The Faculty of Natural Science constantly endeavors to increase the number and quality of its students, to continually develop areas of study in order to keep pace with the demands of society and to maintain the excellence of its teaching. In addition, the Faculty encourages interaction with the community by attempting to strengthen its ties with industry and the national educational system.

The programme focuses on theoretical knowledge as well as practical experience in the field of doctoral studies. Cooperation with international research institutes is highly supported. The study programme is designed to fulfil demands and meet societal and industry requirements for highly educated and qualified professionals in the fields of design and process engineering.

The Graduate School’s support concept for doctoral students is modelled on the well-established structure developed in the doctoral programme ‘Manuscript Cultures’, which started with the SFB 950 ‘Manuscript Cultures in Asia, Africa and Europe’ in 2011.

The PhD programme in natural sciences embraces disciplines like marine and terrestrial biology, ecology, biotechnology, genetics, physiology, immunology, food science, and resource biology and management, as well as fishery and aquaculture technology. In order to become a PhD candidate you have to apply for a research fellow position that is advertised and get employed, or be employed at an external institution that will fund the PhD study.

The aim of PhD programme is to prepare researchers and lecturers, as well as professionals for applied research, economics or public administration, whose knowledge, skills and competencies meet the requirements that exist internationally, taking into account the needs of the Latvian labor market.

Montana Tech has joined with the University of Montana and Montana State University to offer the Montana Ph.D. program in Materials Science. This multi-campus program involves faculty, students, and resources on all three campuses.

ITESO's PhD in Engineering Sciences promotes the training of engineers who develop research projects with industry, to increase the scientific-technological capacity of the region, promote economic development, employment opportunities, social well-being and sustainability .