Scientific Research Fellowship (BI)

Offer Description

NOTICE NO. 90/2026

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

Title: 1 Bolsa de Investigação – Mestre

A competition is open for the award of 1 Bolsa de Investigação – Mestre within the scope of the R&D project/institution “Environmental Monitoring of the Guadiana Estuary”/Centre for Marine and Environmental Science, ALGARVE-FEDER-03869400 – MAGIA, funded ICDT ALGARVE 2030), under the following conditions:

Scientific Area: Environmental Science.

Admission Requirements: Master degree in Marine Sciences, Physical Oceanography, or other relevant fields; Knowledge of hydrodynamic processes in surface waters, preferably in estuaries; Experience in fieldwork and processing of oceanographic data (in particular CTD data); Knowledge of MATLAB or Python; Experience in numerical modelling; Fluency in English.

Taking into account paragraphs 1 and 2 of Article 6 of the Research Grants Regulations of the Foundation for Science and Technology or paragraphs 1 and 2 of Article 5 of the University of the Algarve’s Research Fellowship 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.”

Project Objectives: Develop numerical tools to support the management of water resources in the Guadiana Estuary, enabling the simulation of the estuary’s response under different forcing conditions (namely river discharge and tidal amplitude), and allowing different scenarios of salt intrusion, contaminant dispersion, and water-quality evolution to be rapidly tested. This objective will be achieved through the following tasks:

Deployment and maintenance of CTD stations operating for one year along the estuary, ensuring the quality of the data transmitted in near real time;
Participation in field surveys along the estuary, particularly CTD measurements, conducted twice a month;
Processing and analysis of salinity data collected during the field surveys and through the monitoring stations;
Calibration and validation of analytical and numerical hydrodynamic models based on the collected data. The models have already been implemented, although some optimization may be required;
Characterization of upstream salt transport mechanisms and total fluxes, based on an integrated analyses of field observations and model results;
Development of an eco-hydrodynamic model of the Guadiana Estuary. Using Delft3D, an ecological module will be coupled to the previously developed hydrodynamic model, considering a simplified geometry of the estuary;
Selection and adaptation of the most appropriate numerical and/or analytical tools for predicting salt intrusion and water-quality evolution in the Guadiana Estuary;
Participation in project dissemination activities, including the development and updating of the project website and the preparation of scientific publications.

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).
Workplace: The work will be carried out at the Centre for Marine and Environmental Science (CIMA) of the University of Algarve, under the scientific supervision of PhD Erwan Garel (CIMA-UAlg) and PhD Alejandro Lopez Ruiz (University of Seville).
Duration of grant(s): The grant will last 12 months, with the start date scheduled for November of 2026. The grant contract may be renewed until 04/10/2029, taking into account the University of Algarve Research Grant Regulations (https://files.dre.pt/2s/2021/10/210000000/0013700149.pdf).

Monthly maintenance allowance amount: The monthly maintenance allowance is €1359.64. The maintenance allowance will be paid monthly by bank transfer. https://www.fct.pt/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Tabela-de-Valores-SMM-202…).
Candidate evaluation: In accordance with the provisions of Article 11.2 of the Foundation for Science and Technology Research Grant Regulations In the Science and Technology field, the evaluation of applications will be carried out in two stages, both of which are eliminatory. The first stage will consist of a Curricular Evaluation (CE), followed by a Selection Interview (SI).

The Curricular Evaluation (CE) aims to assess the candidates’ qualifications and skills in the scientific field relevant to the position, based on the following criteria: scientific background appropriate to the required profile, scientific output and general training, and assessment of the motivation letter, weighted at 45%, 40%, and 15%, respectively. Candidates obtaining a curricular evaluation score of 14 or higher will be admitted to the Selection Interview (SI).

The Selection Interview (SI) aims to assess, through interpersonal interaction, the candidates’ personal and professional skills, taking into consideration the training objectives underlying the award of the fellowship. Candidates invited to the Selection Interview will be notified of the date and time by email using the address provided in their application. The interview may be conducted by videoconference.

For the purpose of deciding on the award of the fellowships, the Final Classification (FC) will be calculated according to the following formula: FC = 0.8 × CE + 0.2 × SI

In the event of a tie, candidates will be ranked based on the scores obtained for each evaluation criterion, in the following order of precedence: scientific background appropriate to the required profile; scientific output and general training; Selection Interview; motivation letter.

Composition of the Application Evaluation Board: The Application Evaluation Board is composed of three full members and one alternate (all PhDs):Erwan Pierre François Albert Marie Garel (Presidente) (Investigador auxiliar; Centro de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental);Alejandro Lopez Ruiz (1º Vogal efetivo) (Catedrático de Universidad; Ingeniería Aeroespacial y Mecánica de Fluidos, U. Sevilla);Luís Ricardo Dias da Costa (2º Vogal efetivo) (Técnico Superior; Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente, Portugal);Aikaterini Kompiadou (1º Vogal suplente) (Investigador doutorado; Centro de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental);
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.
Application Deadline: The competition is open from 25/09/2026 to 18/10/2026.
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, b y email to egarel@ualg.pt with Reference: Projeto MAGIA (FEDER-03869400). In the aforementioned application, you must expressly consent to all notifications related to the bidding process being sent to the indicated email address.

Documents to be submitted for the scholarship agreement:
1. 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;
2. 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;
3. 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.

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.
Scholarship Contract: After receiving all required documentation, a scholarship contract will be signed with the selected candidate(s) in accordance with the attached template.
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) Progress according to the work plan (50%)b) Scientific output/dissemination (50%)

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 or the scholarship duration exceeds the project completion date.

University of Algarve, 15 of September of 2026.

The Principal Investigator

PhD Erwan Pierre François Albert Marie Garel