Plasma Physics and Nuclear Fusion
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- Engineering and Science
- Plasma Physics and Nuclear Fusion
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Director
Prof. José Miguel Reynolds Barredo
About the program
This Ph.D. program, and the international graduate programs with which it is partnered, aims at maintaining and developing an integrated, coherent and coordinated focus on educational and research activities on fusion science and engineering in Spain and the European Union.
The program provides a solid background in the field of plasma physics and nuclear fusion, their research methodology and the skills required to conduct a research work and a critical evaluation of outcomes.
In close connection with the Erasmus Mundus Master in Plasma Physics and Nuclear Fusion (European Master of Science in Nuclear Fusion and Engineering Physics; FUSION-EP), in which Universidad Carlos III participates, the goal of our program is the training of researchers in the field of plasma physics and nuclear fusion, to primarily enable them to join either university research teams or specific projects in the field of fusion in the European Community, particularly the project of construction of the international fusion reactor ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor), currently in progress at Cadarache (France), which will require specialized human capital.
Additionally, the Ph.D. in Plasma Physics and Nuclear Fusion has important partnerships:
- FUSENET (Fusion Education Network; www.fusenet.eu), an European association of which Universidad Carlos III de Madrid is an associate member, aiming at the creation of an European educational network on fusion science and technology. FUSENET offers a number of aids for graduate internships, courses on plasma physics and nuclear fusion, and annual doctoral meetings for Ph.D. students in the field of plasma physics and nuclear fusion in Europe.
- The CIEMAT National Fusion Laboratory, which plays a crucial role in the development of the program by providing professors for the FUSION-EP master’s and Ph.D. courses, and supervisors for master’s and Ph.D. theses. The experimental TJ-II fusion device at CIEMAT constitutes an optimal environment for the training of students. The CIEMAT National Fusion Laboratory participates in the international FUSION-EP master’s program.
- Program regulated by RD 99/2011, January 28
- ACCESS
Student profile
Students should have a Bachelor’s degree level basic knowledge of classical and modern physics, as well as adequate mathematical and computational training. The prerequisites are a Bachelor's degree in engineering, applied physics, physics or equivalent.
Finally, students must have a good level of English (spoken and written) and, if possible, demonstrate it (TOEFL, GRE, etc.).
Admission requirements
According to art. 6 of the PhD studies regulation (RD 99/2011), in order to access the Program it is required to have a Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) and a Master's degree (or equivalent), provided that at least 300 ECTS credits have been passed in these two cycles as a whole, or the equivalent degree qualifies for level 3 of MECES (Marco Español de Cualificaciones para la Educación Superior, Spanish Framework for Higher Education Qualifications).
Likewise, access is available to candidates in possession of foreign degrees from countries integrated into the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) when the degree can be accredited as level 7 in the European Qualifications Framework (EQF), as long as the aforementioned degree allows access to PhD level studies in the country of expedition; and candidates with a degree which is equivalent to a Spanish Master's degree, obtained in foreign education systems outside the EHEA, as long as the aforementioned degree allows access to PhD level studies in the country of expedition.
Admission requirements for the Ph.D. Program in Plasma Physics and Nuclear Fusion are the following:
A Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Applied Physics, Physics or equivalent, and preferrably Graduate studies in the fields of Plasma Physics and Nuclear Fusion.
Applicants without the necessary background in Postgraduate studies in the area of plasmas physics and nuclear fusion will need to complete complementary training (up to a maximum of 30 ECTS) which will be determined by the Academic Committee along with the thesis advisor/s.
Admission criteria
Admission is determined according to the criteria set by the Academic Committee listed below. These are implemented by the coordinator of the program, who reports to the Committee on a regular basis.
Selection is based on merit and capacity of the candidates, for which the following criteria are considered:
- Academic transcript of previous studies
- Curriculum vitae (scientific and professional background, relevant merits, etc.)
- Motivation letter by the candidate stating their reasons to participate in the Program
- Endorsement letters from professors at the university or from professors or researchers at other institutions with direct knowledge of the capacity and competence of the candidate
- Relevance of the thesis project and its connection with the lines of research of the Ph.D. Program. For this purpose, the thesis project can be endorsed by a professor from the program
The Academic Committee will determine the convenience of a personal interview with the candidate.
Admission criteria and procedures are the same for full-time and part-time students.
Seats available for the academic year: 15
- FACULTY
- Academic Committee
Prof. José Miguel Reynolds Barredo
Department of Physics. Director of the ProgramProf. José Ramón Martín Solís
Department of PhysicsProf. Mª Angustias Auger Martínez
Department of Physics
Dr. José Manuel García Regaña
National Fusion Laboratory. CIEMAT - Faculty
- Alonso de Pablo, Arturo
National Fusion Laboratory, CIEMAT (Madrid)
- Auger Martínez, María Angustias
Department of Physics
Universidad Carlos III de Madrid
- Baciero Adrados, Alfonso
National Fusion Laboratory, CIEMAT, (Madrid)
- Blanco Villarreal, Emilio José
National Fusion Laboratory, CIEMAT (Madrid)
- Cal, Eduardo (de la)
National Fusion Laboratory, CIEMAT (Madrid)
- Calvo Rubio, Iván
National Fusion Laboratory, CIEMAT (Madrid)
- Cappa Ascasíbar, Álvaro
National Fusion Laboratory, CIEMAT (Madrid)
- Carralero Ortiz, Daniel
National Fusion Laboratory, CIEMAT (Madrid)
- Castro Bernal, María Vanessa (de)
Department of Physics
Universidad Carlos III de Madrid
- Day, Christian
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (Karlsruhe)
- Estrada García, Teresa
National Fusion Laboratory, CIEMAT (Madrid)
- García Cortés, María Isabel
National Fusion Laboratory, CIEMAT (Madrid)
- García Gonzalo, Luis
Department of Physics
Universidad Carlos III de Madrid
- García Regaña, José Manuel
National Fusion Laboratory, CIEMAT (Madrid)
- Geiger, Joachim
Max-Planck-Institut für Plasmaphysik
- González Viada, María
National Fusion Laboratory, CIEMAT (Madrid)
- Happel, Tim
Max-Planck-Institut für Plasmaphysik
- Hidalgo Vera, Carlos
National Fusion Laboratory, CIEMAT (Madrid)
- Leguey Galán, Teresa
Department of Physics
Universidad Carlos III de Madrid
- Malaquías, Artur
Instituto Superior Tecnico (IST) (Lisboa)
- Martín Solís, José Ramón
Department of Physics
Universidad Carlos III de Madrid
- McCarthy, Kieran
National Fusion Laboratory, CIEMAT (Madrid)
- Mier Maza, José Ángel
Universidad de Cantabria
- Monge Alcázar, Miguel Ángel
Department of Physics
Universidad Carlos III de Madrid
- Reynolds Barredo, José Miguel
Department of Physics
Universidad Carlos III de Madrid
- Sánchez Fernández, Luis Raúl
Department of Physics
Universidad Carlos III de Madrid
- Sánchez González, Edilberto
National Fusion Laboratory, CIEMAT (Madrid)
- Serre, Eric
Aix-Marseille Université
- Spolaore, Monica
Istituto Gas Ionizzati del Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR)
- Tribaldos Macía, Víctor
Department of Physics
Universidad Carlos III de Madrid
- Van Milligen, Boudewijn Ph.
National Fusion Laboratory, CIEMAT (Madrid)
- Varela Rodríguez, Jacobo
Department of Physics
Universidad Carlos III de Madrid
- Vega, Jesús
National Fusion Laboratory, CIEMAT (Madrid)
- Velasco Garasa. José Luis
National Fusion Laboratory, CIEMAT (Madrid)
- Vila Vázquez, Rafael
National Fusion Laboratory, CIEMAT (Madrid)
- Xanthopoulos, Pavlos
Max-Planck-Institut für Plasmaphysik
- Alonso de Pablo, Arturo
- Academic Committee
- TRAINING
Specific training
- Research Seminars
Required for all students. This activity consists of a series of 10-12 conferences and seminars (one per week), in English or Spanish, on relevant subjects in the area of Plasma Physics and Nuclear Fusion by professors from the Ph.D. program and guest lecturers from the field. At the end of the series, students will prepare and give a seminar on a topic proposed by the Academic Committee. This activity will be carried out in the first semester of each academic year.
- Doctoral Meetings (Ph.D. Event in Fusion Science and Engineering)
Required for all students. The purpose of these meetings is for students from European Ph.D. programs in nuclear fusion to get together, present and discuss their research work, and also attend conferences and lectures of general interest in the field of fusion energy. The meetings are funded, at least partially, by the FUSENET association and take place on an annual basis with a duration of 2-3 days (www.fusenet.eu/phdevent). Students are required to participate at least in one meeting during the Ph.D., except for students whose research work is not focused on the nuclear fusion field.
Research skills training
Research skills training focuses on abilities common to all disciplines for the development of scientific and educational skills and career improvement. This training consists of different activities (short. courses, seminars, etc.). The Ph.D. advisor, in collaboration with the Academic Committee, will provide orientation to the students on the convenience of these activities. This training is optional.
Further information:
Complementary training
Students with insufficient previous training at graduate level in the Plasma Physics and Nuclear Fusion field are required to complete training complements (maximum: 30 ECTS credits) to be determined by the Academic Committee of the Program in collaboration with the tutor and thesis advisor.
- Research Seminars
- RESEARCH
- Research Lines
- Magnetic confinement fusion (tokamaks and stellarators)
- Plasma theory and computational plasma physics
- Plasma-wall interaction and advanced materiales for fusion
- Plasma diagnostics, control and data analysis
- Fusion technology and engineering
- Industrial plasmas
- Astrophysical plasmas
- Scientific results
This is a sample of relevant publications derived from doctoral thesis work over the last five years:
- Thesis: Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics and its application to fusion-relevant magnetohydrodynamical problems
Author: Luis Ernesto Vela Vela
Publication: L.V. Vela, R. Sanchez, J. Geiger , "ALARIC: An algorithm for constructing arbitrarily complex initial density distributions with low particle noise for SPH/SPMHD applications"
Journal: Computer Physics Communications 224 (2018) 186
5-year Impact Factor JCR: 5.6
Ranking position 2/55 (D1) in category: Physics, Mathematical
- Thesis: Study and Control of turbulent transport in the Boundary Plasma region of the TJ-II stellarator and the JET tokamak.
Author: Ulises Losada Rodríguez
Publication: U. Losada, T. Estrada, B. Liu, B. Ph. van Milligen, J. Cheng, C. Silva, I. Pastor, J. M. Fontdecaba, C. Hidalgo and the TJ-II team, "Role of isotope mass and evidence of fluctuating zonal flows during the L–H transition in the TJ-II stellarator"
Journal: Plasma Phys. Controll. Fusion 60 (2018), 074002
5-year Impact Factor JCR: 2.2
Ranking position 8/32 (Q1) in category: Physics, Fluids and Plasmas
- Thesis: Characterization of α-Particle Transport in Reactor Relevant Burning Plasmas
Author: Alena Gogoleva
Publication: A. Gogoleva, V. Tribaldos, J.M. Reynolds-Barredo, C.D. Beidler, "Statistical description of Collisionless α-particle trans- port in cases of broken symmetry: from ITER to quasi-toroidally symmetric stellarators"
Journal: Nucl. Fusion 60 (2020) 056009
5-year Impact Factor JCR: 3.4
Ranking position 8/34 (Q1) in category: Physics, Mathematical. - Thesis: Effects of ion irradiation on oxide dispersion strengthened steels for fusion reactors
Author: Maša Šćepanović
Publication: M. Šćepanović, T. Leguey, M.A. Auger, S. Lozano-Perez, D.E.J. Armstrong, I. García-Cortés, V. de Castro, "Characterisation of ODS Fe-14Cr-2W-0.3Ti before and after high temperature triple and low temperature single ion irradiations"
Journal: Materials Characterization 136 (2018) 318
5-year Impact Factor JCR: 4.7
Ranking position 4/33 (Q1) in category: Materials Sciences, Characterization and Testing. - Thesis: The Numerical Study of Filament Dynamics in Tokamak Scrape-off Layer Plasmas.
Author: William Agnelo Gracias
Publication: W. A. Gracias, P. Tamain, E. Serre, R. A. Pitts, L. García, "The impact of magnetic shear on the dynamics of a seeded 3D filament in slab geometry"
Journal: Nucl. Mat. and Energy 12 (2017) 798
5-year Impact Factor JCR: 2.5
Ranking position 4/34 (Q1) en categoría Nuclear Science and Technology
- Thesis: Microestructura y propiedades mecánicas de aceros de activación reducida endurecidos mediante dispersión de óxidos.
Author: Julio Macías Delgado
Publication: J. Macias-Delgado, T. Leguey, V. de Castro, M. A. Auger, M. A. Monge, P. Spatig, N. Baluc, R. Pareja, "Microstructure and tensile properties of ODS ferritic steels mechanically alloyed with Fe2Y"
Journal: Nucl. Mater. Energy 9 (2016) 372
5-year Impact Factor JCR: 2.5
Ranking position 4/34 (Q1) in category: Nuclear Science and Technology
- Thesis: ITER Relevant Runaway Electron Studies in the FTU Tokamak
Author: Zana Popovic
Publication: Z. Popovic, B. Esposito, J.R. Martín-Solís et al., ”On the measurement of the threshold electric field for runaway electron generation in the Frascati Tokamak Upgrade”
Journal: Phys.Plasmas 23 (2016) 1225015-year Impact Factor JCR: 1.8
Ranking position 14/31 (Q2) in category: Physics, Fluids and Plasmas
- Thesis: Causality and heat transport in low magnetic shear Stellarators
Author: Javier Hernández Nicolau
Publication: J. H. Nicolau, L. García, B. A. Carreras, B. Ph. van Milligen, "Applicability of transfer entropy for the calculation of effective diffusivity in heat transport"
Journal: Phys. Plasmas 25 (2018) 102304
5-year Impact Factor JCR: 1.8
Ranking position 18/32 (Q3) in category: Physics, Fluids and Plasmas - Thesis: Cylindrical Energy Analyzer for Heavy Ion Beam Diagnostics
Author: Ridhima Sharma
Publication: R. Sharma, P.O. Khabanov, A.V. Melnikov, C. Hidalgo et.al, "Measurements of 2D poloidal plasma profiles and fluctuations in ECRH plasmas using the Heavy Ion Beam Probe system in the TJ-II stellarator"
Journal: Phys. Plasmas 27 (2020) 062502
5-year Impact Factor JCR: 1.8
Ranking position 18/34 (Q3) in category: Physics, Fluids and Plasmas - Thesis: Electromagnetic turbulence in the edge of fusion plasmas: spontaneous and actively modulated features
Author: Gustavo Guedes Grenfell
Publication: G. Grenfell., M. Spolaore, D. Abate, L. Carraro., L. Marrelli, I. Predebon, S. Spagnolo, M. Veranda and the RFX-mod Team, "Turbulent filament properties in L and H-mode regime in the RFX-mod operating as a tokamak"
Journal: Nucl. Fusion 60 (2020) 126006
5-year Impact Factor JCR: 3.4
Ranking position 8/34 (Q1) in category: Physics, Mathematical
- Thesis: Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics and its application to fusion-relevant magnetohydrodynamical problems
- Scientific publications
Sample of relevant faculty publications:
- Characterisation of ODS Fe-14Cr-2W-0.3Ti before and after high temperature triple and low temperature single ion irradiations. M. Šćepanović, T. Leguey, M.A. Auger, S. Lozano-Perez, D.E.J. Armstrong , I. García-Cortés, V. de Castro. Materials Characterization v. 136.
- Effect of hot cross rolling on the microstructure and mechanical properties of an Fe-14Cr ODS ferritic steel. J. Macías-Delgado, T. Leguey, V. de Castro. Materials Sciences and Engineering A-Structural Materials Properties Microstructure and Processing v. 711
- The role of yttrium and titanium during the development of ODS ferritic steels obtained through the STARS route: TEM and XAS study. Nerea Ordás, Emma Gil, Arturs Cintins, Vanessa de Castro, Teresa Leguey, Iñigo Iturriza, Juris Purans, Andris Anspoks, Alexei Kuzmin, Alexandr Kalinko. Journal of Nuclear Materials
- Filaments in the edge confinement region of TJ-II. B.Ph. van Milligen, J.H. Nicolau, B. Liu, G. Grenfell, U. Losada, B.A. Carreras, L. García, C. Hidalgo and The TJ-II Team
Nuclear Fusion, Volume 58, Number 2
Citation B.Ph. van Milligen et al 2018 Nucl. Fusion 58 026030 - Neutron spectroscopy measurements of 14 MeV neutrons at unprecedented energy resolution and implications for deuterium-tritium fusion plasma diagnostics. D Rigamonti, L Giacomelli, G Gorini, M Nocente, M Rebai, M Tardocchi, M Angelone, P Batistoni, A Cufar, Z Ghani, S Jednorog, A Klix, E Laszynska, S Loreti, M Pillon, S Popovichev, N Roberts, D Thomas, J. L. Martín and JET Contributors. Measurement Science and Technology, Volume 29, Number 4
Citation D Rigamonti et al 2018 Meas. Sci. Technol. 29 045502 - Bootstrap current control studies in the Wendelstein 7-X stellarator using the free-plasma-boundary version of the SIESTA MHD equilibrium code. H Peraza-Rodriguez, J M Reynolds-Barredo, R Sanchez, V Tribaldos and J Geiger. Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion, Volume 60, Number 2
Citation H Peraza-Rodriguez et al 2018 Plasma Phys. Control. Fusion 60 025023 - Electron microscopy and atom probe tomography of nanoindentation deformation in oxide dispersion strengthened steels. Thomas P. Davis, Jack C. Haley, Sarah Connolly, Maria A. Auger, Michael J. Gorley, Patrick S. Grant, Paul A.J. Bagot , Michael P. Moody, David E.J. Armstrong. Materials Characterization v. 167 n. 110477
- Nanoscale analysis of ion irradiated ODS 14YWT ferritic alloy. Maria A. Auger, David T. Hoelzer, Kevin G. Field, Michael P. Moody. Journal of Nuclear Materials v. 528
- Characterisation of open volume defects in Fe-Cr and ODS Fe-Cr alloys after He+ and Fe+ ion irradiations. M. Šćepanović, V. de Castro, I. García-Cortés, F.J. Sánchez, T. Gigl, C. Hugenschmidt, T. Leguey. Journal of Nuclear Materials v. 538
- Identification and characterization of topological structures of turbulence in magnetic confined plasmas. L García, and B A Carreras. Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion v. 62 n. 11
- Analyisis of runaway electron discharge formation during Joint European Torus plasma start-up. P C de Vries, Y Gribov, R Martin-Solis, A B Mineev, J Sinha, A C C Sips, V Kiptily, A Loarte and contributors JET. Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion v. 62 n. 1
- Effect of non axisymmetric perturbations on the ambipolar Er and neoclassical particle flux inside the ITER pedestal region. J.M. Reynolds-Barredo, V. Tribaldos, A. Loarte, A.R. Polevoi, M. Hosokawa and R. Sanchez. Nuclear Fusion, Volume 60, Number 8 Citation J.M. Reynolds-Barredo et al 2020 Nucl. Fusion 60 086017
- Statistical description of collisionless alfa-particle transport in cases of broken symmetry: from ITER to quasi-toroidally symmetric stellarators. A. Gogoleva, V. Tribaldos, J.M. Reynolds-Barredo and C.D. Beidler. Published 6 April 2020 • © 2020 IAEA, Vienna. Nuclear Fusion, Volume 60, Number 5. Citation A. Gogoleva et al 2020 Nucl. Fusion 60 056009
- Non-diffusive nature of collisionless alfa-particle transport: Dependence on toroidal symmetry in stellarator geometries.A. Gogoleva, V. Tribaldos, J.M. Reynolds-Barredo, R. Sanchez, J. Alcusón, A. Bustos. Physics of Plasmas v. 27 n. 7
- MHD stability of JT-60SA operation scenarios driven by passing energetic particles for a hot Maxwellian model. J. Varela, K.Y. Watanabe, K. Shinohara, M. Honda, Y. Suzuki, J. Shiraishi, D.A. Spong and L. Garcia. Nuclear Fusion v. 60 n. 9
- Characterisation of nano-scale precipitates in BOR60 irradiated T91 steel using atom probe tomography. Guma Yeli, Victoria C.I. Strutt , M.A. Auger, Paul A.J. Bagot, Michael P. Moody. Journal of Nuclear Materials v. 543 n. 152466
- Nanocluster evolution and mechanical properties of ion irradiated T91 ferritic-martensitic steel. T. P. Davis , M. A. Auger , C. Hofer, P. A. J. Bagot, M. P. Moody, D. E. J. Armstrong. Journal of Nuclear Materials v. 544 n. 152842
- Topology of 2D turbulent structures based on intermittence in the TJ-II stellarator. B.Ph. van Milligen, A.V. Melnikov, B.A. Carreras, L. García, A.S. Kozachek, C. Hidalgo, J.L. de Pablos, P.O. Khabanov, L.G. Eliseev, M.A. Drabinskiy, A. Chmyga, L. Krupnik, the HIBP Team and the TJ-II Team. Nuclear Fusion v. 61 n. 11
- Radial runaway losses in tokamak disruptions. J. L. Martín. Physics of Plasmas v.28 n. 3
- Free-plasma-boundary solver for axisymmetric ideal MHD equilibria with flow. G. F-Torija Daza, J.M. Reynolds-Barredo, R. Sanchez, A. Loarte and G. Huijsmans. Published 27 October 2022 • © 2022 IAEA, Vienna. Nuclear Fusion, Volume 62, Number 12. Citation G. F-Torija Daza et al 2022 Nucl. Fusion 62 126044
- MHD study of extreme space weather conditions for exoplanets with earth-like magnetospheres: On habitability conditions and radio-emission. J. Varela, A. S. Brun, P. Zarka, A. Strugarek, F. Pantellini, V. Réville. Space Weather v. 20 n. 11
- Effects of thermal aging at 873 K on the impact properties of an ODS ferritic steel. M. Oñoro, T. Leguey, V. de Castro, M.A. Auger. Nuclear Materials and Energy v. 36
- The effect of pellet injection on turbulent transport in TJ-II Editor’s Pick. L. García, B.A. Carreras, I. García-Cortés, K.J. McCarthy, B.Ph. van Milligen and The TJ-II Team. Physics of Plasmas v. 30 n. 9
- Cross-machine comparison of runaway electron generation during tokamak start-up for extrapolation to ITER. P.C. de Vries, Y. Lee, Y. Gribov, A.B. Mineev, Y.S. Na, R. Granetz, B. Stein-Lubrano, C. Reux, Ph. Moreau, V. Kiptily, B. Esposito, D.J. Battaglia, J.R. Martin-Solis and ITPA IOS Collaborators. Nuclear Fusion v. 63 n. 1
- Effect of the neutral beam injector operational regime on the Alfven eigenmode saturation phase in DIII-D plasma. J Varela, D A Spong, L Garcia, Y Ghai, D Zarzoso, D del-Castillo-Negrete, H Betar, J Ortiz, D C Pace, M A Van Zeeland, X Du, R Sanchez, V Tribaldos and J M Reynolds-Barredo. Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion v. 65 n. 12
- Research Lines
- S-T INFRASTRUCTURES
The following scientific and technical infrastructures are available to students of the PhD Program in Plasma Physics and Nuclear Fusion:
- Supercomputing capacity at different calculation centers, both in the UC3M and CIEMAT facilities, intended for numerical modeling and simulation.
- For the study of materials, the Physics Department at UC3M offers different laboratories with equipment for sample fabrication and preparation, microstructural characterization and materials mechanics.
- For the experimental research in fusion plasmas, the National Fusion Laboratory (LNF, CIEMAT) provides TJ-II, an ICTS (Singular Scientific and Technical Infrastructure) that offers students the possibility to worj with a magnetic onfinement devide of the "stellarator" kind.
Additionally, thanks to the collaborative synergies established by the professoral team, the PhD students may access singular equipment in other institutions such as Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC), Max-Plank-Institut für Plasmaphysik (IPP), the National Centre for Electron Microscopy (CNME) or the Centre for Micro Analysis of Materials (CMAM), among others.
- THESIS
Thesis defense
The doctoral thesis consists of an original research work developed by the Ph.D. candidate student in the field of knowledge of the program that enables the student for autonomous work in the field of R+D+ i.
Universidad Carlos III de Madrid and the Doctoral School establishes the follow-up procedures to guarantee the quality of the doctorate's training and supervision. It also facilitates the procedures for the proper evaluation and defense of the doctoral thesis.
Further information:
Requirements for thesis defense in Plasma Physics and Nuclear Fusion
- At least one peer-reviewed publication in an international journal with the PhD student listed as first author.
- Attendance to at least one international conference or workshop with an oral or written presentation.
- Attendance to at least one of the annual doctoral meetings organized by FUSENET (PhD Events in Fusion Science and Engineering) during the PhD.
- USEFUL INFORMATION
- Ph.D. Studies Overview
Our Ph.D. programs focus on the acquisition of skills and abilities required to undertake high-quality research work within the strategic framework and lines of research of the university. Students will be expected to work independently under supervision and guidance of top experts in their fields in order to produce novel, groundbreaking research work in the form of a dissertation.
The Ph.D. thesis constitutes the expected outcome of the doctoral training, stating the specifics of the research work and results. The thesis must meet the high-quality standards required by the Ph.D. program and be subject to public defense and assessment by an independent thesis committee.
A favorable assessment of the thesis enables Ph.D. students to request their official Ph.D. degree certificate, issued by the Spanish Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte.
- Useful Information site for Ph.D. students
Doctoral training calendar
Duration of the academic year: October 1st through September 30th
Process Period Admission According to the start semester of the PhD:
Second semester of the 24/25 academic year
Admission application deadline: September 1st 2024 through January 31st 2025 (23:59 h., CET)
PhD start date: March 30th 2025
First semester of the 25/26 academic year
Admission application deadline: February 1st through August 31st 2025 (23:59 h., CET)
PhD start date: November 15th 2025Enrollment According to the start semester of the PhD:
Enrollment period for new students
First semester: July 17th through 31st and September 1st through 30th (23:59 h., CET) of the current academic year
Second semester: March 1st through 30th (23:59 h., CET) of the current academic year
Enrollment period for continuing students
September 1st through 30th (23:59 h., CET) of the current academic yearAnnual Assessment June
All PhD candidates are subject to annual evaluation.
December
Only students whose June evaluation was unfavorable are subject to evaluation.
In both cases the evaluation is based on the progress of the thesis project (Reseach Plan) and the doctoral activities carried out during the academic year.
Thesis Defense Thesis defense can be carried out throughout the academic year.
- Procedures
Academic procedures
Further information
- FAQ
Ph.D. Studies
Admission
Doctoral training scholarships. Exemptions
Enrollment
Ph.D. Studies: Monitoring and Development
Thesis defense
Glossary of terms
- Itinerary
- Regulations
- NEW! RD 99/2011. Rules and Regulations of doctoral studies in Spain.
Approved on July 4, 2023 (Adapted to RD 576/2023) - Royal Decree 99/2011. Rules and Regulations of Ph.D. studies in Spain.
- Establishment of the Doctoral School. Order 2091/2013.
- Rules and Regulations of the Doctoral School at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid approved by Governing Council on February 7, 2013; modified on November 28, 2013.
- Code of Good Practice of the Doctoral School
- Code of Good Practice for Managing Plagiarism of Ph.D. Theses
- Code of Good Practice for Managing Plagiarism of Ph.D. ThesesGuide for personal data treatment on the doctoral thesis process. Further information: Data protection
- Outstanding Thesis Awards Regulations
- Royal Decree 967/2014. Declaration of Ph.D. academic equivalency for foreign higher-education studies.
- Application procedure for Ph.D. academic equivalency for foreign higher-education studies, approved by Governing Council on January 28, 2016.
- NEW! RD 99/2011. Rules and Regulations of doctoral studies in Spain.
- Quality
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT PH.D.
☛ Implementation Year: 2012-2013
QUALITY ASSURANCE
The Academic Committee of the Ph.D. complies with the SGIC-UC3M. It is responsible for the quality analysis of the program and produces the Degree Reports ("Memoria Académica de Titulación").
- Academic Committee
- Reports from the Quality Assurance Committee (Restricted access)
QUALITY INDICATORS
COMPLAINTS AND SUGGESTIONS
- Ph.D. Studies Overview
- CONTACT
Doctoral School Office | Leganés Campus
Rey Pastor Building, Office 3.0.B.08
Avenida de la Universidad, 30
28911 Leganés (Madrid)