CIES has been consistently pursuing a strategy aimed at enhancing and consolidating research career pathways, in line with national policies to strengthen scientific employment and promote professional stability within the scientific system.

In 2020, the Centre integrated two Assistant Researchers under the Institutional Scientific Employment Stimulus Programme (CEEC Institucional), at a time when non-permanent contracts predominated in scientific research. This integration represented a significant step towards the development of more stable and structured research career trajectories within CIES.

In 2024, this process advanced further with the integration of an additional Assistant Researcher, also under the Institutional Scientific Employment Stimulus Programme, now framed by Regulation No. 872/2024, namely under Article 43, which clarified and systematised the mechanisms governing progression in the research career.

The year 2025 marked a decisive turning point. With the implementation of the new access regime to the research career (FCT Tenure) promoted by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), the Centre successfully recruited 15 career researchers. This substantial reinforcement of the scientific staff represents a fundamental step towards institutional stability, enabling the development of medium- and long-term research agendas and the strengthening of CIES research teams.

This process of consolidating the research career pathway will continue in 2026, with the planned integration of a Coordinating Researcher, reaffirming the Centre’s commitment to scientific excellence and to actively contributing to the strengthening of the national scientific system.