PhD in Advanced Biotechnology

2025/2026

What you learn

The PhD program in Advanced Biotechnology is an interuniversity program, in which the following research groups participate, all of them with active projects:

  • AgroBioTech for Health (ABH1Q)
  • Bioengineering and Sustainable Processes (BIOSUV)
  • Innovation in agrifood and health (CI8)
  • Xenomics and Biomedicine (XB5)
  • Plant Physiology and Applications (FISAPLANT)
  • Regulation of gene expression and applications (EXPRELA)
  • Environmental Bioengineering and Quality Control (BIOENGIN)
  • Nanochemistry and Self‐Assembly for Biological Sciences (NANOSELF4BIO)
  • Research Group in Evolutionary Biology (GIBE)
  • Molecular and Materials Chemistry (QUIMOLMAT)
  • Chemical Reactivity and Photoreactivity (REACT!)
  • Research Group on Nanotoxicology and Genetic Toxicology (NANOTOXGEN)
  • Advanced Heart Failure and Heart Transplantation
  • Rheumatology and Immune-Mediated Diseases 'IRIDIS'

We believe it is important to highlight that the teaching staff promoting the programme has extensive experience in research projects applied to Biotechnology, with strategic applications in the health, environment, agriculture, food and nutrition sectors. highlighting the following agreements and contracts:

  • Vertical Farming Waste Revaluation Processes to obtain High Value Natural Extracts and their application in the Fisheries Food Industry (GO AGRI‐RESVAL).
  • Obtaining offshoots for vegetative reproduction and in vitro culture of plant species characteristic of priority habitats within the scope of the LIFE Global project.
  • Exhaustive study of hereditary retinal dystrophies: improvement of molecular diagnosis, therapeutic approaches, clinical trials and measurement of their impact on patients. 
  • Restoration and conservation of the biodiversity of inland water ecosystems for environmental and human well-being.
  • Evaluation of the effects caused by ciguatoxins and risk prevention through biological protective agents
  • Chemical analysis and evaluation of the effects of biotoxins.
  • Development of immunochemical-based analytical strategies for the detection of compounds of environmental, food and clinical interest. 
  • Evaluation of the physiological effects of biotoxins and environmental and food contaminants. 
  • Remediation of contaminated environments through sustainable processes.
  • Development of biocatalysts with chitinolitic activity and evaluation of their potential applications.
  • Recovery of pollutants through their bioconversion into biofuels and bioproducts.

Generic skills

CB1 ‐ Systematic understanding of a field of study and mastery of the skills and research methods related to that field.
CB2 ‐ Ability to conceive, design or create, implement and adopt a substantial process of research or creation.
CB3 ‐ Ability to contribute to the expansion of the frontiers of knowledge through original research.
CB4 ‐ Ability to carry out critical analysis and evaluation and synthesis of new and complex ideas.
CB5 ‐ 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.
CB6 ‐ Ability to promote, in academic and professional contexts, scientific, technological, social, artistic or cultural progress within a knowledge-based society.
CB7 ‐ Ability to promote Open Science and Citizen Science, as a way of contributing to the consideration of scientific knowledge as a common good.

Specific skills

CA1 ‐ Function in contexts in which there is little specific information.
CA2 ‐ Find the key questions that need to be answered to solve a complex problem.
CA3 ‐ Design, create, develop and undertake novel and innovative projects in their field of knowledge.
CA4 ‐ Work both in a team and autonomously in an international or multidisciplinary context.
CA5 ‐ Integrate knowledge, face complexity and formulate judgments with limited information.
CA6 ‐ Critique and intellectual defense of solutions.
OC1 ‐ Ability to apply advanced techniques and methodologies in biotechnology
OC2 ‐ Ability to design and execute interdisciplinary research projects in biotechnology
OC3 ‐ Ability to assess the ethical, legal and social impact of biotechnological applications

Transversal skills

CB1 ‐ Systematic understanding of a field of study and mastery of the skills and research methods related to that field.
CB2 ‐ Ability to conceive, design or create, implement and adopt a substantial process of research or creation.
CB3 ‐ Ability to contribute to the expansion of the frontiers of knowledge through original research.
CB4 ‐ Ability to carry out critical analysis and evaluation and synthesis of new and complex ideas.
CB5 ‐ 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.
CB6 ‐ Ability to promote, in academic and professional contexts, scientific, technological, social, artistic or cultural progress within a knowledge-based society.
CB7 ‐ Ability to promote Open Science and Citizen Science, as a way of contributing to the consideration of scientific knowledge as a common good.

Professional and academic career

The aim is to train highly qualified professionals prepared to meet the demand of the growing number of biotechnology companies and who are capable of carrying out quality research work, of international projection and who will lead research groups and R+D+i departments of public centres and private companies in the future.

Professional and academic career

The aim is to train highly qualified professionals prepared to meet the demand of the growing number of biotechnology companies and who are capable of carrying out quality research work, of international projection and who will lead research groups and R+D+i departments of public centres and private companies in the future.

Companies and institutions involved

  • Polytechnic Institute of Porto
  • Biomedical Research Institute (INIBIC)
  • Center for Agricultural Research (CIAM)
  • CSIC-Institute of Marine Research (IIM)
  • MBG‐CSIC: The Biological Mission of Galicia (Pontevedra headquarters)
  • CINBIO: The research centre for nanomaterials and biomedicine at the University of Vigo
  • CINTECX: The Center for Research in Technologies, Energy and Industrial Processes
  • CICA: The Interdisciplinary Centre for Chemistry and Biology of the University of A Coruña

Research lines

This are the main research lines for current study.

  • Analytical tools for the analysis and confirmation of chemical compounds of biotechnological interest
  • Bioelectroanalysis: modified electrodes, bionanotechnology and applications.
  • Bioprocesses applied to green chemistry and the environment
  • Development of molecular markers in animals
  • Health biotechnology
  • Microbial biotechnology
  • Obtaining new compounds and nanomaterials with applications at the biological level.
  • Physiological mechanisms of disease resistance and plant development
  • Plant biotechnology
  • Search, expression, production and engineering of proteins with biotechnological applications
  • Study of nutraceutical compounds in horticultural crops
  • Systems biology
  • Treatment and biotransformation of pollutants (water, gases, solid waste)

Planning for teaching

Additional subject teaching

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.

complements credits
Genetic Engineering and Transgenics 4.5
Cell and Tissue Engineering 3
Genomics and Proteomics 4.5
Industrial Biotechnology 6
Biotechnological Processes and Products 3
Biotechnological Techniques 6

EIDUDC teaching and training activities

EIDUDC teaching and training activities

Programme-specific teaching and training activities

ACTIVIDADES OBLIGATORIAS

  • Seminarios: un seminario anual, mínimo, de 10 horas, organizado por el programa de doctorado/Universidad.
  • Congresos científicos: participación en al menos un congreso, preferentemente durante el segundo o tercer curso.
  • Artículo/capítulo de libro científico: un artículo/capítulo de libro, mínimo, redactado preferentemente durante el segundo o tercer curso.

ACTIVIDADES OPTATIVAS

  • Estancias en centros de investigación: realización de estancias en centros de investigación extranjeros, preferentemente de tres meses como mínimo.

Supervision agreement

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.

Research plan

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.

Student mobility

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.