The Centre for Research and Studies in Sociology (CIES-Iscte) of the Iscte Knowledge and Innovation Association – Centre for the Valorisation and Transfer of Technologies hereby opens a call for applications for the award of one (1) Research Grant, hereinafter referred to as a PhD Research Grant, within the scope of the Observatory of Democracy and Political Representation and under the Multiannual Funding Contract-Programme for R&D Units 2025–2029, concluded between the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) and the R&D Unit Centre for Research and Studies in Sociology (CIES-Iscte), reference UID/3126/2025, under the following conditions:

SCIENTIFIC AREAS
Political Science or Communication Sciences

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
a) Applicants must hold a Master’s degree in Political Science, Communication Sciences, or another related field in the social sciences deemed appropriate by the selection panel;
b) Applicants must be enrolled in a PhD programme in Political Science or Communication Sciences (pursuant to Article 6 of the Research Grant Regulations of the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology, I.P. – Regulation no. 950/2019);
c) Applicants must have research and scientific publication experience in the field of digital democracy, being authors or co-authors of at least one scientific article published in a journal indexed in Scopus and/or Web of Science in the aforementioned area.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
a) Experience in the management of scientific activities;
b) Experience in dissemination activities in collaboration with civil society (e.g., organisation of activities, events, communication);
c) Skills in managing websites, communication platforms, and social media.

DURATION OF THE GRANT
The grant has a duration of 12 months. The grant contract may be renewed within the duration of the research project and in accordance with the provisions set out in paragraph 4 of Article 6 of the current Research Grant Regulations of the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology, I.P.

APPLICATION DEADLINE
The call is open from 27 February to 12 March 2026, and only applications submitted within this period will be considered.

Applications must be mandatorily submitted through the recruitment portal of the Iscte Knowledge and Innovation Association (https://recrutamento.conhecimentoinovacao.iscte-iul.pt/jobs) and must include the following documents:
i) Detailed Curriculum Vitae;
ii) Copy of the Master’s degree certificate, including the final grade;
iii) Proof of enrolment in a study cycle leading to a PhD degree or, alternatively, a sworn declaration stating that the applicant will be able to present this document at the time of contract signing;
iv) Digital copy or bibliographic reference of a scientific article published in a journal indexed in Scopus and/or Web of Science in the field of digital democracy, as specified in the admission requirements of this call;
v) Other supporting documents considered relevant, including letter(s) of recommendation.

Applications submitted by any other means will not be considered.

→ Full call notice
→ EURAXESS