Our two PhD programmes in Neuroscience (INDP) and Cancer (ICDP) provide PhD students with integrative, state-of-the-art education. A central goal is to foster inquiry and discovery by encouraging active participation, critical thinking, and problem-solving by the students. 

For both programmes, the initial 8-12 months consist of classes and lab rotations. After a common module about the fundamentals of neuroscience and cancer and tools for research, students engage with more specific curricula.

The Neuroscience Programme includes courses focused on the neuronal and circuit basis of behaviour, whereas the Cancer Programme is focused on cancer-body interactions, spanning the molecular, cellular, and clinical basis of physiology and cancer within the broader context of the organism. 

The courses have a strong practical component, as well as focus on quantitative skills. In addition, students perform laboratory rotations, which allow them to familiarise themselves with the research done across different labs and join the lab where they will conduct their doctoral research. 

Admitted students will receive full funding, renewable every year up to a maximum of 5.5 years (internal and/or external funding, ie, FCT, "la Caixa", Marie-Curie, among others). This includes a monthly stipend, yearly tuition, and academic fees. The students will be mentored to apply for external fellowships as part of the curriculum.

We seek talented students to work in a supportive, inclusive, and collaborative environment that trains individuals to participate in the process of scientific inquiry leading to discoveries. Emphasis is given to diverse thinking, positive behaviour, and well-being as core elements for creativity, critical thinking, and leadership.

• The applications for the Neuroscience PhD Programme (INDP) will open December 2, 2025 and close January 31, 2026. To know more about the INDP, please follow this link.

• The applications for the Cancer PhD Programme (ICDP) call will open January 5 and close March 1, 2026. To know more about the ICDP, please follow this link.

Our 114 INDP alumni work all over the world in different areas. Around 60% completed/are completing postdoctoral training, some in leading universities/research institutes (e.g. Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Yale, University of Oxford).

From the ~30% who are employed by companies, the majority work in data science applied to a wide range of sectors, including research, health, business, software, biotechnology, videogames, and robotics (e.g., Google, G-Research, Meta, Mastercard, NeuroGEARS Ltd, Opplane, Oligo, Yelp). Some are employed in scientific publishing (Dotdash Meredith, Frontiers).

Finally, ~35% have an academic career, and ~15% of alumni have science management/outreach jobs (e.g., project management in research institutes, science communication/illustration).