Food Sciences plays a vital role in developing sustainable solutions to meet global food demands, particularly in response to environmental challenges and emerging issues in the sector.
In this context, the PhD programme in Food Science is designed to equip highly qualified professionals with advanced academic and scientific expertise, enabling them to anticipate and address the evolving challenges of the food industry on a global scale.
Covering key areas such as Chemistry, Biochemistry, Agricultural Sciences, Food Sciences, and Food Technology, the programme focuses on developing innovative and sustainable processes that enhance the competitiveness and quality of food products. By fostering cutting-edge research and innovation, it contributes to a smarter, more adaptive industry capable of meeting environmental and global demands.
High-level interdisciplinary training: The programme offers in-depth training in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Food Sciences, Agricultural Sciences, and Food Technologies, providing an integrated understanding of the processes linking food production and consumption. This approach fosters a comprehensive perspective on the scientific and practical issues shaping sustainability in the food sector.
Focus on innovation and global sustainability: The PhD programme is designed to develop innovative and sustainable solutions to address global challenges in the food sector, with an emphasis on technologies that enhance efficiency, food safety, and climate change adaptation. Doctoral students are equipped to create new processes and products that meet environmental demands and the needs of an ever-evolving market.
Access to cutting-edge research facilities: PhD students benefit from access to state-of-the-art research units and laboratories, such as UCIBIO and LAQV at REQUIMTE, MeTRICS at NOVA FCT, and MED at the University of Évora. These institutions provide advanced infrastructure and a multidisciplinary environment, creating optimal conditions for high-quality research and innovation.
Renowned faculty and prestigious partnerships: The programme is led by a highly qualified faculty engaged in excellence-driven research projects. This ensures a rigorous and up-to-date scientific approach with strong international collaboration.
Opportunities to contribute to global solutions: The PhD programme prepares students to tackle emerging challenges in the food sector, equipping them to develop scientific solutions with global market and societal impact, with a strong focus on technologies that drive sustainable progress.
Applications 2025/26
Applications will take place at the University of Évora. More information, here.
Course Coordinator: Marco Gomes da Silva, pdca.coordenador@fct.unl.pt
Academic divison: div.aea.helpdesk@fct.unl.pt
The PhD in Food Sciences, developed in partnership between NOVA FCT and the University of Évora, comprises a 240 ECTS curriculum, including the Thesis Project (30 ECTS) and the Doctoral Thesis (204 ECTS). The remaining 6 ECTS are obtained through Transversal Skills courses offered by the participating institutions or any other national or international higher education institutions. The program takes an integrated approach to global challenges related to sustainable food, climate change, and the interactions between food production and consumption.
The first year focuses on advanced training in Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Food Science and Technology, within the scope of the Thesis Project, along with the beginning of research for the Doctoral Thesis. From the very start of the PhD program, candidates dedicate themselves to the development of their Doctoral Thesis (204 ECTS), with the possibility of specializing in Food Chemistry or Food Science and Technology, following an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approach.
This program prepares highly qualified professionals to tackle emerging challenges in the food sector, fostering innovation and sustainability.
Diário da República - Change in Study Cycle (portuguese only)
Teaching in Higher Education Institutions
For the 2025/26 academic year, applications will take place at the University of Évora. More information, here.
(International students cannot apply in the 3rd application phase, unless they already have a visa or are residing in Portugal.)
Note: The opening of applications for the 2nd and/or 3rd phase depends on the availability of places remaining from the previous phase.
a) Holders of a master’s degree (or equivalent) in fields such as Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology, Agronomy, Animal Sciences, Forestry Engineering, Food Sciences, Rural Engineering, Environmental Sciences, or other related areas aligned with the programme’s specialisations.
b) Candidates with a pre-Bologna bachelor’s degree in the programme’s core scientific areas may also apply under specific conditions. They must have a relevant academic and scientific curriculum, recognised by the competent authorities of the institution, demonstrating their ability to undertake this PhD programme.
c) Applicants must have a minimum final classification of 14 (out of 20) in their previous academic degrees.
Academic Qualifications: 40%
Tuition fee - Portuguese students: 2.750€/year
Tuition fee - Foreign students: 2.750€/year
A3ES - Publication date of the accreditation decision: 03/04/2023
Period of validity of the accreditation: 6 years from 31/07/2023
DGES - Registration number R/A-Cr 110/2017 on 19/09/2017
The Department of Chemistry (DQ) is a teaching and research unit of NOVA FCT dedicated to the quality of teaching, the progress of research and the provision of specialised services to the community in the fundamental areas of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering.
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