A call is open for the allocation of 1 Research Grant for a PhD student in the scope of ISEP’s Laboratory of Software Technologies for Cyber-Physical Systems (SoftCPS) funded by revenue from the provision of services and/or national and European funds, including, amongst others, Portugal 2030 and Horizon Europe, under the following conditions:

1.    SCIENTIFIC AREA
Informatics, Computer, Electrical Engineering or related areas.

2.    ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
This grant is intended for candidates who simultaneously:   
•    hold a master’s or bachelor’s degree in computer engineering or an equivalent field;  
•    are enrolled in the 1st year of the PhD program in computer engineering or electrical engineering; 
•    have research experience in topics related to the proposed work plan, with demonstrated expertise with the ROS2 framework and co-simulation in autonomous systems focusing on their cooperation aspects.

3.    DURATION
The duration of the grant is 6 months, starting in November of 2026, eventually renewable, up to the limit set out in the RBI-ISEP, or until the end of the project, whichever occurs first.

4.    ACTIVITY OBJECT / WORK PLAN
Activities will be focused on the development of intelligent support for adaptive cyber-physical systems. In particular, activities are expected to encompass the development of underlying intelligent algorithms and tooling support. In addition, the adaptive strategies are expected to be tested, validated and demonstrated in a cooperative cyber-physical scenario, which will involve the development of a co-simulation environment with tight synchronization guarantees.

5.    APPLICABLE LAWS AND REGULATIONS
Research Grant Holder Statute, approved by Law no. 40/2004, published in Official Gazette, Series I-A - no. 194 - 18th August 2004; Research Grant Regulations of the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia - FCT (Foundation for Science and Technology), approved by Regulation no. 950/2019, published in Official Gazette, Series II- Part C - no. 241 - 16th December 2019; Research Grant Regulations of ISEP approved by Regulation no. 495-A/2020, published in Official Gazette, Series II - no. 101 - 25th May 2020; Legal regime of recognition of academic degrees and diplomas of higher education awarded by foreign higher education institutions approved by Decree-Law no. 66/2018, published in Official Gazette, Series I - no. 157 - 16th August 2018; Decree-Law no. 60/2018, published in Official Gazette, Serie I - no. 149 - 3rd August 2018, which simplifies administrative procedures necessary for the pursuit of research and development activities, all in their current wording.

6.    SCIENTIFIC ORIENTATION AND WORKPLACE
The work will be developed at ISEP/ Software Technologies for Cyber Physical Systems Laboratory (SoftCPS) under the scientific supervision of Professor (PhD) Ricardo Severino.  

7.    MONTHLY MAINTENANCE ALLOWANCE
Monthly grant amount: € 1359,64 paid by bank transfer (according to FCT values table: https://www.fct.pt/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Tabela-de-Valores-SMM-202…), supported though PAD no. C74129.

8.    SELECTION METHODS AND COMPOSITION OF SELECTION BOARD
The assessment should focus on and consider the following criteria:    
Curricular Evaluation:
a)    Adequacy of qualifications to the intended area/profile (40%)
b)    Adequacy of the activities listed in the curriculum to the intended area / profile (60%)    
   
The five candidates best ranked in the Curricular Evaluation may be invited for an interview; in this case the final evaluation will be performed:  
a)    Curricular Evaluation (70%)   
b)    Interview (30%)    

If the Jury decides not to conduct interviews, the final evaluation will be related to the Curricular Evaluation only.     
   
Notes: Candidates may be excluded from the contest on the following grounds:    

a)    Failure to meet the qualifications and requirements established in this notice (point 2.);    
b)    Candidates scoring less than 9.5 in any of the evaluation components will be excluded from the selection procedure, not being evaluated in the subsequent component(s);    
c)    Failure to attend the interview, when applicable, of failure to provide any additional clarifications that may be requested by the Juri, will be considered withdrawal from the competition.    

The jury responsible for the selection process will consist of: 
•    Professor (PhD), Ricardo Severino (President);    
•    Professor (PhD) Luis Lino Ferreira (Member);   
•    Professor (PhD) Luis Miguel Pinho (Member);   
•    and as alternate member Professor (PhD) António Barros (substitute member).  

9.    FORM FOR SUBMITTING APPLICATIONS
Applications must be submitted by e-mail to softcps@isep.ipp.pt, with the following documents:    
•    Curriculum Vitae;  
•    Qualifications certificate/Document proving the title of the academic degree and diploma, the respective recognition when it has been awarded by foreign higher education institutions or document proving the recognition request;   
•    Proof of enrolment in the PhD degree;   
•    Other supporting documents considered relevant.  

If the qualification has been conferred by foreign higher education institution, it must comply with the provisions of Decree-law nº 66/2018, of August 16th, and any formalities established therein must be completed by the time of contracting.

10.    DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS
Applications will be accepted between 13 and 26 November 2026.

11.    FORM OF PUBLICATION / NOTIFICATION OF RESULTS
The results of the evaluation will be disseminated by e-mail, to the e-mail adress indicated in the application file.

12.    COMPLAINTS AND REDRESS PROCEDURES
If the result is unfavorable, the candidates have a period of 10 working days, after the publication of the results of the evaluation of applications, to give their opinion, if they so wish, in a prior hearing of interested parties, under the terms in the Código de Procedimento Administrativo (Adminstrative Procedure Code).

The final decision referred to in the preceding numbers may be appealed to the ISEP Director within 15 working days of the respective notification.  

13.    SELECTION REVERSE (OPTIONAL)
The ISEP reserves the right to use the candidates not selected, in order of seriation, for the recruitment of a grand holder within the scope of the same project due the withdrawal of the candidate initially selected.
(Fields to be adjusted according to the type of Grant)