Portuguese version: https://repositorio.inesctec.pt/editais/pt/AE2026-0287.pdf

CALL FOR GRANT APPLICATIONS (AE2026-0287)

INESC TEC is now accepting grant applications to award 1 Research Grant (BI) within the scope of the OCEAN_FCT funded by National Funds through FCT - Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology, I.P., project reference .

1. GRANT DESCRIPTION

Type of grant: Research Grant (BI)

General scientific area: PHYSICS

Scientific subarea: Applied physics,Optics

Grant duration: 12 months, starting on 2027-01-01 , with the possibility of being renewed for a maximum term of four years, in the cases of students enrolled in a PhD.

Scientific advisor: Diana Filipa Guimarães

Workplace: INESC TEC, Porto, Portugal

Maintenance stipend: 1359.64, according to the table of monthly maintenance stipend for FCT grants (https://www.fct.pt/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Tabela-de-Valores-SMM_atu…), paid via bank transfer. Grant holders may be awarded potential supplements, according to a quarterly evaluation process (Articles 19, 21 and 22 of the Regulations for Grants of INESC TEC and Annex II), up to a maximum limit of 50 of the monthly maintenance stipend.

INESC TEC supports costs with registration, enrolment or tuition fees, during the grant duration, under the terms established in the internal document: "Payment of Tuition fees to grant holders" (https://www.inesctec.pt/pagamento-propinas-bolseirosEN)

The grant holder will benefit from health insurance, supported by INESC TEC.

2. OBJECTIVES:

Support researchers in the fields of knowledge described in this call, who intend to carry out research activities leading to the award of a doctoral degree. Part of the research activities must be carried out at INESC TEC, as applicable.

3. BRIEF PRESENTATION OF THE WORK PROGRAMME AND TRAINING:

The proposed research focuses on advanced multimodal spectral and 3D sensing for underwater environments. It will address the influence of absorption, scattering, turbidity, illumination and acquisition geometry on optical measurements, while developing robust approaches for underwater material characterization.;
The project will combine spectroscopy and spectral imaging with conventional imaging and 3D information. Depending on the application, techniques may include hyperspectral imaging, Raman spectroscopy, LIBS and/or XRF, together with calibration, multimodal co-registration, data fusion and machine-learning methods.;
The research will involve several main tasks:;
• Underwater Sensor Development and Calibration — Characterize underwater optical effects and adapt or develop sensing configurations, including illumination, detection, optical interfaces, housings and acquisition electronics.;
• Multimodal and 3D Integration — Co-register and combine spectroscopic, spectral imaging, conventional imaging and 3D data acquired over common regions of interest.;
• Data Processing and Machine Learning — Develop calibration, correction, data-fusion and machine-learning methods for material identification, mapping and information transfer between sensing modalities.;
• Experimental Validation — Perform controlled laboratory and underwater tests followed by validation under representative conditions and, where feasible, integration with ROVs or AUVs.;
The expected outcome is a validated multimodal underwater sensing framework combining spectral, spatial and 3D information. Applications may include underwater cultural heritage, marine and geological materials, environmental monitoring and underwater inspection.

4. REQUIRED PROFILE:

Admission requirements:
Master’s degree in Physics Engineering
The awarding of the fellowship is dependent on the applicants' enrolment in study cycle or non-award courses of Higher Education Institutions.

Preference factors:
- Experience in spectroscopy and/or spectral or hyperspectral imaging (e.g., LIBS, Raman,XRF, HSI);
- Development and integration of optical or optomechanical sensing systems;
- Proficiency in automation of systems;
- Experience with image processing, 3D imaging, photogrammetry or multimodal data integration;
- Programming skills for signal processing, data analysis and machine learning.

Minimum requirements:
- Hold a Degree or Master’s degree in Physics Engineering or a related field, with valorization in Physics or a related field, and have a scientific and professional CV that demonstrates a suitable profile for the activities to be carried out.
- Not have previously been awarded a doctoral grant or a doctoral grant in companies directly funded by FCT, regardless of its duration.
- Reside permanently and habitually in Portugal at the start date of the period of the work plan to be carried out abroad, should the proposed work plan include a period at foreign institutions (mixed grants). This requirement applies to both Portuguese and foreign citizens.
- Not hold a doctoral degree.

5. EVALUATION OF APPLICATIONS AND SELECTION PROCESS:

Selection criteria and corresponding valuation: the first phase comprises the Academic Evaluation (AC), based on the criteria referred to in Article 12 of the Regulations for Grants of INESC TEC, while the second phase comprehends the Individual Interview (EI).
All factors are evaluated on a scale of 0 to 100, taking into account the applicants' merit, suitability and conformity with the preference factors.
The weight of the AC factors are as follows: Academic Qualifications (FA, 50), Scientific Publications (PC, 20), Experience (EX, 20) and Motivation Letter (CM, 10).
Candidates who score less than 50 points in the AC average will be considered excluded on absolute merit. The top five candidates approved on absolute merit will be qualified for the individual interview. The Final Grade (CF) is obtained by the weighted average of AC (80) and EI (20).

DISABILITY INCENTIVE

Candidates who present a degree of disability equal to or greater than 90% will benefit from an incentive (20) in the score of the CV Assessment.
Candidates who present a degree of disability equal to or greater than 60% and less than 90% will also benefit from an incentive (10) in the score of the CV Assessment.
Said score may, in these cases, exceed 100 points.
Candidates must demonstrate the degree of disability during the application, namely through the submission of the Multi-Purpose Medical Certificate of Disability, issued in accordance with Decree-Law no. 202/96, of October 23 - currently in effect.

The Selection Jury is composed of the following members:
President of the Jury: Diana Filipa Guimarães
Full member: Nuno Azevedo Silva
Full member: Pedro Jorge
Substitute member: Tiago David Ferreira

Release of results and prior hearing: the results of the selection process, as well as the terms and procedures for prior hearing, will be released to the applicants by email, under the terms referred to in Article 13 of the Regulations for Studentships and Fellowships of INESC TEC.

6. FORMALISATION OF APPLICATIONS:

Application Documents:
1. Motivation letter;
2. Curriculum Vitae (must include the list of previous fellowships, their type, beginning and end dates, funding entities and host institutions);
3. Certificate or diploma degree;
4. Proof of enrollment in a degree awarding study cycle or in a non degree awarding Higher Education program.
- The proof of enrollment may be presented just during the grant hiring stage.
5. Signed declaration stating the infringement of the grant holder's duties (article 14, no. 4)
6. Documental evidence to support the country of residence, residence permit or other legally equivalent document, in cases where the applicant is a foreigner or non-resident in Portugal - valid until the beginning of the grant.
7. Other supporting documents relevant to the final assessment.

Failure to deliver the required documents within the 90-day period after the date of the notice of the conditional awarding of the grant implies its cancellation.

Application period: From 2026-10-01 to 2026-10-15

Submission of applications: the application will be formalised by submitting the form available in the Work With Us section of INESC TEC website.

7. BINDING LEGISLATION AND REGULATION

The hiring process shall comply with the current legislation regarding the Research Grant Holder Statute, approved by Law no. 40/2004 of August 18, in its current wording, as well as by the Regulations for Grants of INESC TEC and for https://files.dre.pt/2s/2019/12/241000000/0009100105.pdfFCT Grants Regulation in force.

For more information, please check the Regulations for Grants of INESC TEC and relevant annexes at www.inesctec.pt/bolsas