Offer Description
University of Évora
Research Scholarship for PhD student – 1 Vacancy
31st of july of 2026
A call for tenders is open for 1 PhD Scholarship within the scope of the project Water4all, with reference “101060874”, cofinanced by the European Union trough Horizon Europe Program, under the following conditions:
Scientific area: Political Theory, International Relations and Human Rights
Admission requirements: Master’s degree in law, International Relations or related field. Proven knowledge and experience in environmental legislation is particularly relevant in areas such as water and nature directives (e.g. Habitats, birds, restoration)
Additional valued experience includes skills in:
- law scoping and assessment
- court decision scoping at national, European and international level
As set forth FCT Research Scholarship Regulation No. 950/2019 of December 16, 2019, article 3 and 6, candidates for “BI” (Research Grants) must comply as a rule condition for the award of the scholarship, the effective inclusion in study cycles leading to the attribution of academic degrees or in courses not leading to an academic degree. Courses that do not confer an academic degree correspond to the courses provided for in subparagraph e) of paragraph 3 of article 4 of Decree-Law No. 74/2006 of 24 March and must be developed in a higher education institution in association with at least one R&D unit, including a course plan in one or several research areas of the unit.
Work plan:
The selected candidate will develop thePhD research on the evaluation of legal frameworks related to the restoration of freshwater ecosystems. The work will involve comparative analysis of legislation and its implementation results from EU Member States, relevant international conventions, and associated implementation frameworks.
The research work will be developed as part of a structured doctoral programme and is expected to lead to the completion of a PhD in Political Theory and International Relations and will produce academic publications and policy briefs to support evidence-based legal reforms. From the outset, the work will be organised to ensure both scientific advancement and academic progression, producing results of relevance to the Water4All project and the broader research community (e.g. Water4Allknowledge Hub on Aquatic Ecosystems, RAMSAR and Water convention).
The work plan includes the following activities:
- Comparative analysis of EU and national laws on freshwater ecosystem restoration, nature protection, and other environmental legislation (e.g. pollution control, infrastructure development);
- Review of international conventions and agreements relevant to aquatic habitats;
- Examination of judicial cases at national, European, and international levels, including court decision analysis to identify gaps between practice and law;
- Development of policy recommendations and legal measures to improve European and international legal instruments for freshwater ecosystem restoration.
- Scientific publication and dissemination of results;
- Doctoral thesis preparation as an integrated outcome of the research activities.
Applicable legislation and regulations: The granting of the Research Scholarship will be carried out upon the signing of a contract between the University of Évora and the scholarship holder, according to the version in Annex I, pursuant to the Research Scholarship Statute (Law no. 40/2004 of August 18, as amended) and considering the provisions of other applicable legislation and regulations, namely, the Research Grant Regulations of the University of Évora (published by Order no. 8131/2024, of July 22, 2024), and the Research Grant Regulations of the Science and Technology Foundation, I.P. (Regulation no. 950/2019, of July 22, 2024). º 8131/2024, of July 22, 2024), https://files.diariodarepublica.pt/2s/2024/07/140000000/0035300366.pdf and in the Research Grants Regulations of the Foundation for Science and Technology, I.P. (Regulation no. 950/2019, of December 16, as amended).
Place of work: The work will be developed at MED (Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development) of the University of Évora, under the general coordination of the Administrator of the University of Évora and the scientific guidance of the Professor Ana Isabel da Silva Mendes, who must draw up an opinion on the final activity report of the scholarship (Annex II), according to the draft in Annex III.
Duration of the scholarship: The scholarship will have a duration of 12 months, starting on September of 2026. The scholarship contract may be renewed up to a maximum of 48 months.
Amount of monthly maintenance allowance: The amount of the scholarship corresponds to €1359,64, according to the table of scholarships awarded directly by FCT, I.P. in Portugal (https://www.fct.pt/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Tabela-de-Valores-SMM-2026.pdf ), payments being made monthly, by check or bank transfer.
Selection methods: The selection methods to be used will be the following: curriculum evaluation and interview, with the respective valuation of 60% (seventy per cent) and 40%, respectively.
Composition of the Selection Jury:
President: Prof. Ana Isabel Mendes
1st Member – Prof. Manuela Morais
2nd Member – Prof. Stefania Erba
1st Alternate – Prof. Helena Novais
2nd Alternate – Prof. Carla Cruz
Advertising/notification of results: The final results of the evaluation will be publicized, through an ordered list, by final grade obtained or otherwise posted in a visible and public place in MED (Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development) of University of Évora, being the candidate (a) approved notified through email.
To ensure the right of prior hearing of interested parties, the Final Classification project will be announced by any written means to all interested parties.
After communicating the provisional list of the results of the evaluation, candidates have a period of 10 working days to express their opinion in a preliminary hearing of interested parties. Based on the final ranking list, a reserve selection list will be drawn up, to be used for the possible recruitment of new scholarship holders within the scope of this project, up to the duration of the scholarship, which may be used in the eventuality of the first ranked candidate withdrawing, failing to present the mandatory documentation, or in the event of the scholarship holder canceling their scholarship early. In the eventuality that none of the candidates demonstrates the profile required to carry out the work plan, the jury reserves the right not to award the scholarship.
Application deadline and submission of applications: The tender is open from the 7th to the 21st of August of 2026 and the results of the selection will be published by 1st of September of 2026.
Applications must be formalized, obligatorily, by sending an application letter with the following documents:
- Curriculum Vitae
- certificate of qualifications
- other supporting documents considered relevant.
For the purposes of application, the evidence may be replaced by a declaration of honor signed by the candidate, but the failure to demonstrate that evidence, in the contracting phase, possession of the required degree on the deadline for application or the non-presentation of proof of enrollment in the study cycle or non-degree course, for scholarships with this component, imply the cancellation of the candidate’s application.
Academic degrees obtained in foreign countries require registration by a Portuguese Institution in accordance with Decree-Law no. 66/2018, of August 16 and Ordinance No. 33/2019, of January 25th.
The presentation of the certificate is mandatory for the signing of the contract. More information can be obtained at: https://www.dges.gov.pt/pt/pagina/recognition?plid=374
Applications must be sent by email to:
Prof. Ana Isabel Mendes
MED (Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development) of the University of Évora
email: aimendes@uevora.pt
ANNEX I, ANNEX II, ANNEX III:
https://www.uevora.pt/investigar/Oportunidades-de-Investigacao/concursos-bolsas-id
Where to apply
E-mail: aimendes@uevora.pt
