A call for applications is hereby opened for the award of one (1) Post-Doctoral Research Grant (BIPD) to carry out research and development (R&D) activities within the project TrueFoodS – “Transforming European Food Systems: Sustainability, Equity, Governance and Resilience as core elements” (Ref.: FutureFood/0008/2024), funded by the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) through national funds and resulting from the 2024 FutureFoods partnership call “Transforming Food Systems – reshaping food system interactions, fostering food innovations and empowering sustainable food choices”, under the following conditions:

1. Scientific Area: Sociology

2. Admission Requirements: 

All individuals of legal age who meet the following requirements, duly documented, may apply:

1. Hold a PhD in Sociology or a PhD in the field of Information and Knowledge Society Studies, obtained within the three years prior to the application deadline[1];
2. Have obtained the PhD degree from an institution different from the host institution of the grant (FLUP);
3. Not exceed, with the signing of the present grant contract, a cumulative period of three (3) years in this type of grant, consecutive or non-consecutive.

3. Preferred Conditions:

1. Experience in scientific research in the thematic area of the project, as well as in transdisciplinary and participatory research approaches;
2. Experience in scientific research in social and agricultural fields, solidarity economy and “other economies”, the commons and food networks, as well as action research on alternative and sustainable food systems in the Portuguese context;
3. Experience in data analysis and scientific project management;
4. Experience in writing and editing reports and scientific articles, as well as communication and dissemination activities, including scientific publications and other communication materials aimed at the general public;
5. Experience and proficiency in information and communication technologies.

4. Work Plan:

The work falls within the objectives of the TrueFoodS project, focused on the development of sustainable and resilient food systems, supported by web-based or information technologies, reshaping food system interactions, promoting food innovations, and empowering sustainable food choices. In particular, the fellow will contribute to the following objectives:

- Consortium Activities: Assist in project management and coordination, including monitoring the progress of the work, preparing reports, participating in the Ethics Board, and ensuring all internal and external project communication to support the efficient implementation of the project.

- Prepare an open-access academic publication to share research results and participate in other scientific, technical, and outreach publications.

- Conduct a socioeconomic and technical assessment to identify barriers to participation in post-harvest systems and disparities in access to resources.

- Conduct life-cycle analysis applied to post-harvest systems.

- Analyse policy and regulatory frameworks related to post-harvest systems.

- Develop training materials and manuals on equitable and sustainable post-harvest practices, aimed at skills development, including digital skills, adapted to micro and small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as well as vulnerable groups.

- Design capacity-building workshops to improve digital, logistical, and operational knowledge of micro and small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and marginalized groups.

- Examine web-technology-based business models developed in different socioeconomic contexts to assess their viability and scalability.

5. Applicable Legislation and Regulations: 

The call and the awarding of the grant are governed by the following regulations: Regulation of Research Grants of the University of Porto – Regulation No. 184/2021 of March 3, as amended; Legal regime for recognition of academic degrees and diplomas awarded by foreign higher education institutions – Decree-Law No. 66/2018 of August 16; Administrative Procedure Code (CPA) – Decree-Law No. 4/2015 of January 7; Research Fellowship Statute (EBI) – Law No. 40/2004 of August 18, in its current version; FCT Research Grants Regulation – Notice (extract) No. 412/2026/2 of January 7; And other applicable regulations.

6. Workplace: 

The work plan will be developed at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities of the University of Porto, under the scientific supervision of Professor Cristina Clara Ribeiro Parente and Professor Jorge Alves Pereira Cerdeira e Sousa.

7. Duration of the Grant: 

The grant will last 12 months, expected to start in April 2026, on an exclusive dedication basis. It may eventually be renewed according to institutional needs, up to the limit of the execution period of the work plan, but not exceeding the project completion date and never exceeding the limits defined in the University of Porto Research Grants Regulation for this type of grant.

8. Monthly Maintenance Allowance: 

8.1 The monthly maintenance allowance amounts to €1,851.00, according to Annex I of the Research Grants Regulation of the University of Porto, updated by Rector’s Order No. GR11/02/2025 of February 19, 2025.

8.2 Payment will be made by FLUP via bank transfer. In addition to this allowance, the fellow will be covered by personal accident insurance.

8.3 The fellow may join the Voluntary Social Security scheme (valid for grants equal to or longer than six months). Participation is optional, with reimbursement corresponding to the first level of the contributory base applicable to the voluntary social security scheme.

9. Selection Methods:

9.1 The selection methods are: Curriculum Evaluation (AC) – weight of 60%; Interview (ENT) – weight of 40%, optional. The interview will only take place if the Jury considers that the curriculum evaluation is not sufficient to clarify candidates’ competencies or distinguish the most suitable candidate. If held, the interview will be conducted with the three highest-ranked candidates in the AC stage.

9.2 The Jury evaluates the selection methods on a scale from 0 to 20 points.

9.3. Criteria for Curriculum Evaluation (AC):

a) PhD thesis topic: Aligned with the project theme: up to 6 points; Not aligned: 0 points.

b) Scientific publications: At least 4 articles published in national or international scientific journals or international conferences/workshops related to the project theme: up to 8 points; At least 1 article published in scientific journals or international conferences/workshops: 2 points; No publications: 0 points.

c) Relevant scientific research experience: Aligned with the project theme: up to 6 points; Not aligned: 2 points; No relevant experience: 0 points.

9.4 Criteria and weighting factors for the interview (ENT), if held:

a) Scientific research experience in the project’s thematic area (0–10 points)

b) Experience in data analysis and project management (0–10 points)

9.5 Interviews, if held, will take place via videoconference.

9.6 Failure to attend the interview stage (if scheduled) will be considered withdrawal from the selection process, and the candidate will be excluded.

9.7 Final Classification Formula: CF = (0.60 × AC) + (0.40 × ENT)

9.8 This call aims exclusively to fill the indicated vacancy. If no candidate demonstrates the appropriate profile, the Jury reserves the right not to award the grant.

10. Composition of the Selection Jury: 

President: Cristina Clara Ribeiro Parente – Associate Professor at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities of the University of Porto and Researcher at the Institute of Sociology, University of Porto

1st Effective Member: Jorge Alves Pereira Cerdeira e Sousa – Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities of the University of Porto and Researcher at the Institute of Sociology

2nd Effective Member: Ana Isabel Couto da Silva – Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Economics of the University of Porto and Researcher at the Institute of Sociology

1st Alternate Member: Sofia Alexandra Soares de Miranda Ferreira Cruz – Associate Professor at the Faculty of Economics of the University of Porto and Researcher at the Institute of Sociology

2nd Alternate Member: Natália Maria Azevedo Casqueira – Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities of the University of Porto and Researcher at the Institute of Sociology

11. Application Submission and Deadline:

11.1. Applications must be submitted by March 31, 2026 (Lisbon local time).

11.2.Candidates must register on the electronic platform https://www.apply.up.pt and submit their application by selecting the procedure to which they intend to apply (Ref. BOLS-FLUP-26-4). The application must be completed by filling in the sections available on the APPLY UP platform under “My Application” (“A minha candidatura”).

11.3. Applications must include:

1. A copy of the certificate(s) of the required academic qualifications and, where applicable, recognition of the degree if it was awarded by a foreign higher education institution (such recognition may be submitted up to the time of contracting), in order to prove compliance with the minimum requirement set out in subparagraph a) of point 2 of this Call;
2. A declaration of honour certifying compliance with the minimum requirement set out in subparagraph b) of point 2 of this Call;
3. An eligibility declaration (according to the attached template), in order to prove compliance with the minimum requirement set out in subparagraph c) of point 2 of this Call;
4. Curriculum vitae;
5. A letter of application including the motivation for applying and an indication of the availability to start the work plan.

11.4 Candidates may also submit any other documents they consider relevant for the assessment of their merit.

11.5 Failure to comply with the deadline set for the submission of applications, as well as the failure to submit, or the submission after the deadline, of the documents referred to in subparagraphs a) to d) of point 11.3, shall result in the exclusion of the application.

11.6 For the purposes of evaluating applications, any documents made available exclusively through links shall not be considered, except for those referring to publications with DOI.

11.7 The documents referred to in point 11.3 should preferably be submitted in a non-editable format.

11.8 Whenever deemed necessary, the Jury may request candidates to submit additional documents supporting the facts mentioned in the curriculum vitae submitted, setting a deadline for that purpose, under the following terms:

1. The documentation requested is not intended for the submission of elements not referred to in the curriculum vitae, nor for the submission of missing documents required under this Call;
2. All candidates shall be informed that additional documentation has been requested.

12. False declarations:

False declarations by candidates will be punished according to the law.

13. Form of publication / notification of results: 

13.1. Notifications shall be made through publication on the Apply UP electronic platform, pursuant to subparagraph c) of paragraph 1 of Article 112 of the Code of Administrative Procedure, producing their effects under the terms of Article 113 of the same Code.

13.2. Under the terms of Article 121 and following of the Code of Administrative Procedure, after being notified, candidates have 10 working days to submit their comments in writing.

14. Reserve list:

A reserve list shall be drawn up on the basis of the final ranking list and may be used in the event of withdrawal by the candidate ranked in first place. The highest authority of the Faculty reserves the right to call the next candidate, and so on, until the vacancy is filled. The use of this reserve list may occur for a maximum period of 12 (twelve) months from the date of approval of the final ranking list.

15. Non-discrimination and equal access policy:

The University of Porto actively promotes a policy of non-discrimination and equal access. Therefore, no candidate may be privileged, benefited, prejudiced or deprived of any right or exempted from any duty on the grounds of, in particular, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, family situation, economic situation, education, social origin or status, genetic heritage, reduced work capacity, disability, chronic illness, nationality, ethnic origin, territory of origin, language, religion, political or ideological beliefs, or trade union membership.

ELIGIBILITY DECLARATION

For the purposes of compliance with Article 11 of the University of Porto Research Grants Regulation, I hereby declare that: 

€ I have not entered into any Post-Doctoral Research Grant contract under the Research Fellowship Statute (EBI) to date; 

€ I have entered into the following Post-Doctoral Research Grant contract(s) under the Research Fellowship Statute (EBI): 

Contracting Entity:

Start Date:

End Date:

I further declare that I meet the eligibility conditions required to hold this grant under the terms of the aforementioned regulation.

I declare that the above statements are true and sign this declaration. 

Date ____/_____/_____ 

Signature __________________________________

[1] Note: Candidates with an academic degree and diploma issued by a foreign higher education institution must provide proof of recognition of the academic degree by the Portuguese higher education system (Decree-Law No. 66/2018, of August 16). Any candidate without recognition of the degree(s) will be admitted to the competition, but, if selected, the contract can only be signed after presentation of the recognition of the academic degree by the Portuguese authorities, in accordance with Decree-Law No. 66/2018, of August 16.