Ph.D. Programme

The doctoral programme aims to provide research training at the highest level in Neuroscience. In particular, our goal is to provide students with the capacity of engaging in integrative research aimed at studying the brain and behavior at the systems level. Crossing of different experimental approaches and different research areas are encouraged. Students are expected to develop critical and creative thought that will lead to innovative research. 

For comprehensive information on the Ph.D. Programme in Neuroscience please read here.

Structure

During the first year, students will attend a number of courses lectured by renowned international researchers. During this curricular year students are encouraged to engage in lively discussions with colleagues and teachers, during paper discussion or problem solving, which we expect will lead to the development of critical and creative thought.
The first trimester (September – December) will be common to the other PhD programmes at IGC. This initial training phase aims at providing students with a broad background and common language in biology.
Starting in January, a series of courses lasting one or two weeks each will be devoted to Neurosciences. This phase of the program will be topically organized around important model organisms and include both mechanistic and biomedical as well as ecological & evolutionary perspectives on the function of the nervous system.

During this first year, students will choose the laboratory to conduct their thesis research project. The search for laboratories will be followed by the programme coordinator and core faculty.

There will be an yearly meeting were students present their work and have the opportunity to meet with their thesis committee (composed of two researchers, one form the doctoral programme and one from outside the program). 

Location

The first year of core curriculum will take place at IGC. Portuguese students can choose any laboratory in Portugal or abroad. Foreign students can choose laboratories at the IGC or anywhere in Portugal (which may involve collaborations with foreign laboratories).

Applications

Applications open once a year during the spring.