Offer Description
NOTICE NO. 024/2026
COMPETITION FOR THE AWARD OF A GRANT, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE RESEARCH GRANT REGULATIONS OF UNIVERSIDADE DO ALGARVE
Title: One Master Research Grant
A competition is open for the award of one Master Grant within the scope of the R&D project MORFeuS – Mediterranean Operational Resilience Framework for nexus-based territorial Solutions, 10ID00249, funded by programa PRIMA (Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area) – Horizon 2020, under the following conditions:
1. Scientific Area: Environmental Sciences or similar area.
2. Admission Requirements: Master’s degree in Environmental Sciences or related fields, preferably with laboratory experience in surface water, groundwater and wastewater quality analyses.
Taking into account 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 research fellow will participate in the various project tasks, including water and wastewater quality analysis, namely the determination of nutrients such as ammonia, nitrates, nitrites, phosphates and silicates, as well as the measurement of physicochemical parameters, namely pH, conductivity and turbidity. The fellow will also carry out laboratory activities involving the use of a spectrophotometer and the analysis of total organic carbon (TOC) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC). The research fellow will also be expected to conduct surface water and groundwater monitoring, participating in the collection, follow-up and evaluation of water quality data. Additionally, they will be involved in the development and support of stakeholder workshops, contributing to the dissemination, discussion and transfer of project results. The research fellow will also participate in the processing, interpretation and integration of the results obtained, as well as in the preparation of technical and scientific reports, publications, and the presentation of results at meetings. The fellow is also expected to be involved in report writing, the preparation of scientific publications, and the presentation of results at meetings.
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 Centro de Investigação em Ambiente e Sustentabilidade (CENSE) of University of Algarve, under the scientific supervision of Doctor Vânia Sofia Serrão de Sousa.
6. Duration of grant(s): The grant will last 6 months, with the start date scheduled May 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 €1.359,64. 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 University of Algarve Research Grant Regulations, the evaluation of candidates will be based solely on the following criteria: candidate’s merit (70%); motivation letter (30%). Regarding the candidate’s merit, for the purpose of determining the suitability of the profile for the activities to be carried out, the following criteria will be taken into account: scientific merit (30%); experience in water testing and analysis in a laboratory setting, namely in the determination of nutrients (ammonia, nitrates, nitrites, phosphates and silicates), as well as in the measurement of physicochemical parameters (pH, conductivity and turbidity) (20%); experience in the monitoring of surface water and groundwater (15%); experience in spectrophotometric analyses and in total organic carbon (TOC) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) analyses.
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):
– Vânia Sofia Serrão de Sousa (President) (Researcher, Centro de Investigação em Ambiente e Sustentabilidade (CENSE) of the University of Algarve);
– Maria Margarida da Cruz Godinho Ribau Teixeira (Full Member) (Associate Professor, Faculty of Sciences and Technology of University of Algarve);
– Nélia Cristina da Costa Mestre (Full Member) (Researcher, Centro de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental (CIMA) of University of Algarve);
– Carlos Manuel Silva Loureiro Alves Ferreira (Alternate Member) (Professor Auxiliar, Faculty of Sciences and Technology of University of Algarve);
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 09/04/2026 to 22/04/2026.
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.
- 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 mail to the address: Universidade do
Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, FCT, Ed.7, Gab. 2.36, 8005-139 Faro, or by email to vssousa@ualg.pt, Ref.ª Edital Nº 24/2026. 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;
- 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;
- 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;
c. 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) Fulfillment of objectives – assessment of the level of achievement of results by the grantee, taking into account the work plan (75%);
b) Behavioral skills – assessment of personal characteristics highlighted during the assessment period, namely those related to professionalism and rigor in all activities carried out (15%);
c) Personal attitude – assessment of the personal commitment and availability shown during the evaluation period, taking into account factors such as the effort made, the interest and motivation shown, as well as the receptivity of the guidance team’s recommendations (10%).
The University of Algarve reserves the right to cancel the scholarship award procedure, within the scope of the aforementioned Project, whenever funding does not materialize or the scholarship duration exceeds the project completion date.
University of Algarve, 31 of March of 2026
The Principal Investigator
Doctor Vânia Sofia Serrão de Sousa
Where to apply
E-mail: vssousa@ualg.pt
