Preamble

Seeking to strengthen and internationalise its structuring activities (research, publications, advanced training, outreach activities and scientific promotion), the Centre for Social Studies (Centro de Estudos Sociais - CES) encourages postdoctoral studies and research.

As a host unit for postgraduate students, CES justifies the existence of specific regulations to provide a framework for the activities developed by researchers in postdoctoral programmes during their stay at CES.

Article 1
Scope

These Regulations define the rights, obligations, and conditions of access for postdoctoral researchers external to CES who are attending a postdoctoral programme at CES.

Article 2
Definition

“Postdoctoral studies and research” is defined as:

1. An individual research programme with a minimum duration of 18 months and a maximum duration of 72 months.
2. An individual research programme with a minimum duration of 18 months and a maximum duration of 72 months.

Article 3
Conditions of access

a) Postdoctoral researchers with an individual research programme:

1. The candidate for postdoctoral studies and research must hold a PhD degree or equivalent, regardless of his/her nationality, and must not have any employment relation with CES.
2. The application for postdoctoral studies and research must be addressed to the Presidency of the CES Scientific Board. The application may identify a preferential supervisor from the associate postdoctoral researchers at CES.
3. The application must include:
   1. The applicant's Curriculum Vitae;
   2. A copy of the PhD certificate or equivalent;
   3. A structured work plan with a timeline of the research duration (explaining the activities to be developed at CES);
   4. A letter of motivation explaining why CES was chosen as the host institution;
   5. Other aspects the candidate might find relevant (recommendation letters, publications, etc.).
4. Approving the application means that the postdoctoral researcher will be integrated into one of CES’ Research Groups for the duration of his/her stay.
5. The proposal for the postdoctoral studies and research programme is assessed by the CES Scientific Board, which is responsible for the final (non-)approval decision, after hearing the supervisor and the coordinator of the respective research group.
6. Carrying out a postdoctoral studies and research programme at CES does not generate any functional or employment bond with the institution.
7. The provision in the previous paragraph does not prevent CES from being a host institution for postdoctoral researchers with a grant contract or a labour contract with Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (Foundation for Science and Technology – FCT)  or other national and international agencies that fund research activities and post-graduate training.
8. In order to obtain a letter of acceptance to apply for funding for the postdoctoral period, candidates must submit their application at least one month before the deadline for submitting the application.
    

b) Postdoctoral researchers integrated in funded collective research projects

9. The postdoctoral researchers are contracted in a public tender organised by the project's Principal Investigator, who will define the terms of the application and the selection of candidates;
10. Carrying out a postdoctoral studies and research programme at CES, as part of a collective project, does not generate any functional or employment bond with the institution, apart from the contract that may be entered into within the framework of the research project in question, in accordance with the rules and deadlines in force for the funding.

Article 4
Rights

1. The postdoctoral researcher has the right to use the Centre’s facilities and services, in equal circumstances with CES’ associates.
2. CES will provide a work area for the postdoctoral researchers, in facilities intended for such purpose and in accordance with the possibilities available at any given time and the criteria defined by the Board of Directors.
3. For the duration of the post-doctoral researcher status at CES, the researcher has the right to a 50% reduction in the registratio fees, if applicable, in colloquia, congresses and advanced training courses.
4. The reduction indicated in the previous paragraph is defined by the Organising Committee or the Coordinator of the event, who must set the number of postdoctoral researchers to whom the reduction applies and its value. This reduction does not apply to CES Summer/Winter School.
5. During the postdoctoral studies and research programme, the researcher will be allocated a user profile in the data management platform myCES and a CES e-mail account.
6. CES will register the postdoctoral researchers in the University of Coimbra's Welcome Centre for Visiting Researchers so that they can benefit from the UC ID Card, which can be used to access the library network and the university restaurants.
7. The postdoctoral researchers will receive internationalisation support in accordance with the amounts triennially defined by the Board of Directors. This support includes assistance with translation and/or revision of articles for publication in international indexed journals in reference bases, according to the regulations in force.
8. The provision indicated in the previous paragraph is dependent on compliance with the rules in force, as defined by the Board of Directors, regarding institutional publicity and affiliation.
9. The status of post-doctoral researcher can be maintained beyond the end of the research project if the collaboration with CES remains regular, after justified recommendation by the Supervisor or the Principal Investigator, so that the researcher can conclude the project’s work in progress

a) Researchers with an individual research programme:

10. After the submission and approval of the final report referred to in paragraph 7, article 5, the postdoctoral researcher has the right to receive a certificate issued by CES, which does not confer an academic qualification, but states the nature and duration of the programme, as well as the supervisor and the topic studied.
11. The postdoctoral researchers will receive institutional assistance by the services at CES to look for funding that will allow them to develop or organise scientific events and research activities.

b) Researchers integrated into funded collective research projects

12. Given the importance of continuous education, researchers are entitled internationalisation support for events and publications in their field of research which are not covered by the relevant project, in accordance with the amounts annually defined by the Board of Directors.
13. Postdoctoral researchers are granted institutional support by CES services in the search for funding to enable them to develop independent research projects.

Article 5
Duties

1. The postdoctoral researcher undertakes to respect the operational procedures and the regulations in force at CES, collaborating with the administrative services by sending requested information and committing to a responsible use of the material made available for the community, namely by respecting the regulated standards for the bibliographic archive use.
2. The postdoctoral researcher will allow CES to mention in their reports the scientific production developed during the working period at CES.
3. All communications, publications or dissemination material for the scientific activities arising from the post-doctoral researcher’s work at CES must contain a mention and/or logos from CES and the University of Coimbra.
4. The researcher accepted into a post-doctoral studies and research programme at CES is encouraged to participate regularly in scientific activities developed at the Centre, specifically and actively in activities of his/her Research Group.
5. The postdoctoral researcher must have a regular participation at CES during the research period, in accordance with the plan agreed with the supervisor.
6. The condition of postdoctoral researcher implies the maintenance and updating of the personal curricular page on CES website, as well as the registration with the Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia's database, for the duration of the programme.
7. The postdoctoral researcher must participate in the election of his/her representatives, as well as the half-yearly meetings called by them. If the researcher cannot attend a meeting, he/she must justify the absence by sending an e-mail to the representatives.
8. The postdoctoral researcher must take on the duties of representative in case he/she is elected for such role.

a) Researchers with an individual research programme:

9. At the end of the postdoctoral studies and research programme, the researcher submits a final activity report to the CES Scientific Board, together with the supervisor's opinion. If the postdoctoral programme lasts 18 months, an interim report must be submitted at the end of the first year.
10. In case they are grant holders or researchers with an employment relationship with another institution, the postdoctoral researchers must ask the institution funding the grant or the institution with which they have an employment relationship to provide CES with a statement recognising CES as a host unit for the postdoctoral research programme. This must be done within 15 days of th acceptance notification. 
11. Without prejudice to the activities he/she intends to propose and carry out, the postdoctoral researcher undertakes to carry out at least one seminar on the research developed, preferably in articulation with other researchers.
12. The postdoctoral researcher must be available to participate, as a lecturer or organiser, in an advanced training course (in-person or distance learning), Summer/Winter School or other training activities in the context of CES, such as “CES vai à Escola”.
13. The postdoctoral researcher must propose, annually or in annual average, at least one publication in international indexed journals in reference bases, or equivalent, under the supervision of the scientific supervisor. 

b) Researchers integrated into funded collective research projects

14. Apart from the report indicated in paragraphs 1 to 6 of this article, the post-doctoral researchers integrated in collective research projects will respond to the duties of those projects, under the responsibility of the Principal Investigator.

Article 6
Representation

1. The postdoctoral researchers will annually elect two representatives, a permanent one and a deputy who will substitute in case of impediment.
2. The representatives have the right to participate, without voting, in CES’ Scientific Board meetings.
3. The representatives have the right to meet with CES' Board of Directors, at their request or the request of the Board of Directors, every time an issue needs to be resolved within the framework of this body's scope of action.
4. The representatives are responsible for organising half-yearly an information meeting with the post-doctoral researchers.
5. The electionelection of representatives is organised every year on the last month of the term of office. The voting process for the election of post-doctoral researchers’ representatives is carried out by ballot paper created by the Scientific Board's Management Assistance, which will be available on the myCES platform. The ballot paper will include the eligible postdoctoral researchers; each postdoctoral researcher can vote in only one colleague; the researcher with most votes is elected representative and the researcher obtaining the second highest number of votes is elected deputy representative; in case of a tie of 3 or more nominees, a second round is carried out; in case of a tie between 2 nominees (or 3 or more nominees in the second round), the representative organises a draw in the presence of the nominees and a witness. 

Article 7
Noncompliance

1. The cumulative noncompliance of the obligations set out in these regulations can result in the cancellation of the postdoctoral scientific hosting, after consulting with the supervisor and the Director. The competent authorities for authorising and/or funding the research will be informed..
2. The postdoctoral researcher can appeal against the decision, requesting an opinion to the Ethics Committee, for discussion in the Standing Committee of the Scientific Board (CPCC), with the postdoctoral researcher present, after which the CPCC will vote on the final decision, without his/her presence

Article 8
Final Provisions

1. All matters not provided for in these regulations will be dealt with by the general law and other specific legislation applicable, pending approval by the regulations set out by the CES Board of Directors and Scientific Board.
2. CES has a set of bodies from which the postdoctoral researcher can request assistance, whenever necessary and applicable, namely the Ethics Committee and CES Ombudsperson.

Article 9
Entry into Force

These regulations enter into force on the date of its approval by CES’ Scientific Board.

October 23rd, 2019