The PhD in Biomedical Engineering trains specialists with advanced skills in technological and methodological innovation in the fields of medical diagnosis and therapy. With a curriculum that covers subfields such as Imaging, Biomechanics, and Tissue Engineering, the program prepares doctoral students for careers in academia, healthcare, and industry, fostering the development of innovative solutions in the health sector.
In close collaboration with the LIBPHYS, CEFITEC, and Cenimat/i3N research centers, students have access to research teams involved in national and European projects focused on the application of Science and Engineering to Health. The program includes an Advanced Studies Diploma and a PhD thesis, with opportunities for collaboration and research stays at prestigious international institutions.
Applications 2025/26
1st Phase: Mar. 14 to Apr. 7
2nd Phase: Jun. 2 to Jul. 28
Vacancies: 10
Duration: 4 years (240 ECTS)
Format: Full-time
Language: Portuguese
Course Coordinator: Hugo Gamboa, pdebm.coordenador@fct.unl.pt
Academic divison: div.aea.helpdesk@fct.unl.pt
Aligned with the guiding principles and objectives underlying its integration into the European Higher Education Area, the program enables research in internationally recognized centers of excellence.
Ensuring the training of specialists with strong innovation skills and the ability to drive technological progress in the field of Biomedical Engineering, this doctoral program leads to career opportunities such as:
Academic and/or research careers in higher education;
Careers as hospital physicists;
High-level technical positions in hospitals, clinics, and development companies, particularly in the subfields outlined in the program objectives.
The program also aims to equip candidates with critical thinking, conceptual autonomy, and an entrepreneurial mindset.
In addition to the documents listed at https://www.fct.unl.pt/en/education/phd-programmes applicants must submit:
A motivation letter;
Two letters of recommendation, written by professors or researchers who are familiar with the applicant’s skills.
To be admitted to the PhD program in Biomedical Engineering, applicants must meet the requirements established by national legislation, as well as the regulations of NOVA University Lisbon and NOVA FCT, and fulfill at least one of the following conditions:
Hold a master’s degree in the scientific fields of Biomedical Engineering, Physics Engineering, or related areas, or a legally equivalent qualification, with a minimum final grade of 14 (out of 20);
Hold a pre-Bologna undergraduate degree in Biomedical Engineering or a related field, with a minimum of 240 ECTS and a final grade of at least 14 (out of 20);
Hold an academic, scientific, or professional curriculum in the field of Biomedical Engineering that is recognized by the Department Council of the Department of Physics as demonstrating the ability to undertake this study cycle.
The selection of candidates is the responsibility of the PhD Program’s Scientific Committee, based on the evaluation of the submitted documentation. Potentially eligible candidates may be invited for an interview.
The Scientific Committee of the PhD program in Biomedical Engineering may also request additional documentation from the applicant, if deemed relevant for the evaluation of the application.
Tuition fee - Portuguese students: 2.750€/year
Tuition fee - Foreign students: 2.750€/year
The Department of Physics (DF), formally established in 1986, was a pioneer in Portugal in teaching Physics Engineering. The DF's scientific activity mainly develops in two Research Units, LIBPhys and CEFITEC. Among the research and development activities are atomic, molecular, nuclear physics instrumentation and electronic and industrial automation with applications in analytical methods, radiation detection, and biomedical engineering, optics, and photonics, metrology, and spectrometries.