3 PhD scholarships (BI/CESAM/BESIDE/2023)

The project H2020 ERA Chair "BESIDE - Institutional, Behavioural, critical and adaptive economics towards Sustainable Development, management of natural capital and circular Economy” is opening a call for applications for 3 (three) grants, under the Ph.D. Programme on Business and Economics at University of Aveiro.

Grants

The three Ph.D. grants are available in this call will be awarded under the terms of the Portuguese Scientific Research Fellow Statute, approved by Law nº 20/2004 of August 18, in its present formulation.

Each individual grant will be the object of a contract between the student and the University of Aveiro and is expected to start on July 2023, provided that all requirements made by the University of Aveiro are fulfilled in due time by the selected candidates. The duration of the studentship is annual, renewable up to a maximum of four years.

Who can apply

The Doctoral Research Grants are intended for national, foreign and stateless candidates with a bachelor's or master's degree in areas considered relevant to the competition, who wish to obtain the academic degree of Doctor from the University of Aveiro. A minimum classification of 15 values is required, which results from the weighted average (3/5 undergraduate + 2/5 master's) of the final classification of bachelor's and master's degrees or the final classification of the integrated master's classification (study cycle with 300 to 360 ECTS credits).

Candidates who have a pre- or post-Bologna degree with a classification higher than 15 and who present a declaration from the Scientific Council of the University of Aveiro attesting the competence to carry out the doctorate may also be accepted.

Scholarships will only be awarded to candidates who satisfy, cumulatively, the following conditions:

The candidate must not be, nor have previously been, the recipient of a doctoral scholarship.

The candidate must be enrolled in the Doctoral Program in Business and Economics at the University of Aveiro on the starting date the grant contract. The proof of enrolment must be completed until the contract is signed, or the candidate may attach a declaration of honour that he/she meets the requirements for enrolment in a doctoral program.

The candidate agrees to comply with the research plan and to the scientific team of the Reference to which he/she applies.

Research Plan

1. The candidate's research plan is presented by References.

Reference A- WIN-BIG

The PhD work plan to be carried out will be anchored on the BESIDE platform, under the topic of sustainable blue economy, and integrated in the WIN-BIG - Women IN Blue economy Intelligence Gathering and capacity boosting, funded by the European Commission through the Horizon Europe, call CINEA EMFAF-2022-PIA-WBE). 

The work plan with reference A addresses the scientific question – How are the different challenges related to sustainable development goal 5, gender equality, reflected on the European Blue Economy as a whole, and within each sea basin in particular. Additionally, it will focus on which way can science and data contribute to the development of novel and adequate capacity building models while supporting the setup of more inclusive policies to end gender inequality in this relevant economic sector?

The workplan will imply the development of technical and scientific work within the scope of socioeconomic characterization of the status of gender equality at different levels within the blue economy in different European sea basins, including the mapping of specific needs for regional capacitation and training of women in this sector. It will also include the preparation of a Roadmap to EU Blue Economy Gender Equality and a set of public policy recommendations to support the path to a more gender balanced blue economy in Europe. The work to be carried out by the grant holder will also include (but not limited to) the following of crosscutting tasks:

- Development of a detailed research plan to obtain a doctor's degree, within the framework of the strategic objectives of ERA CHAIR, namely in terms of research activity within sustainable blue economy; and its contributions to sustainable development goals;

- Bibliographic research, literature review, document and data analysis;

- Writing and contributing to publications in journals and/or reference scientific events within the scope of the research topic;

- Elaboration of technical and scientific reports and of documents intended for different stakeholders and audiences;

- Participation in related project/projects meetings (national and/or international);

- Development of actions for the communication and dissemination of the project(s) and its results;

- Other tasks assigned to support the development of the project(s) and the associated team.

For this reference, priority is given to students who have academic training in the areas of economics, management, or finance. Others may also be admitted who, without specific training in these areas, demonstrate irrefutable evidence of professional experience relevant to the project.

Reference B- A-AAGORA

The PhD work plan to be carried out will be anchored on the BESIDE platform, under the topic of environmental economics and sustainable management of natural resources, and integrated in the A-AAGORA project – Blueprint for Atlantic-Arctic Agora on cross-sectoral cooperation for restoration of marine and coastal ecosystems and increased climate resilience through transformative innovation, funded by the European Commission through the Horizon Europe Innovation Actions (Protect and restore marine and fresh water ecosystems and biodiversity HORIZON-MISS-2021-OCEAN-02).

The work plan with reference B addresses the scientific question - How to contribute to better inform citizens and decision makers by mobilising local actors and coastal communities in active and passive marine ecosystem restoration and by co-creating socially and economically sustainable solutions?

The workplan will imply the development of technical and scientific work within the scope of building innovative sustainable management strategies for welfare enhancing of the coastal communities. As well as support better inform public policy decision-making by engaging better informed citizens, local stakeholders, and coastal communities to contribute to co-create socially and economically sustainable management strategies. Framed in the Portuguese Centro Region coastal area (A-AAGORA project Demo-PT) research will benefit from data and information that will be generated in close collaboration with the A-AAGORA team to produce maps (maps on local economic activities, including socioeconomic, environmental and health indicators for the different communities; maps at a disaggregated level and how these feedback into/from the natural environment will be provided by applying an ecosystem based management); to focus on the most appropriate normative criteria (including efficiency- cost-effectiveness; equity-revenue-recycling, and others, such as public participatory methods) and to support the selection of innovative sustainable business models that will potentially improve local communities’ livelihoods will include solutions to enhance existing social or institutional arrangements.

The work to be carried out by the grant holder will also include (but not limited to) the following of crosscutting tasks:

- Development of a detailed research plan to obtain a doctor's degree, within the framework of the strategic objectives of ERA CHAIR, namely in terms of research activity within environmental economics and sustainable management of natural resources;

- Bibliographic research, literature review, document and data analysis;

- Writing and contributing to publications in journals and/or reference scientific events within the scope of the research topic;

- Elaboration of technical and scientific reports and of documents intended for different stakeholders and audiences;

- Participation at the related project/projects meetings (national and/or international);

- Development of actions for the communication and dissemination of the project(s) and its results;

- Other tasks assigned to support the development of the project(s) and the associated team.

For this reference, priority is given to students who have academic training in the areas of economics, geography, or environmental sciences. Others may also be admitted who, without specific training in these areas, demonstrate irrefutable evidence of professional experience relevant to the project.

Reference C- RESTORE₄Cs

The PhD work plan to be carried out will be anchored on the BESIDE platform, under the topic of environmental economics and sustainable management of natural resources, and integrated in the RESTORE₄Cs  project –  Modelling restoration of wetlands for carbon pathways, climate change mitigation and adaptation, ecosystem services, and biodiversity, co-benefits, funded by the European Commission through the Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Actions (Restoration of natural wetlands, peatlands and floodplains as a strategy for fast mitigation benefits; pathways, trade-offs and co-benefits HORIZON-CL5-2021-D1-01-08).

The work plan with reference C addresses the scientific question – How can multiple challenges such as climate mitigation and adaptation, biodiversity, disaster risk reduction and other ecosystem services be tackled to foster mutually reinforcing actions and enhance co-benefits from nature restoration (e.g., wetland, forests) and valuation of these activities in the economy, in the context of the new EU Nature Restoration Law and the implementation of the Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) Regulations?

The workplan will imply the development of technical and scientific work to explore restoration and management options for climate mitigation, and new models for evaluating the cost-effectiveness (economic, environmental and social) and financing of these actions. Understand where and how to restore nature, to ensure improved climate mitigation measures and synergies with other ecosystem services (supporting biodiversity, control of floods, recreation etc.). Identify which type of actions (both management and restoration) enhance carbon pathways (C-sequestration and GHG emissions mitigation) by lowering the pressure level and reducing the impacts /improving the ecological condition. Assess how this affects other ecosystem services, including new cost-benefit assessment approaches (which include the costs of inaction or adaptation) and the assessment of societal acceptance, making it easier for citizens to understand the value of investments and the incorporation of the economic value of restoration actions in markets and the economy. Develop criteria for actions and for site selection combined with an inventory of available sustainable financing options relevant for nature restoration, based on international best practice financing examples.

The work to be carried out by the grant holder will also include (but not limited to) the following of crosscutting tasks:

- Development of a detailed research plan to obtain a doctor's degree, within the framework of the strategic objectives of ERA CHAIR, namely in terms of research activity within environmental economics and sustainable management of natural resources;

- Bibliographic research, literature review, document and data analysis;

- Writing and contributing to publications in journals and/or reference scientific events within the scope of the research topic;

- Elaboration of technical and scientific reports and of documents intended for different stakeholders and audiences;

- Participation at the related project/projects meetings (national and/or international);

- Development of actions for the communication and dissemination of the project(s) and its results;

- Other tasks assigned to support the development of the project(s) and the associated team.

For this reference, priority is given to students who have academic training in the areas of economics, geography or environmental or biological sciences. Others may also be admitted who, without specific training in these areas, demonstrate irrefutable evidence of professional experience relevant to the project.

2. The work will be developed at the University of Aveiro.

Reference A will have the scientific supervision of Professor Doctor Helena Vieira, University of Aveiro, Professor Doctor Teresa de Carvalho, University of Aveiro, and Professor Doctor Stephen Heynes, University of Galway

Reference B will have the scientific supervision of Professor Doctor Ana Lillebø, University of Aveiro, Professor Doctor Antonieta Cunha e Sá, Nova School of Business and Economics, and Professor Doctor Anabela Botelho, University of Aveiro.

Reference C will have the scientific guidance of Professor Doctor Ana Lillebø, University of Aveiro, Professor Doctor Helena Vieira, University of Aveiro, and Professor Doctor Sara Moreno Pires, University of Aveiro.

When and how to apply

This call is open until the 24h00 (Lisbon time) of 30 June 2023.

The following documents must be submitted:

i) Curriculum vitae of the candidate, indicating previous studies and grades, research experience and professional activities;

ii) Two letters of endorsement from previous professors, supervisors or employers;

iii) Motivation letter, where the candidate should describe the motivation for the development of the work plan (interest in the project's theme, alignment of the project's theme with their personal/academic/professional career, …);

iv) Copies of the relevant academic degree diplomas;

v) Copies of the transcripts of the degrees mentioned in the candidate's curriculum vitae, including courses/units/disciplines followed and respective credits and classifications;

vii) A recent certificate of B2 proficiency in the English language; this certificate can be substituted by a signed declaration that the candidate has the English proficiency necessary for understanding, speaking and writing scientific English at a post-graduate level.

The documentation can be presented in Portuguese or in English.

Copies of foreign academic diplomas must either be authenticated by the official education services of the respective country, recognized by the appropriate Portuguese diplomatic or consular authority, or carry the Hague Appostille Convention.

Applications must be addressed to the project coordinator Doctor Ana Lillebø and Chair Holder Doctor Helena Vieira, using the address: cesam-erachairbeside@ua.pt

Important notices for all candidates

Candidates must indicate which reference or references they are applying for and must use the letter of motivation to justify in detail each of their choices.

Non-compliance with the deadline for submitting the application, as well as the incorrect formalization of the application, determines the exclusion of the application. The exclusion decision is communicated to the candidates by email, for the purpose of holding the hearing of interested parties.

Important notice for candidates with diplomas granted by foreign higher education institutions

Candidates with diplomas granted by foreign higher education institutions can apply and will be evaluated with the same criteria as candidates with diplomas issued by Portuguese institutions, provided they submit proof, during the application, of the academic degrees recognition and conversion of the final grade to the Portuguese grading scale, requested to the Dean of a public Portuguese University, the Head of a Public Polytechnic Institute or the Director-General for Higher Education.

Candidates with foreign diplomas that do not present said proof of the degrees recognition will be evaluated with the minimum classification in the criterium “degree grades” as described in the minutes of criteria densification published with this call.

In any case, grant contracts with candidates with diplomas issued by foreign institutions will only be signed subject to the presentation of proof of the academic degrees recognition and conversion of the final grade, as indicated above.

Evaluation

The evaluation and selection of the candidates will follow the principles of objectivity, fairness, equal opportunity, merit and ability. The aim is to evaluate the proven and the potential academic excellence of the candidates and will be made in two steps.

1st step

The first step will evaluate the students' academic qualifications, experience, motivation and research objectives based on documental information supplied with the application. The following criteria and weights will be used:

i) Curriculum Vitae: 70%, including degree grades (50%), and experience measured as number and significance of publications, participation in projects and other relevant components (20%);

ii) Letters of endorsement: 10%;

iii) Motivation Letter: 20%, considering its quality and clarity.

Each of the above criteria will be classified in a 0-20 scale, and the final score will be obtained as the weighted average of the separate scores.

2nd step

In the second step, an interview will evaluate the maturity, motivation, availability to carry out an international research project, ability to communicate and intellectual merit of the candidate. Candidates will be classified using a 0-20 scale.

The final ranking of the candidates will be obtained using the formula: Result of the First Step * 50% + Result of the Interview * 50%.

Composition of the jury

The Jury is composed by:

President:

Professor Doctor Helena Margarida Moreira De Oliveira Vieira, Coordinator Researcher and ERA CHAIR Holder of University of Aveiro

Vowels:

Professor Doctor Ana Isabel Lillebø Batista, Principal Researcher with Habilitation, Vice-Rector of University of Aveiro;

Professor Doctor Sara Moreno Pires, Assistant professor of University of Aveiro.

What is included in the grant

The amount of the scholarship corresponds to €1,199.64, according to the table of values for monthly maintenance allowances, set out in Dispatch no. 26-REIT/2023, which updates the values and complements of scholarships awarded by the University of Aveiro, Annex III of Regulation of Scientific Research Grants of the University of Aveiro. This amount is subject to updates that may occur and that are applicable to it. The scholarship holder may also be reimbursed for the amount corresponding to the Voluntary Social Security, in case of adhesion to this regime. This scholarship also includes the payment of fees associated with obtaining a doctor's degree, the amount of which is defined in Dispatch n. 8-REIT/2022. This amount is delivered to the scholarship holder, who must then pay the University of Aveiro, in accordance with common procedures. Payment can be made preferably by Multibanco (ATM or ebanking), with a reference made available monthly at the Virtual Secretariat (PACO), or in person at the Academic Management Services (SGA) counter, or by mailing a check or money order to Academic Management Services.

Funding

The grants awarded under this contract will be financed by funds from the European Commission, call H2020-WIDESPREAD-2018-2020-6, Grant Agreement 951389.

Communication of results

Results will be communicated by email on the 12 July of 2023.

Preliminary hearing

In the case of an unfavorable award decision concerning the grant (i.e., for applicants not selected to receive grants), the applicant has a period of 10 days after disclosure to be heard by the Selection Panel, by request of a preliminary hearing, pursuant to the Portuguese Código do Procedimento Administrativo.

Communication of decision to pleading candidates

The final decision of the Selection Panel will be communicated to pleading candidates before the 27 of July 2023 The final results may be appealed to the Rector, to be submitted within 10 working days of the respective notification.

This tender is exclusively destined to fill this specify vacancies and can be terminated at any time until approval of final candidate list, expiring with the respective occupation of said vacancies.