PhD in Neuroscience

Academic year 2024-25

Lines of research

Neurophysiology of Memory and Learning

This refers to all mechanisms involved in cognitive and neuropsychological processes linked to memory and learning. Evolutionary aspects of memory and attention.

Neurophysiology and Regulation of the Sleep-Wake Rhythm. The Electrophysiology of the Reptilian Brain

This refers to the aspects involved in studying circadian rhythms from an evolutionary perspective, with a particular focus on reptiles as ancestors of mammals and birds in sleep studies. It also includes sleep-wake circadian rhythm studies in animals in general (not including humans).

The Physiology and Neuroendocrinology of the Ageing Brain

Studies linked to neurophysiology and neuroendocrinology strategies of the ageing brain, with a particular focus on aspects related to neurodegenerative diseases in ageing.

Chronobiology

The study of biological rhythms, and especially circadian rhythms in humans, with a particular focus on the sleep-wake rhythm. The role of melatonin, GH and polyphenols in circadian rhythms.

The Study of Cell and Molecular Mechanisms involved in Cancel Cell Resistance to Chemotherapy and Molecular Tumour Markers

The study of therapy strategies that counteract resistance to anti-cancer drugs in neoplasia. Identifying molecular markers; prognosis in haematologic neoplasms, GIST and soft tissue sarcoma.

Cell and Molecular Mechanisms of Nervous System Disorders and Motor Neurone Diseases

The study of the mechanisms involved in neuropathologies and motor neurone diseases. Neuroprotection strategies.

The Cell Origins of the Effect from Natural and Modified Fatty Acids on Body Weight

Identifying new lipid compounds and molecular mechanisms to develop drugs and nutraceuticals against metabolic syndrome disorders.

Oncological Pathology and Circadian Rhythms (Area of Memory)

This refers to studies on oncological processes where associated physiological variables follow circadian control.

Chronic Pain, Emotions and the Brain

Neuropsychological assessment of chronic pain. Emotional, cognitive and behavioural factors in pain management. The effects of physical exercise on processing pain.

Clinical Applications of the Brain-Computer Interface

Applying non-linear models to psycho-physiological variables and to classifying patients with chronic pain. App use for continuous recording of pain.

Anxiety and Affective Disorders

Neurocognitive development in behavioural disorders. Neurobehavioural interventions.

General and specific competencies

Doctoral studies aim to provide advanced education to students in research techniques, and. They include the development and presentation of a corresponding doctorate thesis that consists of original work in research.

Doctoral studies aim to provide students with advanced training in research techniques. Usual activities in these studies could incorporate courses, seminars, or other activities directed at education in research. This also involves the preparation and presentation of a doctoral thesis, which needs to be an original work of research. Specific objectives of the Doctoral Programmes of the Balearic Islands University are: to train researchers and form research teams to successfully address current societal challenges making use of new sciences, techniques and methodologies; to promote the training of the teaching faculty, and to perfect professional, scientific, technical and artistic development of postgraduates.

Core Skills

  • CB11 - Systematic comprehension of a field of study and mastery of research skills and methods related to this field
  • CB12 - The ability to devise, design or create, implement and adopt a substantial research or invention process
  • CB13 - The ability to contribute to widening the frontiers of knowledge through original research
  • CB14 - The ability to perform a critical analysis, assessment and synthesis of new and complex ideas
  • CB15 - The ability to communicate with the academic and scientific community, as well as with society as a whole, about their areas of knowledge in the methods and languages commonly used within the international scientific community
  • CB16 - The ability to promote scientific, technological, social, artistic or cultural advancement in academic and professional settings within the knowledge-based society.

Personal Skills and Abilities

  • CA01 - Work in contexts where there is little specific information
  • CA02 - Uncover key questions that need to be answered in order to resolve a complex problem
  • CA03 - Design, create, develop and undertake new and innovative projects in their area of knowledge
  • CA04 - Work in a team and independently in an international or multidisciplinary setting
  • CA05 - Incorporate knowledge, handle complexity and provide opinions with limited information
  • CA06 - Intellectual criticism and defence of solutions.

Acces and entry Requirements

The recommended entry profile is that of graduates or graduates who are in any of the situations referred to in Article 6 and the second additional provision of Royal Decree 99/2011 of January 28 which have skills and knowledge in one of the main research lines involved in the PhD program.

To access in a UIB doctorate you must have completed a total of 300 credits ECTS (60 of which must be on an official university master's degree course).

Also can access to the doctorate, without holding an official university masters's degree, the candidates that have obtained the Diploma of Advanced Studies (DEA), regulated by the Royal Decree 778/1998, of 30 April, or the Sufficiency Researcher, regulated by the Royal Decree 185/1985, or that hold a title of a bachelor's degree of 300 credits ECTS according to the European regulation.  Besides this, each Doctoral Programme, may establish specific admission requirements.

Admissions (Pre-Registration): This is the process in which the student applies for admission into the desired University programme. During this process, available places are allotted according to the admissions process and the marks obtained by each applicant. Pre-registration is open throughout the year.

The academic commission of the doctoral program will carry out the final admission of PhD students.

Support and guidance information

The procedure used by the academic committee of the PhD programme to assign a tutor and thesis supervisor is as follows:

  1. The committee shall assign a tutor every academic year from amongst the lecturers/researchers on the programme, in line with the research area(s) on which registered students will write their theses. In principle, all lecturers from each research area may be tutors and selection is performed as students are admitted
  2. Tutors shall propose a thesis supervisor in line with the selection criteria of the resource person, which must be set out in students' application for admission and statement of objectives, where applicable. This proposal shall be submitted to the academic committee
  3. The CAD shall ultimately approve the assigned thesis tutor and supervisor
  4. Doctorands shall have an assigned tutor and supervisor before registering on the programme.

Tutors' duties shall be to: (i) ensure interaction between the doctorand, the studies committee and thesis supervisors; (ii) supervise the suitability of the programme areas and research activity of doctorands; and (iii) advise students on whatever is required to fulfil the teaching and research activities on the PhD in Neuroscience. 

Any changes that may take place with regard to thesis tutors and supervisors during the PhD programme shall be approved by the academic committee.

Supervision and monitoring of doctorand training activities and their PhD theses shall be in line with the UIB procedures for PhDs (RD 99/2011), the UIB Doctoral Degree Regulations (https://seu.uib.cat/fou/acord/13084/) and the verified degree report that you may consult on the "Results" webpage. The administrative and academic procedures that students must perform during their PhD may be viewed on the "Procedures" section of the UIB Doctoral School website: