The Research Fellowship (BI) is available at Associação BIOPOLIS, Portugal, for candidates in Archaeology, History, Heritage and related fields. It forms part of the Moinhos Vivos: um encontro entre património e conservação da biodiversidade fluvial project, funded by Fundação “la Caixa” and Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) through national funds.
The project examines traditional hydraulic heritage and its relationship with riverine biodiversity in the Guadiana Valley. It covers cultural landscapes and the historical relationship between communities, watercourses and traditional water uses through documentary, archival and field research.
Associação BIOPOLIS conducts the project in partnership with the Faculty of Architecture of the University of Porto – Nuno Portas Study Centre (FAUP-CENP). The fellowship includes scientific supervision and research activities related to heritage, architecture and biology. It lasts 12 months, starting on 1 November 2026.
The preferred workplace is the Mértola Biological Station in Mértola, Portugal, with work also possible at the Faculty of Architecture of the University of Porto. The fellowship provides €1,090.98 per month, plus personal accident insurance and reimbursement of Voluntary Social Insurance.
Applicants must hold a relevant bachelor’s or master’s degree or be enrolled in an eligible master’s, integrated master’s or non-degree course. Foreign qualifications require Portuguese recognition. Candidates should have a relevant academic background, a suitable CV and motivation to join the project.
Fellowship Overview
- Fellowship Name: Research Fellowship (BI)
- Reference: BIOPOLIS 2026-35
- Host Organisation: Associação BIOPOLIS
- Partner Institution: Faculty of Architecture, University of Porto
- Project: Moinhos Vivos
- Location: Mértola and/or Porto, Portugal
- Programme Type: Research Fellowship
- Research Fields: Archaeology, History, Heritage and related disciplines
- Eligible Applicants: Master’s students, integrated master’s students, bachelor’s degree holders and master’s degree holders enrolled in eligible non-degree courses
- Duration: 12 months
- Fellowship Start Date: 1 November 2026
- Funding Benefits: €1,090.98 monthly maintenance allowance, personal accident insurance and reimbursement of Voluntary Social Insurance
- Required Degree: Bachelor’s or master’s degree in a relevant field, or enrolment in an eligible integrated master’s programme
Research Areas
The fellowship covers interdisciplinary research into traditional hydraulic heritage, riverine landscapes and historical human activities associated with water.
- Archaeology and Archaeology of Architecture
- History, Historical Geography and Documentary Research
- Heritage Studies, Rural Heritage and Riverine Heritage
- History of Art and Cultural Landscapes
- Anthropology and Human Activities Associated with Rivers
- Architecture and Landscape Architecture
- Traditional Hydraulic Heritage and Molinological Heritage
- Watermills, Weirs and Traditional Water Management Systems
- Riverine Cultural Landscapes and River-Related Activities
- Historical, Cartographic, Iconographic and Archival Research
Fellowship Funding
The fellowship provides a monthly maintenance allowance of €1,090.98 in accordance with the applicable FCT fellowship allowance table for the relevant research fellowship category in Portugal.
Payment is made monthly by bank transfer. The fellowship also includes:
- Personal accident insurance;
- Reimbursement of Voluntary Social Insurance.
Who Can Apply?
- Hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree in Archaeology, History, Heritage, History of Art, Heritage Studies, Anthropology, Geography, Architecture, Landscape Architecture or a related field.
- Be enrolled at the time of hiring in a master’s, integrated master’s or eligible non-degree-awarding course linked to a higher education institution and R&D unit.
- Provide proof of enrolment by the time of hiring.
- Foreign qualifications must have the required Portuguese recognition by the time of hiring.
- Have a CV and academic profile relevant to the Moinhos Vivos research project.
- Show interest or experience in traditional hydraulic heritage, riverine landscapes, documentary research or fieldwork.
- Have Portuguese proficiency and basic English for academic bibliography; Spanish or French is an advantage.
- Familiarity with relevant digital mapping, research or CAD tools is advantageous but not mandatory.
- Demonstrate organisation, responsibility, teamwork and availability for occasional fieldwork and research travel.
Fellowship Highlights
- Interdisciplinary research: Contribute to the Moinhos Vivos project across archaeology, heritage, architecture and biology.
- Fieldwork: Involves photographic recording, heritage inventorying and field research in the Guadiana Valley.
- Documentary research: Work with bibliographic, archival, historical, cartographic and documentary sources.
- Hydraulic heritage: Study watermills, weirs, water channels, traditional water management and river-related activities.
- Research outputs: Contribute to reports, publications, exhibitions, workshops and other project activities.
- Scientific supervision: Work under the supervision of the project’s principal investigator and interdisciplinary research team.
Application Process
Eligible candidates must submit their applications through the official Associação BIOPOLIS application form during the stated application period. Applications should be completed carefully and must include the required supporting documentation.
Required documents:
- Detailed Curriculum Vitae
- Copy of the Certificate of Qualifications
- Proof of enrolment in a relevant master’s, integrated master’s or non-degree awarding course, if already available
- Motivation letter of no more than one page
- Other documents considered relevant by the candidate
Important Dates
- Applications Open: 25 August 2026
- Application Deadline: 30 September 2026
- Interview Period: May be arranged as part of the selection process for eligible candidates
- Fellowship Start Date: 1 November 2026
Click the Apply Now button below to view the official notification and application details.
Related Academic Opportunities
- Archaeology Research Positions
- Academic Research Fellowships
- Cultural Heritage Research Positions
- Academic Research Positions Portugal
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the BIOPOLIS Research Fellowship
It is a 12-month Research Fellowship (BI) connected with the Moinhos Vivos project at Associação BIOPOLIS in Portugal.
What research areas does the fellowship cover
The main scientific areas are Archaeology, History and Heritage, with related fields including Architecture, Anthropology, Geography and Landscape Architecture.
Who is eligible to apply
Eligible candidates include relevant bachelor’s and master’s degree holders, master’s students, integrated master’s students and candidates enrolled in qualifying non-degree courses.
How much does the fellowship pay
The fellowship provides a monthly maintenance allowance of €1,090.98, plus personal accident insurance and reimbursement of Voluntary Social Insurance.
Where is the fellowship based
The preferred workplace is the Mértola Biological Station in Mértola, Portugal.
What is the application deadline
The application deadline is 30 September 2026.
When does the fellowship begin
The fellowship starts on 1 November 2026 and has a duration of 12 months.
Institutional Overview
Associação BIOPOLIS hosts the Research Fellowship within the Moinhos Vivos project, which is being conducted in partnership with the Faculty of Architecture of the University of Porto – Nuno Portas Study Centre. The project connects research into traditional hydraulic heritage with the conservation of riverine biodiversity in the Guadiana Valley. Its work brings together historical, heritage, architectural and biological perspectives. The fellowship may involve research at the Mértola Biological Station and the University of Porto’s Faculty of Architecture, depending on the candidate’s profile and project requirements. The interdisciplinary setting supports documentary research, fieldwork, heritage recording and related research activities under scientific supervision.
For more archaeology, heritage and research opportunities, explore relevant academic positions and fellowships on HigherJobz.
