Doctoral School of Human Movement Sciences (ED463)
Drawing on the relevant training and research structures, Doctoral School 463 “Human Movement Sciences” (SMH) has, since 2004, brought together the research capabilities of the universities of the Greater South (Aix-Marseille University, University of Montpellier, Nice Sofia Antipolis) in the field of human movement and its neurological, physiological, mechanical, behavioral, cognitive, and societal determinants. As such,DS brings together, on an interregional level, research teams that complement one another across disciplines. The thematic proximity and geographic scope ensure thatDS holds a strong position on the national stage. The decision to place multidisciplinarity at the heart of a thematic project—the study of human movement—also helps position France among the leading institutions in this field, both in Europe and internationally (Canada, the United States, Australia, Japan, etc.).
The SMH Doctoral School welcomes doctoral students from French and foreign universities.DS is highly attractive; in recent years, 56% of enrolled doctoral students held master’s degrees from institutions other than the jointly accredited universities, 15% of doctoral students were foreign nationals, and 11% of the dissertations were completed under joint supervision with foreign universities (with the doctoral degree awarded by two universities, one of which was foreign).
DS has nearly 150 researchers and faculty members, including 90 with HDR (Habilitation to Supervise Research) status, distributed across about 15 research units (10 of which are affiliated with major research organizations such as the CNRS, INSERM, INRA, and IFSTTAR…).
It ensures excellent career placement in research-related fields. The latest study, conducted over a four-year period, shows that the vast majority of doctoral students find employment in the research sector: 74% hold permanent positions in academia or the private sector, and 26% continue their careers as postdocs. Only 2% do not pursue a career in research, often for reasons related to personal choices.
The main tasks ofDS :
- It implements a policy for recruiting doctoral students based on publicly disclosed criteria of scientific excellence
- It ensures the optimal development of doctoral students’ scientific training by monitoring the quality and commitment of their advisors and by encouraging them to publish in leading scientific journals.
- She ensures compliance with the thesis guidelines
- It organizes training for doctoral students to prepare them as early as possible for a successful transition into the workforce
- It organizes scientific exchanges among doctoral students
- It implements a policy of scientific openness toward other countries.
