The University of Akureyri offers specific and carefully tailored, 3- to 4-year (180–240 ECTS) PhD programmes in selected areas.
Application Guidelines
Applications are expected to meet the quality standards for doctoral studies in the candidate’s proposed field of study. Applicants must also meet the eligibility requirements for doctoral studies at UNAK and should carefully check these before submitting their application.
Applications are the responsibility of the student, who should lead in preparation and development of the application documents and research proposal. The main supervisor should collaborate and support the applicant, providing advice and feedback on the proposal. Applicants are strongly recommended to contact prospective supervisors well in advance to collaborate on the application. Main supervisors, similarly, are encouraged only to support and approve applications which they have carefully reviewed. Supervisors may only support ONE application as main supervisor each academic year.
Evaluation guidance for reviewers asks them to consider the following, so it is important that applicants review their own applications along the following lines before submission.
Originality and impact of the project
This includes clear definition of the original contribution to knowledge the PhD project will make, its connection to the current state-of-the-art, and the relevance of the methodological approach. Evaluation will also consider whether the scope of the proposed research is sufficient to deliver a minimum of three academic articles and whether there is any potential for societal impact.
Scientific quality and feasibility
This includes a demonstration of a solid understanding of the current state-of-the-art within the proposed field of study, with well-crafted research questions or hypotheses, and methods that are likely to be able to answer these. Evaluation will also consider the timeliness and significance of the proposed project, the feasibility of the workplan to deliver the project, and any relevant professional or academic experience.
PhD candidate, supervisor, other participants, and project management
This includes the sufficiency of demonstrated skills and knowledge to complete the proposed project, the relevant experience, expertise, and track record of the main supervisor. Evaluation will also consider the experience of the doctoral committee and assessment of project risks.
Advice and guidance on eligibility and composition of doctoral committees, as well as the scientific quality of the proposal, can be obtained from early collaboration with supervisors.
The aim of the studies is that the PhD students obtain knowledge and skills to be able to pursue independent and systematic scientific work in an international academic community.
The program is overseen and managed by the Centre for Doctoral Studies at UNAK in close collaboration with the relevant school. There is a strong emphasis on international collaboration, both in terms of the research project itself and the doctoral student’s training in methodology and project execution.
The core of the program is the doctoral research project (180 ECTS). Prospective doctoral students are therefore required to identify a suitable research topic before submitting their application. In addition, doctoral students may be required to take courses, up to 60 ECTS credits.
It is expected that doctoral students complete 60 ECTS credits per year in full-time studies.
The program concludes with a public defense of the thesis
A doctoral degree (PhD) is typically a prerequisite for pursuing a career in academia, such as serving as a university professor.
In practical terms, a PhD confers the qualifications and professional credibility necessary to conduct independent research within one’s area of expertise.
Moreover, the degree proves advantageous in numerous administrative roles and positions that require overseeing complex projects and processing multifaceted information, irrespective of the field of study.
PhD studies at UNAK are often connected to specific research projects. Applicants are required to submit a well-developed research proposal, prepared in close collaboration with a proposed supervisor, who must be a leading academic at UNAK.
A solid funding base is also a prerequisite for admission, which is typically tied to the supervisor's ongoing research projects
The doctoral candidate must have completed a master's degree with good results (first class) and must submit a well-developed research and study plan with the application.
The University of Akureyri is authorized to offer doctoral studies in the fields of:
Doctoral projects are generally expected to be interdisciplinary in nature and execution, even though they are formally located within a specific field of study.
The applicant must prepare the application in collaboration with the proposed primary supervisor and thoroughly review the regulations for doctoral studies and doctoral degrees at the University of Akureyri.
It is also strongly recommended that the applicant contact the Centre for Doctoral Studies for guidance during the application process before submitting the application through the Ugla portal.
There are no fixed deadlines for applications to the PhD programme. Those who are interested in PhD studies at UNAK should start by contacting a leading academic at UNAK in their field and open a dialogue about future projects and funding opportunities.
Further information about the formal procedures around PhD studies at UNAK is provided by the Centre for Doctoral Studies at doktorsnam@unak.is.
I can wholeheartedly recommend the doctoral program at the University of Akureyri. The program enabled me to gain a deeper understanding of my field of interest and increase my research skills. What stood out about my experience was being part of the university’s ambitious, challenging, and supportive academic community that emphasizes international collaboration. The doctoral program opened doors to new opportunities and prepared me very well for continuing research and academic work.
Ph.D. project. Longitudinal study follows a cohort of Icelandic residents born in 1988.
Explores innovative methods for processing Icelandic salmon skin.
This project explores the use of algicidal bacteria isolated from natural environments for biocontrol of harmful algal blooms (HABs)
Adult children's participation in the care of aging mothers in nursing homes and their needs for education and support from health professionals.
