INFRASTRUCTURES

• The facilities of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (BBM) at its different sites are available, as are the facilities of the five participating centres. These centres have extensive infrastructure to support the research activities of the doctoral researchers being trained within them. It is worth highlighting that the BBM Department has a fully equipped Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) laboratory located in the Faculty of Chemical Sciences. In addition to the laboratories, the available facilities include teaching rooms, computer and information technology rooms, wired and wireless networks, libraries, and periodicals libraries that form part of the UCM network. There are also numerous classrooms and rooms available for lectures, presentations of research results, working meetings, and PhD thesis defences. All these facilities are available to doctoral researchers for the development of the planned training activities, as well as for any needs that may arise during the experimental work associated with their doctoral theses throughout their time in the doctoral programme.

   

   

  The following list provides access to detailed information on:

  
  
  1. Infrastructure and specific equipment of the BBM Department
  2. Rooms for presentations and thesis defences
  3. Computer rooms and library workstations of the participating faculties
  4. Specific infrastructure of the Faculty of Chemical Sciences as the centre responsible for managing the programme
     • - Infrastructure of the Faculty of Chemical Sciences: classrooms, library, IT services, etc.
     • - Infrastructure and Accessibility Report
  5. Information on the Doctoral Programme Administration Offices

 

RESEARCH SUPPORT SERVICES

It should also be highlighted that, given that this is a Doctoral Programme based on experimental research activities, the UCM has an extensive network of Research Support Centres (CAIs), described at https://www.ucm.es/cais/ (UCM Research Support Centres). In addition, the services of the Madrid Science Park are also available (http://www.fpcm.es/).

The Research Support Centres (CAIs) relevant to the research lines associated with the Programme are listed below. These facilities are available to doctoral researchers through the research groups in which they are carrying out their doctoral theses:

• CAI Biological Techniques
  • Flow Cytometry and Fluorescence Microscopy Unit
  • Genomics Unit
  • Proteomics Unit
• CAI Chemical Techniques
  • X-Ray Diffraction Unit
  • Mass Spectrometry Unit
  • Spectroscopy and Correlation Unit
  • Ultrafast Laser Unit
  • Elemental Microanalysis Unit
  • Magnetic Resonance Unit
• Complutense Bioimaging ICTS
• Microscopy ICTS
• Animal Facility Platform
• Audiovisual and Digital Content Platform for Teaching and Research

 

GENERAL UCM SHARED SERVICES

SUPPORT STAFF

The work of the Administrative and Services Staff (PAS) is fundamental and essential for the proper functioning of any degree programme. In the case of Doctoral Programmes, student administration offices play a vital role in managing all procedures related to admissions, deadlines, and administrative formalities. Contact information and access to the doctoral administration offices and management services at the five Faculties involved in Doctoral Programme D9BM are provided in section (5) of the Infrastructure section: Information on the administration offices of the different Faculties for the management of the Doctoral Programme

Specifically, the Faculty of Chemical Sciences has a team of administrative and management staff and laboratory technicians, headed by the Faculty Manager, who participate in the organisation and development of the teaching activities offered across the different degree programmes of the Faculty (Chemical Sciences Services-UCM). The number of staff is more than sufficient, and they have appropriate specialised training and qualifications. They also actively participate in training courses, including those offered as part of the UCM Training Plan.

ACADEMIC AND CAREER GUIDANCE SERVICES

The UCM provides specific academic and career guidance services through the Internships and Employment Office (OPE) (https://www.ucm.es/ope). This office manages the ÍCARO UCM Employment Portal (https://ucm.portalicaro.es), a free employment-matching platform that facilitates contact between UCM graduates (or graduates from other universities who are enrolled at the UCM) and employers offering qualified positions. In addition, the ÍCARO UCM portal places particular emphasis on promoting the employability of graduates with disabilities.

The UCM Doctoral School has a dedicated Training Area (https://edoctorado.ucm.es/area-de-formacion) offering resources, courses, and activities focused on career development, improving employability, and promoting entrepreneurship. This area also organises a range of training activities aimed at the acquisition of academic and research skills required for the preparation of doctoral theses, including training in scientific methodology, publication and knowledge transfer, as well as activities related to teaching development and career guidance. These courses complement doctoral training and make a significant contribution to the comprehensive development of doctoral researchers.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION UNIT

The Complutense University of Madrid (UCM) maintains a strong commitment to equal opportunities, non-discrimination, and universal accessibility, in accordance with the provisions of Royal Decree 822/2021 of 28 September, which establishes the organisation of university education and guarantees the full inclusion of people with disabilities. In this context, the UCM implements an active policy aimed at removing architectural barriers in order to facilitate access to and mobility within its facilities for people with physical or sensory disabilities.

The UCM has a Diversity Unit (https://www.ucm.es/diversidad/), which is responsible for coordinating the Programme for the Support of People with Disabilities and/or Specific Educational Support Needs (https://www.ucm.es/diversidad/padyne). This service provides personalised support to students, teaching and research staff (PDI), and technical, management, administrative, and services staff (PTGAS), promoting equal conditions in all areas of university life.

Each UCM centre has an Inclusion Coordinator, whose main role is to facilitate academic follow-up and the adaptation of learning and assessment conditions for students with disabilities. The updated list of coordinators for each centre is available at the following link: https://www.ucm.es/diversidad/file/coordinadores-y-coordinadoras-de-inclusi%C3%93n-en-centros-ucm-2025-2.

In the case of the Faculty of Chemical Sciences, the buildings have been adapted to comply with universal accessibility standards. The facilities include access ramps, accessible lifts, and adapted bathrooms for people with reduced mobility (https://quimicas.ucm.es/file/20231004-memoria-infraestructura-accesibilidad-23-24?ver). In addition, since 2021, the Faculty's Dean's Office has had an Inclusion Coordinator who serves as a direct point of contact for students with specific needs, facilitating the implementation of individualised support measures.

The UCM Diversity Unit also incorporates offices, services, and groups addressing other dimensions of diversity, such as gender identity and sociocultural diversity and integration, promoting a cross-cutting and inclusive approach in all its activities.

In addition, it provides a training service for the entire university community, aimed at fostering an inclusive institutional culture committed to the continuous improvement of the university environment and its contribution to society.

24-HOUR TELEPHONE PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT SERVICE

The UCM provides its students with the PsiCall service (https://psicall.ucm.es/), a telephone psychological support resource available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. The service is provided by professionals specialised in emergency psychology and clinical care. Its aim is to provide an immediate response in urgent situations and to offer guidance, counselling, and emotional support to students. To this end, it uses telematic means, including a telephone helpline (913945200) and email (psicall@ucm.es).

The UCM Doctoral School (EDUCM) (https://edoctorado.ucm.es/) has a Workshop Programme (https://edoctorado.ucm.es/af-ced) offering activities related to the emotional well-being of doctoral researchers.

OTHER SERVICES

The UCM provides a range of shared services available to the entire university community, including those listed below:

Para este tipo de documento, he usado “doctoral researchers” de forma coherente con lo anterior, y “academic and career guidance” para orientación académica y profesional, que suena más natural en documentación universitaria internacional que una traducción literal como academic and professional orientation.

 

Library services	https://biblioteca.ucm.es/
Scholarships and Financial Aid Service	https://www.ucm.es/becas-ayudas
Language training	https://www.ucm.es/formacion-de-idiomas
IT Services for Students	https://ssii.ucm.es/estudiante
Internships and Employment Office	https://www.ucm.es/ope
Complutense Entrepreneurship Office	https://www.ucm.es/compluemprende
International Relations Office	https://www.ucm.es/contacto-rrii
Sports Service	https://www.ucm.es/deportes
La Casa del Estudiante (Student's House)	https://www.ucm.es//la-casa-del-estudiante
Equality Unit	https://www.ucm.es/unidaddeigualdad/
PsiCall (Student Psychological Support Service)	https://psicall.ucm.es/
University Halls of Residence	https://www.ucm.es/colegios-mayores

 

SPECIFIC INVESTMENTS AND HUMAN RESOURCES OF THE FACULTY OF CHEMICAL SCIENCES

•  As the Faculty of Chemical Sciences is the administrative headquarters of the Doctoral Programme, information is provided on the budgetary investment made, as well as on the administrative and services staff supporting the delivery of the degree programmes. This information is provided in the following documents (corresponding to the 2023–24 academic year):

  • Budget of the Faculty of Chemical Sciences
  • Investment Activities 2023–24
  • Administrative and Services Staff (PAS) Data 2024

 

DOCTORAL RESEARCHER MOBILITY

Concerning opportunities for doctoral researcher mobility, there are various sources of external funding and travel grants to support attendance at conferences, as well as training stays abroad or at other institutions. Since Doctoral Programmes do not have their own funding to cover these activities, expenses associated with such activities may be covered by grants provided by the event organisers, by predoctoral scholarship and employment programmes, such as those funded by the Spanish Ministry (FPI or FPU), by programmes funded by the Autonomous Communities or by the European Union, or, subject to availability, by the funds of the research team or the host research group.

Doctoral researchers can also benefit from mobility schemes offered by the Complutense University of Madrid and the UCM Doctoral School (EDUCM). Information on predoctoral scholarships and employment contracts is available at http://www.ucm.es/becas-ayudas or at https://www.ucm.es/servicio-de-investigacion.

All information relating to mobility can be consulted by doctoral researchers through the following links:

• Doctoral School: https://edoctorado.ucm.es/movilidad
• Faculty of Chemical Sciences: https://quimicas.ucm.es/intercambio-y-movilidad
• Research Service: https://www.ucm.es/informacion-contratos-predoctorales-investigacion
• UCM International: https://www.ucm.es/movilidad-mobility