Reference: ARDITI-ISLOPOL-2026-001-BI
ARDITI – Regional Agency for the Development of Research, Technology, and Innovation – Association, opens a call for applications for the award of one Doctoral Research Fellowship within the scope of the research activities of the “ISLOPOL” project (GA 101092295, funded by the Horizon Europe programme), under the following conditions:
Application period: 01/06/2026 to 17/06/2026
Type of grant:
Doctoral Research Fellowship
Host institution:
ARDITI – Regional Agency for the Development of Research, Technology, and Innovation – Association
Funding entity:
ARDITI – Regional Agency for the Development of Research, Technology, and Innovation – Association
Scientific area:
Computer Engineering
Target applicants:
The Doctoral Research Fellowship to be awarded is intended for the performance of R&D activities by students enrolled in a doctoral programme in Computer Engineering or a related field.
Eligibility requirements:
Applications may be submitted by:
a) National citizens or citizens of other European Union Member States;
b) Citizens of third countries;
c) Stateless individuals;
d) Beneficiaries of political refugee status.
Admission requirements:
To apply, it is required to satisfy the following criteria:
General Requirements
- Enrolment in a doctoral programme in Computer Engineering or a related field.
- Only candidates who can present a valid enrolment certificate in a degree-granting programme, issued by the academic services of a Higher Education Institution (indicating the current academic year or the course start/end dates), will be eligible for contracting.
Preferential Requirements
- Experience in decision-support systems, namely in the design, development or evaluation of digital tools oriented towards data analysis, information visualisation, scenario exploration and decision-making support.
- Experience in organisational engineering, requirements analysis, process modelling and needs assessment with users, public entities or institutional stakeholders.
- Experience in the development of web applications, digital interfaces, dashboards or data visualisation tools.
- Experience in the development and integration of REST APIs, query mechanisms, search, filtering and access to data from heterogeneous sources.
- Experience or demonstrated interest in the use of low-code/no-code approaches for rapid prototyping, interface configuration, query definition, data exploration and support for the validation of digital solutions.
- Experience in modelling, integrating and exploring relational and non-relational databases, preferably MySQL, PostgreSQL/PostGIS and/or MongoDB.
- Experience with Business Intelligence, visualisation or data analysis platforms, preferably Pentaho, Superset, Power BI, Grafana or equivalent tools.
- Knowledge of data interoperability, structured formats and integration technologies, namely JSON, XML, APIs and web services.
- Experience with the Laravel framework or other web development frameworks.
- Knowledge of the programming languages HTML, PHP, JavaScript, TypeScript, CSS and SQL.
- Knowledge of, or demonstrated interest in, usability evaluation, user testing, user-centred design, feedback analysis and validation of digital platforms.
- Good communication skills, ability to work in a team and to liaise with technical partners, public entities, companies and end users.
- Knowledge of English, preferably level B2 of the CEFR.
- Good knowledge of Portuguese, native speaker or level C2 of the CEFR.
Work plan:
The ISLOPOL project seeks to create a local circular value chain for EPS (expanded polystyrene) in the Autonomous Region of Madeira, avoiding the shipment of this waste to mainland Portugal through the implementation of sorting, classification, and remanufacturing processes on the island.
At the technological level, the project foresees the creation of an integrated system combining container access control and computer vision to identify and classify EPS according to cleanliness/contamination levels at several points along the chain, including recycling points, sorting lines, and final inspection. This system will be based on FIWARE technologies and integrated with CIRCULOOS tools, namely RAMP and the Data Platform.
Subsequently, the GRETA tool will be used for near-real-time life-cycle assessment, quantifying reductions in CO₂ emissions, energy use, and raw materials, while supporting operational decision-making.
The work plan for this grant includes:
- Support for the activities of the ISLOPOL project, specifically in the following tasks:
- Improvement and maintenance of the project’s data architecture, including improvements to data models, relationships between entities, JSON-LD contexts, validation schemas, and data examples to represent EPS flows within the scope of ISLOPOL.
- Maintenance and operation of the local dataspace infrastructure, based on FIWARE components, including Orion-LD, temporal services, API Gateway, authentication/authorization, access management, and mechanisms for the secure provision of data.
- Collaboration in the development, testing and documentation of REST APIs, search mechanisms, filters, queries and data access services, including the use of low-code approaches for prototyping, configuration and interactive execution of searches over project data, with a view to supporting interoperability between ISLOPOL components, integration with external systems and the exploration of information by visualisation, simulation and decision-support tools.
- Technical testing and validation of the platform, including tests with simulated and real data, API validation, data quality control, permission verification, and identification of technical issues.
- Production of technical documentation and implementation evidence, including architecture diagrams, payload examples, user guides, indicator mapping tables, screenshots, and supporting documentation for deliverables.
- Support in preparing demonstrations and validation sessions, including demonstration scripts, use scenarios, preparation of test data, and collection of feedback from partners.
- Monitoring of technical risks and adaptation needs, identifying limitations, external dependencies, missing data, integration issues, or deviations from the defined technical plan.
- Collaboration in the writing of scientific articles for submission to international conferences and journals on topics related to the project.
- Other activities inherent to the implementation of the project.
Workplace:
The work will be carried out at ARDITI under the scientific supervision of Prof. David Aveiro.
Duration:
The grant will have a duration of 3 months, starting in July 2026, renewable for equal and successive periods up to a maximum of 4 years or until the project’s end, whichever occurs first.
Monthly stipend:
The grantee will receive a monthly allowance of EUR 1359.64, tax-exempt, according to ARDITI’s fellowship table and Annex 1 of the ARDITI Research Grant Regulations (https://cloud.arditi.pt/index.php/s/89WjkokAigiFsTi?dir=/Bolsas&editing=false&openfile=true)
Payments are made by bank transfer at the last week of each month.
Other benefits:
All fellows are covered by personal accident insurance for research activities, paid by ARDITI.
Fellows not covered by any social security scheme may join the voluntary social insurance scheme under the Social Security Contributions Code. ARDITI will cover the corresponding contributions as outlined in Article 10 of the Research Fellowship Holder Statute.
Applications procedure:
Up to 17-06-2026, applicants must send their application via email to
The following documents must be attached:
A. Updated Curriculum Vitae in Portuguese.
B. Motivation letter explaining how the applicant meets the requirements and describing research skills and interests.
C. Proof of enrolment in a doctoral programme in Computer Engineering or a related field.
D. Certificates of completion of the bachelor’s and master’s degrees, including the list of completed curricular units, respective ECTS credits and grades.
Evaluation panel:
President: Dr. Dulce Pacheco, Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Madeira
Member: Dr. David Aveiro, Associate Professor at the University of Madeira
Member: Dr. Sergi Bermúdez, Associate Professor at the University of Madeira
Alternate Member: Dr. Filipe Quintal, Assistant Professor at the University of Madeira
Alternate Member: Dr. Fábio Mendonça, Invited Assistant Professor at the University of Madeira
In the event of the President's incapacity, he will be replaced by the first effective member, with the first alternate member appointed to replace the effective member.
Evaluation criteria and selection procedures:
The evaluation panel will evaluate each application that meets the eligibility requirements.
Each eligible application will be assessed by the evaluation panel based on the following criteria, scored on a 0 to 20 scale:
- Criterion A: Curriculum Vitae evaluation and adequacy to preferred requirements (50%)
- Criterion B: Final Bachelor’s degree grade (10%)
- Criterion C: Final Master’s degree grade (20%)
- Criterion D: Motivation to work on the project (20%)
Applications will be ranked according to the weighted average of the scores obtained in the four evaluation criteria, with the respective weighting in each criterion: criterion A - 50%, criterion B - 10%, criterion C - 20% and criterion D - 20%.
For tie-breaking purposes, the ranking of candidates will be carried out based on the scores assigned to each of the evaluation criteria in the following order of precedence:
Criterion D, Criterion A, Criterion C, Criterion B.
The evaluation panel may conduct video conference interviews with the top three-ranked candidates. The interview evaluation is expressed on a numerical scale from 0 to 20.
If an interview is conducted, a weighting factor of 80% is assigned to the curriculum evaluation grade, and a weighting factor of 20% is assigned to the interview grade.
Disability bonus:
- Candidates with a disability rating of 90% or higher will receive a 20% bonus in criterion D.
- Candidates with a disability rating of 60% or higher and less than 90% will receive a 10% bonus in the same criterion.
- The disability rating must be proven by submitting, in the application, the Multipurpose Disability Medical Certificate (AMIM), issued under the terms of Decree-Law N.º 202/96, of October 23, as amended. Due to the changes introduced by Decree-Law N.º 15/2024, of January 17, in the case of AMIMs subject to renewal or reassessment, they are considered valid provided they are accompanied by proof of application to the medical board for disability assessment, which must have been submitted before the certificate's expiry date.
Results notification:
Final results will be communicated by email to all applicants within 90 working days after the submission deadline.
Appeals and complaints:
After the provisional list of evaluation results is communicated, candidates with a draft decision unfavourable to the granting of the fellowship have a period of 10 working days to, if they wish, express their views in a prior hearing of interested parties, in accordance with articles 121 et seq. of the Code of Administrative Procedure.
The final decision will be issued after the analysis of the statements presented in the prior hearing of interested parties.
A complaint may be lodged against the final decision within 15 working days, or alternatively, an appeal may be lodged within 30 working days, both periods being counted from the date of the respective notification.
Candidates may submit counterarguments to this appeals process, and they will receive the results of their analysis exclusively via email to
Renewal conditions:
Grant renewal always depends on a request submitted by the fellowship holder within 60 working days before the start date of the renewal, accompanied by the following documents:
a) Detailed report on the research carried out, including the URL addresses of communications, publications, and creations resulting from the activity developed, if any;
b) Work Plan to be carried out during the renewal period;
c) Copies of communications and publications resulting from the activity developed, if any;
d) Opinions issued by the supervisor(s) and the host entity(ies) on the monitoring of the fellowship holder's work and the evaluation of their activities.
e) Updated document proving compliance with the full-time dedication regime.
f) Document proving renewal of enrolment in a doctoral programme.
Failure to submit a request for renewal of the fellowship will result in its expiry within the period established in paragraph 2 of Article 15 of the RBI.
Non-discrimination and gender equality policy:
ARDITI promotes a policy of non-discrimination and equal access, therefore no candidate may be privileged, benefited, harmed or deprived of any right or exempted from any duty by reason of, in particular, ancestry, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, family situation, economic situation, education, social origin or condition, genetic heritage, reduced work capacity, disability, chronic illness, nationality, ethnic origin or race, territory of origin, language, religion, political or ideological convictions and trade union affiliation.
Personal data processing:
ARDITI — the Regional Agency for the Development of Research, Technology and Innovation — will act as the data controller (as defined in the GDPR), and the collection and processing of personal data of fellowship applicants is essential to the selection and recruitment process and to the eventual and subsequent signing of the fellowship contract.
To facilitate the processing of data related to pre-contractual due diligence, fellowship applicants are expressly informed that ARDITI — Regional Agency for the Development of Research, Technology and Innovation — Association, as the data controller, may use the following categories of personal data for processing and handling:
a) Identification and contact information;
b) Curriculum/academic data;
c) Data relating to professional experience;
d) Amounts received under the fellowship.
Fellowship applicants are informed that ARDITI — Regional Agency for the Development of Research, Technology and Innovation — Association, to comply with legal obligations to which it is bound, may communicate and/or transfer personal data to the following entities:
a) Qualification Institute, IP-RAM;
b) Institute for Regional Development, IP-RAM;
c) Tax Authority;
d) IGFSS — Institute for Financial Management of Social Security;
e) IGF — Audit Authority;
f) Regional Government.
Applicable Legislation and Regulations
This competition is governed by this Opening Notice, the ARDITI Research Grant Regulations, and the Research Grant Holder Statute approved by Law No. 40/2004 of August 18, as amended, and by other applicable national and EU legislation.
Contact:
Information regarding this call should be requested via the email address
