, communication and interpersonal skills, a high degree of autonomy and attention to detail, and the ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary and international research environment.

The employment contract will be established with Instituto de Sistemas e Robótica – Porto (ISR-Porto), with the position being carried out within the scope of SYSTEC – Research Center for Systems and Technologies (UID/00147/2025).

Where to apply

E-mail: geral@isrp.pt

Requirements

• Research Field: Other
• Education Level: Bachelor Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

• Demonstrated professional experience in research and innovation management, administrative support to R&D units, and the monitoring of nationally and internationally funded research projects.
• Experience in the preparation, organisation and management of technical, administrative and financial documentation related to R&D activities, including project applications, reporting, supporting documentation and interaction with funding bodies and institutional services.
• Experience in the management and systematisation of scientific information, research databases and institutional information systems.
• Experience in the organisation and logistical coordination of scientific and institutional activities, including conferences, workshops, consortium meetings, training activities and other research-related events.
• Strong organisational, communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work autonomously, manage multiple tasks and priorities, and interact effectively with multidisciplinary and international teams.
• Good digital skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and familiarity with research management, funding and scientific information platforms.
• Good command of written and spoken English.

Specific Requirements

• Extensive professional experience in functions relevant to the position, preferably with at least 5 years of experience in research management, administrative support to R&D units, or related activities within higher education or research organisations.
• Proven experience in the administrative and financial management of national and/or international R&D projects, including project monitoring, reporting, preparation of supporting documentation and interaction with funding bodies.
• Experience in the preparation of formal, technical and administrative documentation, including reports, declarations and project-related documentation.
• Experience in the creation, maintenance and management of databases, scientific information systems and research management platforms.
• Proven experience in the organisation and logistical coordination of scientific and institutional events, including conferences, workshops, consortium meetings and training activities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Word, Excel and PowerPoint, and familiarity with digital platforms used for research, scientific information and project management.
• Ability to work autonomously, manage multiple activities and deadlines, and interact effectively with multidisciplinary and international research teams.
• Good command of written and spoken English.
• Languages: PORTUGUESE
• Level: Mother Tongue
• Languages: ENGLISH
• Level: Excellent
• Research Field: Other
• Years of Research Experience: 4 - 10

Additional Information

Benefits

The position provides the opportunity to work closely with research teams involved in national and international R&D projects and to interact with institutional services, funding bodies and external partners.

The role offers broad exposure to research management, project administration, scientific information management, institutional communication and the organisation of scientific activities, contributing to the professional development of competencies in the management and support of research and innovation.

The position will be offered under an employment contract with an expected initial duration of 12 months, renewable in accordance with the applicable legal and contractual provisions.

The gross monthly remuneration associated with the position is €1,840.00, plus the applicable meal allowance.

Eligibility criteria

Applicants must hold a Bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification and demonstrate substantial professional experience in functions relevant to the position, particularly in research management and administrative support to R&D activities.

Candidates should demonstrate relevant professional experience in the following areas:

• Preparation and submission of applications to national and/or international research funding programmes, preferably with more than 5 years of experience;
• Preparation of formal, technical and administrative documents, including declarations, meeting minutes and reports;
• Organisation and logistical support of scientific, academic or institutional events, at national and/or international level;
• Advanced use of digital productivity applications, particularly Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Teams;
• Management and organisation of scientific, administrative and project-related information.

Relevant professional training completed within the last five years will also be taken into consideration, particularly training related to the functions to be performed.

Additional training in areas such as research management, science communication, research data management and open science, and the preparation and submission of research proposals will be considered particularly relevant.

Academic qualifications, professional experience and relevant training must be duly documented in the application.

Selection process

The selection process will comprise a Curriculum Assessment (CA) and may be complemented by a Professional Interview (PI) with up to the three highest-ranked candidates, whenever the Selection Committee considers that the Curriculum Assessment alone is not sufficient to adequately assess or distinguish the candidates' suitability for the position.

Curriculum Assessment (CA) – Maximum score: 20 points

The Curriculum Assessment will be based on the qualifications, professional experience and training duly documented in the application and will consider the following criteria:

1. Professional experience in research management and support to R&D activities – 4 points
2. Assessment of the relevance, duration and level of responsibility of the candidate's professional experience in research management and in the administrative and organisational support of research units, research teams and R&D activities.
3. Experience in research funding applications and project management – 4 points
4. Assessment of professional experience in the preparation and submission of applications to national and/or international funding programmes, as well as in the administrative and financial monitoring of funded R&D projects, reporting activities and interaction with funding bodies and institutional services.
5. Technical and administrative documentation, scientific information and digital tools – 4 points
6. Assessment of experience in preparing formal, technical and administrative documentation, including declarations, meeting minutes and reports, as well as in the management of databases, scientific information systems and research management platforms. Advanced use of digital productivity applications, particularly Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Teams, will also be considered.
7. Organisation and support of scientific and institutional activities – 4 points
8. Assessment of proven experience in the organisation, coordination and logistical support of scientific, academic or institutional activities, including conferences, workshops, consortium meetings, training activities and other national and/or international events.
9. Relevant professional training and language skills – 4 points
10. Assessment of professional and additional training relevant to the functions to be performed, particularly training completed within the last five years in areas such as research management, science communication, research data management and open science, and the preparation and submission of research proposals. English language proficiency relevant to the performance of the functions will also be considered.

Only qualifications, professional experience and training duly documented in the application will be considered for the Curriculum Assessment.

Professional Interview (PI) – Maximum score: 20 points

If a Professional Interview is conducted, candidates will be assessed according to the following criteria:

1. Attitude – 4 points
2. Assessment of the candidate's ability to work effectively as part of a team, manage interpersonal situations and potential conflicts, demonstrate initiative, autonomy, confidence and an appropriate professional approach.
3. Motivation for the position – 4 points
4. Assessment of the candidate's interest in the position, motivation to perform the proposed functions and understanding of the responsibilities associated with the role.
5. Specific knowledge relevant to the position – 4 points
6. Assessment of the candidate's knowledge and practical understanding of the technical, administrative and organisational requirements of the position, particularly in relation to research management and support to R&D activities.
7. Communication and verbal expression – 4 points
8. Assessment of the clarity and coherence of the candidate's communication, verbal fluency, ability to understand and interpret the questions posed and capacity to structure responses effectively.
9. Adaptability and problem-solving – 4 points
10. Assessment of the candidate's ability to adapt to new situations, manage unexpected challenges, prioritise activities and identify effective solutions to problems arising in the professional context.

Final Classification

Where a Professional Interview is conducted, the final classification will be calculated according to the following formula:

Final Classification (FC) = 60% Curriculum Assessment (CA) + 40% Professional Interview (PI).

Candidates will be ranked according to their final classification. The Selection Committee reserves the right not to select any candidate if none is considered to possess the profile, experience and competencies required for the position.

Selection Committee

The selection and evaluation process will be conducted by the following Selection Committee:

• President: António Pedro Rodrigues de Aguiar, Director of ISR-Porto, Coordinator of SYSTEC and Full Professor at the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto (FEUP).
• 1st Effective Member: Gil Manuel Magalhães de Andrade Gonçalves, Deputy Director of ISR-Porto, Integrated Member of SYSTEC and Professor at FEUP.
• 2nd Effective Member: Fernando Arménio de Costa e Castro Fontes, Integrated Member of SYSTEC and Professor at FEUP.
• 1st Substitute Member: Roman Chertovskikh, Integrated Member of SYSTEC and Professor at FEUP.
• 2nd Substitute Member: Luís Tiago de Freixo Ramos Paiva, Integrated Member of SYSTEC and Professor at FEUP.

The Selection Committee will be responsible for assessing the applications in accordance with the eligibility requirements and selection criteria established in this call, including the Curriculum Assessment and, where applicable, the Professional Interview.

Additional comments

Applications must be accompanied by the following mandatory documents:

• Curriculum Vitae, including detailed information on academic qualifications, professional experience, relevant training and other competencies related to the position;
• Copy of the academic degree certificate(s) required for the position (Academic degrees awarded by foreign higher education institutions must be recognized by a Portuguese higher education institution, in accordance with the applicable Portuguese legislation. Where applicable, the corresponding recognition must be completed no later than the date of establishment of the employment contract);
• Documentary evidence of professional experience, such as employment certificates, declarations issued by current or previous employers, recommendation letters or other appropriate supporting documents;
• Motivation letter, outlining the candidate's motivation and suitability for the position.

Failure to submit any of the mandatory documents listed above within the application deadline will result in the automatic exclusion of the application from the selection process.

Candidates should also submit, where applicable:

• Certificates or other documentary evidence of relevant professional and additional training;
• Documentary evidence of English language proficiency;
• Any other documentation considered relevant to demonstrate qualifications, professional experience or competencies to be assessed during the selection process.

Candidates who are not Portuguese or European Union nationals must, where applicable, hold a valid residence permit and/or other legally required authorization enabling them to reside and work in Portugal at the time the employment contract is established.

The Selection Committee may also request additional documentation or clarification regarding the information provided whenever considered necessary for the assessment process.

The selection process may be terminated without recruitment if the Selection Committee concludes that none of the candidates meets the profile, experience and competencies considered appropriate for the position.

Work Location(s)

• Number of offers available: 1
• Company/Institute: Instituto de Sistemas e Robótica
• Country: Portugal
• State/Province: Porto
• City: Porto
• Postal Code: 4200-465
• Street: Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, i217

Contact

• State/Province: Porto
• City: Porto
• Website: https://www.isrp.pt
• Street: Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, i217
• Postal Code: 4200-465
• E-Mail: sas.isr@fe.up.pt
• Phone: +351220413211