Program Overview

Introduction to the Doctoral Programme in Photonics

The Doctoral Programme in Photonics is designed for students with outstanding academic records at the international level who wish to complete a doctoral project in a field related to photonics. Photonics is the science that studies light and its generation, propagation, manipulation, and interaction with matter, producing multidisciplinary technology with applications in communications, industry, nanotechnology, biology, medicine, and other fields.

General Information

• Access Profile: The programme is open to applicants with a wide range of qualifications, including degrees in physics, electronic, electrical, materials, and telecommunications engineering, mathematics, chemistry, biology, bioengineering, and biophysics.
• Output Profile: Doctoral candidates who complete the programme will have acquired competencies needed to carry out quality research, including a systematic understanding of the field, the ability to conceive and create research processes, and the capacity to contribute to the advancement of knowledge.
• Number of Places: 30
• Duration and Dedication: The maximum period of study for full-time doctoral studies is four years, and seven years for part-time studies.
• Fees: Not specified
• Grants: Available, with details to be provided separately
• Organization: The programme is delivered by the Institute of Photonic Sciences (ICFO) within the framework of the Universitat Politčcnica de Catalunya (UPC) Doctoral School.
• Agreements: The ICFO has collaboration agreements with several companies and participates in networks of excellence and EU projects.

Access, Admission, and Registration

• Access Requirements: Applicants must hold a Spanish bachelor's degree or equivalent and a Spanish master's degree or equivalent, with a minimum of 300 ECTS credits.
• Admission Criteria: High level of English, high level of academic performance, motivation to pursue doctoral studies, and personal characteristics such as potential, motivation, and drive.
• Admission Process: A two-stage process involving the assessment of documents and an interview, with criteria including previous research experience, academic excellence, statement of research interests, and quality of references.
• Training Complements: Students may be required to complete bridging courses depending on their background, with subjects such as Introduction to Photonics or Applied Photonics available.

Monitoring and Evaluation of the Doctoral Student

• Formation Activities: The programme includes various training activities such as mobility, research plan preparation, information skills, research methodology, innovation and creativity, language and communication skills, scientific seminars, and more.
• Procedure for Assignment of Tutor and Thesis Director: The academic committee assigns a thesis supervisor when the candidate is admitted or enrolls for the first time, ensuring the supervisor has a doctoral degree and documented research experience.
• Permanence: The maximum study period is four years for full-time students and seven years for part-time students, with the possibility of extension or temporary withdrawal.

Learning Resources

• Support Units and Services: The ICFO administration team provides specific assistance to students, including academic and hiring procedures, permits for foreign nationals, accommodation, and mobility grants.
• Facilities: Doctoral students have access to various laboratories and facilities, such as the NanoFabrication Lab and the Super-Resolution Light Microscopy and Nanoscopy Research Facility.

Doctoral Theses

• List of Authorized Theses for Defense: Includes theses such as "Application to Sensing, Imaging, and Cooling of Ultra-Thin Metal Films and Derived Nanostructured Glass Surfaces" and "Revealing Ultrafast Dynamics in Hexagonal Boron Nitride with Attosecond X-ray Absorption Fine-structure Spectroscopy".
• List of Lodged Theses: Includes theses such as "Investigation and Control of Phase Transitions by Ultrafast Strong-field Techniques".
• Theses Related Publications: Currently, there are no publications associated with theses from this program.

Teaching Staff and Research Groups

• Research Groups: Includes groups such as Atomic Quantum Optics, Attoscience and Ultrafast Optics, and Quantum Optics Theory.
• Teachers: A list of doctoral programme teachers, including their names and areas of expertise.

Quality

• Validation, Monitoring, Modification, and Accreditation Framework (VSMA Framework): Ties quality assurance processes to two objectives: establishing coherent links between these processes and achieving greater efficiency in their management.
• Validation: Includes the Verification Memory, Verification Resolution, and Agreement of the Council of Ministers.
• Monitoring: Includes university monitoring reports and doctoral programme monitoring reports.
• Accreditation: Official Degree Accreditation Evaluation Report.
• Modification: Modification Evaluation Report.
• Registry of Universities, Centers, and Degrees (RUCT): Registration of the Doctoral Programme in the RUCT.