Physics

Overview

The main areas of the Physics PhD Program from Instituto Superior Técnico are:

• Astrophysics and Gravitation

• Plasmas Physics, Nuclear Fusion, Photonics and Intense Lasers;

• Physics of Condensed Matter, Nanotechnology, Solid State Physics and Atomic and Molecular Physics;

• Particle and High-Energy Physics, and Nuclear Physics.

The PhD Program in Physics is designed to provide advanced knowledge and research capabilities into subjects consistent with expertise available in the Department of Physics of IST.

After completing their PhD, graduates of this program are expected to have acquired the ability to perform autonomous scientific work in their particular field of study, expanding the frontiers of knowledge with their original research to the highest standards of quality and integrity. These graduates should promote academic, professional, technological, social and cultural progress, in interaction with the academic community and the society at large. 

Employment

The graduates in Physics can integrate research units and R&D laboratories, namely with enterprises, in Portugal or abroad, in the public or the private sectors. These graduates are highly qualified researchers to work in large institutions of research and technological development: European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN); European Southern Observatory (ESO); European Space Agency (ESA); Joint European Torus (JET); International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER).

The PhDs in Physics can also follow an academic career as Professors of higher education, in national or international universities.