BI/NatureTwins/2026/3

Organisation/Company Universidade da Madeira Research Field Other Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions Master Positions Application Deadline 6 Oct 2026 - 23:59 (Atlantic/Madeira) Country Portugal Type of Contract Not Applicable Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 35 Offer Starting Date 21 Sep 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

A call for applications is open for one (1) Research Grant within the scope of the project “NatureTwins - Restorative and Sustainable Tourism with Digital Twins of Madeira's Nature”, reference .MAD, funded by the Foundation for Science and Technology, I.P./MECI, through national funds (PIDDAC), under the following conditions.

Computer Engineering, Civil Engineering, or related fields.

• The candidate must hold a degree in Computer Engineering, Civil Engineering, or related fields;
• Be enrolled in a master's program or non-degree course;

• Relevant prior experience in 3D modeling and/or reconstruction;
• Prior experience in research or technological development projects;
• Openness to adapting to new challenges and methodologies;
• Proficiency in oral and written communication in English and Portuguese;
• Ability to work collaboratively. Independent and also as a member of the NeuroRehabLab team ( ), and be proactive;

The NatureTwins project – Restorative and Sustainable Tourism with Digital Twins of Madeira's Nature – aims to promote a sustainable and inclusive tourism model in Madeira through Digital Twin technology. The initiative integrates biodiversity mapping, real‑time monitoring, and immersive experiences to balance environmental preservation with visitor satisfaction. Detailed digital replicas of natural sites will be created, associated with a platform that combines ecological, meteorological, and tourist flow data, allowing for adaptive management and accessible experiences. The project focuses on innovative solutions to reduce environmental impacts, improve accessibility, and foster responsible behaviors, contributing to the appreciation of natural heritage and the transition to more sustainable tourism practices.

• Natural BIM: Supporting the creation of BIM models that integrate topographic, biological, and ecological data, ensuring interoperability with digital platforms and preparing content for immersive environments.
• Procedural Digital Twin Engine: Contributing to the development of the procedural engine that generates dynamic virtual reality simulations of natural environments, incorporating real‑time data on terrain, climate, and visitor behavior.
• Interdisciplinary collaboration: Working with experts in computer science, biology, and design to ensure that the models and simulations meet the project objectives, including accessibility and sustainability.

Research Grant Holder Statute in its current wording, University of Madeira Research Grant Regulations, and FCT, IP Research Grant Regulations in their current wording.

The work will be carried out at Madeira NLINCS of the University of Madeira, under the scientific guidance of Prof. Dr. Sergi Bermúdez i Badia and Prof. Dr. José Manoel Martins Neto dos Santos.

The grant will have an initial duration of 12 (twelve) months. The grant may be renewed for a maximum additional period of six months, up to a total duration of 18 months.

The grant amount corresponds to € , according to the table of values for grants awarded directly by FCT, I.P. in Portugal.

The grant awarded under this competition will be funded by the project “NatureTwins - Restorative and Sustainable Tourism with Digital Twins of Nature in Madeira”, with reference .MAD, funded by the Foundation for Science and Technology, I.P./MECI, through national funds (PIDDAC).

• Curriculum evaluation (60%): This will consider the motivation letter (10%), academic background and its suitability for the position (30%), and relevant prior experience (20%).
• Interview (40%)

• President of the Jury: Prof. Dr. José Manoel Martins Neto dos Santos
• Member: Prof. Dr. Dora Aguín Pombo
• Member: Prof. Dr. Sergi Bermúdez i Badia
• Alternate Member: Prof. Dr. Eduardo Manoel de Almeida Leite

The admission lists, as well as the results of each selection method and final ranking lists, will be publ