A call is now open for the award of one (1) Research Initiation Grant (BII) for students of Mechanical Engineering within the scope of the project AI-Driven Friction Stir Deposition for Repair of Critical Aerostructures (Development of Artificial Intelligence-Supported Friction Stir Deposition Techniques for the Repair of Critical Aerostructures), funded by FCT/MCTES, under the following conditions: Scientific area: Mechanical Engineering.
Work plan: AI-Driven Friction Stir Deposition for Repair of Critical Aerostructures.
1. Duration and Terms: Duration of 12 months, starting in November 2026, potentially renewable up to the extent permitted by the relevant regulations.
The granting of the scholarships does not generate or entitle a legal-labour relationship, it is exercised under an exclusive dedication regime, and the Scholarship holder is granted the Scholarship Holder Status, in accordance with the Regulation for Research Grants of the Foundation for Science and Technology, I.P., both in their current wording.
2. Activity objective: This project develops a novel physics-informed AI planning framework for FSD repair of aerospace aluminum panels (2024-T3, 7075-T6).
The collaborative research generates AI-guided repair strategies, optimizing toolpaths and thermal input, using reduced-order process models.
These distinct strategies will be experimentally validated on a dedicated FSD platform, comparing baseline, heuristic, and AI-generated paths.
Fatigue testing of the repaired regions will establish a direct link between AI-generated toolpath decisions and structural life.
The specific objectives of the present project are: • Deliver a standardized, instrumented aerospace repair test article representing fuselage skin damage for benchmarking.
• Execute and characterize controlled FSD repair strategies on the test articles.
• Perform fatigue testing to establish an experimentally validated link between toolpath design and structural life.
3. Scientific supervision: Dr. Eduardo Marques.
The work will be carried out in INEGI or FEUP facilities in Porto.
4. Admission requirements: The scholarship is intended for Bachelor’s or Master’s students in Mechanical Engineering.
5.
Academic Qualifications:• Bachelor(s) in Mechanical Engineering.
• Strong knowledge in mechanical characterization and modelling of metals.
• High proficiency in modelling software, such as Abaqus and Ansys.
• High proficiency in design software, such as AutoCAD and SolidWorks.
• Strong analytical thinking and attention to detail.
• Problem-solving and critical reasoning.
• Autonomy and effective time management.
• Resilience and adaptability.
• Collaborative mindset and teamwork.
• Proactivity and scientific curiosity.
• Proficiency in Portuguese and English: a priority factor, with a high level of fluency.
6. Academic degrees obtained in foreign countries shall be registered by a Portuguese institution, according to the DL 66/2018, of August 16th, and the Ordinance nr.
33/2019, of January 25th.
It is mandatory to present the certificate to sign the contract.
More information is available on: 7. Monthly allowance: The scholarship amount corresponds to € 701,12 according to FCT () The scholarship payment will be made by bank transfer.
8. Applicable Legislation: Research Fellow Statute, approved by Law No. 40/2004 of August 18th, in the current wording published by Decree-Law No. 123/2019 of August 28;
Regulation of Research Grants of the Foundation for Science and Technology, I.P.
in force (Regulation No. 950 / 2019 of 16 December).
10.Selection methods/criteria: The selection process initially consists of a curriculum evaluation according to the mentioned criteria.
This evaluation results in the selection of candidates that go on to the interview phase.
The final assessment is calculated based on a weight of 60% of the curriculum assessment and 40% of the interview.
The selection criteria are as follows: academic background, qualifications, adequacy between the candidate's profile and the fellowship's objectives, motivation and relevant experience for the project in question, in accordance with the admission requirements described above.
The jury reserves the right not to fill the place in the competition, if it deems that there are no candidates who meet its requirements.
11. Composition of the evaluation panel: Dr. Eduardo Marques (President), Dr. Lucas da Silva (Vowel), Dr. Ricardo Carbas (Vowel).
Dr. Beatriz Simões (Alternate Vowel).
12. Publication/notification of results: The final results of the assessment will be sent by email.
After being notified, candidates have 10 working days to submit a formal rebuttal by email ().
13. Submission of applications: Applications must include the following documents: • Motivation letter, stating the adequacy of the curriculum to the position.
• Curriculum vitae, in which the candidate's education in the areas mentioned in item 5 of this announcement should be clearly stated.
• Certificate of qualifications.
• Proof of enrollment for the 2026/2027 academic year.
14. Expressions of interest should be sent between the 3 of November and 17th november 2026 through the official INEGI website www.inegi.pt in Work in INEGI by pressing ApplyR&D Initiation Activity Fellowship _ Reference number: BII UPAL 65/2026. 15. Scholarship Support Centre: The support centre for scholarship holders works from Monday to Friday, from 10 am to 12 pm, at the People Management Services.