The departments of Physics, Chemistry and Geology of the UAB launch the PhD programme in Materials Science. Its objective is to form researchers concluding on the doctoral thesis, and it strongly stresses methodology and research techniques in new materials. The objective of this programme is to offer students the tools and knowledge to be able to undertake and complete an original and innovative research project in this field. We therefore aim to produce researchers who can carry out quality research.

The PhD students must also demonstrate profound knowledge of the specific bibliography of the topic being researched, a capacity for synthesis and interpretation and knowledge of the main debates and most recent contributions, especially in the particular area of their research.

This PhD programme has received the Pathway to Excellence award from the quality assessment and accreditation agency ANECA.

Candidate profile

The specific requirements of this PhD programme aim to establish a student profile that maximises the chances of success on the programme. PhD students must have recognised research experience, thorough knowledge of the basic concepts and tools of materials science and the capacity to assimilate new knowledge, as well as fluency in English (the working language of the programme).

Professional opportunities

This PhD programme provides the following principal career options:

• Companies in the area of materials science.
• Teaching at secondary or university level.
• Research: fundamental and applied.
• Consultancy services in the field of materials science.
• Entrepreneurship in high-technology sectors.
• Research in public or private centres.

Objectives and justification

The PhD in Materials Science trains researchers to be able to satisfactorily initiate and complete original, innovative and quality research. The research must take the form of a PhD thesis. PhD students should also be able to demonstrate profound knowledge of the specific bibliography for the topic of their research, a capacity for synthesis and interpretation and knowledge of the main debates and most recent contributions, especially in the particular area of their research.
 
Other objectives of the PhD programme include:

• The primary objective is to train professionals with a solid and up to date basis in the field of materials science and technology.
• Be able to use bibliographical resources, documentary archives, data bases and to be able to extract information relevant to the research.
• Continue to produce a flexible and emerging or programmed research design at all times in line with the research objectives.
• Be competent in the use of experimental techniques that belong to the discipline and especially those involved in the PhD research.
• Have a good understanding of the theoretical developments in the area of the research.
• Know about the most recent debates about theoretical-practical approaches in the discipline and in the lines of research being pursued in the PhD thesis.
• Be competent in the comprehension, systematisation, interrelationship and analysis of ways of integrating data, primary and secondary information, from both written and spoken sources, audiovisual and others.
• Critically evaluate the results obtain and give a clear and concise presentation of the results and conclusions of the research, both to experts in the fields and non-experts, in accordance with the critical canons of the discipline, taking into account the different audiences that are being addressed.
• Update and continue the training independently, developing an ethical focus in professional activity.
• Introduce students to academic research as well as to innovation and work in production sectors based on the use of the different materials that we use today. 

Certification

Composition of the academic committee for the PhD programme

• Roger Bofill Arasa (Coordinator, Department of Chemistry)
• Marta González Silveira (Department of Physics)
• Eva Pellicer Vilà (Department of Physics)
• Roser Pleixats Rovira (Department of Chemistry)
• Jordi Arbiol Cobos (ICN2)
• Gerard Tobias Rosell (ICMAB)

Administration

• Department of Physics; Contact: Francesc Poblet; Phone: +34 93 581 41 01; E-mail:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• Department of Chemistry; Contact: Elena Jiménez; Phone: +34 93 581 19 97; E-mail:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

For more information, visit the UAB PhD in Materials Science site.