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Doctoral Program in Chemical Engineering – Overview

The doctoral studies in Chemical Engineering at the Complutense University of Madrid (UCM) have a long-standing tradition, with their distinct origin dating back to the Doctorate in Industrial Chemistry, established in 1944 at the Faculty of Chemical Sciences.

The Doctoral Program in Chemical Engineering officially began in the 1987–88 academic year, and—with slight modifications—continued until 2006–07, when the Official Postgraduate Program in Chemical Engineering was approved. This new structure included both the Master’s in Industrial Process Engineering (as the training phase) and the doctoral program itself.

The Doctoral Program in Chemical Engineering received its first Quality Mention in 2004–05 (MCD 2004/0032, under Royal Decree 778/1998). This recognition was later extended to the Official Postgraduate Program in Chemical Engineering in 2006 (MCD 2006/00491, under Royal Decree 56/2005). Finally, under Royal Decree 1393/2007, the Doctoral Program in Chemical Engineering was awarded the Mention of Excellence in 2011 (MEE 2011/0011).

Over the years, the program has involved more than 40 faculty members, and over 40 doctoral theses have been defended in the past five years alone.

The program has a high potential demand, as evidenced by the excellent employability outcomes of its graduates. Historical data show that, of the 50 students who completed their PhD between 2008 and 2013, 89% found employment within one year of defending their thesis. Among them:

  • 34% work in universities (teaching and research) in Spain or abroad,

  • 17% in public research centers, both national and international,

  • 28% in research-related companies,

  • and 21% in companies not directly involved in research.

Approximately 50% of the program’s PhD graduates are employed in industrial sectors, most of them closely related to chemical engineering. Notable sectors include:

  • Chemical industry (22%)

  • Energy sector (20%)

  • Food industry (9%)

  • Biotechnology (7%)

  • Environmental engineering (7%)

  • Materials (4%)

  • Pulp and paper industry (3%)