Instituto Superior Técnico Research Scholarship 2027 for PhD Open
If you are already enrolled in a PhD in Physics and have serious hands-on experience with ultrafast laser systems, OPA/OPCPA, near-infrared or mid-infrared optics, this research scholarship at Instituto Superior Técnico in Portugal is a highly specialised opportunity worth examining.
The scholarship offers €1,359.64 per month, initially for 6 months, with renewal possible up to a maximum total duration of 12 months. The research will be carried out at the Institute of Plasmas and Nuclear Fusion in Lisbon.
Before You Apply: Is This Scholarship Actually a Match?
| What to check | What it means for your application |
|---|---|
| Current status | You must intend be enrolled in a PhD programme |
| Academic field | Physics or a closely aligned laser/optics research area |
| Experience level | At least 4 years of postgraduate experience is required |
| Technical fit | Strong experience with solid-state NIR/MIR ultrafast lasers and OPA/OPCPA |
| Research environment | Prior work at advanced or international laser facilities is expected |
| Monthly allowance | €1,359.64 |
| Initial duration | 6 months |
| Maximum duration | 12 months including renewal |
| Deadline | 2 September 2026 |
Who Should Seriously Consider Applying?
This is not a general Physics scholarship for someone hoping to learn laser science from scratch.
The call requires at least four years of postgraduate experience in the design, operation and characterisation of solid-state near-infrared and mid-infrared ultrafast laser systems, specifically involving OPA or OPCPA technologies.
You also need a research record compatible with that experience, ideally including exposure to international, world-level laser facilities.
That makes this opportunity much more suitable for a PhD researcher who is already technically independent in advanced laser laboratories.
If your experience is mainly classroom optics, general spectroscopy or theoretical physics, I would not assume the fit is strong enough.
What Will You Actually Work On?
The scholarship has two closely connected technical objectives.
The first involves completing the development and characterisation of a multi-millijoule 1030 nm laser amplifier based on Chirped Pulse Amplification.
You will work on aligning and optimising the compression stage toward approximately 6 picoseconds, while analysing pulse characteristics such as spatial profile, temporal profile, spectrum and stability.
The second part moves into the mid-infrared.
You will help assemble and align a broadband 3200 nm laser amplifier system using OPCPA, including the stretching, amplification and compression stages.
The same core measurements—pulse profile, spectrum and stability—will then be used to evaluate performance.
So this scholarship is best suited to someone who enjoys the combination of laser-system construction, optical alignment, pulse compression and experimental characterisation.
Why the Selection Method Matters?
The competition uses 100% curricular evaluation. There is no separate interview score described in the call. That means your CV and supporting documents effectively become your interview.
The committee will be looking closely at whether your previous research proves that you already possess the technical experience demanded by the project. I would therefore avoid a generic chronological CV. Instead, make the following immediately visible:
laser wavelengths you have worked with, amplifier architectures, OPA/OPCPA experience, pulse energies and durations, diagnostics used, optical systems built, publications produced, and major research facilities where you worked.
For a position this specialized, technical specificity is far more valuable than broad statements about being motivated.
What Does the Scholarship Pay?
The monthly maintenance allowance is €1,359.64. The initial award runs for 6 months, with the possibility of renewal up to 12 months in total. The research is funded through Instituto Superior Técnico under Compete 2030 / Portugal 2030.
What Documents Do You Need?
Applications must include:
- Curriculum Vitae
- Proof of academic qualifications, or a declaration of honour if the certificate is not yet available
- Proof of PhD registration/enrolment
- Motivation letter
Applications must be submitted exclusively through the Instituto Superior Técnico admissions platform. The form must be fully completed, submitted and locked without validation errors for the application to count.
How Should You Write the Motivation Letter?
I would keep it technical.
Explain:
what ultrafast laser systems you have already designed or operated → what role you personally played → which diagnostics and compression techniques you used → how that experience prepares you for 1030 nm CPA and 3200 nm OPCPA work.
Do not spend half the letter explaining why laser science is important.
The committee already knows that. They need to know whether you can walk into an advanced laser laboratory and start contributing quickly.
Application Deadline
The last date to apply for the Instituto Superior Técnico Research Scholarship in Plasma Physics and Nuclear Fusion – Focusing Optics is 2 September 2026 at 23:59 Lisbon time.
For the right PhD researcher, the value of this opportunity is not simply the €1,359 monthly support. It is the chance to deepen expertise in high-energy ultrafast laser amplification across both near- and mid-infrared regimes, which can strengthen a future career in laser physics, photonics, plasma science or advanced scientific instrumentation.