Doctoral School / UAM

 

DOCTORAL PROGRAMME IN MOLECULAR BIOSCIENCES:

The PhD in Molecular Biosciences from the UAM, regulated by the RD99/2011, is a joint initiative of the Department of Molecular Biology from the Science Faculty and the Department of Biochemistry from the School of Medicine. The programme also involves academics and researchers from other departments of the UAM, and numerous researchers from other collaborating institutions of national and international prestige, including: the “Severo Ochoa” Molecular Biology Centre (CBMSO), the Institute for Biomedical Research (IIB), the National Centre for Oncological Research (CNIO), the National Centre for Cardiovascular Research (CNIC), the National Centre for Biotechnology (CNB), the Centre for Energy, Environmental and Technological Research (CIEMAT), the Cajal Institute, the Institute of Catalysis and Petrochemistry (ICP), the National Microbiology Centre of ISCIII, the “Jiménez Díaz” Foundation and several University Hospitals (La Paz, La Princesa, Puerta de Hierro and Gregorio Marañón).

The main objective of this PhD is the training for research work in the field of Molecular Biosciences (Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Biomedicine and/or Biotechnology). To achieve this, the PhD promotes the realization of a series of trainings while developing a quality research within a group attached to the programme research activities. This period culminates in the preparation and presentation of a doctoral thesis with an original scientific contribution that advances in scientific knowledge within the field of specialization.

Upon completion of this PhD, the students:

Will have demonstrated a systematic understanding in the fields of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Biomedicine and/or Biotechnology, and mastery of the skills and methods of research associated with that field.

Have made a contribution through original research that extends the frontier of knowledge in some area of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Biomedicine and/or Biotechnology.

Will be able to make a critical analysis, evaluation and synthesis of new and complex ideas in the fields of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Biomedicine and/or Biotechnology.

Will know how to communicate with their scientific peers, the academic community as a whole, and society in general, about aspects related to the field of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Biomedicine and/or Biotechnology.

Will be able to promote, within academic and professional contexts, scientific, technological and social progress within a knowledge-based society.

Available research lines include:

Bioinformatics and Molecular Biology of Systems (code 017); Cardiovascular Biology and Cardiovascular Diseases (018); Molecular Biology of Development (019); Molecular Biology and Biotechnology of Photosynthetic Organisms (020); Biotechnology (021); Dynamics and Function of the Genome (022); Structure and Function of Proteins (023); Pathophysiology and Therapy of Metabolic and Endocrine Diseases (024); Pathophysiology and Therapy of Immune and Inflammatory Diseases (025); Pathophysiology and Therapy of Neurological and Neuromuscular Diseases (026); Molecular Medicine and Health Biotechnology (027); Metabolism and Cell Signalling (028); Molecular Neurobiology (029); Molecular Oncology (030); Cellular Organization and Control (031) and Molecular Virology (032).

ACADEMIC COMMITTEE OF THE MOLECULAR BIOSCIENCE PROGRAMME

Science Subcommittee

 

Coordinator:

 

• Dr. Francisco Zafra Gómez, Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (lines 025 and 029). 6 sexennials. CV

 

Members:

 

-  Dr. José María Almendral del Río, Professor of Microbiology (lines 021 and 032). 5 sexennials. CV

-  Dr. José Berenguer Carlos, Professor of Microbiology (lines 017, 020, 032). 6 sexennials. CV

-  Dr. Isabel Correas Hornero, Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (lines 023, 030 and 031). 6 sexennials. CV

-  Dr. Nuria Gironés Pujol, Professor of Microbiology (lines 025, 028 and 030). 5 sexennials CV

-  Dr. Félix Hernández Pérez, Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (lines 026 and 029). 5 sexennials. CV

-  Dr. José Mª Requena Rolania. Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (lines 025 and 027). 5 sexennials. CV          

-  Dr. Pilar Rodríguez Pombo, Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (lines 022, 024 and 028). 4 sexennials. CV

-  Dr. Ana Ruiz Gómez, Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (lines 018, 019). 4 sexennials. CV

 

Medicine Subcommittee

 

Coordinator:

-              Dr. Juan Arredondo Lamas.  Associate Professor. Department of Biochemistry (lines 018, 019, 022 and 023). 3 sexennials. CV

 

Members:

-              Dr. Pilar Eraso Mazmela, Professor, Department of Biochemistry (lines 018, 019, 022 and 023). 5 sexennials. CV

-              Dr. Modesto Redrejo Rodríguez. Assistant Professor. Department of Biochemistry (lines 017, 018, 020, 022 and 023).  CV

-              Dr. Oscar Hernán Martínez-Costa Pérez. Professor. Department of Biochemistry (lines 024, 027 and 028). 4 sexennials. CV

-              Dr. Teresa González Gallego.  Associate Professor. Department of Biochemistry (lines 018, 027 and 028). 3 sexennials. CV

-              Dra. Aurora Sánchez Pacheco.  Professor, Department of Biochemistry (lines 024, 025, 027, 028 and 032). 3 sexennials. CV

-              Dr. Leandro Sastre Garzón. Tenured Scientist, CSIC (lines 024, 027, 028, 030 and 031). 6 sexennials. CV

-              Dr. Juan Manuel Zapata Hernández, Tenured Scientist, CSIC (lines 025, 027 and 028). 5 sexennials.CV

 

PRACTICAL GUIDE FOR STUDENTS IN THE DOCTORAL PROGRAMME

Are you interested in pursuing a degree in this doctoral programme?

Visit the website of the school of doctoral studies (EDUAM) at https://www.uam.es/EscuelaDoctorado/Home.htm?language=es_ES

1. You must meet the legal requirements for admission to a doctoral programme (must have a master's degree or meet other requirements set forth in RD99/2011) (see this link).

 

1. You must submit a statement of interest that includes a brief research proposal related to one of the lines of research mentioned above, indicating which one of the laboratories affiliated with the programme where you would like to develop your doctoral thesis. Please clearly indicate the line of research you are interested in pursuing.  The proposal should include an introduction, objectives and methodology (no more than 500 words). Also include a letter of recommendation from a researcher interested in your proposal.

The affiliated institutions are:

- "Severo Ochoa” Molecular Biology centre (CSIC-UAM) https://www.cbm.uam.es/es/
- "Alberto Sols” Biomedical Research Institute (CSIC-UAM).  https://www.iib.uam.es/portal/
- National Centre of Biotechnology (CSIC).

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- National Cancer Research centre (CNIO-ISCIII).

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- National Cardiovascular Research Centre (CNIC-ISCIII).

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  - Centre for Energy and Environmental Research (CIEMAT).
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  - Jiménez Díaz Foundation.
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  - La Paz University Hospital. (IdiPAZ)
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  - La Princesa University Hospital. 
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  · Puerta de Hierro University Hospital. https://investigacionpuertadehierro.com/investigacion/
  · Gregorio Marañón University Hospital.
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  - Institute of Catalysis and Petrochemistry (CSIC).
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  - Cajal Institute. CSIC.
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  - National Microbiology Centre (ISCIII).
•  

 

1. Applications for admission must be submitted by the deadlines and following the procedures established by EDUAM https://www.uam.es/EscuelaDoctorado/Home.htm?language=es_ES

 

Applications will be evaluated by the programme's Academic Committee, which will draw up a list of admitted students up to the maximum number of admissions permitted in the verification report. The admissions criteria to be considered are as follows:

-Candidate’s CV (qualifications, degrees, prior experience).

-Adequacy of the research proposal to the programme’s lines of research.

120 students will be admitted per year, in three groups (June, October, February) in proportion to the historical number of admissions over the last five years. Given the limited number of spaces available, applicants are advised to apply for admission to related PhD programmes in addition to Molecular Bioscience.

 

You’ve been accepted. Now what?

- Complete the enrolment process following EDUAM procedures by clicking on this link

-The Academic Committee will appoint a thesis supervisor based on your research proposal and will also assign you a tutor. Their names will appear in your file on the Sigma platform. The following link contains information on the operation of the Sigma platform (see PDF of the Doctoral Student’s Handbook and explanatory videos).

- Once you’ve been assigned a tutor, prepare the commitment document, and once it has been signed by you, your supervisor and your tutor, send it to the Programme Coordinator (for Science Faculty, send to francisco.zafra@uam.es, and for School of Medicine, send to juan.arredondo@uam.es).

- Prepare a detailed Research Plan (RP) using the form that you will find on the EDUAM website (by clicking on this link). The RP must be signed by you, your supervisor and your tutor, and uploaded to Sigma (Research Plan tab).

- If during the course of the thesis you need to add or replace a supervisor or co-supervisor, you must submit a written argument which must be approved by all parties and sent to doctorado.gestion@uam.es

 

Do you have to pass an annual evaluation?

Each year, the programme’s Academic Committee evaluates your progress, based on the documentation you have uploaded to your document file in Sigma as of the deadline set by EDUAM (see EDUAM website). Ask your tutor to validate your annual activities before the deadline.

The annual evaluation also takes into account the contents of the annual reports of the doctoral student and the supervisor. These reports must be uploaded to your Sigma file (Research Plan tab). You will upload the doctoral student's report, whilst the supervisor’s report, given its confidential nature, will be sent by the supervisor to the tutor, who will upload it to the RP tab in Sigma.

Once enrolled, you must record all activities in the Activities Document and keep it updated on the SIGMA website. This document should reflect all types of activities offered or recognised by the Programme, according to the ones listed in the Verification Report. Within each type of activity offered by the Programme, you may propose or include specific activities that you consider relevant to your research. The proposed activities must be authorised by your supervisor and validated by your tutor, who will periodically review your Activities Document.

You must demonstrate your participation in the approved activities by the stated deadline (courses, seminars, meetings, conferences, presentations, publications, etc.) and provide certifications and/or other documents that support your participation. These documents must also be uploaded to the SIGMA website.

The minimum number of activities required for a positive evaluation in subsequent tutorials will be:

1^st Tutorial: attendance at 6 seminars.

2^nd Tutorial: attendance at 10 seminars + 1 course + 1 scientific meeting * + mini-review.

3^rd Tutorial: attendance at 10 seminars + 1 course.

* This activity can also be completed in Year 1 or Year 3.

If you have not completed your thesis after three years, you must request an extension using the form that you will find by clicking (here), which must be uploaded to the RP tab of your file along with the annual documentation

4^th Tutorial: Attendance at 10 seminars is recommended.

5^th Tutorial: Attendance at 10 seminars is recommended.

 

Recognised training activities

The Academic Committee recognises activities carried out at UAM, at the centres affiliated with the programme and at institutions outside the programme, as long as they are scientific or technical in nature and are authorised by your Supervisor and/or Tutor. Below are links to the calendars of these activities at UAM and at the centres affiliated with the programme:

Training activities at UAM

Training activities at affiliated centres:

"Severo Ochoa” Molecular Biology Centre (CBMSO), https://www.cbm.uam.es/es/eventos/eventos

Institute for Biological Research (IIB), (events)

CNB https://www.cnb.csic.es/index.php/es/eventos/eventos-en-el-cnb

CNIO https://www.cnio.es/eventos/

CNIC https://www.cnic.es/es/actualidad/noticias

CIEMAT, https://www.ciemat.es/portal.do?NM=2&IDM=206

Jiménez Díaz Foundation.  https://www.fjd.es/iis-fjd/es/formacion-empleo/plan-formacion

La Paz University Hospital. https://idipaz.es/PaginaDinamica.aspx?IdPag=659&Lang=ES

La Princesa University Hospital. https://www.iis-princesa.org/actualidad/calendario/ 

Puerta de Hierro University Hospital, http://investigacionpuertadehierro.com/investigacion/memorias-cientificas/
Gregorio Marañón General University Hospital. https://www.iisgm.com/actualidad/convocatorias-y-formacion/jornadas-y-seminarios/

Institute of Catalysis and Petrochemistry. https://icp.csic.es/es/calendar/  

Cajal Institute. http://www.cajal.csic.es/actividades.html  

National Microbiology Centre (ISCIII). https://www.isciii.es/Noticias/Noticias/Paginas/default.aspx

Would you like to spend time at another University or Research Centre?

The Academic Committee of the Doctoral Programme encourages candidates to spend time at other research centres during the development of their theses. However, prior authorisation must be obtained from the Academic Committee. If the centre is located in a foreign country and the established procedures are followed, the candidate may request the International Distinction at the appropriate time. The application forms for international stays and the rules governing the International Distinction can be found on the EDUAM website ( here ).

Do you want to obtain the Industrial Doctorate distinction?

If some or all of your thesis has been completed at a public or private company and you meet the requirements, you can apply for the Industrial Doctorate Distinction which is explained (here).

PRESENTATION AND DEFENCE OF THE DOCTORAL THESIS

Do you want to present your thesis?

1. You must be sure to have passed a minimum of three tutorials. If you have registered for your third, fourth or fifth tutorial and you have not yet been evaluated, you must apply for early evaluation, following the instructions on the EDUAM website. Request the evaluation about two months before the thesis submission (here).
2. Draft your thesis following the doctoral programme’s established rules (see PDF below).
3. Make a proposal for the examining board following the rules published in the Examining Board, Defence and Evaluation Procedure here. It is recommended that the secretary of the examining board be a UAM faculty member and that the president be a University Professor or Research Professor.
4. Prepare the documentation required by EDUAM (follow this link) and submit it to the programme’s Academic Committee (send the thesis, the proposed examining board, and the supervisor’s reports to our managers:  Mada Sanz for Science Faculty candidates at administración.biomol@uam.es, or Ana Mª Sánchez for School of Medicine candidates at administración.bioquimica@uam.es). To keep our e-mail server from crashing, please use a system for sending large files.
5. Once you have obtained the Committee’s approval (which takes about two weeks), the Committee will return the Thesis, the reports and the proposed board of examiners to you, which you will then submit to EDUAM, along with the rest of the documentation and following the instructions found (here).

 

Rules for drafting doctoral Theses:

Instructions for drafting the doctoral thesis in classic and "compendium of publications" format can be found in the PDF at the bottom of this page. Theses in compendium of publications format require the prior approval of the Academic Committee and must include at least three research articles published in journals with at least one of them having an impact factor in the top quartile of the field of research. The doctoral student must be the lead author on two of the articles.

 

Thesis submission

The information can be found on the EDUAM website (here).

 

Equivalence of doctoral degrees issued by foreign Universities

This is only granted to doctoral candidates whose theses result in the publication of a minimum of two articles in prestigious journals (top quartile). See the procedure here

 

Conflict resolution: Please be advised that if a conflict arises with your supervisor during the development of your thesis, there is an "Extraordinary procedure for presentation of the Thesis when there are disagreements between the candidate and the Supervisor", which is published on the EDUAM website (Conflict Resolution Procedure of the School of Doctoral Studies approved by the Steering Committee on 4 July 2018).​

 

UAM also has a complaint mailbox, the operation of which is explained here.

Degree Official Documentation:

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•     Degree explanatory memorandum
•     Evaluation report for ‘ANECA’ verification
•     Verification resolution
•     Link to the registry of Universities, Centers and Degrees

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Downloads

 

• Instructions for Doctoral Students enrolled in Doctoral Programmes in Molecular Biosciences

• Guidelines for thesis writing in the Molecular Biosciences Programme 

• Professors and researchers by center

• Professors and researchers by lines of research

• Letter of motivation and recommendation