PhD in Agricultural Sciences – FERTiOLiVE Project – Instituto Politécnico de Bragança

Key details

• Host institution: Instituto Politécnico de Bragança
• Location: Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Sta Apolónio, Bragança, Portugal
• Application deadline: June 24, 2026

Funding

Other EU programme

How to apply

• Apply by email to [email protected] (subject line and attachments per the official instructions).
• Full vacancy text and updates: Euraxess listing.

About the position

We are inviting applications for a Research Grant (BI) within the project “FERTiOLiVE – Low-Cost Intelligent Fertilization System for Traditional Olive Groves”, funded by NORTE 2030-FEDER-02969400 under the SIID program.

Scientific Area

Agricultural Sciences

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Agricultural Sciences or Biological Sciences.
• Enrollment in a doctoral program in Agricultural Sciences, or in a non-degree-granting program integrated into the pedagogical project of a higher education institution.

Work Plan

The grantee will perform field and laboratory activities, data processing, and write technical and scientific documents. The role includes a strong analytical component: analyzing soil and plant tissue samples to evaluate plant nutritional status. Specific tasks include:

• Chemical analyses of soil samples (pH, organic carbon, exchange complex, macro and micronutrients, conductivity, etc.).
• Physical analyses (granulometry, apparent density, compactness, pF curves, etc.).
• Biological analyses (enzymatic activity, soil respiration, etc.).
• Elemental chemical analyses of tissue samples for nutritional monitoring.

Objectives

The grant holder will carry out analytical work in the Soil Laboratory of the Higher School of Agriculture, Instituto Politécnico de Bragança (IPB), using soil and plant tissue matrices to assess plant nutritional status. The role also involves monitoring fieldwork under the project and collecting and pre-treating samples.

Workplace and Supervision

The work will be conducted at the IPB Soil Laboratory under the scientific guidance of Manuel Ângelo Rodrigues and Margarida Arrobas Rodrigues.

Grant Duration

Initial duration of 6 months, starting on 20 July 2026, with possible renewal up to a maximum of 30 months (including the initial period).

Monthly Maintenance Allowance

1,359.64€, according to the FCT grant table. Beneficiaries will receive personal accident insurance and may join the voluntary social security scheme if not covered by any social protection scheme. Payment will be made monthly by bank transfer.

Selection Methods and Weights

• Academic curricular elements (final grades of bachelor’s and master’s degrees): 20% of final grade. Bachelor’s grade weight: 60%; master’s grade weight: 40%.
• Scientific experience in the work plan areas (reflected in publications): 50%.
• Professional experience (courses, internships, project participation): 20%.
• Other relevant elements (including English proficiency): 10%.

For items 2, 3, and 4, the best candidate receives 20 points, and others receive proportional scores. The jury may call the best candidates for an interview; if so, items 1–4 will account for 50% and the interview for 50%.

Selection Jury

Manuel Ângelo Rosa Rodrigues, Margarida Maria Pereira Arrobas Rodrigues, Carlos Miguel de Souza Silveira

Notification of Results

Results will be published via the IPB application portal or by email.

Application Period

From 5 June 2026 to 24 June 2026.

How to Apply

Submit applications through the IPB portal (http://concursos.ipb.pt) with the following documents:

• Curriculum Vitae
• Academic qualifications certificate
• Letter of motivation

Proof of degrees or enrollment may be replaced by a declaration of honor during the application phase, but verification is mandatory before contracting. Degrees obtained abroad must be recognized by a Portuguese institution per Decree-Law No. 66/2018; presentation of recognition is required for contract signing.

Complaints and Appeals

Candidates have 10 working days after the evaluation results are published to request a prior hearing if the decision is unfavorable. An appeal against the final decision may be made to the President of IPB within 15 working days after notification.