The Bold Robotics Lda. opens a call for applications for two (2) Research Contracts for a Master Degree or PhD holder in the scope of the R&D Project: ForestSphere (FCT/AMA DigitalTwins4SmartTerritories - DT4ST call), funded by the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR), under the implementation of the sub-investment with the code C19-i08, designated as "Smart Territories - AMA" of the PRR, component C19 – Public Administration – Digitalization, Interoperability, and Cybersecurity; and public funds from the Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education.
The
ForestSphere Project
, which is coordinated by ADAI and includes the participation of ISR-UC, Onesource, Boldrobotics, Sim4Safety, REN, the Intermunicipal Community (CIM) of Coimbra, DGT and the Lousã City Council and collaboration of the ICNF, and ANEPC aims to develop a digital tool to support wildfire risk management, in order to contribute to the digitization of territories in Portugal, promoting innovation and sustainable development through digital twins.
A "digital twin" is a computer-based representation of the most relevant elements required to depict a given physical reality—in this case, a forest— with the components and parameters necessary to describe and model the physical processes involved in its management through technological and human resources. In the case of ForestSphere, the goal is to reconstruct the terrain, vegetation cover, buildings, and infrastructure, as well as the meteorological environment that can influence wildfires, using sensor data gathered from a variety of sources, including satellites, aerial, and groundbased systems. Using this data and computational models, the project will simulate various wildfire risk management interventions, spanning from prevention and firefighting to post-fire recovery.
The
main objectives
of the project include:
· Developing an open, scalable, and modular Digital Twin architecture.
· Enabling accurate, high-resolution forest mapping using advanced sensing techniques.
· Implementing real-time data processing for dynamic updates of the Digital Twin.
· Using Artificial Intelligence for predictive analysis of wildfires.
· Designing user-centred decision-support tools to assist firefighting teams and policymakers.
· Conducting pilot studies to demonstrate the applications of the Forest Digital Twin in forest and wildfire management.
Admission requirements:
Master or PhD holder in the areas of Computer Science, Robotics, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Engineering Physics or a related area (see selection criteria).
Candidates with a Doctoral degree are valued.
We are seeking two different profiles:
1- A strong background of autonomous robots, perception and navigation in unstructured environments and ROS. Work experience with UAVs and UGVs is highly valued.
2- A strong background of electrical drive systems, batteries, battery management systems and electronics. Work experience with UAVs and UGVs is highly valued, particularly the integration or control of large electrical drive robots.
Work Plan:
The selected researchers will provide advanced expertise and leadership in the development and integration of a semi-autonomous firefighting UGV, both in physical and digital form. The researchers are also expected to support land mapping efforts using UAVs. Specifically, the researchers will be responsible for:
· Implementing state-of-the-art localization and navigation algorithms for the autonomous firefighting robot (Profile 1).
· Implementing electrical and perception system hardware in the firefighting robot prototype (Profile 2).
· Collaborating closely with project partners to integrate a digital twin of the firefighting robot within the Digital Twin architecture (Both profiles).
· Mentoring, and providing technical guidance to junior researchers within the project, maintaining regular meetings to support their progress and align their work with project goals (Both profiles).
· Actively participating in all project partner meetings, including technical and quality management sessions, to coordinate research activities and ensure adherence to project milestones (Both profiles).
· Preparing and delivering high-quality project documentation, including technical deliverables and scientific publications (Both profiles).
· Managing, planning, executing, and analysing pilot deployments in real-world forest environments, coordinating performance evaluations and system validations to assess accuracy, robustness, and scalability of developed solutions (Both profiles).
Composition of the jury:
Professor Doctor Carlos Viegas (supervisor),
Professor Doctor Xavier Viegas and
Professor Doctor David Portugal.
Workplace:
The workplace is located at the Laboratório de Aerodinâmica Industrial, Rua Pedro Hispano nº12,, Coimbra, Portugal
Duration:
The contract will last for the duration of the project (until at least March 2026), subject to the grantee's performance, on an exclusive basis. There is a possibility of renewal after the project conclusion.
Monthly Remuneration: The contract monthly remuneration is dependent on the level and experience of the researcher, with a minimum of level 25 for PhD degree holders, corresponding to a base salary of 1 917,83 €.
Selection Method:
Curricular evaluation (100%). If the Jury deems it necessary, an interview may be held with the candidates placed in the first three positions according to the ordering resulting from the previous criteria. In this case, the final score will include the curricular evaluation (as described above), valued at 75%, and the interview, valued at 25%. If none of the candidates has the appropriate profile (overall assessment below 50%), the contract will not be awarded.
Selection criteria:
a) Curricular Evaluation
Criterion 1. Absolute merit of the candidate, considering his/her performance in the PhD, Master's and Bachelor/Licentiate degree, or integrated master's degree (30%);
Criterion 2. Advanced knowledge of the skills identified in the admission requirements section, and others deemed relevant for the project objectives —demonstrated through relevant doctoral or practice involving practical work. (30%);
Criterion 3. Involvement in project management, supervision of junior researchers, and collaborative work in multi-partner research projects will be considered an asset (40%).
b) Interview (should it occur)
Criterion 1. Motivation to work on the project (50%);
Criterion 2. Competence in the oral response to questions on the selection criteria subjects. Appropriate spoken English skills will be valued (50%).
Formalization of applications:
Applications must be sent in pdf format to the following e-mail address: with the subject:
ForestSphere-BOLD-Contract-2025.
The following documentation must be sent in the email:
1. Copy of the certificate (s) of academic qualifications. Applicants with academic degrees obtained abroad are required to present a Certificate of Recognition in accordance with applicable law until the start of the contract.
2. Curriculum Vitae (CV). Should include the academic qualifications, and relevant experience in the selection criteria.
3.
Motivation
Letter. Should include the candidate's summarized background and motivation to work on this field.
1. Recommendation Letter (optional).
Deadline for formalizing the application:
October 30th, 2025.
Form of publicity / notification of the results:
The results of the evaluation will be publicized, through a list ordered by the final grade obtained, with the candidates being notified by email. After the dissemination of the results through e-mail, the candidates must consider themselves, from the outset, notified to, if they wish, express themselves in a prior hearing within a maximum period of 10 working days after that date. At the end of this period, the selected candidates must consider themselves summoned to start the contracts.