Legal admission requirements

Grant Recipients:

The candidate must hold a Master's degree in Biomedical Engineering, Physics Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Physics or related fields, and be enrolled in a doctoral program or non-degree granting course, integrated into an educational project of a higher education institution, developed in association or cooperation with one or more R&D units.

The non-degree-granting course must be related to the type of activity covered by the grant. Non-degree-granting courses are defined as those referred to in subparagraph e) of paragraph 3 of Article 4 of Decree-Law No. 74/2006, in its current wording, provided that, under subparagraph e) of Article 3 of RBI-FCT, they are developed in association or cooperation between the higher education institution and one or more R&D units.

The proof of enrollment must be completed until the contract is signed, and the candidate may attach a declaration of commitment to honor that he/she meets the requirements for enrollment in a Doctorate or non-degree awarding course.

If the Master's degree, required in this call for applications as an admission requirement for the scholarship type in question, was obtained abroad, you must submit one of the following documents (See also the NOTES below):

- Proof of recognition, equivalence, or registration of the academic degree by a Portuguese Institution;

- Proof that you have already submitted a request for recognition of the degree, which must be submitted by the deadline for signing the contract.

We emphasize that academic degrees obtained in foreign countries require recognition by a Portuguese Institution in accordance with Decree-Law No. 66/2018, of August 16, and Ordinance No. 33/2019, of January 25. Submission of the registration/recognition/equivalence is mandatory by the application deadline. More information can be obtained at:

https://www.dges.gov.pt/pt/pagina/reconhecimento?plid=374

The candidate must have the following as a preferential requirement:

- Knowledge of fast data acquisition systems.

- Knowledge of Python and C++ programming.

- Knowledge of instrumentation and data analysis and processing methods for optical coherence tomography and swep-source optical coherence elastography systems.

Work plan:

The fellow will perform research in the context of the R&D project reference COMPETE2030-FEDER-00842900, entitled “In vivo retinal optical coherence elastography for early neurodegeneration detection”.

This project aims to test whether Optical Coherence Elastography (OCE) can detect subtle changes in the mechanical properties of the retina in vivo during the asymptomatic phase of Alzheimer's disease, supporting the development of a biomarker for the early detection of this disease. The scholarship holder will have the following tasks: i) optimize the swept-source optical coherence tomograph to improve its axial resolution and signal-to-noise ratio; ii) develop a methodology based on image processing algorithms to correct movements not caused by mechanical excitation of the retina; iii) evaluate the feasibility of passive retinal OCE with excitation based on the oculocardiac pulse; iv) collaborate in a proof-of-concept study in animals with wild-type mice (controls) and animal models of Alzheimer's disease (3×TG-AD mice).

Work place:

The work will be developed at Physics Department of University of Coimbra, at Polo 1 of the University of Coimbra

Scientific supervision:

Professor Miguel Morgado, Associate Professor at Physics Department of FCTUC and  Principal Investigator 

Duration of the fellowship: 12 months

Renewal Possibility:  Possibly renewable.

Scholarship start date: scheduled for July 15, 2026

Monthly grant amount (paid by bank transfer at the end of each month): 1.359,64€

Other financial components of the grant:

In addition to the above amounts, voluntary social security (SSV) is included when the grant has a duration of six months or more, corresponding to the first level, if the candidate opts for it, as well as mandatory personal accident insurance.

Information and publicity about the funding: In all R&D activities directly or indirectly funded by the grant, namely in all scientific communications, publications and creations, as well as theses, carried out with the support provided for in the grant, the financial support from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), through the Innovation and Digital Transition Program (COMPETE 2030) of Portugal 2030, must be explicitly mentioned. 

Selection Methods: Evaluation of the academic record (AR) and Interview (I)

1) AR - In the evaluation of the academic record, the candidates' academic performance will be assessed according to the following weights and criteria:

- Criterion 1 – Absolut merit of CV 

- Criterion 2 - Adequacy of the candidate’s profile to the work plan to be developed

2) I – In the evaluation of the interview, candidates' performance will be assessed according to the following weights and criteria:

- Criterion 1 - Knowledge and profile appropriate to the functions to be performed

- Criterion 2 – Motivation and interest 

- Criterion 3 – Analytical skills and critical thinking

- Criterion 4 – Ability to express oneself and verbal fluency.

The evaluation of the criteria and the final classification will be based on a scale from 0 to 100, with scores rounded to the nearest hundredth, applying the following formulas:

- AC: criterion 1 * (50%) + criterion 2 * 50(%)  = 100

- I: criterion  1 * (40%) + criterion 2 * (25%) + criterion 3 * (25%) + criterion 4 * (10%) = 100

Final classification(CF): AC * (50%) + I * (50%) = 100

All candidates who meet the admission requirements are subject to the academic record evaluation, carried out according to the criteria and weights defined in 1)

Candidates who obtain a score lower than 50 in any selection method will be excluded from the competition. Candidates who are duly notified but fail to attend the interview (if applicable) or withdraw at any stage will also be excluded. 

All candidates who score above 50 in the AR will proceed to the next method, i.e., the interview. 

Tie-breaking criteria: In the event of a tie in the rankings, candidates will be ordered in descending order as follows:

a) Based on the score obtained in the first method applied;

b) Based on the score of their academic qualifications.

The Jury reserves the right not to award the scholarship if it considers that none of the candidates has a suitable profile.

Jury Composition:

Miguel Morgado, Associate Professor at Physics Department of FCTUC (President)
João Cardoso, Associate Professor at Physics Department of FCTUC (Member)
Rui Bernardes Auxiliary Professor at the Faculty of Medicine of University of Coimbra (Member)

Method of publication/notification of results:

All candidates will be notified of the final evaluation result, sent to the email address used to submit their application, through an ordered list, in descending order of the final evaluation obtained until June 19, 2026.

 After the publication of the results, the candidates will be notified so that, if they wish, they can express their opinion at a prior hearing within a maximum period of 10 working days after that date. 

After this period, the selected candidate will have to declare, in writing, his acceptance and communicate the effective start date of the scholarship.  In case of resignation or withdrawal of the selected candidate, the candidate with the highest ranking will be notified.

Application deadline:

The present call is open between 21 May 2026 to 12 June 2026.

Application documents:

Applications must be sent by e-mail to miguelmorgado@uc.pt and addf@uc.pt, and must explicitly indicate the reference “Application to Master degree Fellowship within the project COMPETE2030-FEDER-00842900”, or otherwise they may not be considered. 

Applications must include the following documents, under penalty of exclusion. No document that should be submitted with the application may be submitted after the application deadline:

• Personal data form and Declaration for Communication of Results via e-mail (see form below);
• Detailed and updated Curriculum Vitae, including a list of publications;
• Master degree certificate as indicated in the present announcement as mandatory requirement for the type of fellowship announced or proof that the candidate has already requested the respective certificate(s);
• If the Master degree has been awarded by a foreign academic institution, the candidate will have to submit one of the following documents alongside the application (see also the notes below):

a) Proof of recognition, equivalence, or registration of the academic degree by a Portuguese institution;

b) Proof that the application for recognition of the degree has already been submitted, which must be submitted by the deadline for signing the contract.

We emphasize that academic degrees obtained in foreign countries require recognition by a Portuguese Institution in accordance with Decree-Law No. 66/2018, of August 16, and Ordinance No. 33/2019, of January 25. Submission of the registration/recognition/equivalence is mandatory by the application deadline. More information can be obtained at:

https://www.dges.gov.pt/pt/pagina/reconhecimento?plid=374

• Solemn declaration that the candidate meets the requirements for the award of the present fellowship (using the template given below).
• Additionally, the candidate must request a letter of recommendation, which must be sent by email to the addresses miguelmorgado@uc.pt and addf@uc.pt;

Additional information:

Non-discrimination and equal access policy: ADDF actively promotes a non-discrimination and equal access policy, meaning that no candidate can be privileged, benefited, harmed ) or deprived of any right or exempt from any duty due to, in particular, 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 or racial origin, territory of origin, language, religion, political or ideological beliefs and trade union membership. Under the terms of D.L. no. 29/2001, of February 3, the candidate with a disability has preference, in case of equal classification. Candidates must declare in the application form, under oath, their respective degree of disability, the type of communication/expression deficiency to be used in the selection process, in accordance with the aforementioned diploma.

NOTES:

• Presentation of proof of recognition, equivalence, or registration of the academic degree is a mandatory condition for signing the contract;

• For academic degrees obtained in foreign countries that have not yet obtained recognition, equivalence, or registration, recognition is required, in accordance with the provisions of Decree-Law No. 66/2018 of August 16, in conjunction with Ordinance No. 33/2019 of January 25, before signing the contract.

  – Personal data form and Declaration of Consent for Communication of Results via e-mail (see form below);

  - Declaration, under oath, that you meet the conditions for the attribution of this Scholarship (use the model below).

  PERSONAL DATA AND DECLARATION OF CONSENT FOR COMMUNICATION OF RESULTS VIA EMAIL Full Name:___________________________________________________________ Citizen Card / Identity Card / Passport No.: ___________________ Valid until: ___/___/_____ Nationality:______________________________________________________ Full address:________________________________________________________________________ ___ Code- Postal:_____ - ____ I also declare that, if the selection jury chooses to communicate and/or notify candidates by email, I consent that said communications and/or notifications, within the scope of this competition, are made to the email address used for submitting my application. On _____ of______________,2026

_______________________________________________ (applicant's signature)

DECLARATION UNDER HONOR (RESEARCH GRANTARY) I, ______________________________________________________________, following my candidacy for the call for tender within the scope of Project ___________________________, with ref. on my Curriculum Vitae, as well as the statements provided below, which cumulatively determine my admission or exclusion from this competition (mark below the conditions it meets): The master's degree was obtained on the date of submission of my application ; I declare that I am fully aware that, if I am placed in a position eligible for hiring, I must present, within a duly defined period when communicating the final decision, the documents proving that I have the requirements for admission to this tender .

I further declare that: I am aware that any false declarations may imply my non-admission to this competition or the termination of the Research Grant contract in question, in case of granting the same, with the possible return of the monthly subsidy amounts already received; I am aware that, in the event of awarding this scholarship, I may be asked for elements and/or information that prove the above statements. On _____ of _______________, 2026 __________________________________________ (Candidate's signature)