INEGI Mechanical Engineering PhD Scholarship 2026, Portugal
The Mechanical Engineering PhD Scholarship 2026 at INEGI in Portugal offers a funded research opportunity for doctoral researchers working on advanced composite materials and computational modelling. The position is based in Porto, Portugal, and is part of the HOOPLA project, which focuses on developing high-fidelity models for fibre-reinforced thermoplastic composites.
The selected researcher will receive a €1,309.64 monthly research fellowship, along with personal accident insurance and, where applicable, support for voluntary social insurance.
This opportunity is particularly suitable for applicants with a Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering who are already enrolled in a PhD programme and have experience with finite-element modelling, composite materials and programming.
INEGI Mechanical Engineering PhD Scholarship 2026 Overview
- Host Country: Portugal
- Host Institution: INEGI – Institute of Science and Innovation in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering
- Location: Porto, Portugal
- Degree Level: PhD
- Research Area: Mechanical Engineering
- Project: HOOPLA
- Specialization: Composite materials and computational modelling
- Monthly Stipend: €1,309.64
- Contract Duration: 12 months initially
- Expected Start: September 2026
- Renewal: Possible under applicable research-grant regulations
- Eligible Nationalities: International applicants can apply
- Required Degree: Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering
- PhD Enrollment: Required
- Application Deadline: August 31, 2026, according to the published INEGI listing
- Selection: 40% CV and 60% interview
About the Research Fellowship
The fellowship is offered by INEGI as part of the HOOPLA research project. The selected PhD researcher will contribute to research involving advanced thermoplastic composite materials.
The project focuses on developing high-fidelity finite-element models that can connect microscopic defects within composite materials to their effects on larger structural behaviour.
The research is therefore strongly focused on computational mechanics and advanced engineering modelling rather than purely experimental work.
Degree Level
The opportunity is intended for PhD-level researchers.
Applicants must already be enrolled in a doctoral programme and provide proof of their doctoral enrolment as part of the application.
The fellowship is particularly relevant to doctoral researchers whose current research is connected to:
Mechanical Engineering
Computational Mechanics
Finite-Element Analysis
Composite Materials
Materials Engineering
Structural Modelling
Micromechanics
Numerical Simulation
Fellowship Duration
The initial fellowship contract is for 12 months.
The expected starting period is September 2026.
The fellowship may be renewed, subject to the applicable research-grant regulations and the continuation of the relevant research project.
Applicants should therefore understand that this is a research fellowship rather than a guaranteed permanent employment position.
Available Subjects
The main academic field is Mechanical Engineering, with a specific focus on advanced composite materials.
The selected researcher will work on modelling fibre-reinforced thermoplastic composites and investigating how defects at smaller scales influence structural performance.
The research may involve:
Fibre-reinforced polymers
Thermoplastic composites
Micromechanical modelling
Mesoscopic modelling
Finite-element analysis
Structural mechanics
Computational materials science
Numerical simulation
Defect modelling
Composite-material characterisation
Benefits
The fellowship provides several forms of support.
€1,309.64 Monthly Stipend
The selected researcher will receive a monthly research allowance of €1,309.64.
The payment is made by bank transfer.
Insurance
The fellowship includes personal accident insurance.
Social Insurance Support
Where applicable, the fellowship may also provide support for voluntary social insurance under the relevant regulations.
Research Experience in Portugal
The selected researcher will work on an advanced research project in Porto and gain experience in computational modelling and composite-material research.
Eligible Nationalities
The call does not specify a nationality restriction, meaning international applicants can apply.
However, candidates who obtained their academic degrees outside Portugal must complete the required Portuguese recognition process for their foreign qualification.
The recognition certificate is required before the fellowship contract can be signed.
International applicants should therefore begin checking the degree-recognition process early instead of waiting until after selection.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must satisfy the academic and technical requirements of the research fellowship.
Master's Degree
Candidates must have a Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering.
Applicants with degrees in closely related engineering disciplines should not assume that their qualification will automatically be accepted because the call specifically identifies Mechanical Engineering.
PhD Enrollment
Applicants must already be enrolled in a doctoral programme.
Proof of doctoral enrolment is one of the documents required during the application process.
Programming Skills
Strong programming knowledge is expected.
Experience with Python or similar programming languages is particularly relevant because the research involves computational modelling and numerical analysis.
Composite Materials
Applicants should have an understanding of composite-material mechanics and preferably practical experience with modelling or characterising composite materials.
Finite-Element Analysis
Experience with finite-element structural analysis is highly desirable.
Candidates should be able to demonstrate how they have used numerical or finite-element methods in previous academic or research work.
Research and Technical Writing
Experience preparing scientific or technical documents is also beneficial.
Applicants should be able to communicate research findings clearly and work independently while also collaborating with a research team.
Language Skills
Both Portuguese and English proficiency are given significant importance in the selection process.
Research Responsibilities
The selected PhD researcher will contribute to the HOOPLA project and work on computational models for advanced thermoplastic composite materials.
Potential responsibilities include:
Identifying defects in fibre-reinforced composites
Developing micromechanical models
Developing mesoscopic models
Conducting finite-element simulations
Analysing composite-material behaviour
Connecting microscopic defects with structural performance
Documenting research findings
Preparing technical reports
Contributing to scientific publications
The position is best suited to researchers who already have a strong interest in computational engineering.
Selection Process
The selection process gives greater weight to the interview than the CV.
The assessment is divided as follows:
CV: 40%
Interview: 60%
The selection panel may assess your:
Academic qualifications
Technical experience
Research background
Programming skills
Knowledge of composite materials
Finite-element experience
Motivation
Communication skills
Suitability for the HOOPLA project
Applicants should therefore prepare carefully for the interview.
Rather than simply discussing their degrees, candidates should be ready to explain specific research projects, modelling approaches, technical challenges and results.
Application Procedure
Required Documents
Applicants should prepare the following documents:
Motivation letter
Curriculum vitae
Academic qualification certificate
Proof of doctoral-programme enrolment
International applicants should also consider the requirements for Portuguese recognition of foreign academic qualifications.
The motivation letter should clearly explain why the applicant's academic and research background matches the HOOPLA project.
How to Apply
Applications should be submitted through the official INEGI careers platform under the relevant research fellowship vacancy.
Before submitting the application, candidates should ensure that:
Their Master's degree is in Mechanical Engineering.
They are enrolled in a PhD programme.
Their research experience matches the project.
Their CV clearly highlights finite-element and computational experience.
Their programming skills are included.
Their motivation letter is tailored to the HOOPLA project.
Required academic documents are attached.
Application Deadline
The published INEGI vacancy gives August 31, 2026 as the application deadline.
Applicants should apply as early as possible rather than waiting until the final day, particularly because international candidates may need additional time to address academic-degree recognition requirements.
Who Should Apply?
This fellowship is a particularly strong match for applicants who have:
A Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering
Current PhD enrollment
Experience with finite-element analysis
Knowledge of composite materials
Programming skills, particularly Python
Experience with computational modelling
Scientific or technical writing experience
An interest in fibre-reinforced polymers
Strong English and/or Portuguese communication skills
Applicants whose research is entirely unrelated to computational mechanics or composite materials may not be a strong fit.
Final Words
The Mechanical Engineering PhD Scholarship 2026 at INEGI Portugal is a specialised research opportunity for doctoral researchers interested in composite materials, finite-element modelling and computational mechanics.
With a €1,309.64 monthly stipend, insurance coverage and the opportunity to work on the HOOPLA project in Porto, the fellowship can be valuable for researchers whose technical background closely matches the project.
The most important requirements are a Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, current PhD enrollment, programming ability and relevant experience with composite materials and finite-element analysis.
Interested applicants should prepare their CV, motivation letter and academic documents carefully and submit their application before the August 31, 2026 deadline.
