Research Scholarship (BL01/2026)

(BL01/2026)

NOTICE FOR THE AWARD OF GRANTS WITHIN THE SCOPE OF R&D PROJECTS AND INSTITUTIONS

A postdoctoral research scholarship

A competition is now open for the award of a postdoctoral research scholarship within the scope of the Terraprima – Environmental Services project “AVALON - Assess, Optimise and Remunerate for Sustainability in Ruminant Systems” (COMPETE2030-FEDER-02288900), co-financed by the COMPETE2030 programme, under the following conditions:

Scientific Area:
Environmental Engineering.

Admission requirements:

In accordance with Article 6 of the FCT Research Grant Regulations (Reg. No. 950/2019), the candidate's doctoral degree must have been obtained within the three years prior to the date of submission of the grant application.

Work plan:
This work plan is developed within the scope of the Avalon project and aims at the modelling and scientific validation of Biodiverse Sown Pastures (PSB) as Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) for climate change mitigation and the resilience of agroforestry systems. The research focuses on the intersection between soil biophysical dynamics, ecological integrity and the economic viability of ecosystem services in the voluntary carbon market. The activities to be carried out include: a) 1. Collection of biodiversity indicators for assessing the sustainability of farms, b) collection of soil and pasture data/samples, c) support in other fieldwork components, interviews and surveys with farmers, d) assessment of carbon sequestration in biodiverse pastures for the voluntary carbon market and writing scientific articles.

Applicable legislation and regulations:

• https://arquivo.pt/wayback/20240119164852mp_/https://former.fct.pt/apoios/bolsas/docs/RegulamentoBolsasFCT2019.pdf
• https://dre.pt/application/file/a/127230968.

Workplace:
The work will be carried out at Quinta da França (Covilhã); at the Terraprima network of farms (Alentejo, Ribatejo, Beira Interior, Spain); at the Terraprima office in Porto Alto and IST-ID (project partner), Lisbon. Scientific supervision will be provided by Dr. Vânia Proença and Prof. Tiago Domingos.

Duration of the grant:
The grant will last for one year, starting in March 2026. The grant contract may be renewed for up to a maximum of three years in total (not exceeding the end of the project, if it is extended).

Monthly maintenance allowance:
The scholarship amount is €1,851 per month, according to the table of values for scholarships awarded directly by FCT, I.P. in Portugal (https://www.fct.pt/wp-
content/uploads/2025/02/Table_values_SMM_2025.pdf), with the payment method being at the discretion of the grant holder, either by bank transfer or cheque. Terraprima will reimburse the grant holder for the payment of Voluntary Social Security (up to the amount corresponding to the 1st bracket).

Selection methods:

1) Curriculum assessment: 75%, as follows:

   a. 55% awarded for a PhD in Environmental Engineering (score of 20 if applicable, score of 0 if not applicable);

   b. 30% awarded for field experience in pastures and grazing systems (score of 1 to 20);

   c. 15% for experience in publishing scientific articles in journals or communications at national or international conferences (score from 1 to 20).

2) Individual interview (in the event of a tie in the curriculum assessment): 25% (score from 1 to 20). This interview will assess motivation and sensitivity to the planned activities and willingness to carry out activities in the locations specified in the work plan.

Composition of the Selection Panel:

• Chair: Prof. Tiago Domingos;
• Members: Dr. Vânia Proença, Eng. Nuno Rodrigues;
• Alternate: Eng. Ivo Gama.

Method of publication/notification of results:
All candidates will be notified of the Final Evaluation Result by email.

Deadlines and procedures for preliminary hearings, complaints and appeals:
After the provisional list of evaluation results has been communicated, candidates have a period of 10 working days to make a statement at a preliminary hearing of interested parties, in accordance with Articles 121 et seq. of the Code of Administrative Procedure. The final decision will be made after analysing the statements presented at the preliminary hearing of interested parties. The final decision may be appealed to the competition jury or to the Terraprima Management within 15 working days of the respective notification.

Application deadline and how to apply:
The competition is open from 11 to 18 February  2026.

Applications must be formalised by sending the following documents:
i) Curriculum Vitae;
ii) Qualifications certificate;
iii) Research Grant Application Form (available at https://www.terraprima.pt/pt/download/88/60994);
iv) Letter of motivation.

These documents should be sent to the email address: ambiental@terraprima.pt