The Macau Institute for Applied Research in Medicine and Health (MIAR) at Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST) is launching a new PhD Program in Translational Pharmaceutical Sciences (DPTPS) starting in the Fall semester of the 2026/2027 academic year. The program is now accepting online applications until July 6, 2026, with admissions on a rolling basis until all places are filled.
The program is hosted by the Macau Institute for Applied Research in Medicine and Health. Its core faculty, PhD supervisors, and research platforms are primarily supported by the State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine (reorganized in 2025 as the State Key Laboratory of Mechanism and Quality of Chinese Medicine), which was established in 2010 as the first state key laboratory (SKL) in the field of Chinese medicine in China. Over more than a decade of development, the laboratory has built a world-class platform for translational pharmaceutical research.
Distinguished Faculty
MIAR/SKL boasts a team of 55 researchers at the rank of assistant professor or above including Nobel Laureates, academicians of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, chair professors, professors, distinguished professors, associate professors, and assistant professors. All senior researchers come from renowned institutions worldwide, are proficient in both Chinese and English, and possess extensive research experience and international perspective. Together, they form a multidisciplinary, well-structured, and highly capable research team integrating expertise in chemistry, biology, pharmacology, and related fields.
Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometer (ToF-SIMS)
The team's research excellence has been recognized with numerous prestigious awards, including the Gold Medal at the 50th International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva (2025); the Chinese Government Friendship Award (2024), the First Prize for Technological Invention Award of the Macao SAR Science and Technology Award (2024), the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Qi-Huang Scholar (2024), the Silver Award at the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area High-Value Patent Cultivation and Layout Competition (2024), 4 awards at the 10th National Forum on Basic Medical Innovation Research and Experimental Design for College Students (2024); the First Prize of the Medical Science and Technology Award from the Guangdong Medical Association (2023), the First Prize of the Natural Science Award from the Guangdong Precision Medicine Association (2023), the Third Prize of the Chinese Medical Science and Technology Award (2023), the Third Prize for Outstanding Scientific Research Achievements by Women Scientists from the Biophysical Society of China (2023), the Second Prize of the Yunnan Provincial Health Technology Achievement Award (2023); the Medal of Merit – Professions of the Macao SAR Government (2021); and the Second Prize of the National Science and Technology Progress Award (2013), among others.
The research team’s achievements and recognitions
First-Class Facilities
MIAR/SKL is equipped with a comprehensive suite of advanced, precision instruments. This includes nearly 30 units of various liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry systems, as well as state-of-the-art equipment for drug activity evaluation at the whole-animal, cellular, and molecular levels, and for chemical analysis and systems biology omics research. The facility houses 10 research divisions/centers and has established 14 high-tech platforms. In 2020, with special government funding, the "Dr. Neher’s Biophysics Laboratory for Innovative Drug Discovery" — a Nobel Laureate workstation — was established. In recent years, the Institute has actively fostered collaborations, establishing joint laboratories or research centers with 17 renowned institutions globally.
DeltaVision live cell fluorescence imaging system
Bruker 600MHz Superconducting Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectrometer
Bruker in-vivo Xtreme imaging system & SkyScan 1176 in-vivo micro-CT
Program Objectives
The PhD in Translational Pharmaceutical Sciences (DPTPS) is designed to cultivate future leaders who possess a translational pharmaceutical sciences mindset, master comprehensive knowledge and skills in innovative drug research and development, and have a sound understanding of pharmaceutical economics and management.
Career Prospects
Graduates will possess the ability to drive pharmaceutical innovation and interdisciplinary thinking, offering diverse career prospects and advantages, such as:
Industry Professionals: Engaged in the R&D and management of innovative drugs at global pharmaceutical companies.
Regulatory Experts: Involved in drug testing and market regulation at pharmaceutical regulatory agencies.
Strategic Consultants: Providing consulting services in the pharmaceutical industry and becoming strategic advisory experts in the healthcare sector.
Academic Researchers: Engaged in academic research and teaching at academic institutions (e.g., universities).
Admission Requirements
A Bachelor's degree and a Master's degree in a relevant field (e.g., Pharmacy, Chinese Pharmacy, Medicine, Chemistry, Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Biotechnology, or related disciplines).
Applicants must provide proof of English proficiency through one of the following:
College English Test (CET) or Test for English Majors (TEM) certificate;
IELTS or TOEFL score report (test date must be within two years of application);
OR official documentation confirming completion of a full-time degree program taught entirely in English.
(Note: There is no minimum score requirement. Results will be considered as part of the holistic review for competitive selection.)A research proposal (2,000 - 3,000 words) written in English is required at the time of application.
Applicants are required to contact a prospective MUST PhD supervisor in their field of interest prior to submitting their application.
List of Supervisors: https://miar.must.edu.mo/person/id-16536.html?locale=en_US
Application Deadline: 6:00 pm, July 6, Month, 2026 (UCT+8)
Start of the Academic Year: Sep 2026
Online Application System (OAS): oas.must.edu.mo/admission
Course Enquiry: Macau Institute for Applied Research in Medicine and Health
Tel: (853) 8897 2633
Email: miar_enquiry@must.edu.mo
Website: https://miar.must.edu.mo/ , https://skl.must.edu.mo/
Study Plan: https://sgs.must.edu.mo/doctoral/faculty/view/387.html?locale=en_US
Admission Enquiry: School of Graduate Studies
Tel: (853) 8897 2262
Email: sgsad@must.edu.mo
