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Studies

PhD in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering

IQS offers an attractive and suitable PhD programme for students interested in research and innovation in the field of Chemistry and Chemical and Industrial Engineering. The programme has an interdisciplinary approach to respond to the professional needs of industry and scientific training for academic and industrial research.

IQS celebrated the 2005-06 academic year the centenary of its foundation. IQS has always been characterised by its spirit of innovation, its continuous contact with companies and for being a training centre for chemical professionals and engineers appreciated in all areas of the profession.

Doctoral studies in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering began at IQS in 1964 and have continued without interruption up to the present day. Throughout its history, IQS has trained PhDs in all fields related to Chemistry and Chemical Engineering who, thanks to their incorporation into the chemical and related industries (pharmaceutical, food, paints, polymers, etc.) have contributed significantly to improving their quality, productivity, competitiveness and capacity for innovation and entrepreneurship. In 2008 the first doctoral thesis in Industrial Engineering (from the studies of the same name started in 2000 at IQS) was defended, opening up new lines of research linked to Engineering.

Key information

Places

10 new admission places per academic year

Begining

Registration open all year round

Areas

Chemical Area, Chemical Engineering Area, Industrial Engineering Area

Facilities

More than 8,700 m2 of laboratory and workshop space

At IQS you will work in laboratories and workshops equipped with the latest technologies. We have specific laboratories where you will be able to carry out research with advanced equipment during your doctoral studies.

Objectives

Job placement

The main employment opportunities for graduates of the programme are in the areas of research and research management in companies in the chemical-pharmaceutical-cosmetic sector, where they hold positions of high responsibility in R&D&I, as well as in universities and other research institutions. A small number of PhDs continue their scientific careers in academia or research centres.

AQU Catalunya periodically conducts studies on the labour market outcomes of graduates from the various doctoral programmes at Catalan universities.

Enrolment

Admission to the PhD Programme in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering can be applied for at any time during the academic year. The admission procedure consists of the following stages:

  • The applicant has an interview with the programme coordinator. At the end of the interview, the coordinator gives the candidate the forms to apply for admission.
  • The candidate applies for admission to the Academic Committee of the Doctoral Programme, providing the relevant documentation.
  • Depending on the academic interests of the candidate, the Academic Committee of the Doctoral Programme contacts the corresponding Department, requesting an assessment report.
  • The candidate submits his/her thesis project to the Department, which assesses the project, the candidate’s suitability to carry it out, the availability of material resources and funding, and issues an assessment report, signed by the Head of the Department.
  • The CAPD assesses the Department’s report and the candidate’s academic record and issues its decision with a 50% weighting in each case. In the case of a positive decision, the CAPD assigns a tutor and a thesis supervisor.

The procedures and the calendar of meetings of the programme’s Academic Committee are updated on the IQS virtual campus.

Once the admissions process has been completed, the Director of IQS holds a welcome interview with every future doctoral student. Admitted candidates have the remainder of the academic year to formalise their enrolment with the IQS Registrar, at which time they acquire the status of PhD student. Otherwise, candidates must reapply for admission with the Doctoral Programme Academic Committee. The following annual enrolments take place during the month of October at the beginning of each academic year.

Additional coursework

The PhD in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering programme does not include additional coursework for students accepted to the programme who hold a master’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Bioengineering, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Pharmacy, or a related degree.

However, in other cases, the Doctoral Programme Academic Committee may assign specific additional coursework requirements adapted to the candidate’s profile during the admission process. Furthermore, candidates may request to take additional coursework that may be of interest to them with Doctoral Programme Academic Committee, with the approval of their thesis supervisor.

Additional coursework consists of subjects in the Master’s Degree in ChemistryChemical Engineering, or Industrial Engineering offered by Ramon Llull University or other master’s programmes taught at IQS that are deemed particularly relevant in terms of conducting their thesis project if the candidate has not completed their studies beforehand. Additional coursework shall not exceed a maximum of 6 ECTS credits to be taken during the first year of the doctoral programme.

Admission and requirements

Grants for doctoral studies

IQS annually offers grants for up to three years in duration for doctoral studies at IQS.

The Ramon Llull University Research and Innovation Office regularly publishes announcements for research grants, including actions such as co-financing contracts for research support personnel, pre-doctoral and post-doctoral research contracts, pre-doctoral scholarships, and grants for teaching and research staff mobility. In addition, Ramon Llull University maintains an up-to-date list of public financial aid for which doctoral students are eligible.

The research groups at IQS maintain an active policy of attracting research resources through different channels through public agencies and entities, foundations, and private companies. Particularly relevant actions within the context of the PhD programme are intended for: equipment and infrastructure, competitive projects (European and Spanish), pre-doctoral scholarships, and travel grants for doctoral students (for courses and conferences).
The percentage of students who obtain these grants are:

Research lines

The Doctoral Program in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering is organized in 9 lines of research grouped into 3 major thematic areas. The thematic areas together describe the different IQS research groups recognized by the Generalitat de Catalunya, the laboratories of the IQS Bioengineering Department and the particular interests of the different professors in the program.

Research projects

Training activities

The PhD in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering programme includes a series of activities that aim to advance the educational aspects for students in the programme. As part of the educational requirements, IQS places special importance on assisting its professors in terms of teaching, research, and management (through Teaching and Research Assistants), as well as offering them the opportunity to participate in seminars, conferences, and special courses of interest for doctoral students that are held at IQS or other institutions. The range of educational activities in which students in the PhD in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering programme can participate includes:

  1. Attending conferences
  2. Participating in teaching activities
  3. Participating in specialised conferences and courses
  4. Teaching seminars in the department
  5. Conducting research at another university

Procedure for preparing and defending student research plans

Before the end of the first year, doctoral students must prepare a detailed Research Plan that includes a background statement, the objectives to be achieved, the methodology to be used, the necessary means, and the timeline for carrying it out. This research plan, submitted in writing upon approval from the student’s thesis supervisor and tutor, will be assessed by the Doctoral Programme Academic Committee during the evaluation of the doctoral student’s first year. The doctoral student must submit their detailed Research Plan to the Doctoral Programme Academic Committee in a public session, followed by a round of questions from the committee’s members.

Academic regulations

The General Standards of Organisation for Doctorates at Ramon Llull University establish the framework for the PhD in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering programme.

The specific adaptation of these standards for doctoral programs at IQS is set out in the Standards for Doctoral Studies at IQS.

Duration of the PhD programme and maintaining good standing

Doctoral studies last for a maximum duration of three full-time years, starting from the doctoral student’s initial date of enrolment to the programme up to the date of their doctoral thesis submission.

If a student’s request to submit their doctoral thesis has not been filed within this three-year period, the Doctoral Programme Academic Committee (CAPD) may authorise the extension of this period for one additional year, which may be exceptionally extended for an additional year.

Part-time doctoral studies may be carried out solely if authorised by the CAPD beforehand. Part-time studies may last for a maximum duration of five years from the student’s date of admission to the programme up to the date of their doctoral thesis submission.

Extensions for part-time studies may be authorised for two more years and another additional year exceptionally.

For the purposes of calculating this period, absences due to illness, maternity, paternity, or any other cause envisaged by current legislation are not taken into account.

In addition, doctoral students can request temporary disenrollment from the programme for a maximum period of one year, which can be extended by up to one more year. This request must be justified and addressed to the CAPD, which will decide on whether or not to accept the request within a maximum period of two months.

Academic calendar

Candidates for the doctoral programme can apply and be admitted at any time during the academic year.

Initial enrolment in the doctoral programme can be done at any time during the academic year. Subsequent enrolments must be done at the beginning of each academic year. The annual assessment of doctoral students is done during the month of July.

Students can submit their request to defend their doctoral thesis to the CAPD and conduct their defence at any time during the academic year. The Doctoral Programme Academic Committee’s regular meeting takes place once a month.

Students can submit their request to defend their thesis with the Ramon Llull University Doctoral Committee at any time during the academic year.
The Ramon Llull University Doctoral Committee’s meeting takes place once a month. Students can defend their doctoral thesis at any time during the academic year.

See CAPD meeting calendar

Learning resources

  • Virtual communication spaces

    All members of the centre have access to the Internet, e-mail and access to the support platforms for face-to-face training, academic management and management of research activities.

  • Laboratoris

    IQS School of Engineering has 5100 m2 of laboratories equipped with a wide range of instrumentation to meet the needs of research in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Industrial Engineering.

  • Library

    The IQS library makes available to teachers and students the documentary resources, both printed and electronic, that support the learning, teaching, research, innovation and continuing education processes of the IQS academic and research community. The bibliographic and documentary collection consists of more than 65,000 volumes and around 3,600 periodicals covering the following subject areas: chemistry, chemical engineering, industrial engineering, food science and technology, environment, materials science, industrial safety and hygiene, economics, business management, ethics, biotechnology and pharmacy.

  • Other

    International Relations Office. Professional Careers Service that manages students’ requests for internships and companies’ requests for the recruitment of new graduates. Common services for the Doctoral Programmes of the Ramon Llull University, IQS Alumni Association (AIQS Alumni).

31 doctors and researchers form the faculty of the PhD in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering programme. All of the professors are members of a research group recognised by the Government of Catalonia (SGR – Support for Research Groups). 92% of the research professors are currently engaged in a six-year merit-based research period, and 55 professors in total have received funding increases upon completing recognised six-year research periods and publishing their work.

The faculty members of the PhD in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering cover all the educational objectives of the programme. All the research groups to which the programme’s professors belong participate in competitively funded research projects (National Plan, European projects, industrial doctorates, etc.) and projects in partnerships with companies.

Scientific and academic background

Contact information

Dr. Jordi Abellà
Coordinator of the PhD in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering programme
Tel.: +34 932 672 000
E-mail: jordi.abella@iqs.url.edu

Faculty

Alberto Balfagón Costa, PhD

Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science

Ana Belén Cuenca González, PhD

Department of Organic and Pharmaceutical Chemistry

Andrés García Granada, PhD

Department of Industrial Engineering

Carlos Eduardo Semino, PhD

Department of Bioengineering

David Sánchez García, PhD

Department of Organic and Pharmaceutical Chemistry

Eduard Serra Hosta, PhD

Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science

Giovanni Gómez Gras, PhD

Department of Industrial Engineering

Guillermo Reyes Pozo, PhD

Dean’s Office of the IQS School of Engineering and Department of Industrial Engineering

Jordi Teixidó Closa, PhD

Department of Organic and Pharmaceutical Chemistry

Jordi Díaz Ferrero, PhD

Dean of the IQS School of Engineering and Department of Analytical and Applied Chemistry

Jordi Abellà Iglesias, PhD

Department of Analytical and Applied Chemistry

Jordi Martorell López, PhD

Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science

Jose Javier Molins Vara, PhD

General Secretary’s Office y Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science

Josep Maria Puigoriol Forcada, PhD

Department of Industrial Engineering

Josep Oriol Pou Ibar, PhD

Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science

Manuel Abad Roldán, PhD

Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science

Marco Antonio Pérez Martínez, PhD

Department of Industrial Engineering

Mercedes Balcells Camps, PhD

Department of Bioengineering

Montserrat Agut Bonsfills, PhD

Department of Bioengineering

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Pedro Palacín Farré, PhD

Department of Industrial Engineering

Rafael González Olmos, PhD

Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science

Roger Estrada Tejedor, PhD

Department of Organic and Pharmaceutical Chemistry

Salvador Borrós Gómez, PhD

Management and Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science

Santiago Nonell Marrugat, PhD

Department of Analytical and Applied Chemistry

Sergi Colominas Fuster, PhD

Department of Analytical and Applied Chemistry

IQS firmly believes in the value of science, technology, and business internationalisation. For this reason, IQS considers international exchanges essential and an excellent way to complement and enrich students’ education both professionally and personally. IQS encourages students in the PhD in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering programme to spend time at foreign universities and research centres as part of international mobility programmes to enhance the research objectives in their doctoral thesis.

General standards

Doctoral student participation in mobility activities is governed by the standards that regulate doctoral studies at IQS and at Ramon Llull University (see Operational Planning).

Mobility grants

Doctoral students have access to financial aid to take part in mobility programmes as described in the grants section.
The International Relations Office provides support to IQS doctoral students who wish to conduct research abroad.

Internal quality assurance system

The Doctoral Programme in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering has strategic quality policies and internal quality assurance systems in order to guarantee the achievement of the training objectives of the Doctoral Programme.

The Academic and Teaching Quality and Innovation Unit of the Ramon Llull University (UQIAD-URL), based on networking with the quality units/areas of the centres and faculties, promotes, coordinates and reviews the evaluation processes in the academic and teaching field in order to contribute to guaranteeing the standards of quality and excellence of our University.

IQS Quality System Manual

General regulations and framework

Since 2011, doctoral education at Spanish universities has been governed by Royal Decree 99/2011 of 28 January, and subsequent amendments thereof, which governs official doctoral studies.

Ramon Llull University has drafted internal General Standards for the Structure of Doctorates to offer accurate interpretation of current legislation and adapt it to the regular operation of doctoral education at the university. These regulations govern and implement all procedures related to admissions, supervision, monitoring, evaluation, submission, and defence of doctoral theses and doctoral degrees, honorary awards, and archiving defended theses.

See the General Standards URL

Standards for Doctoral Studies IQS

The procedures and the schedule of meetings of the Academic Committee of the program are updated on the IQS virtual campus.

Thesis defended in the last academic courses

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