Offer Description
University of Évora
Research Scholarship for PhD Scholarship – 1 Vacancy
29th of September 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: Agribusiness and Sustainability
Admission requirements: Master’s degree geography. Proven knowledge and experience in connectivity metrics application to river connectivity is particularly relevant.
Additional valued experience includes skills in:
- GIS application
- Landscape architecture
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 the PhD research on “Valuing Mediterranean Riparian Forests: An Integrated Decision-Based Framework for Territorial Management”. The work will involve the design of a structured framework that analytically integrates ecological, economic, social, and spatial dimensions to support the restoration and conservation of riparian corridors within agricultural landscapes.
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 Agribusiness and Sustainability (Agronegócios e Sustentabilidade). The dissertation will follow a cumulative structure composed of four scientific articles, preceded by an introductory framework and followed by a synthesizing conclusion. It will produce academic publications and actionable policy/management tools to support evidence-based territorial governance, agroforestry schemes, and climate adaptation strategies in Mediterranean regions. From the outset, the work will be organised to ensure both scientific advancement and academic progression, producing results of relevance to regional stakeholders, policy makers, land managers, and the broader research community (e.g., EU GREEN partner institutions).
The work plan includes the following activities:
- Economic Valuation via Meta-Regression: Collection of secondary data from published valuation studies, hydrological assessments, and economic damage reports to perform a meta-regression analysis. This will enable the transfer of monetary values across comparable Mediterranean contexts using the avoided cost method, establishing the baseline economic foundation;
- Stakeholder Assessment and Fieldwork: Design, pilot-testing, and implementation of structured surveys and semi-structured interviews with farmers. Application of econometric models (such as logit models derived from choice experiments) to analyze farmers’ Willingness to Accept (WTA) and identify the socioeconomic factors influencing land allocation for riparian restoration;
- Spatial Prioritization Modelling: Development of a GIS-based multi-criteria and network analysis framework for mainland Portugal. This model will integrate biophysical variables (vegetation condition, connectivity, erosion risk, land-use pressures) with the economic and social layers derived from the previous activities to weight and rank restoration hotspots;
- Case Study Cost-Benefit Integration: Execution of a grounded case study comparing the theoretical ecosystem service values (avoided costs) with real-world economic restoration expenditures (planting, maintenance, land opportunity costs), providing an empirical assessment of cost-effectiveness;
- Scientific Publication and Dissemination: Preparation and submission of four peer-reviewed scientific articles aligned with each research stage, alongside presentation of findings to local actors and policymakers;
- Doctoral Thesis Preparation: Thesis synthesis, compilation of chapters, and final dissertation writing as an integrated outcome of the research activities, leading to the PhD defence
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 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(s): The scholarship will have a duration of 12 months, starting on December 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% and 40%, respectively.
Composition of the Selection Jury:
President: Ana Isabel da Silva Mendes
1º Member: Stefania Erba
2º Member: Hugo Flávio
1º Substitute: Helena Novais
2º Substitute: Manuela Morais
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 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 08 to October of 06 of November of 2026 and the results of the selection will be published by 15th of November 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 Mendes
MED of the University of Évora
email: aimendes@uevora.pt
Where to apply
E-mail: aimendes@uevora.pt
