New Scientific Employment Diploma

The recent publication of a new legal regime for hiring PhD holders ( Decree-Law 57/2016, of August 29 ) aims to stimulate scientific and technological employment in all areas of knowledge, promote the rejuvenation of institutions and value scientific research, technological development, management and communication activities in science and technology (registered in the Council of Ministers Resolution no. 32/2016 , of June 3).

With the publication of this diploma, the entities of the National Scientific and Technological System (SCTN) now have a new mechanism to encourage the hiring of PhD researchers, with a view to their integration into the SCTN entities, as well as in their multiple partnerships and collaborative forms with the economic and productive, social or cultural fabric.

Employment contracts thus become the normal form of employment for doctors who carry out scientific activities within the scope of research projects and units, with the assignment of Studentships postdoctoral period reserved for advanced postdoctoral training activities, particularly in the initial phases after completion of the doctorate and in accordance with the terms of the Scientific Research Fellow Statute.

The FCT has received several questions from the scientific community about the application of DL 57/2016, especially about the transitional rule. Following these questions, and also the text “ Stimulating Scientific Employment – Implementation and Implementation Plan ”, written by the Minister of Science, Technology and Higher Education and available on the Government Portal, the FCT publishes the answers to the main questions that were received.

The questions/answers now published are organized according to the individual situation of the researchers, in order to better respond to the requests received by the FCT. This information does not replace consultation of DL 57/2016, which now constitutes the legal regime governing the hiring of doctors within the scope of stimulating scientific employment. The list of questions/answers will be updated as new questions arise.

FAQs Page – Stimulating Scientific Employment (updated on 10/31/2016)

For further information, please contact FCT via email at infoDL57-2016@fct.pt