Overview

The PhD Programme in Drug Discovery and Development (D3) is designed to train skilled researchers capable of planning and conducting research across the life sciences, spanning chemistry, biology, and medical sciences. The programme focuses on the identification of new therapeutic targets and the discovery, development, and production of innovative drugs and drug products.

PhD Students receive comprehensive and integrated training that covers the entire drug-development pipeline, equipping them with essential skills for careers in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, as well as in research and educational institutions, including academia.

Given its multidisciplinary nature, the PhD Programme centers on topics such as:

• Study of biological systems at the cellular and molecular level to elucidate complex signaling pathways and identify new pharmacological targets
• (Bio)computational/bioinformatic approaches for the study of therapeutic targets and target-ligand interactions 
• Drug design, synthesis, characterization, analysis, formulation and development
• Development of pharmaco-toxicological and microbiological research aimed at studying the mechanisms of action and the pharmacological and potentially toxic effects of bioactive molecules
• Study of genetic/epigenetic/metagenomic profiles in response to drugs and lifestyle, and identification of risk factors associated with chronic degenerative diseases
• Development of cellular and animal models for 3Rs drug discovery

The PhD Programme promotes career development and knowledge exchange through international and cross-sector mobility opportunities (Scholarships and funding for PhDs).