Offer Description
Research Initiation Grants – R&D activities to be carried out by students enrolled in a higher technical professional course, bachelor, integrated master’s, master’s or non-academic degree, Article 5, Regulation No. 950/2019 of the FCT (BII/UTAD/6/2026) (1 position)
Offer description:
The University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD) opens a call for one (1) Research Initiation Grant for undergraduate students, in Agricultural Sciences, in the frame of the R&D project I-ReWater – Gestión sostenible de los recursos hídricos en la agricultura de regadío en el espacio SUDOE (S1/2.5/E0136), BII/UTAD/6/2026, financed by Financed by the Interreg-Sudoe Program 2021-2027, through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), under the following conditions:
Reference:
BII/UTAD/6/2026
Scientific area/research field:
Agricultural Sciences
Researcher profile:
First Stage Researcher (R1)
Admission requirements:
1. Qualifications: a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Sciences, Biological Sciences or related fields*;
2. Proven proficiency in English (spoken and written)*;
3. Experience in research projects involving fieldwork with agricultural crops;
4. Driving licence*;
5. Immediate availability to work at UTAD (in Vila Real) and to travel to field sites*;
6. Candidates must be enrolled in, or eligible to enrol in, a degree-awarding course or a non-degree-awarding course, in accordance with the provisions of Article 6 of the FCT Research Grants Regulations (No. 950/2019)*;
* mandatory requirement
Work plan:
The candidate will carry out R&D activities within the scope of the I-ReWater project, namely:
- Monitoring the olive tree’s physiological response to different water-deficit irrigation strategies and ApR water;
- Collection of soil, irrigation water and vegetative samples;
- Assessment of the plants’ dendrometric parameters; Assessment of yield and quality components;
- Data collection and statistical analysis;
- Preparation of the project report;
- Writing of technical and scientific articles;
- Project dissemination activities;
Applicable legislation and regulations:
Law N.º 40/2004, of 18 August (Statute of Scientific Research Fellow), amended by DL 123/2019 of 28 August; FCT, IP Research Grant Regulation, approved by Regulation N.º 234/2012, published in the II Series of the Diário da República of June 25, 2012, amended and republished by Regulation No. 326/2013, published in the II Series of the Diário da Republic of July 27, 2013, amended by Regulation No. 339/2015, published in the II Series of the Diário da República of June 17, 2015 and Law No. 71/2018 (State Budget Law for 2019) and by Regulation No. 950/2019, published in the II Series of the Diário da República of December 16, 2019, and the Regulation of Research Grants of the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro – Dispatch RT.36/2011, of July 6, of Mr. Rector, published in Diário da República by Order No. 9157/2011 (II Series), of July 19 in its current wording.
Workplace:
The work will be developed at the Agronomy Department of the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, under the scientific guidance of Professor Anabela Afonso Fernandes Silva.
Duration of scholarship:
The fellowship will last for 3 months, expected to start in 01/10/2026.
Monthly maintenance allowance amount:
The scholarship amount corresponds to 701,12€ according to the table of scholarships awarded directly by the FCT, I.P. in the country (https://www.fct.pt/apoios/bolsas/valores). The period of payment of the scholarship is monthly and through bank deposit, check or another equivalent method.
Selection Methods:
The selection methods to be used will be as follows:
Curricular assessment and interview to assess the skills required for the job (EAC), with a respective score of 70% and 30%.
Composition of the Selection Jury:
Chair – ANABELA AFONSO FERNANDES SILVA
Effective Member – RAUL MANUEL PEREIRA MORAIS DOS SANTOS
Effective Member – JOAQUIM JOÃO MOREIRA DE SOUSA
Form of advertising/notification of results:
The final results of the evaluation will be publicized through a ranked list posted on the UTAD Campus Online Page (http://www.campus.utad.pt/bolsasinvestigacao/candidaturas ), with the candidate being approved notified via email.
Based on the final ranking list, a reserve list will be drawn up, valid for the maximum duration of the project funding this grant or the maximum duration of the grant provided for in Article 3rd , nº 2, of the Statute of Scientific Research Fellow, Law no. 40/2004, of 18th August, revised by Decree-Law no. 123/2019, of 28th August (whichever comes first), which will be used for the possible recruitment of new grant holders within the scope of this project or in the event of the first-placed candidate withdrawing. If none of the candidates demonstrates that they have the profile indicated to carry out the work plan, the jury reserves the right not to award the scholarship to the competition.
If the decision to be taken is unfavourable to the granting of the requested scholarship, the candidates have a period of 10 working days, after the aforementioned disclosure, to express their opinion, if desired, in a prior hearing, under the terms provided for in the Code of Administrative Procedure.
Application deadline and form of submission of applications:
The tender is open from 28-08-2026 to 10-09-2026
Applications must be formalized, obligatorily, by sending an application form accompanied by the following documents: Curriculum Vitae [proving the above-mentioned requirements]; Indication of the following data: citizen card number, tax identification number – TIN, date of birth, mobile phone number and email address; motivation letter; declaration of honour (to be requested by email to bolsasinvestigacao@utad.pt) and documentary evidence of the requested requirements.
The application must be made through the UTAD Campus Online Page, in the Research Grants section, following the instructions:
• Access the UTAD Campus Online Page: www.campus.utad.pt and select the Research Grants option. Or go directly to www.campus.utad.pt/bolsasinvestigacao/lista .
• Select the scholarship you intend to apply for.
• When selecting the “Apply” option, you will be redirected to the application page where you must complete and submit the respective form.
Equality of opportunities:
The candidate has the right to equal opportunities and treatment, and may not be privileged, benefited, prejudiced, deprived of any right or exempt from any duty due, in particular, to ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, family situation, economic situation, education, origin or social condition, genetic heritage, reduced work capacity, disability, chronic illness, nationality, ethnic origin or race, territory of origin, language, religion, political or ideological convictions and union membership.
Where to apply
Website: http://www.campus.utad.pt
