My journey at NSPH began 4 years ago when I joined the Master's programme in Public Health, and has been consolidated until I started my PhD. Along the way, I've had the opportunity to take part in national and international research projects that have made a decisive contribution to my academic and professional growth, allowing me to build a solid and diverse network. I actively participated in the school's associative life, which was an enriching experience, not only because of the teamwork and community spirit, but also because I was able to represent and contribute to the continuous improvement of the student pathway at NSPH. NSPH is not only a place for learning, but also a place for belonging, growth and transformation. And it is with great pride that I am part of this community.
Mariana Corda
PhD Student
The motivation to participate in the Postgraduate Course in Health Economics and Health Outcomes stemmed from the desire to gain a deeper understanding of how the Portuguese healthcare ecosystem functions, particularly in relation to the approval of medicines.
The hybrid format of the classes fits well with an active professional life as a Market Access manager in a pharmaceutical company. The diverse experiences of both the instructors and participants make the sessions collaborative and dynamic.
Marta Rodrigues
Public Affairs Lead – Ipsen Portugal
At NOVA NSPH I found much more than just a place of learning, I found an environment where I was able to grow on many levels. From my Master’s to my PhD, I took part in national and international projects that resulted in publications and conference presentations. I also took on responsibilities as President of the Students’ Association and as a member of the Pedagogical Council, contributing with initiatives that made a real impact on our community. The close relationship with lecturers, researchers and fellow students made this experience unique, created a lasting bond with NOVA NSPH, and strengthened my confidence in the path I chose to follow.
Francisco Madeira
PhD Student
The Postgraduate in Health Economics and Health Outcomes was essential to complement my training in Pharmaceutical Sciences. The classes, materials, and practical examples provided a comprehensive view of Health Economics, which motivated me to pursue a PhD in Public Health at NOVA NSPH. In addition to the knowledge gained, the sharing of experiences among colleagues was enriching. The course boosted my career, allowing me to better understand the healthcare system and evolve as a hospital pharmacist and now as a research fellow.
Ana Rita Santos
Health Economics Researcher – Value for Health CoLAB
Sara Marques, a former student of the Hospital Administration Specialisation Course (CEAH) at the NOVA National School of Public Health (NOVA NSPH), has been awarded the Coriolano Ferreira Prize, in recognition of her academic achievements and the contribution of her work in hospital management and architecture.
The award was presented during the 16th Value Conference of the Portuguese Association of Hospital Administrators (APAH) and highlights the impact of Sara’s experience in the CEAH, which enabled the architect to deepen her understanding of hospital organisation and operations, integrating management perspectives into healthcare architecture projects.
For Sara Marques, the decision to enrol in the CEAH stemmed from a desire to gain a more thorough understanding of a hospital’s functional structure, in order to design healthcare buildings that are more efficient and aligned with the real needs of their users. “The course gave me access to perspectives and professionals that an architect rarely encounters, offering me a practical view of the hospital’s day-to-day life”, she emphasises.
The alumna also underlines the influence of this training on her professional trajectory. “This experience reshaped my career path and opened doors I had never considered possible”, she states, adding that since then, she has been working on hospital projects at national and international levels, striving to integrate the needs of all building users, from patients to operational and management staff.
Receiving the Coriolano Ferreira Award was, for the architect, “a great honour”, which she attributes to the collaborative and demanding environment of the course. “It was only possible thanks to the support of my colleagues and the engagement of the professors, who welcomed me to the CEAH despite my background outside healthcare, and who decisively contributed to my professional growth”, she explains.
NOVA NSPH congratulates Sara Marques on this recognition, which highlights the capacity of the Hospital Administration Specialisation Course to welcome diverse profiles and train professionals able to contribute, in an integrated manner, to the improvement of healthcare management, organisation, and infrastructure.
Such acknowledgements reinforce the role of the CEAH as a centre for advanced training, the production of relevant knowledge, and the bridging of theory and practice, contributing to the preparation of leaders capable of addressing the current and future challenges of healthcare.
The NOVA National School of Public Health (NOVA NSPH) is available to host applications under the Individual Scientific Employment Stimulus Call – 8th Edition, promoted by the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT).
Applications will be developed within the framework of the Comprehensive Health Research Centre (CHRC), a centre recognised for its applied, interdisciplinary research, with a strong focus on impact in population health, public policies, and health systems.
NOVA NSPH seeks to host PhD-holding researchers who are motivated to pursue independent research, collaborate within multidisciplinary teams, and contribute to the production of relevant scientific knowledge with societal impact.
Key information:
Individual call for PhD-holding researchers
Career levels: Junior Researcher and Assistant Researcher
Individual submission via the MyFCT platform (in English)
Deadline: 29 January 2026, at 17:00 (Lisbon time)
Expressions of interest must be previously coordinated at institutional level.
The GAIDI provides support and guidance throughout the application process, in coordination with the Rectorate.
The NOVA National School of Public Health (NOVA NSPH) is welcoming applications for the INPhINIT Doctoral Fellowships – “la Caixa” Foundation (2026), one of the most competitive international funding programmes for doctoral studies in Portugal and Spain.
Applications will be hosted by the Comprehensive Health Research Centre (CHRC), a centre of excellence with a strong interdisciplinary and international vocation, dedicated to producing knowledge with a meaningful impact on public policies and population health.
NOVA NSPH offers a stimulating scientific environment, with multidisciplinary teams, close links to practice, and integration into national and international networks, creating robust conditions for the development of high-quality doctoral projects.
Two calls are currently open:
INPhINIT – Incoming
Aimed at international candidates who have not resided in or carried out their main activity in Portugal or Spain for more than 12 months over the last 3 years.
Deadline: 28 January 2026, at 14:00 (peninsular Spain time).
