Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, is part of two new international consortia that combine doctoral training, mobility and collaboration among academia, industry and the clinical sector. The two new doctoral networks feature researchers from two Research Units affiliated with Técnico and receive European funding from the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA). The variability of human learning and the control of light in ultrafast regimes are the scientific challenges addressed by projects led by Athanasios Vourvopoulos (Instituto Superior Técnico/Institute for Systems and Robotics (ISR-Lisboa)) and Marco Piccardo (Instituto Superior Técnico/ INESC Microsistemas e Nanotecnologias (INESC-MN)).
In the field of neurotechnology, the project “VARIABILITI – Understanding learning variability to personalise training and boost knowledge-driven, efficient and acceptable neurotechnologies”, coordinated by Athanasios Vourvopoulos, a professor at Técnico and a researcher at ISR-Lisboa, focuses on understanding “why people learn differently when interacting with brain-computer interfaces” and “how this variability can be used to personalise training and improve outcomes”, explains the researcher.
These systems, which interpret brain activity for applications in communication, control, rehabilitation or cognitive performance enhancement, are the focus of an interdisciplinary approach that combines neuroscience, psychology, biomedical engineering and AI. “Our team contributes particularly to the development of adaptive systems that integrate virtual reality and real-time feedback for personalised rehabilitation training”, he adds.
Scheduled to begin in March 2027, the project involves doctoral research focused on neuro-adaptive systems for stroke rehabilitation. “We aim to develop more effective, user-centred and reliable neurotechnologies”, says Athanasios Vourvopoulos, highlighting the importance of integrating engineering, healthcare and interactive technologies within this environment. “This combination of scientific excellence, mobility and practical experience prepares students to become future leaders in neurotechnology research and innovation”.
Also funded through this call, the “SPARK – Spatiotemporal photonic technologies” project, coordinated by Marco Piccardo, a professor at Técnico and a researcher at INESC-MN, is part of a network dedicated to developing spatiotemporal photonic technologies, with total funding of €4.5 million. “SPARK is an opportunity to build a truly European effort at the frontier of photonics,” highlights the researcher.
The project operates at the intersection of metamaterials, structured light and ultrafast optics, aiming to “overcome current limitations in photonics, which typically rely on mainly static or slow-tuning components”. “Our project aims to move towards systems capable of controlling light in space and time, with programmable control over frequency, phase, momentum, polarisation and angular momentum at ultrafast speeds”, explains Marco Piccardo. This innovative approach, he adds, opens up “new possibilities for manipulating electromagnetic radiation and developing advanced photonic architectures relevant to communications, advanced sensors, and next-generation digital systems”.
The training of PhD students is another of the network’s key priorities. “PhD students will receive a more comprehensive education than that offered by a conventional PhD programme, including cross-sectoral supervision, specialised technical training and mobility periods at academic institutions and non-academic partners”, he adds. Técnico will host two PhD students who will be integrated into this international ecosystem linking fundamental research with technological applications. “This participation strengthens Técnico’s position in highly selective European consortia and in emerging areas of engineering”, highlights the researcher.
Participation in these doctoral networks continues Técnico’s involvement in MSCA programmes, which in recent years has included projects such as IQ-BRAIN, developed at the Institute for Systems and Robotics (ISR-Lisboa), focused on improving quantitative magnetic resonance imaging using artificial intelligence and physical models; and MGICIAN, developed at the Center of Physics and Engineering of Advanced Materials (CeFEMA), dedicated to the development of sustainable thermoelectric cooling solutions using alternative materials to tellurium, such as magnesium.
According to the European Commission, the 2025 MSCA Doctoral Networks call will support 141 doctoral programmes with € 617 million, training and developing the skills of over 2,000 doctoral candidates.
