(1) Research Fellowship (BI) for a Ph.D. in the field of Geology, specializing in Volcanology

About this position

The Gaspar Frutuoso Foundation, F.P., is announcing a call for applications for a (1) Research Fellowship (BI) for a Ph.D. in the field of Geology, specializing in Volcanology, in accordance with the Research Fellowship Regulations of the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), I.P., and the Research Fellow Statute (EBI).

The fellowship will be funded by national funds through the FCT, I.P., as part of project UID/00643/2025 (

https://doi.org/10.54499/UID/00643/2025

), Institute for Research in Volcanology and Risk Assessment (IVAR) at the University of the Azores

• Purpose of the Activity:

The Doctoral Research Fellowship is intended to fund the fellow’s research activities leading to the award of a Ph.D. in Geology, with a specialization in Volcanology, conferred by the University of the Azores.

The research activities leading to the award of the doctoral degree will take place at the Institute for Research in Volcanology and Risk Assessment at the University of the Azores, which will be the institution conferring the degree.

• Scientific Field: Earth Sciences

• Candidate Eligibility Requirements

3.1. The Doctoral Research Fellowship is intended for candidates who are enrolled in, or who meet the necessary conditions to enroll in, a doctoral program and who wish to conduct research leading to the award of a Ph.D. in Geology from the University of the Azores, with the research activities carried out at the Institute for Research in Volcanology and Risk Assessment.

3.2. The following individuals are eligible to apply for this competition:

• National citizens or citizens of other European Union member states;
• Citizens of third countries, who must hold a valid residence permit as of the start date of the fellowship;
• Stateless persons;
• Citizens with political refugee status.

3.3. Applicants must hold a master’s degree in the scientific fields of Geology, Geophysics, Geography, Marine Sciences, Earth Sciences, or in related fields.

3.4. The applicant may not have previously received a doctoral fellowship or an industry-based doctoral fellowship directly funded by the FCT, regardless of its duration.

• Applicable legislation and regulations: Statute of the Scientific Research Fellow, approved by Law No. 40/2004 of August 18, amended and republished by Decree-Law No. 202/2012 of August 27, by Decree-Law No. 89/2013 of July 9, by Decree-Law No. 233/2012 of October 29, and by Law No. 12/2013 of January 29, and amended by Decree-Law No. 123/2019 of August 28, as currently in force (

https://www.fct.pt/apoios/bolsas/estatutobolseiro

) and the FCT, I.P. Research Grant Regulations, as currently in force (

https://www.fct.pt/apoios/bolsas/regulamento.phtml.pt

).

• Work Plan and Scientific Guidance for the Fellowship

The primary objective of the work plan will be the geomorphological analysis of submarine volcanic features and structures and their relationship to eruptive processes and styles, using spatial analysis tools and statistical methods, under the scientific supervision of Dr. José Manuel Rodrigues Pacheco and Dr. Adriano Henrique Gonçalves Pimentel, without precluding any additional co-supervision that may be warranted.

• Work Location: The work will be carried out at the facilities of the Institute for Research in Volcanology and Risk Assessment at the University of the Azores.

• Duration of the Fellowship: The fellowship will last for 12 (twelve) months, renewable for up to a maximum of three years (36 months), and may not be granted for a period shorter than 3 (three) consecutive months. The fellowship will be on an exclusive basis, in accordance with the FCT’s regulations on advanced human resources training and pursuant to Article 5 of the Research Fellow Statute.

• Amount of the monthly living allowance: The fellowship amount is €1,359.64, in accordance with the table of grant amounts awarded directly by FCT, I.P., in Portugal (

https://www.fct.pt/apoios/bolsas/regulamento.phtml.pt

), published in Annex I of the FCT Research Grant Regulations, issued by Decree-Law No. 350/2019, of December 16. The grant will be paid monthly via bank transfer. In addition to this amount, Voluntary Social Security, corresponding to the first tier, will be provided if the candidate opts for it, as well as personal accident insurance.

• Selection Methods: The selection methods to be used are Curriculum Evaluation (AC), weighted at 70%, and the Professional Selection Interview (ESP), weighted at 30%.

Eligible applications will be scored on a scale of 0 to 100 points, with the final result rounded to the hundredth. Candidates whose applications receive a final score of less than 50 points are not eligible for a scholarship.

9.1. The evaluation takes into account the candidate’s merit, with regard to their academic background and personal resume, as well as their performance in the interview.

Applications deemed admissible will be scored on a scale of 0 to 100 points for each of the following evaluation criteria:

The Academic Evaluation is worth 100 points and is based on the applicant’s merit, considering:

A1 - Qualifications and academic background, weighted at 40 points;

A2 - Training in the fields of volcanology, geomorphology, marine geology, geographic information systems, geospatial data analysis, and/or statistical methods, weighted at 15 points;

A3 - Scientific publications, weighted at 15 points;

A4 - Participation in research projects and R&D services, weighted at 15 points;

A5 - Participation in conferences and science outreach initiatives, weighted at 10 points;

A6 - Demonstrated proficiency in English, weighted at 5 points.

Curriculum Evaluation = A1 + A2 + A3 + A4 + A5 + A6

9.2. The Professional Selection Interview is designed to assess the candidate’s motivation for the work to be performed, as well as the candidate’s professional and personal skills. The following items will be evaluated:

ESP1 - Verbal expression and fluency, weigh