DOCTORAL PROGRAM IN INDUSTRIAL AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
The Doctoral Program in Industrial Engineering and Systems (PDEIS) is based on new paradigms of education in the field of Industrial and Systems Engineering knowledge. Its goal is to train a new generation of specialists and researchers who are capable of, in a systemic way, designing innovative solutions for integrated systems of high value-added products and/or solutions that enable them to enhance their positions in the global value chains.
The overall goal of the PDEIS is to create highly qualified and specialized human resources that will contribute to the competitiveness and sustainability of the product and service industries. It aims to foster the development of advanced scientific skills related to the design, modeling, and management of complex systems.
The PDEIS is supported by the ALGORITMI research center, which provides the necessary scientific critical mass, composed of both young and experienced researchers.
Director
Rui Sousa
dir-pdeis@dps.uminho.pt
Secretariat
Alexandra Fernandes
pdeis@dps.uminho.pt
(+351) 253 510 341
Office: CA-11-02-46-46 (Azurém Campus)
Duration
3 years - 6 semesters
Regime
Daytime
Academic Degree
Doctor
ECTS
180
Location
Azurém Campus, Guimarães
Language of Instruction
Portuguese
Scientific Area
Industrial and Systems Engineering
Tuition Fees
2750€ / year
(national)
3000€ / year
(CPLP)
3250€ / year
(others)
PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
The PDEIS guarantees the training of specialists in Industrial Engineering and Systems, with a strong capacity to solve complex and innovative problems that require multidisciplinary approaches. A professional with a PhD from PDEIS can work in all types of organizations, with the main career paths being:
- University teaching career
- University researcher or in independent laboratories
- Companies in industrial and service sectors
- State agencies
DOCTORAL THESES
Completed theses can be accessed in the RepositóriUM or in the following list:
Supervisors and their respective areas:
ACCESS METHODS
Applicants for the Doctoral Program must:
Hold a Master’s degree in Engineering or its legal equivalent, or Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in other areas (or foreign university degrees), provided that their curriculum demonstrates an adequate foundational scientific preparation.
Information on Recognition of Foreign Degrees and Diplomas: see here
ADMISSION
Vacancies 2024/2025
30 vacancies
Application Deadlines
Start in the 1st Semester
1st Phase – April
2nd Phase – July
3rd Phase – September
Start in the 2nd Semester
1st Phase – September
2nd Phase – December
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR APPLICATION
The candidate must attach, for analysis, the following scanned documents:
- Civil and tax identification document
- Certificate of qualifications with completed curricular units and final classification
- Detailed Curriculum Vitae
- Certificate of English language proficiency (optional)
- Motivation letter, in which the candidate explains why they believe their admission to the PDEIS is important and deserves the consideration of the course's management committee
SELECTION PROCESS
The PDEIS Management Committee may later request the candidate to provide the names of at least two people who can issue letters of recommendation. This request should include the names, affiliations, and email addresses of individuals who can provide reference letters for the candidate. The email contacts will be used by the PDEIS Management to request the recommendation letters. In this request, the letters should address the following points:
- In what capacity the person knows the candidate and for how long
- Opinion on the candidate's ability to work independently and in a team
- Opinion on the candidate’s overall character
- Identification of the candidate’s key strengths and weaknesses
- A comparison of the candidate’s usual performance against their peers
- An indication of the candidate’s level of proficiency in the English language (when English is not their native language)
Subsequently, candidates who are in an eligible position to be admitted to the PDEIS may be called for an individual interview (in English) during the selection process. The interviews may be held in person or online. The date and time will be determined by the PDEIS Management Committee. Candidates who have been students/researchers at DPS may be exempt from this individual interview. The topics to be addressed in the interview may vary, such as:
- Motivation for pursuing a PhD in Industrial Engineering
- Compatibility with professional expectations
- The candidate’s future plan
- Relevance of their academic background
- Proficiency in English
- Funding plan for the PhD
PUBLICATION AWARDS FOR PDEIS STUDENTS
n order to increase the visibility of the PDEIS research projects, the Management Committee of the program has decided to establish a publication award for students who publish high-quality scientific articles related to their doctoral research projects.
The main objective is twofold: to promote dissemination and also to support the publication of articles in high-quality scientific journals, as measured by their impact factors or similar indicators.
The following procedures/rules must be considered:
- The award applies only to articles published in high-quality journals, i.e., those ranked Q1 in Web of Knowledge or Q1 in Scopus/ScImago;
- All awards will be compiled and announced at the beginning of each year, in mid-January. The awards will then be paid and publicly presented at the PDEIS Workshop, usually held in May each year;
- The award will be paid in full or partially for conference registration fees, open access charges, and/or training courses in areas relevant to the doctoral project (this must be confirmed by the supervisor), up to a maximum of 250 euros per article published (subject to approval);
- The award is only available to students who have participated in the previous PDEIS Workshop;
- The doctoral student proposing the article must be the first author, the work must be related to the doctoral project, the student’s affiliation must mention “Algoritmi Research Center, University of Minho,” and the supervisor(s) must be listed as co-authors;
- The award is only granted when the publication is accepted (proof is required);
- The award is valid only for works published while the student is still enrolled. Works published after the thesis examination are no longer eligible for these awards;
- There is no need to apply for the award beforehand, but students should claim it by informing the Management Committee via email about the publication of the article(s), attaching the editor's confirmation and a pdf file of the published article;
- The maximum number of awards given to each student is 2 during their entire PDEIS tenure.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The information in this section is indicative and does not override the legislation or regulations of the University of Minho in force.
What is the scientific area of the PDEIS?
The Doctoral Program in Industrial and Systems Engineering (PDEIS) is associated with the scientific domains of:
- Industrial Systems Design & Management
- Lean Production Systems
- Supply-chain Logistics and Transportation Systems
- Economics and Management of Engineering Systems
- Ergonomics and Human Factors
- Linear and Integer Programming
- Nonlinear and Multi-objective Optimization
- Mathematical Modelling of Dynamic Systems
- Applied Statistics
However, in the doctoral diploma awarded to students who complete the PDEIS, only the scientific area (branch of knowledge) of Industrial and Systems Engineering is mentioned.
What are the main research areas of the PDEIS faculty members?
The faculty members of the PDEIS are part of the Algoritmi Research Center at the University of Minho, which is divided into two main research lines:
What is the duration of the PDEIS?
The PDEIS is a three-year program (6 semesters), with a total of 180 ECTS. For more information, see the Curricular Structure on the PDEIS page.
When can I apply for the PDEIS?
For information on application deadlines, please refer to the dates listed above on the page.
How do I apply for the PDEIS?
Additional information about the application process can be found on the website: https://alunos.uminho.pt/EN/candidates/doctorsdegrees
What are the selection criteria for candidates to the PDEIS?
Candidates are selected based on the following criteria:
- Academic background (considering the classification of the last degree obtained)
- Curriculum analysis
- Research activity (depending on the type of activity and the results achieved)
- Teaching activity (based on the type of teaching, whether higher or non-higher education, and the number of years)
- Professional activity (depending on the type, duration, and responsibility)
- Complementary training (postgraduate and other)
How and when is my supervisor assigned?
The supervisor is a professor from the doctoral program who, based on the research interests indicated by the student, will be assigned to the student to develop the PhD Thesis Project in Industrial and Systems Engineering. The supervisor is assigned to the student immediately after admission to the PDEIS, at the beginning of the first year of the study plan.
What is an ECTS?
ECTS stands for European Credit Transfer System. The workload for a typical full-time student is 30 ECTS credits per semester.
Can prior professional experience or training be credited?
The PDEIS Board will provide an opinion on the crediting request, in accordance with the provisions of the University of Minho Academic Regulations (RAUM) and Decree-Law No. 65/2018.
When should I prepare my doctoral thesis project?
The research work is a project that should be planned. In the first semester, the student attends the course “Thesis Project in Industrial Engineering and Systems.” Within this course, the student prepares the doctoral thesis project, which will be evaluated by a jury.
What should I do after my doctoral thesis project is approved?
After your plan is approved by the jury, you should request admission to the preparation of your doctoral thesis from the Scientific Council of the School of Engineering.
In addition to the supervisor, can I have a co-supervisor?
If the tutor recognizes benefits, they may propose a co-supervision with a professor or researcher not included in the program’s faculty, even if they are external to the University of Minho. The proposal must be approved by the PDEIS Steering Committee. During the first semester, until the approval of the thesis project, there may be informal involvement of the co-supervisor, but the student only has one tutor. The co-supervisor is formally assigned when the student requests admission to the preparation of the doctoral thesis from the Scientific Council of the School.
Can I pursue my PhD on a part-time basis?
Yes, the program can be pursued on a part-time basis, taking double the time, with an annual workload of 30 ECTS.
Is there a document that compiles the academic regulations at UMinho?
Yes, the Academic Regulation of the University of Minho (RAUM) establishes general rules regarding the organization and functioning of the different study cycles/courses offered by the University of Minho, as well as the rights and duties of students and faculty, and the procedures for assessment and progression. It can be consulted here.