Research Grant — R&D activities to be carried out by PhD students BI/UTAD/67/2021 (1 position)

Updated: over 2 years ago
Job Type: PartTime
Deadline: 20 Nov 2021

Offer description:

The University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD) opens a call for one (1) Research Grant for PhD students, in Computer Sciences, in the frame of the R&D project DATI - Digital Agriculture Technologies for Irrigation efficiency with the financial support of the European Commission through Horizon 2020 - European Union Funding for Research & Innovation and the PRIMA Program - Partnership on Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area.

Reference: BI/UTAD/67/2021

Scientific area/research field:

Computer Sciences

Researcher profile:

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Admission requirements:

  • Master in Computer Engineering, Electrotechnical Engineering, Geospatial Engineering or similar*;
  • Proven domain of Machine learning and Deep Learning techniques*;
  • Publications in the area;
  • Domain of the English language*;
  • * mandatory requirement

    Work plan:

    The candidate will carry out R&D activities within the scope of the DATI project, namely:

    1) Information system requirements analysis: the mySense environment can be considered a technology readiness level (TRL) 7 cloud-based platform, already capable of providing a range of services based on data acquired from multiple sources that actively monitor different cultures and agroclimatic contexts. The integration of agronomic and meteorological data provided by WSNs and aerial imagery (UAV + satellites) is also a key undeveloped resource. Machine Learning engines designed to address automatic data analysis and predictions for different cultures and contexts also need to be developed. For this implementation, it will first be necessary to provide the functional and non-functional requirements for the various needed modules, based on a detailed literature review, on the project’s objectives and on the forecast of short and medium term needs to support farmers’ activities.

    2) Data Integration and Precision Irrigation Module Development: Data integration is one of the most challenging tasks as the objective is to combine agronomic and meteorological data acquired from different sources, each with its own format. Combining data from these different sources into useful meshes will have to consider several parameters, but also work closely with the smart module. The precision irrigation module to be developed under this project should be able to receive data from different sources mainly through the use of web services.

    3) Writing scientific articles and technical reports.

    Applicable legislation and regulations:

    Law N.º 40/2004, of 18 August (Statute of Scientific Research Fellow), amended by DL 123/2019 of 28 August; FCT, IP Research Grant Regulation, approved by Regulation N.º 234/2012, published in the II Series of the Diário da República of June 25, 2012, amended and republished by Regulation No. 326/2013, published in the II Series of the Diário da Republic of July 27, 2013, amended by Regulation No. 339/2015, published in the II Series of the Diário da República of June 17, 2015 and Law No. 71/2018 (State Budget Law for 2019) and by Regulation No. 950/2019, published in the II Series of the Diário da República of December 16, 2019, and the Regulation of Research Grants of the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro - Dispatch RT.36/2011, of July 6, of Mr. Rector, published in Diário da República by Order No. 9157/2011 (II Series), of July 19 in its current wording.

    Workplace:

    The work will be developed at the ECT’s Teaching Support Laboratory of the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, under the scientific guidance of Professor Joaquim João Sousa.

    Duration of scholarship:

    The fellowship will last for 12 months, starting from December to 2021. The scholarship contract may be renewed, and the total duration may not exceed 31 months.

    Monthly maintenance allowance amount:

    The scholarship amount corresponds to €1.104,64 according to the table of scholarships awarded directly by the FCT, I.P. in the country (https://www.fct.pt/apoios/bolsas/valores ). The period of payment of the scholarship is monthly and through bank deposit, check or another equivalent method.

    Selection Methods:

    The selection methods to be used will be as follows:

    A. Academic curriculum assessment (60%)

    B. Interview to eligible candidates (40%):

    Composition of the Selection Jury:

    Chair – Joaquim João Sousa, Professor from the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro

    Effective Member – António Manuel Trigueiros Da Silva Cunha, Professor from the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro

    Effective Member - Emanuel Soares Peres Correia, Professor from the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro

    Form of advertising/notification of results:

    The final results of the evaluation will be publicized through a ranked list posted on the UTAD Campus Online Page (http://www.campus.utad.pt/bolsasinvestigacao/candidaturas ), with the candidate being approved notified via email.

    In the event that the selected scholarship holder withdraws, the final ranking list of candidates in this competition may be used to replace them. If none of the candidates demonstrates that they have the profile indicated to carry out the work plan, the jury reserves the right not to award the scholarship to the competition.

    If the decision to be taken is unfavourable to the granting of the requested scholarship, the candidates have a period of 10 working days, after the aforementioned disclosure, to express their opinion, if desired, in a prior hearing, under the terms provided for in the Code of Administrative Procedure.

    Application deadline and form of submission of applications:

    The tender is open from 02-11-2021 to 20-11-2021.

    Applications must be formalized, obligatorily, by sending an application form accompanied by the following documents: Curriculum Vitae [proving the above-mentioned requirements]; Indication of the following data: citizen card number, tax identification number – TIN, date of birth, mobile phone number and email address; motivation letter; declaration of honour (to be requested by email to [email protected] ) and documentary evidence of the requested requirements.

    The application must be made through the UTAD Campus Online Page, in the Research Grants section, following the instructions:

    • Access the UTAD Campus Online Page: www.campus.utad.pt and select the Research Grants option. Or go directly to www.campus.utad.pt/bolsasinvestigacao/lista .

    • Select the scholarship you intend to apply for.

    • When selecting the “Apply” option, you will be redirected to the application page where you must complete and submit the respective form.

    Equality of opportunities:

    The candidate has the right to equal opportunities and treatment, and may not be privileged, benefited, prejudiced, deprived of any right or exempt from any duty due, in particular, to ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, family situation, economic situation, education, origin or social condition, genetic heritage, reduced work capacity, disability, chronic illness, nationality, ethnic origin or race, territory of origin, language, religion, political or ideological convictions and union membership.



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