PhD Programs

Do you want to start a research career?

The PhD is prepared in three intensive years and consists of original research work that involves writing and defending a thesis before a jury of researchers. PhD is the key to becoming a university lecturer and researcher or to a career in public or private research.
To enrol for a doctorate, you must hold a national master's degree or equivalent.
For three or four years, doctoral training takes place in research units or teams whose quality is recognised by periodic national evaluation. Doctoral students benefit from the pedagogical support of a thesis director.
Writing a thesis represents a heavy personal investment. Like all students, doctoral students must attend a certain number of training courses and validate 'credits'. In addition to thesis work, the curriculum includes additional scientific, general and professional training. This set of courses, conferences and seminars is intended to facilitate the professional integration of doctoral students.

PhD is a universally recognised diploma that opens the doors to international industrial and academic careers. In the digital field, where the job market is very favourable, our PhDs easily find work in France and throughout the world.

Teaching and research. The goal for many doctoral students is to become a researcher in a public laboratory or a teacher at the university. But beware, the number of positions available is limited! PhDs can also teach in engineering schools, business schools, IEPs, etc., provided they meet the requirements of each of these institutions.

Research in companies. PhDs can also work in private companies, particularly in the research and development departments of industrial companies. All that is required is that their research topic be compatible with their employer's objectives.

As a doctoral student at Université Côte d'Azur, you will be provided with a very high-quality hosting environment:

• Located at the heart of Sophia Antipolis - the biggest science park in Europe
• DS4H takes support from the local high-level research laboratories with long-standing practices for leading doctoral projects (Inria Sophia Antipolis Méditerranée Research Center, CNRS I3S, CNRS LEAT, Mines ParisTech CMA, Polytech'Lab, GREDEG) and local high-tech firms.
• Interdisciplinary research options as cross-domain vision lies at the heart of the Digital Systems for Humans Graduate school project.
• International networking: researchers from dozens of different nationalities work together in our laboratories and almost 70% of the PhD students are foreigners. Moreover, Université Côte d'Azur is co-founder of the UlyssEUs European University Alliance and a strategic partner of the University Laval, Canada. Read more about Université Côte d'Azur worldwide...
• PhD mobility support program DocWalker.
• Minor optional courses to open to new domains (no prerequisites needed): Digital Business with SKEMA business school, Entrepreneurship, Digital IP & Law, Smart EdTechs...
• Additional training modules to boost your career (student supervision training, scientific mediation, etc.).
• Individual support from Université Côte d'Azur Welcome Center and PhD Study Centre (housing, administrative procedures, child-care solutions, newcomers meetups...).
• Active Student association DS4H ADAMS (Digital Systems for Humans Association of Doctoral and Master’s Students): academic and unifying events, after school peer learning meetings, parties…
• ... and the world-envied French Riviera quality of life!

• DS4H Graduate school funding:
  • Check out for ou annual funding campaign.
• Other fundings:
  • You need first to look for a PhD supervisor belonging to the Information Technologies Doctoral School (ED STIC), the Humanities and Social Sciences Doctoral School (ED DESPEG), or the Societies, Humanities, Arts and Literature Doctoral school (ED SHAL), whose research activity copes with your scientific whishes. Do it preferably before the end of your Master and contact a few of them.
  • See if they are interested, if they propose a PhD subject for you and be careful to inform them immediately when you have made a choice.
• Once your PhD funding is secured, you must apply through the ADUM Platform (click here if you need the user guide).
• Once your registration is complete, you will be integrated in one of the DS4H partner laboratories, which provide the material and scientific environment needed. All partner laboratories are renowned research institutions with long-standing practices for leading doctoral projects.
• You will be required to follow 30 hours per year of complementary training from different sources: DS4H minors, seminars, and dedicated courses on research and teaching.

DS4H Graduate school give PhD candidates access to a very rich catalogue of courses. The catalogue of these courses and registrations are available on ADUM. Find out more...