Call for applications – 1 (one) vacancy

RESEARCH SCHOLARSHIP


The Centre for Social Studies (CES) – Associate Laboratory - University of Coimbra (Portugal), opens a call
for applications for 1 research scholarship (CES/13/2024-BI-CO3) in the Horizon project “CO3 – Continuous
Construction of resilient Social Contracts through Societal Transformations” (GA: 101132631), funded by
the European Commission, coordinated by Vanda Amaro Dias and Cristiano Gianolla.

CES provides a stimulating intellectual environment in the domain of social sciences and humanities. The
project is part of the research line (Semi-)Peripheral Capitalism: Crises and Alternatives, which aims at
deepening the knowledge indispensable towards the construction of sustainable societies, from a social,
political, ecological and security point of view. To this end, attention is given to the material and institutional
structures of the economy, to the international dynamics of peripheralization, to the complexity of work as
a structuring dimension of contemporary life, to the multidimensional and multiscale conditions of
democracy and the public sphere, and to participatory and inclusive forms of organisation of society.

a. Project Description:
Project title: “CO3 - Continuous Construction of Resilient Social Contracts through Societal Transformations”
Based on the analyses of the limitations of, and challenges to the social contracts in political theorising and
practices, CO3 aims at developing and promoting a more democratic, more inclusive and more open model
of social contracts, which manifest political and social resilience in the face of major societal challenges,
crises, and anti-democratic tendencies. Drawing from 8 empirical case studies in EU member states, and in
3 non-member states, CO3 researches safeguards and mechanisms for resilient social contracts overtime.
While the theoretical ambition of the CO3 project is to analyse how the contemporary theories of the social
contract contribute to our understanding of the social contracts in the current crises-driven European
political environment, the empirical ambition is to investigate contradictions and tensions between practices,
narratives and lived experiences in social contracts across EUrope through concrete cases. As a result, CO3
generates evidence-based knowledge on the safeguards and mechanisms for promoting resilient social
contracts, which support citizen involvement and democracy across EUrope.
Expected duration of the project execution: 36 months, from February 1, 2024 to January 31, 2027.

b. Scientific field:
Social Sciences and Humanities

c. Work plan, tasks:
The selected candidate is expected to have the following responsibilities:
a) Develop Ph D research (already in progress or to begin in 2024) in the framework of the research
project along the following line:

EUropean social contracts: investigate the impact and consequences of colonialism,
postcolonialism and imperialism on EUropean social contracts, focusing on the Portuguese
experiences, expectations and emotions mobilised in processes of (re)constituting more
sustainable and democratic societies, including in the gender, environmental and climate
dimensions.
b) Support the implementation of the scientific tasks foreseen in the project application, namely,
literature review, document research, databases and website maintenance, drafting and editing of
reports and publications, fieldwork, data analysis and dissemination activities;
c) Support the administrative activities of the project, including the organisation of events,
management of communication, review and translation of documents and data, and support of the
tasks necessary to implement the project.

d. Applicable Legislation and Regulations:
Portuguese Law nº 40/2004, of August 18 (Scientific Research Fellow Statute) and following amendments,
FCT’s (Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology) Regulations for Advanced Training and
Qualification of Human Resources, and Regulations for Fellowships at the Centre for Social Studies.

e. Work place:
The tasks will be performed at the Centre for Social Studies facilities or in other locations when necessary
for the good implementation of the work plan, under the scientific supervision of the Principal Investigators,
Vanda Amaro Dias and Cristiano Gianolla.

f. Duration of the fellowship contract:
The fellowship will last 12 months, starting on November 1st, 2024. The scholarship contract may be
extended for equal or different periods, until the end of the project, depending on the evaluation of the
work carried out, the financial provisions and the scientific needs of the project.

g. Application dates:
From August 2 to September 15, 2024.

h. Application process:
Applications must include:
a) Presentation/Motivation letter with the contest reference (CES/13/2024-BI-CO3) of maximum 2
pages in English in which the candidate addresses at least four points: (1) motivation to be part of
the CO3 project within the CES team and under the project research line, (2) demonstration of
language oral and written proficiency in both English and Portuguese (with reference to the context
where the candidate learned and perfected both languages or to whether they are native speakers),
(3) to what extent education and previous experience match the selecting criteria listed, and (4)
they allow to execute the work plan mentioned above;

b) Detailed Curriculum Vitae;
c) Copies of degree certificates. It is mandatory to be holder of a MA degree by the ending of the tender
(note: candidates must meet the eligibility conditions and conditions indicated in point “k. Mandatory
requirements”);
d) Copy of the enrolment on a Ph D programme in the academic year 2024/2025 or copy of the
enrolment in a non-academic degree (see eligibility criteria below), but integrated in the pedagogical
project of a higher education institution (note: candidates must meet the eligibility conditions and
conditions indicated in point “k. Mandatory requirements”):
e) One publication, or an unpublished essay (for instance, the master thesis or an assignment of a
course work) which better represents the writing skills of the applicant and their proximity with CO3
research, in Portuguese or English;
f) Other relevant documents for eligibility purposes.
Applications should be sent by email to concursos@ces.uc.pt until the final deadline. Applications must
include a clear indication of the reference of this call (CES/13/2024-BI-CO3).

SKILLS/ QUALIFICATIONS
i. Preferred selection criteria and their weighing:
Applicants must demonstrate expertise on the topic of the project, and in the research line listed above, by
fulfilling the following criteria:
1. Academic background and research carried out in the area of Political Science, International
Relations, European Studies, Political Philosophy, Sociology or related field, with demonstrated
research related to social contract, Europe/European Union, (post)colonialism and/or imperialism)
(publications, participation in research projects, membership in research groups or networks) (30%);
2. Experience in qualitative data collection and analysis, including semi-structured interviews, Focus
Group, Discourse Analysis, and participatory research. Competence in quantitative methods
constitutes additional merit (25%);
3. Experience in research project administration, team work and communication, organisation and
dissemination, event organisation and publication editorial work; (20%);
4. Level of language proficiency in both English and Portuguese. Other desirable languages are
Ukrainian, Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian and Turkish (20%);
5. Work experience with academic software (e.g., MAXQDA/NVIVO, Endnote/Zotero/Mendeley) and
project management systems, collaborative software, social media and website editing (5%).
The jury reserves the right not to select any candidate.

BENEFITS

j. Monthly Allowance
The monthly stipend is is 1.259,64 euros according with the Regulations for Fellowships at the Centre for
Social Studies and at FCT (https://www.fct.pt/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Tabela-de-Valores-
SMM_atualizacao-2024.pdf ). The payment of the Voluntary Social Insurance and the Personal Accident
Insurance adds up to this amount.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

k. Mandatory requirements
1. Hold a master's degree in the area of Political Science, International Relations, European Studies,
Political Philosophy, Sociology or related field (defence process finalised) before the deadline of this
call (see associated conditions in b);
AND
2. Be a doctoral student or, b) commit to enrol in a Ph D programme within the project aims in 2024,
and be enrolled (or enrol within 30 days after selection and until the beginning of the Ph D course at
least) in a course that does not confer an academic degree but is part of the educational project of
a higher education institution (see associated conditions in point “a. Project Description”;

a) Applicants must provide proof of enrolment in a doctoral or non-academic degree course, in the
current academic year. If at the time of application, the applicant does not have a valid document
proving their enrolment, they must send a declaration of honour in which they state to undertake
the enrolment within a maximum period of 30 days after the communication of the results, under
penalty of not contracting the scholarship;
b) Applicants with an academic degree and diploma issued by a foreign Higher Education Institution
must present proof of recognition of the academic degree by the Portuguese Higher Education
System, (law DL66/2018). Any candidate without the recognition of the degree(s) will be admitted
to the competition, but during the evaluation process the selection panel, cannot:
i. recognize the candidate’s grades and assess according to the possession of such grades;
ii. give equivalence to, or validate, the grade of her/his degree;
iii. use that note or its conversion as an evaluation parameter.
In case of selection, the fellowship contract can only be signed after the recognition of the academic degree
by the Portuguese authorities, under the terms of the Law-decree n66/2018, August 16. The selected
candidate must deliver the recognition of the degree within 30 days after the communication of the results.
After the 30 days, the jury may decide to (1) either extend the deadline for the candidate to prove the
recognition; (2) assign the fellowship to the next candidate for merit; (3) or not award the fellowship.

3. Oral and written proficiency of both Portuguese and English.

SELECTION PROCESS

l. Selection process
Applicants will be selected based on their curricular evaluation. In the event of similar curriculum
assessments, the best-positioned applicants should be short-listed for an interview, meant to assess the
applicant’s potential in integrating the project's scientific dynamic and their motivation in pursuing studies
and experience related to the project’s thematic areas. Each of the two methods of selection applied will
have a rating of 50% in the final classification.

m. Selection panel:

• Vanda Amaro Dias (President)

• Cristiano Gianolla (permanent member)

• Gustavo García-López (permanent member)

• Daniela Nascimento (substitute member)

n. Communication of Results:
All candidates will receive the results by email. The meeting minutes of the selection panel will become
available publicly. After the communication of results, applicants have 10 working days to present a redress
to the evaluation and the result by email.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Equality of opportunities:
CES abides by the national law that regulates the prevention, prohibition and fighting against discrimination
on the grounds of racial and ethnic identity, colour, nationality, family background, and territory of origin
(Law nº 93/2017, August 23).

Data protection:
By submitting your application, you are agreeing with the use of your personal data by CES administrative
services for the sole purpose of the current call, namely to be contacted directly by CES services and allow
the communication of results as in point “n. Communication of Results”. of this call. CES abides by the
principles of GPDR.

Contact:
Centro de Estudos Sociais
Colégio S. Jerónimo, Apartado 3087
3000-995 Coimbra, Portugal
concursos@ces.uc.pt