More and more companies see molecular-scale modelling as a tool that enables faster progress in the synthesis of new functional substances or new materials, while lowering the costs of obtaining them and studying their properties. The major manufacturers of high-performance computers have always shown an interest in the evolution of chemical computing.

This PhD programme aims to train experts in the use and development of computational techniques with applications in a wide range of fields, from chemical reactivity, spectroscopy and catalysis to bioinformatics, materials science and polymers. Due to its strongly interdisciplinary nature, the PhD covers the fundamental areas of chemistry (organic, inorganic, solid-state chemistry, spectroscopy, kinetics, catalysis, polymers, mass spectrometry, molecular design), as well as fundamental areas of physics (atomic and molecular physics, condensed matter physics and materials), and several areas of biochemistry, bioinformatics, biological chemistry and medicinal chemistry.

Doctors with this profile will be equipped to work in research laboratories at universities and research centres, or pursue a career as advanced experts in industries with innovation departments in sectors such as the pharmaceutical, the petrochemical, that of the design of new materials, etc.

Approximately three quarters of the PhD students in this programme carry out post-doctoral stays upon completing their thesis, mainly in laboratories at overseas centres. In the case of the theses carried out in our research group, 80% have completed postdoctoral studies and 100% are currently working: two as teaching and research staff at Spanish universities, one at a university in Brazil and another at a research centre in the United States.

As a consequence of the collaboration agreement between the universities that are part of the partnership of the PhD in Theoretical Chemistry and Computational Modelling, there is a network of calls for post-doctoral fellowships.

As indicated in the section on training activities, it is highly recommended that doctorands undertake one or more research stays at overseas centres during their PhD studies. The inter-university nature of the PhD, together with the existing network of contacts between Spanish universities and overseas universities make these stays possible. Furthermore, the completion of a stay is a requirement to be awarded the international mention.

Please see 'Useful information > Grants, awards and general aid' for information on available grants, and 'Management of doctoral students > Procedures > Mobility and exchange' for information on how to apply for a stay.

Stays undertaken on the PhD programme by doctoral students

Legislation requires that official Spanish degree programmes receive a positive assessment from the National Agency for Quality Assessment and Accreditation (ANECA, by its Spanish acronym). This process is known as verification, and it serves to ensure that education programmes are properly designed to provide the competencies and reach the learning goals around which the programmes are built.

The European Higher Education Area requires that there be a system in place to ensure the quality of degree programmes.

The doctorate programme is subject to constant assessment and improvement processes that guarantee that it maintains a certain level of prestige and renown in Europe. You can see the results of the assessment processes in the results section.