Research Grant-R&D activities to be carried out by students enrolled in an integrated master's, master's, doctoral or non-academic degree course, Art.6, Reg.950/2019 of the FCT BI/UTAD/27/2026

Organisation/Company

University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro

Department

Research Support Office

Research Field

Computer science » Other

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Positions

Research Support Positions

Application Deadline

20 Mar 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Lisbon)

Country

Portugal

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Offer Starting Date

15 Apr 2026

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Other EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer description:

The University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD) opens a call for one (1) Research Grant for students enrolled in an integrated master's, master's, doctoral or non-academic degree course, in Computer Sciences, in the frame of the R&D project Soil O-Live - The Soil Biodiversity and Functionality of Mediterranean Olive Groves: A Holistic Analysis of the Influence of Land Management on Olive Oil Quality and Safety ’ with the financial support of European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme (Grant Agreement n.º 101091255).

Reference:

BI/UTAD/27/2026

Scientific area/research field:

Computer Sciences

Researcher profile:

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Admission requirements:

1. Academic Background - Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Informatics, Electrical Engineering, Forest Engineering, or related areas*;

2. Technical Skills - Experience in processing 3D point clouds (LiDAR or photogrammetry); Knowledge of GIS, remote sensing, or spatial analysis;

3. Research Experience (Preferred) — Previous participation in research projects or scientific activities related to drones, 3D modelling, precision agriculture, or forestry; Scientific output;

4. Availability for fieldwork and participation in project activities;

5. Compliance with the Research Fellowship Regulations, particularly regarding mandatory enrolment in a degree‑granting study cycle (PhD) (RBI No. 950/2019) or in a non‑degree study cycle (RBI No. 950/2019) by the date of hiring*;

* mandatory requirement

Work plan:

The candidate will carry out R&D activities within the scope of the Soil O-Live - The Soil Biodiversity and Functionality of Mediterranean Olive Groves: A Holistic Analysis of the Influence of Land Management on Olive Oil Quality and Safety projectproject, namely:

1. Collection, organization, and preparation of 3D data: (i) Compilation and pre‑processing of point clouds obtained by LiDAR and drone-based photogrammetry in olive groves; (ii) Quality verification, artefact removal, and data normalization.

2. Extraction of structural tree metrics: (i) Calculation of indicators such as canopy volume and shape, structural density, biomass distribution, and other relevant geometric parameters; (ii) Segmentation and classification of vegetative elements within the point clouds.

3. Analysis and interpretation of the results: (i) Identification of relationships between structural parameters, vegetative condition, and management practices; (ii) Preparation of relevant outputs for the project team, including maps, charts, and technical reports.

4. Support to scientific and field activities, including participation in data collection campaigns when necessary;

5. Preparation of reports and contribution to publications: (i) Preparation of periodic progress reports; (ii) Contribution to scientific and technical dissemination within the scope of the project.

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 PRISM Lab, School of Science and Technology (ECT) of the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, under the scientific guidance of Professor Joaquim João Sousa.

Duration of scholarship:

The fellowship will last for 6 months, expected to start in april 2026. The scholarship contract may be renewed, under the terms of the FCT Research Grant Regulation (no. 950/2019).

Note:

If the grant is awarded to students enrolled in a course that does not confer an academic degree, the contract cannot exceed a total duration of 12 months.

Monthly maintenance allowance amount:

The scholarship amount corresponds to 1.309,64€ 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: 

The selection methods to be used are the following: Curriculum Vitae and Interview, with respective weightings of 80% and 20%.

Composition of the Selection Jury:

Chair – Joaquim João Moreira de Sousa Professor from the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro

Effective Member – Raul Manuel Pereira Morais dos Santos Professor from the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro

Effective Member – Luís Filipe Machado Pádua Researcher from the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro

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 09-03-2026 to 20-03-2026.

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.

Website

http://www.utad.pt

Research Field

Computer science » Other

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro

Country

Portugal

State/Province

Portugal

City

Vila Real

Postal Code

501-801

Street

Quinta de Prados

Geofield

State/Province

Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro

City

Vila Real

Website

http://www.utad.pt

Street

Quinta de Prados

Postal Code

5000-801

E-Mail

bolsasInvestigacao@utad.pt

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