Offer Description
Reference: BI_31_DEM_TEMA_2026_CS_SciBusinDev-WSS
NOTICE FOR THE AWARD OF RESEARCH GRANTS
A tender is hereby opened for the award of one Research Grant (RG) under a project to explore new technological innovations in the field of water,, reference SciBusinDev-WSS of TEMA – Center for Mechanical Technology and Automation, Department of Mechanical Engineering of the University of Aveiro, under the following conditions:
1. Scientific Area: Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mathematics and applications, and related fields.
2. Financing Source Cooperation with Society: 2.30.400.108 – SciBusinDev-WSS – A. Gil Andrade-Campos.
3. Admission Requirements:
3.1. 4. Masters enrolled in courses that do not confer academic degree integrated in the educational project of the University of Aveiro.
3.2. 2. Master’s Degree in: Mechanical Engineering, Sustainable Energy Systems, Computer Engineering, Mathematics or related fields.
The proof of enrolment must be made available until the contract is awarded, and the candidate may attach a declaration of honor to confirm that they meet the requirements for enrolment in an integrated master’s degree, master’s or doctoral program or in a course that does not confer an academic degree.
If the qualification has been conferred by a foreign higher education institution it must be recognized by a Portuguese higher education institution, under the terms of the provisions of article 25 of Decree-Law no. 66/2018, of August 16th, which approves the legal regime of recognition of academic degrees and diplomas of Higher Education, attributed by foreign higher education institutions, and of paragraph e) of no. 2 of article 4 of Decree-Law no. 60/2018, of August 3rd, and any formalities established therein must be fulfilled by the date of the hiring act.
4. Other Requirements: Minimum Master’s degree completion average of 12 points; advanced knowledge of English, advanced knowledge of Portuguese and holders of a scientific and professional curriculum that reveals a profile suitable for the activity to be developed.
5. Eligibility: Applicants are eligible if they comply with paragraph a) of no.1 of article 2, of the Research Fellow Statute in the wording given by Decree-Law no. 123/2019, of August 28th, and also the provisions of article 9 of the Scientific Research Grant Regulations of the University of Aveiro.
6. Work plan: The work plan comprises a main section on entrepreneurship and another on science management. The main objective of the project is to conduct research into potential technological innovations in the water sector that create unique and scalable business opportunities, initially addressing Portugal’s specific needs in the water sector whilst having the potential to expand across the EU and other regions. Given the wide range of evolving technologies (AI-based detection, nanotechnology, filtration membranes, new approaches to desalination, etc.) and the numerous water-related challenges facing Portugal, the optimal course of action will be determined following research and discussion with the project stakeholders. The market opportunity will depend on exploring the water sector and the ability to develop a viable and successful product or service, but essentially on the choice of a region or municipality, or one or more sectors of the economy, business verticals, etc. This work, linked to entrepreneurship, requires research into and an understanding of existing technologies in the water sector, as well as an analysis of business potential. It also requires collaboration with the companies Empowered Startups and Hydrametrics.
In addition to the above objective, the secondary objective of this fellowship is to (i) manage the research team’s communications and produce content for online dissemination; (ii) manage and organise outreach events, including workshops and conferences; (iii) manage the project’s support platforms. This role also involves updating the project’s IT systems, such as the website. It involves supporting the administrative management of the project and communicating science to the wider public. The work plan requires the science manager to be physically present at the UA for at least 3 days a week.
7. Applicable legislation and regulations: Research Fellow Statute, as amended by Decree-Law No. 123/2019, of August 28th; Scientific Research Grant Regulation of the University of Aveiro, Regulation No. 292/2020, published in Diário da República No. 61, Series II, of March 26th; Decree-Law No. 66/2018, of August 16th (Legal regime of recognition of academic degrees and diplomas of higher education awarded by foreign higher education institutions).
8. Workplace: The work will be carried out at TEMA – Center for Mechanical Technology and Automation, Department of Mechanical Engineering of the University of Aveiro, under the scientific supervision of Professor Doctor António Gil Andrade Campos.
9. Duration of the grant(s): The grant duration will be 6 months, starting in October of 2026, and may be renewed for additional periods of 6 months, up to the maximum limit of approved funding. Under no circumstances shall it exceed the limits defined in nos. 5 and 6 of article 9, of Regulation no. 292/2020, of February 28th, published in Diário da República, no. 61, Series II, of March 26th (Scientific Research Grant Regulation of the University of Aveiro).
10. Amount of monthly maintenance allowance: The amount of the grant corresponds to €1.359,64, according to the table of values of monthly maintenance allowances, set out in Appendix III of the Scientific Research Grant Regulation of the University of Aveiro, subject to any updates that may occur and are applicable. The fellow may also be reimbursed for the amount corresponding to the Voluntary Social Security, in case of adherence to this plan.
11. Selection methods: The selection methods to be used will be the following: Curriculum assessment, where the following knowledge will be evaluated: (1) Basic academic qualifications and respective final grade point average (40%); (2) Proven knowledge in the areas of hydraulic water supply systems, software development for engineering and optimisation applications, and machine learning methods, for one of the scholarships (30%); (3) Experience in research activities within the scientific area of the application (30%), with the respective value of 40%, 30% and 30%, respectively.
If necessary, interviews will be conducted to assess the merits of the candidates. Candidates with grades below 12 and without any knowledge in the scientific area of the application will be excluded from the competition.
12. Composition of the Selection Jury: The selection panel will be composed of the Chair, Dr António Gil d’Orey de Andrade-Campos, Full Professor; Members: Dr Ana Luísa Reis, Researcher; Dr Marlene Gomes Brás, Researcher; and Alternate Members: Dr João Alexandre Dias de Oliveira, Assistant Professor; and Dr Pedro André Dias Prates, Assistant Professor.
13. Deadline for applications and how to submit applications: The call is open from September 14 to 25, 2026, and only applications submitted within the deadline will be admitted.
Applications must be formalized by sending a letter of application accompanied by the following documents: Curriculum Vitae, qualifications certificate, declaration of honour and other supporting documents deemed relevant to meet the requirements. They shall also indicate the e-mail address to which by such indication they accept to be notified for all purposes within this procedure.
Applications should be sent by e-mail to. dem.bolsas@ua.pt, until the end of the established deadline, indicating the reference “BI_31_DEM_TEMA_2026_CS_CS_SciBusinDev-WSS” in the subject. Additionally, candidates are requested to send the scanned documents to the President of the Jury, Professor Doctor António Gil Andrade Campos, email address gilac@ua.pt.
14. Form of publication/notification of results: The results of the evaluation shall be made public no later than 60 working days after the closing date for submission of applications and shall be notified to the applicants. The candidates are informed, in a prior hearing, under the terms established in the Code of Administrative Procedure, of the probable meaning of the final decision, and may, within 10 working days of this notification, express their opinion on this decision. The final results may be appealed to the Rector, to be submitted within 10 working days from the respective notification.
15. Tender duration: The final ranking list of candidates will be valid until December 31, 2026 for the purpose of constituting a reserve list for selection.
The models of the grant contract and of the final report to be prepared by the grant holder and the supervisor are available at Research fellows – sgrh – Universidade de Aveiro (ua.pt).
Where to apply
E-mail: dem.bolsas@ua.pt
