Doctoral school
Doctoral school
Training the scientists of the future
A PhD is a period of training that allows future researchers and scientists to develop critical thinking, research skills and the ability to effectively communicate technical and complex ideas to their peers and the general public. At CCMAR, we offer an enriching experience in the field of marine research, integrating our PhD students into our multidisciplinary team of around 250 scientists, and facilitating the use of well-equipped facilities, laboratories and access to marine and coastal ecosystems.
A motivating and individual process
In order to create a motivating research environment, our doctoral school offers several tools that boost the career of the doctoral student:
- excellent scientific support
- interdisciplinarity
- internationalisation;
- networking opportunities;
- and a wide range of training activities.
Doctoral training is an individual process, where doctoral students must develop original research. To facilitate this and address individual needs and expectations, we offer individual support at all stages of the doctoral programme, so that our students can grow as researchers.
The CCMAR Doctoral School is based on four pillars:
Breathing science
With a diverse research programme, CCMAR has built up an extensive track record in training future marine researchers. We offer an inclusive research environment at our centre, as CCMAR supervisors ensure that PhD students are fully integrated into their teams. Students are encouraged to develop innovative research that responds to our two scientific challenges:
CCMAR strategically follows three main thematic lines of research, each of which is divided into three areas of work. Our students are welcome to develop their work within these topics:
Activities
Welcome
Upon arrival at , PhD students receive a "welcome programme" organised by our team to introduce them to CCMAR's working environment and facilities, convey our values and missions, explain common operating practices and deal with bureaucratic processes.
Meet the team
CCMAR supervisors ensure that students are introduced to and fully integrated into the research team they will be working with during their research programme.
Get-togethers
Informal meetings are held regularly with the aim of strengthening the relationship between the community, sharing ideas, devoloping solutions and inspiring our PhD students in their future professional careers.
Excellent supervision
Our aim is to support our doctoral students throughout their career with ongoing guidance, to help them overcome obstacles and to plan their academic career.
The relationship between PhD students and their supervisors is a key point in the course of their studies.
Our Doctoral School has developed mechanisms to strengthen this relationship and ensure that everyone is committed to the doctoral projects.
In order to overcome obstacles or achieve specific research objectives that require input from other research areas, the entire CCMAR team can be mobilised to provide guidance when necessary.
In addition, we also help students organise their research plan and career progression opportunities throughout their PhD.
For instance, we jointly define research milestones, identify which areas best suit each student and explore the possibility of establishing international collaborations and completing internships in industry.
Grow as a professional
Whether pursuing a career in academia, science or business, a researcher needs to have a certain basic knowledge related to science. Our advanced training courses will prepare our students to face future professional challenges, such as managing a research project, writing scientific articles, or communicating with different audiences.
During their doctoral programme, students may also need to learn how to work with specific scientific equipment, methods and procedures. To meet these needs, we offer 'Advanced Training' courses.
We also regularly organise scientific seminars to stimulate critical scientific thinking, encourage teamwork and promote new research opportunities. Our seminars are also an opportunity for PhD students to practise their scientific communication skills.
Advanced Training
Our offer includes technical training courses that are often required to carry out research at CCMAR, such as scientific diving, statistics and ethics in animal research. If a student needs specific training, this can be included in our training offer.
Seminars
CCMAR's scientific seminars are held regularly and presented by CCMAR researchers, as well as national and international collaborators. They are organised by a committee of at least three PhD students, who have the opportunity to broaden their research network and improve some of their basic skills.
Broadening Horizons
A doctorate is a period of professional growth.
In order to help our students go further, we promote opportunities and experiences that contribute to:
- improving their international contacts;
- create links with other sectors of work;
- and make the connection between their scientific research and other areas.
To give our students the opportunity to establish contacts at an international level, we offer our international network of contacts, which includes access to European networks and research infrastructures.
Our collaboration agreements also include industrial and business partners, who can also become research partners within a PhD project.
In addition, we promote networking activities between research groups to encourage new collaborations and broaden career progression opportunities.
Objectives
Internationalisation
We encourage our PhD students to include international collaborations in their research, for which we provide CCMAR's network of international contacts, access to the list of partners and other research infrastructures.
Partnerships with companies
An internship or partnership with companies in the private sector and other industries will promote research opportunities close to the needs of industry, provide business experience and establish contact links between the student and future employers.
Interaction with other research areas
Our Doctoral School promotes networking activities between research groups, in which students will be introduced to different research teams through their supervisors and will have the opportunity to discuss their thesis research with experts who have different points of view.