PRR Project

Summary

In general terms, according with “Scientific Research Career Statust” (DL 124/99, April 20th), the assistant researcher must carry out, on a regular basis, research and development activities and all other scientific and technical activities within the scope of the missions of the respective institutions and also carry out the five main tasks described in the aforementioned law.In specific terms, for this position, the candidates must be aligned with the IPSantarém-ESDRM and CIDESD-Change Community scientific goals on this research field - understanding the mechanisms of successful behaviour change and developing effective interventions to implement such changes, where the main goal is to advance evidence-based research and policy on challenges and issues that are of high value for the scientific community, governmental agencies, industry, charities, policy makers, and the public. For that reason, based on the general competencies attributed to an assistant researcher, and supported by use of a variety of theoretical approaches, methods, tools, and analytical procedures, the candidate must be capable of: a) develop, implement, conduct research, and also disseminate and publish the results (in high IF journals), with national and international collaborators, spanning different populations and domains of behaviour; b) implement evidence-based intervention programs, involving stakeholders and end-users, that are acceptable, feasible, cost-effective, and scalable; c) Provide offers of education and consultancy opportunities for stakeholders and policy makers interested in behavioural change; d) develop and implement educational material (e.g., assessment tools, digital tools, videos, podcasts, etc.) to make behavioural change accessible and useful to the public; e) participate in collaborative network to provide new funding opportunities to the sustainability and support of the institutional research activities.Scientifc profileThe current job is compatible with the following profile: 1) PhD in Sport Sciences, whose thesis is related to this specific research field applied to sport and physical activity domain; 2) Advances skills in data analysis and result interpretation, especially in Confirmatory Factorial Analysis, Structural Equation Modelling, Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis, Mediation/Moderation Analysis; 3) Experience in technical and scientific writing and revision (including scientific papers and reports), related to this specific research field and domain; 4) Experience in development and implementation of R&D projects and intervention programs related to this specific research field and domain; 5) Experience in supervising students, securing research funding and services to the community in sport and physical activity domain; 6) Good communication, cooperation and networking skills, national and international, especially directed to the production, application and dissemination of scientific knowledge.RationaleThe position is aligned with the mission of the two host institutions: IPSantarém, ESDRM mission “(…) produce, apply and disseminate knowledge in the field of sports sciences, providing training based on solid scientific, technological and pedagogical knowledge produzir (…), aiming, through the human, cultural, scientific and technical training of its students, national and international exchange, and the services to the community, to contribute to the technical and scientific development of sport and to the socio-economic progress of the region (…)”; and CIDESD mission “(…) help developing human resources, capable of handling autonomous interventions under the domains of sports sciences, health and human development (…), promoting research and scientific development (...), community outreach services and effective intervention strategies (...), and continuing education, through the integration of its members in teaching and training activities with master´s and doctoral degrees”, especially with the main goals of CIDESD-CHANGE Community, which will be hosted and coordinated by IPSantarém-ESDRM - producing, disseminating, applying and transferring knowledge and skills to key sectors of society, including health, education, sport, fitness (and tourism), in order to combat sedentary behaviours and promote an active and healthy lifestyle throughout life at all ages and conditions (including people with disabilities), either through the analysis of social-behavioral and motivational determinants, or either through the analysis of its consequences and impact on mental health, well-being and quality of life, or through the development of strategies to support behavioral change, and the implementation of community intervention and educational programs to support participation in physical activity and sports, and prevention of dropout (e.g.,  in clubs, associations, federations, gymnasiums, municipalities, health centres, schools, etc.), evaluating their effectiveness over time.