Biochemistry and Molecular Biology •Regulation of gene expression in yeast •Structural characterization of proteins •Molecular studies in yeasts of interest in biotechnology •Interactions between proteins and proteins-nucleic acids •Mechanisms of mRNA processing and transcription
Genetics • Cytogenetic and molecular characterization of marine organisms. •Evolutionary relationships and species differentiation in bivalve families •Identification of molecular markers in bivalve molluscs •Structure, function and evolution of chromatin fiber-associated proteins •Biomarkers of toxicity in bivalve molluscs •Determination of toxicity at the genetic level •Human genetics •Genetic basis of sterility and non-viability of interspecific Drosophila hybrids. • Comparative analysis of the evolution and transpositional dynamics of retroviral mobile elements • Use of molecular markers to study the genetic structure and phylogeography of natural populations • Study of the effect of different pollutants in aquatic systems on the physiology of microalgae.
Cell Biology•Study of the vertebrate nervous system
Plant Physiology •Study of the metabolism of capsicinoids in pepper fruits •Peroxidases and lignification •Study of anti-oxidative metabolism in plant-pathogen interaction •Study of the participation of phytohormones in the plant's response to pathogens and the physiological changes associated with this response •Plant-pathogen interaction
Microbiology •Microalgae biotechnology •Alterations in microalgae and cyanobacteria caused by stress in the presence of pesticides •Mechanisms of toxic action and tolerance to metals in microalgal cells •Control of the microbiological quality of water and food •Flow of elements such as carbon and nitrogen in coastal microbial systems
Biomedicine • Mechanisms of joint tissue degradation • Proteomic study of human joint chondrocytes and synoviocytes • Aging • Beta-lactamases and clinical microbiology • Infertility
CB11 - Systematic understanding of a field of study and mastery of research skills and methods related to that field. ("field" is replaced by "scope" as of the application of R.D. 576/2023, of 4 July)
CB12 - Ability to conceive, design or create, implement and adopt a substantial process of research or creation.
CB13 - Ability to contribute to the expansion of the frontiers of knowledge through original research.
CB14 - Ability to carry out critical analysis and evaluation and synthesis of new and complex ideas.
CB15 - Ability to communicate with the academic and scientific community and with society in general about their fields of knowledge in the modes and languages commonly used in their international scientific community.
CB16 - Ability to promote, in academic and professional contexts, scientific, technological, social, artistic or cultural progress within a knowledge-based society.
CB17 - Ability to promote Open Science and Citizen Science, in accordance with Article 12 of Organic Law 2/2023, of 22 March, as a way of contributing to the consideration of scientific knowledge as a common good, through the evaluation of cross-cutting activities carried out by the doctoral student related to different dimensions of Open Science and Citizen Science, as well as the training acquired in both disciplines in micro-credential format or similar. (From the application of R.D. 576/2023, of 4 July)
CA01 - Function in contexts in which there is little specific information.
CA02 - Find the key questions that need to be answered to solve a complex problem.
CA03 - Design, create, develop and undertake novel and innovative projects in their field of knowledge.
CA04 - Work both in a team and autonomously in an international or multidisciplinary context.
CA05 - Integrate knowledge, deal with complexity and make judgments with limited information.
CA06 - The critique and intellectual defense of solutions.
CE1 - Ability to join a research group
CE9 - Ability to prepare oral presentations in Spanish or English to show and discuss scientific work with other scientists
CE8 - Ability to write reports on the research work carried out
CE7 - Ability to process the results obtained in experimentation to present them in a coherent way
CE6 - Ability to propose working hypotheses that help in the design of new experiments
CE5 - Ability to have an integrated vision of previously acquired knowledge in order to apply it to the assessment and interpretation of the results obtained in their research or those presented by other scientists
CE4 - Ability to propose new experimental designs based on the scientific questions posed
CE3 - Ability to understand the design of an experiment and criticise its weaknesses and possibilities for improvement
CE2 - Ability to use common techniques and instruments in cellular and molecular biological research: to be able to handle techniques and protocols as well as to understand their uses and applications
CE16 - Ability to understand different cultural environments, including the business world and the contribution that can be made to social good from the transfer of knowledge
CE15 - Ability to understand funding processes, research evaluation and grant application procedures
CE14 - Ability to understand relevant aspects of health and safety and demonstrate responsible work practices
CE13 - Ability to demonstrate knowledge of issues related to the rights of other researchers and their research. For example, confidentiality, copyright attribution, ethics and plagiarism prevention, ownership and data protection
CE12 - Ability to provide support in training and learning activities
CE11 - Ability to write scientific publications fluently and efficiently
CE10 - Ability to seek practical applications in the clinic or in biotechnological inductions, to the results obtained
CB11 - Systematic understanding of a field of study and mastery of research skills and methods related to that field. ("field" is replaced by "scope" as of the application of R.D. 576/2023, of 4 July)
CB12 - Ability to conceive, design or create, implement and adopt a substantial process of research or creation.
CB13 - Ability to contribute to the expansion of the frontiers of knowledge through original research.
CB14 - Ability to carry out critical analysis and evaluation and synthesis of new and complex ideas.
CB15 - Ability to communicate with the academic and scientific community and with society in general about their fields of knowledge in the modes and languages commonly used in their international scientific community.
CB16 - Ability to promote, in academic and professional contexts, scientific, technological, social, artistic or cultural progress within a knowledge-based society.
CB17 - Ability to promote Open Science and Citizen Science, in accordance with Article 12 of Organic Law 2/2023, of 22 March, as a way of contributing to the consideration of scientific knowledge as a common good, through the evaluation of cross-cutting activities carried out by the doctoral student related to different dimensions of Open Science and Citizen Science, as well as the training acquired in both disciplines in micro-credential format or similar. (From the application of R.D. 576/2023, of 4 July)
Professor Novoa Santos Foundation.
This are the main research lines for current study.
Candidates who do not meet all the necessary prior learning conditions for the programme may be required to complete additional courses in the form of subjects and modules from UDC Master’s and undergraduate programmes. The number of credits from additional subject teaching will not exceed 15 ECTS credits, which students may choose to complete before or after enrolment in the PhD programme.
Students who do not opt to complete additional coursework prior to enrolment should register for their extra subjects or modules at the same time as the PhD. Failure to complete additional coursework within a period of three consecutive terms will result in the termination of the student’s registration.
See also UDC PhD Policies and Regulations, Article 5: Applications.
RESEARCH SEMINARS. In these sesions the research topics of the PhD Program are discussed and students expose their work. Rating: Attendance and participation.
PARTICIPATION IN SCIENTIFIC CONGRESSES AND CONFERENCES. Are recognized as educational activities to a maximum of 30 hours per year for assistance with participation to scientific meetings, provided they come guaranteed by the director and tutor of the thesis. Rating: Certificate of attendance and participation .
RADIATION PROTECTION AND USE OF ISOTOPES IN BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH. Biennial voluntary activity that is intended to provide ongoing training necessary to update the authorized use of un-encapsulated radioisotopes in biological research s. Rating: Attendance and participation.
RESEARCH STAYS IN OTHER CENTERS. Stays at other research centers, thus offering access to the international PhD. Rating: The director/ tutor of the thesis is responsible for monitoring the work of the student.
PARTICIPATION IN SPECIALIZED COURSES. It is a specific activity for each student, and it is addressed to his participation in courses related to skills needed to support their research. These courses are often international, supported by scientific societies, and are highly competitive in the admission of students; therefore they provide an opportunity for high-level training. The Director / Tutor of the thesis will propose to the students in which courses should request acceptance, based on their track record. Rating: Certificate of attendance / participation.
GENERAL ACTIVITIES ORGANIZED BY THE INTERNATIONAL DOCTORAL SCHOOL OF THE UDC. Rating: to be determined in each activity.
The PhD supervision agreement defines the academic relationship between the candidate and the University, the rights and responsibilities of each (including any intellectual and/or industrial property rights resulting from the candidate’s research), the procedures in place in relation to conflict resolution, and the duration of the agreement. It also specifies the duties of the PhD tutor and supervisor.
The supervision agreement must be signed by the candidate, tutor and designated university representative (or representatives) within a maximum period of one month as from the date of registration. The supervisor’s signature may be added subsequently, once a supervisor has been appointed.
When the document has been signed by all the relevant parties, the agreement is then added to the candidate’s record of activities.
See also UDC PhD Policies and Regulations, Article 13: Supervision agreement.
The candidate must prepare a research plan within six months of registration, with information regarding methodology, objectives, resources and milestones. The research plan is submitted together with the report of the supervisor and/or tutor for approval by the Academic Committee for PhD Programmes (CAPD). Improvements to the plan may be introduced with the approval of the supervisor and/or tutor based on the annual review of the student’s research progress.
Research plans are subject to annual review by the CAPD, including the report(s) of the supervisor and/or tutor and the candidate’s record of activities. Students will be permitted to continue with their studies if the outcome of the review is satisfactory. If the outcome is negative, the student will be required to submit a new plan within a period of six months. If the committee is still not satisfied, the candidate will be removed from the programme.
See also UDC PhD Policies and Regulations, Article 15: Research plan.
UDC holds student mobility agreements with universities and other third-level institutions across four continents. Students are offered several opportunities each year to apply to study abroad in one of these centres (for a single term or for a whole year), with the guarantee that all credits obtained will be duly recognised in their academic record upon their return.
For each round of applications, the University publishes the list of exchange options available to students and, where relevant, the specific conditions associated with each. Students may also apply to the University for funding for international work experience placements and internships.
Work experience placements are accredited in the student's academic record and the European diploma supplement. Students are free to decide in which host company or academic institution within the EHEA they wish to carry out their placement. To assist them in their search, the University has created an online noticeboard with jobs postings and other news.
Work-study placements in A Coruña are arranged by the International Relations Office (ORI) of the UDC in collaboration with the international relations coordinators in the student’s home university. The general entry criteria, rights and obligations of students, and admission and acceptance procedures for the programme, are regulated by the UDC Mobility Policy.