Scholarship for a Master Degree - Projects ATE & JALON

CHAIR OF RENEWABLE ENERGIES

Research Grant for a Master - 1 vacancy

20 of September of 2023

A call for tenders is open for one Scholarship for a Master Degree within the scope of the project ATE - Aliança para a Transição Energética (Reference C644914747-00000023) financed by national funds through the “Agendas Mobilizadoras para a Inovação Empresarial” through the “Programa Recuperação e Resiliência (PRR)” and project JALON - Joining Actors for LOcal development of New large-scale regional energy communities (Reference: LIFE21-CET-ENERCOM-JALON/101076395), financed by “LIFE”, under the following conditions:

Scientific Domain: Social Sciences

Scientific area: Sociology, Psychology, Economic and social geography, other social sciences

Grant topic: Study and definition of guidelines to reduce social, regulatory and financial barriers to the establishment of energy communities

Admission requirements:

• Knowledge of Social Dynamics to analyze and understand the social dynamics within an energy community, such as the relationships, interactions and power structures between individuals and groups;
• Experience in Community Engagement to build a successful energy community;
• Experience in dealing with Social Acceptance and Behavior Change;
• Communication and collaboration skills;
• Preferably attendance of a doctoral program;
• Alternatively attendance of a non-degree course in an area related to the topic of the scholarship;
• Proficiency in English.

As set forth FCT Research Scholarship Regulation No. 950/2019 of December 16, 2019, article 3 and 6, candidates for “BI” (Research Grants) must comply as a rule condition for the award of the scholarship, the effective inclusion in study cycles leading to the attribution of academic degrees or in courses not leading to an academic degree. Courses that do not confer an academic degree correspond to the courses provided for in subparagraph e) of paragraph 3 of article 4 of Decree-Law No. 74/2006 of 24 March and must be developed in a higher education institution in association with at least one R&D unit, including a course plan in one or several research areas of the unit.

Work plan:

• Stakeholder analysis to identify the various actors, their interests and their influence within the energy community to better engage stakeholders effectively and ensure their participation and support in community initiatives.
• Designing effective governance structures and decision-making processes for energy communities.
• Designing and implementing community engagement, participation and ownership strategies. This may involve carrying out research, organizing public consultations, facilitating community meetings and promoting dialogue to ensure that the community's needs and aspirations are incorporated into the energy community's objectives.
• Conducting research into the social and cultural factors that influence acceptance and behavior change, helping to design strategies to promote sustainable practices and overcome potential barriers.
• Assessing and evaluating the impact of the energy community for continuous improvement and accountability by designing evaluation frameworks and methodologies to measure the community's social, economic and environmental outcomes.
• Identification of areas of success and areas for improvement, informing future decision-making processes within energy communities.
• Scientific publications related to the work carried out;
• Support in drawing up technical reports and implementing projects.

Applicable legislation and regulations: The granting of the Research Scholarship will be carried out upon the signing of a contract between the University of Évora and the scholarship holder, as set in the template former.fct.pt/apoios/Minuta_Contrato_Bolsa.docx, pursuant to the Research Scholarship Statute (Law No. 40/2004 of August 18 and Decree-Law No. 123/2019 of August 28) and in accordance with the legislation and Regulation of Research Grants of the Foundation for Science and Technology, IP in force, regulation nº950/2019 of December 16, 2019: https://files.dre.pt/2s/2019/12/241000000/0009100105.pdf and other applicable rules.

Place of work: The work will be developed at Renewable Energies Chair at the Polo da Mitra of the University of Évora, under the scientific guidance of the Doctor Afonso Cavaco.

Duration of the scholarship(s): The scholarship will have a duration of 12 months, starting on January of 2024. The scholarship contract may be renewed up until the end of the funding project's budget allocation.

Amount of monthly maintenance allowance: The amount of the scholarship corresponds to € 1 199,64, according to the table of scholarships awarded directly by FCT, I.P. in Portugal (https://www.fct.pt/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Tabela-de-Valores-SMM_2023.pdf), payments being made monthly, by check or bank transfer.

Selection methods: The selection methods to be used will be the following:

• curriculum evaluation (100%)

If deemed necessary by the jury, for additional clarification or tie-breaking purposes, the first two candidates for each grant may be called for a selection interview.

If an interview is used, the evaluation will be as follows:

• curriculum evaluation (85%)
• interview (15%)

Composition of the Selection Jury:

President - Afonso Cavaco (Researcher - Renewable Energies Chair)

1st Jury Member - Pedro Horta (Coordinating Researcher - Renewable Energies Chair)

2nd Jury Member - Luís Fialho (Senior Researcher - Renewable Energies Chair)

1st Substitute - Diogo Canavarro (Assistant Researcher - Renewable Energies Chair)

2nd Substitute - Radia Ait El Cadi (Researcher - Renewable Energies Chair)

Advertising/notification of results: The final results of the evaluation will be publicized, through an ordered list by final grade obtainedposted in a visible and public place at the University of Évora Renewable Energies Chair at the Polo da Mitra, being the candidate (a) approved notified through email.

To ensure the right of prior hearing of interested parties, the Final Classification project will be announced by any written means to all interested parties.

After communicating the provisional list of the results of the evaluation, candidates have a period of 10 working days to express their opinion in a preliminary hearing of interested parties.

Application deadline and submission of applications: The tender is open from 25 of September of 2023 to 31 of October of 2023 and the results of the selection will be published by 13 of November of 2023.

Applications must be formalized, obligatorily, by sending an application letter with the following documents: Curriculum Vitae, certificate of qualifications, reference or recommendation letters and other supporting documents considered relevant.

For the purposes of application, the evidence may be replaced by a declaration of honor signed by the candidate, but the failure to demonstrate that evidence, in the contracting phase, possession of the required degree on the deadline for application or the non-presentation of proof of enrollment in the study cycle or non-degree course, for scholarships with this component, imply the cancellation of the candidate's application.

Academic degrees obtained in foreign countries require registration by a Portuguese Institution in accordance with Decree-Law no. 66/2018, of August 16 and Ordinance No. 33/2019, of January 25th.

The presentation of the certificate is mandatory for the signing of the contract. More information can be obtained at: https://www.dges.gov.pt/pt/pagina/recognition?plid=374 

Applications must be sent by email to:

Renewable Energies Chair at the University of Évora

e-mail: catedraer@uevora.pt

Subject: SOC CER Master's Scholarship Application