1 Bolsa de Investigação - Mestre

Reference Number: ALGARVE-FEDER-02968400 - SIRING - 24518

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

Offer Description

NOTICE NO. 99/2026

COMPETITION FOR THE AWARD OF A GRANT, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE RESEARCH GRANT REGULATIONS OF UALG

Title: 1 Bolsa de Investigação - Mestre

A competition is open for the award of 1 Bolsa de Investigação - Mestre within the scope of the R&D project/institution (SIRING – Sistema Inteligente para Redução de Resíduos Alimentares e Industriais/ Instituto Superior de Engenharia), ALGARVE-FEDER-02968400 - SIRING - 24518, funded PT2030-SIID -I&D Empresarial - Copromoção), under the following conditions:

1. Scientific Area: Electrical Engineering
2. Admission Requirements: Master’s degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering.

The following knowledge and skills will be considered an asset:

• Fluency in the Portuguese language (spoken and written);
• Knowledge and experience in preparing technical reports, conducting bibliographic research, analyzing the state-of-the-art, and reviewing scientific literature within the project’s research areas;
• Knowledge and experience in electronics, including the design and development of electronic circuits, printed circuit board (PCB) layout, component assembly, and prototype testing;
• Knowledge and experience in 3D modeling and design (3D CAD), additive manufacturing (3D printing), and the development of mechanical components for prototyping and system integration;
• Data analysis, processing, and visualization, including applied statistics and exploratory data analysis;
• Scientific programming—preferably in Python—and the use of tools and libraries for data science and artificial intelligence;
• Machine learning, including classification and clustering methods, data mining, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis, and variable selection and interpretation;
• Experience in analyzing and integrating data from environmental sensors, monitoring systems, the Internet of Things (IoT), or similar applications;
• Capacity for critical analysis, autonomy in problem-solving, aptitude for scientific research, and the ability to integrate multidisciplinary information.

Taking into account paragraphs 1 and 2 of Article 6 of the Research Grants Regulations of the Foundation for Science and Technology or paragraphs 1 and 2 of Article 5 of the University of the Algarve’s Research Fellowship Regulations:

“1. Research grants, hereinafter referred to as BI, are intended for R&D activities by students enrolled in an integrated master's degree, a master's degree or a doctorate, with a view to consolidating their scientific training through the development of research work leading to the award of the respective academic degree, whether or not integrated into R&D projects.

2. The scholarships referred to in this article may also be intended for the performance of R&D activities by graduates or masters enrolled in non-degree courses integrated into the educational project of a higher education institution, developed in association or cooperation with one or more R&D units.”

3. Project Objectives: The tasks to be carried out involve supporting the execution of the work outlined in the SIRING project—an "Intelligent system for the reduction of food and industrial waste, utilizing IoT sensors, machine learning, and gamification." The objectives of this work include: (a) developing systems for waste identification via imagery, with the aim of optimizing waste management—encompassing collection, treatment, and the promotion of waste reduction; and (b) providing support for the research and development of the software and hardware required for the SIRING project.
4. Applicable Legislation and Regulations: Research Fellow Statute, approved by Law No. 40/2004 of August 18, as amended by Decree-Law No. 65/2024 of October 1, and the University of Algarve Research Grant Regulations (https://files.dre.pt/2s/2021/10/210000000/0013700149.pdf).
5. Workplace: The work will be carried out at the Design Laboratory of the Higher Institute of Engineering at the University of the Algarve, under the scientific supervision of Professor Jorge Semião.
6. Duration of grant(s): The grant will last 12 months, with the start date scheduled for January of 2026. The grant contract may be renewed until the end of the project, taking into account the University of Algarve Research Grant Regulations (https://files.dre.pt/2s/2021/10/210000000/0013700149.pdf).
7. Monthly maintenance allowance amount: The monthly maintenance allowance is €1359.64. The maintenance allowance will be paid monthly by bank transfer. https://www.fct.pt/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Tabela-de-Valores-SMM-2026.pdf).
8. Candidate evaluation: In accordance with the provisions of Article 11.2 of the Foundation for Science and Technology Research Grant Regulations In the Science and Technology field, the evaluation of candidates will be based solely on the following criteria: candidate merit, with a weighting of 60%; merit of the training plan, with a weighting of 20%; and the evaluation process may include an interview—to be conducted with the candidates or a subset of them—which will carry a weight of 20%.
9. The evaluation process may include an interview with the candidates or a portion of them, to be selected by the Evaluation Panel, which will have a maximum weighting of 20%.
10. Composition of the Application Evaluation Board: The Application Evaluation Board is composed of three full members and one alternate (all PhDs):
    • Jorge Filipe Leal Costa Semião (Presidente) (Professor coordenador; Instituto Superior de Engenharia);
    • Nelson Manuel Santos Sousa (1º Vogal efetivo) (Professor adjunto; Instituto Superior de Engenharia);
    • Cristiano Lourenço Cabrita (2º Vogal efetivo) (Professor adjunto; Instituto Superior de Engenharia);
    • Roberto Célio Lau Lam (1º Vogal suplente) (Professor adjunto; Instituto Superior de Engenharia);
11. Publication/Notification of Results: The final evaluation results will be published on the UAlg website, in a list ordered by the final grade obtained, and the successful candidate will be notified via email.
12. Application Deadline and Submission Method: The competition is open from 26/10/2026 to 06/11/2026.
13. Applications must be accompanied by the following documents:
    1. Official identification document (simple copy or legal equivalent). Applicants of non-Portuguese nationality must present a residence permit, permanent residence certificate, or long-term resident status, valid on the scholarship start date. Any of these may be replaced, in its absence, by a declaration of honor by the candidate. However, this must be submitted during the scholarship contracting phase, under penalty of forfeiture of the scholarship award;
    2. Curriculum Vitae;
    3. Copy of the qualification certificates for the academic degrees held, specifying the final grade and, if possible, the grades obtained in all courses taken;
    4. Other documents deemed relevant due to the type and modality of the scholarship.
    5. The Application for Application to the Competition, dated and signed, must be addressed to the President of the Competition Evaluation Panel, https://www.ualg.pt/sites/default/files/documentos/2022-12/anexo-iii-requerimento-para-candidatura-bolsa-pt.pdf, by email to jsemiao@ualg.pt, Ref. SIRING. In the aforementioned application, you must expressly consent to all notifications related to the bidding process being sent to the indicated email address.
14. Documents to be submitted for the scholarship agreement:
    1. Individual Taxpayer Registry (INV) information, if the applicant is a nationality other than Portuguese, must be submitted during the scholarship agreement process, under penalty of forfeiture of the scholarship award;
    2. Documents proving that the applicant meets the requirements for the respective type of scholarship, namely, proof of enrollment and registration and the study cycle or course that does not confer an academic degree;
    3. Declaration of the advisor(s) assuming responsibility for supervising the work plan, in accordance with Article 5-A of the Research Scholarship Statute, as well as guaranteeing the necessary conditions for the successful development of the work and compliance with the duties set forth in Article 13 of the Research Scholarship Statute;
    4. Declaration of Commitment to the Exclusive Dedication Regime.
15. Deadlines and Procedures for Complaints and Appeals:

    Candidates may, if they so wish, comment on the draft decision to award the requested scholarship, at a hearing for interested parties within 10 business days, under the terms and for the purposes set forth in Article 121 of the Code of Administrative Procedure.

    Candidates have the right to complain to the evaluation panel within 10 business days regarding the commission or omission of any act.

    An appeal may be filed against the final decision of the application evaluation panel to the Rector within 10 business days of notification.

16. Scholarship Contract: After receiving all required documentation, a scholarship contract will be signed with the selected candidate(s) in accordance with the attached template.
17. Evaluation of Fellow(s): At the end of each term of the scholarship agreement, the activities carried out by the scholarship holder are evaluated by their supervisor, based on the following criteria and in accordance with the attached template: adherence to working hours and attendance; and fulfillment of the work plan—specifically, the development of systems for identifying waste via imagery to optimize waste management (including collection, treatment, and the promotion of waste reduction), as well as providing support for the research and development of the software and hardware required for the SIRING project.

The University of Algarve reserves the right to cancel the fellowship award process, within the scope of the Project in question, whenever funding is not awarded or the scholarship duration exceeds the project completion date.

University of Algarve, 21 of october of 2026.

The Principal Investigator

Professor (Jorge Filipe Leal Costa Semião)

Where to apply

E-mail: jsemiao@ualg.pt

Requirements

• Research Field: Engineering » Electrical engineering
• Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
• Skills/Qualifications: Details described in the Basic Information – Offer Description
• Specific Requirements: Details described in the Basic Information – Offer Description

Internal Application form(s) needed

Formulario candidatura EN_8.pdf

English (66.31 KB - PDF)

Additional Information

• Benefits: Details described in the Basic Information – Offer Description
• Eligibility criteria: Details described in the Basic Information – Offer Description
• Selection process: Details described in the Basic Information – Offer Description
• Additional comments: Details described in the Basic Information – Offer Description

Website for additional job details: https://www.ualg.pt/bolsas-de-investigacao?id=481904

Work Location(s)

• Number of offers available: 1
• Company/Institute: University of Algarve
• Country: Portugal
• State/Province: Campus de Gambelas e Campus da Penha
• City: Faro
• Postal Code: 8005-139

Contact

• State/Province: Faro - Algarve
• City: Faro
• Website: http://www.ualg.pt
• Street: Campus da Penha
• Postal Code: 8005-139