Molecular and Cellular Biology is a strong scientific area at the University of Porto, more specifically at the Abel Salazar Institute of Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS, UP), the Faculty of Sciences (FCUP) and the Institute for Research and Innovation in Health (i3S, UP), having a long tradition in offering advanced studies in this field, both in research and in teaching.
The International Doctoral Program in Molecular and Cellular Biology (MCBiology) is jointly organized by these three institutions and is assisted by an international External Advisory Board: Nicholas Proudfoot, University of Oxford, UK; Peter Lindblad, Uppsala University, Sweden; Cord Brakebusch, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
Objectives
The main objective of the MCBiology Program is to provide excellent doctoral training in Molecular and Cellular Biology in an interdisciplinary and international setting, promoting the integration of the students in leading research groups with international collaborations.
The students will acquire the knowledge, as well as the intellectual and technical skills, to tackle relevant questions in different professional settings, in academia or industry, where advanced Molecular and Cellular Biology plays a role. We envisage that the students will acquire an advanced understanding of the established aspects in this vast field as well of its open questions. Specifically, the students will acquire cutting-edge technical knowhow to obtain data, will develop the skills to ask new questions and will develop methodologies to help in their resolution. The students will be able to critically analyse problems, the experimental data and the possible solutions. The program will specifically target the development of creativity, autonomous thinking and rigorous critical thought.
The duration of this PhD program is 4 years. Students spend most of this time in a research setting. In the first year, students can start their thesis project or carry out rotations in one or two laboratories. Students are strongly encouraged to rotate in research groups that work in different biological questions, use different experimental approaches or model systems, so that they can experience a diversity of research approaches. At the end of these rotations, students choose one laboratory where they will carry out their thesis research work.
In addition, during their first year students participate in advanced courses focused on Molecular mechanisms, Cell Biology, Functional Genetics, Biological Systems and Tissues, and Science Ethics & Communication. The students also participate in advanced research seminars by national and international leading speakers.
Completion of the program requires 240 ECTS spread over 8 semesters: 60 ECTS for course work in the first year (see Table below) and 3 years of experimental work leading to the doctoral thesis (180 ECTS).
Fields of Specialization
A main concern of the MCbiology PhD program is the successful progression of students through the program. For this purpose, the program includes a Graduate Student Mentoring Committee. A member of this committee (tutor) accompanies a student group throughout their 4-year program. The tutor regularly meets on a one-to-one basis with each student and provides guidance through the common hurdles encountered in a PhD program, in particular the program´s curricular sections and the student´s choices for thesis research work. The tutor also provides advice on the choice of future career paths.
In addition, each student has a dedicated Student Research committee composed of three members selected among the PhD program faculty. The committee follows closely the student´s research progress. This committee ensures that the student receives timely feedback and suggestions on their research.
The program is prepared to provide advanced practical and theoretical knowledge in Molecular and Cell Biology, namely in the areas of Protein Structure and Function, Cell Biology, Functional Genetics, Tissues and Biological Systems and Ethics and Communication of Science.
Among other requirements, the inclusion of at least 1 (one) original article (full length paper) published or accepted for publication in an indexed international journal (SCI), whose 1st author is a doctoral student
Employment Prospects
The doctoral program aims to train doctors in Molecular and Cell Biology with strong scientific knowledge and solid scientific, technical and intellectual skills necessary to develop advanced research (basic or applied) and qualified professional service in higher education institutions, in research institutes or centres, in industry (biotechnology and pharmaceutical) and in public health institutions (hospitals, diagnostic centres, clinical laboratory analysis).
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International student
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OPEN COMPETITION 2023/2024
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1st Phase
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2nd Phase
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Applications submission
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28-08-2023 to 17-09-2023
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03-11-2023 to 09-11-2023
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Display of the provisional results
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04-10-2023
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21-11-2023
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Previous hearing
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06-10-2023 to 19-10-2023
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22-11-2023 to 06-12-2023
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Display of the final results
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20-10-2023
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07-12-2023
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Applicants complaints submission
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23-10-2023 to 13-11-2023
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11-12-2023 to 02-01-2024
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Publication of the complaints decision
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14-11-2023
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05-01-2024
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Registrations
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23-10-2023 to 27-10-2023
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11-12-2023 to 15-12-2023
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Potential substitutes placement
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30-10-2023 to 31-10-2023
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18-12-2023 to 19-12-2023
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Publication of the remainders vacancies to the next phase
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02-11-2023
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n/a
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Minimum number of students for the cycle of studies to operate – 5
Start of the academic year: 2 january 2024
Normal duration of the course: 4 years (8 semesters)
Comments
Start of academic year: 03 January 2022
Duration of PhD: 4 years (8 semesters)
Contacts
For any query regarding the application process please contact:
Helena Cristina Martins
Post- Graduation Office
hcmartins@icbas.up.pt
220428006
Between:
10h:00 - 12h:00
14h:00 - 15h:30