Admission

Candidates: The holders of a master's degree or the legal equivalent in the fields of natural and physical sciences, engineering and social and human sciences.

Program: between 3 and 4 years- includes an advanced interdisciplinary formation course between the physical, natural, social and human sciences in the first year that confers, if there is frequency with achievement, the right to the attribution of a Course Diploma.

Form of presentation of the applications:
a) Documents certifying that the candidate has the required qualifications;
b) Updated CV;
c) Motivation letter;
d) Copy of the Passport;
e) Proof of the Payment fee (not refundable): 50Euros

Selection and ranking criteria
The criteria for the 1st phase of selection and ranking of candidates, based on the candidate application (see mandatory documents in section 5.2) is based on: i) the excellence of the academic and professional record of the candidate (EAPR) and ii) the letter of motivation and the reference letter(s) (LMRL). While the first criteria (EAPR) weighs 80% the second weighs 20%. Both criteria are assessed on a scale of 0-5 and each application needs to be assessed by at least 2 members from the Scientific Committee (SC). It is recommended that these 2 members are the PCCSDP Director and a member from the field of expertise of the applicant. The first criteria “excellence of the candidate” (EAPR) is intended to be as objective as possible. It will be calculated based on the following factors: i) the grade of the Master or 5 year degree (“Licenciatura” before Bologna or equivalent), ii) the research curriculum, iii) professional career and iv) other relevant competences and skills. The weighting, within EAPR criteria, will be 30% (i), 50% (ii), 10% (iii) and 10% (iv), respectively, and all scores will be from 0-5. While the grade score can be calculated through a direct proportion of the candidate grade related to maximum grade, the research curricula score will be calculated according the number of papers as first author (0.5 points/each) and co-author (0.25/each) and research events the candidate organized (0.3/each) or presented research results (oral presentation = 0.15/each and poster = 0.1/each) till the candidate reaches a maximum score of 5. The candidate's professional career (including coordination, innovation and participation in relevant projects) and other competences and skills factors are scored by each evaluator and an average is calculated for each factor. The final EAPR criteria score for each candidate is calculated multiplying the score per factor by its weight. The second criteria (LMRL) is more subjective and values the confidence expressed by the applicant, the ability to express his/her motivation using positive and constructive “statements” while identifying real societal challenges that he/she is most familiar with or motivated to tackle during his/her PhD thesis. This criterion is also scored from 0-5. Both evaluators provide their scoring and an average is then calculated in order to achieve a LMRL score. After this, a final score is calculated per candidate (EAPR + LMRL) and all candidates are ranked. The top 30 candidates are selected for the 2nd phase which consists of a brief interview (20 to 30 minutes) by at least 2 members form the SC (normally the Director and an expert from the research field of the candidate) to better assess the candidate’s knowledge, skills and conditions to engage in a 3 year commitment. A score from 0 to 20 is given by each evaluator, and an average is calculated. After evaluating all applications the SC meets and decides on the final ranking and selection of candidates that will enroll in the program.

Class schedule: 
Mandatory disciplines: Friday, at 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday, at 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.- 
Optional: from Monday to Friday in any of the associated universities.

Tuition: 2.750Euros/ year and can be paid in installments.

For more information: rcbrito@fc.ul.pt