Scientific Research Fellowship (BI)

Offer Description

NOTICE NO. 010/2026

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

UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH SCHOLARSHIP – ONE POSITION

A competition is open for the award of one Research Grant within the scope of the project POOLWISE – 18327 – Salt Water Pool Optimization with Integrated Sustainable Elements, funded by COMPETE2030-FEDER-01456000, under the following conditions:

1. Scientific Area: Engineering.

2. Admission Requirements: Degree in Civil Engineering or related fields. Preference is given to candidates with: (a) Knowledge of building materials and systems; (b) Knowledge of energy and environmental performance evaluation; (c) Knowledge of economic cost/benefit analysis.

Taking into account paragraphs 1 and 2 of Article 6 (Research Grants) of the Research Grants Regulations of the Foundation for Science and Technology, Or paragraphs 1 and 2 of Article 5, Research Grants, of the University of Algarve Grants 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 Poolwise project aims to study solutions that reduce potable water consumption during the construction and use of swimming pools, using sustainable alternatives through the adaptation and optimization of equipment, materials, and energy and water management systems for the use of seawater. The goal is to develop a system that reduces potable water consumption through the partial or total replacement of pool tank water with seawater, and to define efficient solutions for managing and controlling pool equipment, ensuring its durability and guaranteeing adequate levels of user comfort.

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 Construction Materials Laboratory of the Higher Institute of Engineering, under the scientific guidance of Professor Miguel José Pereira das Dores Santos de Oliveira.

6. Duration of grant(s): The grant will last 12 months, with the start date scheduled for April 1, 2026. The contract can be renewed, 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 €1.040,98. The maintenance allowance will be paid monthly by bank transfer. (https://www.fct.pt/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Tabela_valores_SMM_2025.pdf).

8.Candidate evaluation: In accordance with the provisions of Article 11.2 of the University of Algarve Research Grant Regulations the evaluation of candidates will be based solely on the following criteria: the candidate’s merit, with a corresponding percentage weighting of 80%.

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):

– Miguel José Pereira das Dores Santos de Oliveira, Adjunct Professor of the Department of Civil Engineering at ISE. (President);

– Jorge Manuel Guieiro Pereira Isidoro, Coordinating Professor of the Department of Civil Engineering at ISE. (Full Member);

– Rui Miguel Madeira Lança, Adjunct Professor of the Department of Civil Engineering at ISE. (Full Member);

– Maria de Fátima Silva Marques Tavares Farinha, Coordinating Professor of the Department of Civil Engineering at ISE. (Alternate Member).

11. Publication/Notification of Results: The final evaluation results will be published in a list ordered alphabetically by final grade, posted in a visible and public place on the door of the Construction Materials Laboratory (0.42) of the Higher Institute of Engineering, and the successful candidate will be notified by email.).

12. Application Deadline and Submission Method: The competition is open from 24/02/2026 a 09/03/2026

13. Applications must be accompanied by the following documents:

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;
Curriculum Vitae;
Copy of the qualification certificates for the academic degrees held, specifying the final grade and, if possible, the grades obtained in all courses taken;
Other documents deemed relevant due to the type and modality of the scholarship.

e) 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, it can be sent by post to the address: A/c Prof. Doutor Miguel Oliveira, University of Algarve / Higher Institute of Engineering, Penha Campus, 8005-139 Faro, Ref. POOLWISE or by email to mjolivei@ualg.pt. 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:

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;
1. 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;
2. 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;

d. 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 fellowship contract period, the advisor will evaluate the fellow(s)’ work by applying the following criteria, in accordance with the attached template:

a) Timely and complete execution of the activity plan;

b) Observance of the rules and guidelines of the host institution;

c) Regular attendance.

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.

University of Algarve, 16 of February of 2026

The Principal Investigator

Professor Miguel José Pereira das Dores Santos de Oliveira