PhD in PHYSICS

Educational goals and objectives

PHYSICS

The main objectives of the PhD in Physics are: - train young physicists capable of successfully tackling modern research topics and therefore ready to undertake an academic career or to enter the society with the necessary skills to guide the transition to innovation, sustainability and effective collaboration at all levels; - Provide advanced knowledge, training in laboratory activity and placement in fundamental or applied research groups; - prepare young people with outstanding communication skills to the transfer of knowledge and scientific dissemination to the society. The first year is dedicated to training courses on specific topics. Students are free to choose national and international advanced training courses provided by universities or research institutes. In agreement with his/her tutor, each student should provide a detailed program that is to be approved by the Faculty Board. The second and third years are dedicated to research activity under the supervision of a scientific manager (a tutor) designated for each student and possibly a co-tutor. At the end of the second year, each student illustrates the results and / or scientific activities carried out and possible future developments in a formal seminar. At the end of the third year, the doctoral thesis is evaluated by external national and / or international reviewers and presented to the Teaching Body. After approval, the theses are defended in the final examination before a commission appointed by the Rector of the University.

Available Positions and Scholarships

University scholarship	5	University scholarship reserved to foreign applicants	0	Department scholarship	0
Scholarship funded by private research institution	0	Scholarship funded by private non-research institution	0	Scholarship funded by public research institution	5
Scholarship funded by public non-research institution	0	PhD position under national research programs	0	PhD position under EU research programs	2
Foreign independent candidates	1	Employee of private research institution/organisation under a cooperation agreement	0	Employee of private non-research institution/organisation under a cooperation agreement	0
Employee of public research institution/organisation under a cooperation agreement	0	Employee of public non-research institution/organisation under a cooperation agreement	1	PhD under higher education and research apprenticeship contract at a private research institution/organisation	0
PhD under higher education and research apprenticeship contract at a private non-research institution/organisation	0	PhD under higher education and research apprenticeship contract at a public research institution/organisation	0	PhD under higher education and research apprenticeship contract at a public non-research institution/organisation	0
No scholarship	1

Research topics

Founded by: European Research Council (ERC)

Research topic: Development of fully atomistic multiscale theoretical and computational approaches to describe light–matter interactions at the nanoscale
Description: The PhD project, within the framework of the ERC Starting Grant CHOPIN, will focus on the development of fully atomistic multiscale theoretical and computational approaches to describe light–matter interactions at the nanoscale, with particular emphasis on the role of plasmonic excitations in modifying the electronic structure of molecular systems adsorbed on nanostructures. The ideal candidate should have a solid background in theoretical/computational physics or chemistry, materials science, or related fields, with experience in electronic-structure methods such as DFT/TDDFT, excited states, and correlated methods, and/or in nanoscale electromagnetism and plasmonics. Good programming skills, especially in Fortran and/or Python, familiarity with Linux and HPC environments, strong motivation to work in an interdisciplinary setting bridging molecular theory, nanoscience, and light–matter interactions, as well as good communication skills and proficiency in written and spoken English, are also required. The position offers a dynamic and stimulating research environment within an ERC project, opportunities for scientific growth, national and international collaborations, access to advanced computational resources, and dedicated funding for travel, schools, and conferences. The selected candidate will be hired under a specific employment contract and, upon completion of the programme, will obtain the PhD degree.
Scholarship type: DOTTORANDO SU PROGRAMMA DI RICERCA EUROPEO

CUP : E53C25002770006
Principal Investigator: Tommaso Giovannini
Program: ERC Starting Grant 2025
Project: atomistiC approacHes for plasmOnic Photo Induced phenomeNa (CHOPIN)
Grant Agreement: 101219149
UpB: GiovanniniT25ERC-CHOPIN
Lenght: 36
Founded by: European Research Council (ERC)

Research topic: Development of fully atomistic multiscale theoretical and computational approaches to describe light–matter interactions at the nanoscale
Description: The PhD project, within the framework of the ERC Starting Grant CHOPIN, will focus on the development of fully atomistic multiscale theoretical and computational approaches to describe light–matter interactions at the nanoscale, with particular emphasis on the role of plasmonic excitations in modifying the electronic structure of molecular systems adsorbed on nanostructures. The ideal candidate should have a solid background in theoretical/computational physics or chemistry, materials science, or related fields, with experience in electronic-structure methods such as DFT/TDDFT, excited states, and correlated methods, and/or in nanoscale electromagnetism and plasmonics. Good programming skills, especially in Fortran and/or Python, familiarity with Linux and HPC environments, strong motivation to work in an interdisciplinary setting bridging molecular theory, nanoscience, and light–matter interactions, as well as good communication skills and proficiency in written and spoken English, are also required. The position offers a dynamic and stimulating research environment within an ERC project, opportunities for scientific growth, national and international collaborations, access to advanced computational resources, and dedicated funding for travel, schools, and conferences. The selected candidate will be hired under a specific employment contract and, upon completion of the programme, will obtain the PhD degree.
Scholarship type: DOTTORANDO SU PROGRAMMA DI RICERCA EUROPEO

CUP : E53C25002770006
Principal Investigator: Tommaso Giovannini
Program: ERC Starting Grant 2025
Project: atomistiC approacHes for plasmOnic Photo Induced phenomeNa (CHOPIN)
Grant Agreement: 101219149
UpB: GiovanniniT25ERC-CHOPIN
Lenght: 36
Founded by: Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN)

Research topic: Theoretical or Experimental Physics of elementary constituents of matter and fundamental laws of the universe
Description: INFN is the national public research institute dedicated to studying the elementary constituents of matter and the fundamental laws of the universe. Its scientific mission is “to promote, coordinate, and undertake scientific research in nuclear, subnuclear, astroparticle and fundamental interactions physics, which also involve technological research and development relevant to the activities in these sectors” (art. 2, INFN Statute). In Italy, the national research system consists of public and private parties who undertake scientific and technological research. In particular, INFN carries out both theoretical and experimental cutting-edge research in the fields of nuclear, elementary particle, and astroparticle physics. It works in close cooperation with the main Italian universities and in a highly competitive international context, but also, and above all, in large scientific collaborations. Experimental research in these sectors requires state-of-the-art instruments that are often unique. To build them, innovative technologies, which INFN develops both in its laboratories and in collaboration with industry, must be designed. Useful applications in other sectors often originate from such technology, benefiting everyone and having a significant positive impact on society in terms of economic development and technological progress.
Scholarship type: BORSISTA ENTE ESTERNO PUBBLICO DI RICERCA

Founded by: Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN)

Research topic: Theoretical or Experimental Physics of elementary constituents of matter and fundamental laws of the universe
Description: INFN is the national public research institute dedicated to studying the elementary constituents of matter and the fundamental laws of the universe. Its scientific mission is “to promote, coordinate, and undertake scientific research in nuclear, subnuclear, astroparticle and fundamental interactions physics, which also involve technological research and development relevant to the activities in these sectors” (art. 2, INFN Statute). In Italy, the national research system consists of public and private parties who undertake scientific and technological research. In particular, INFN carries out both theoretical and experimental cutting-edge research in the fields of nuclear, elementary particle, and astroparticle physics. It works in close cooperation with the main Italian universities and in a highly competitive international context, but also, and above all, in large scientific collaborations. Experimental research in these sectors requires state-of-the-art instruments that are often unique. To build them, innovative technologies, which INFN develops both in its laboratories and in collaboration with industry, must be designed. Useful applications in other sectors often originate from such technology, benefiting everyone and having a significant positive impact on society in terms of economic development and technological progress.
Scholarship type: BORSISTA ENTE ESTERNO PUBBLICO DI RICERCA

Founded by: Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN)

Research topic: Theoretical or Experimental Physics of elementary constituents of matter and fundamental laws of the universe
Description: INFN is the national public research institute dedicated to studying the elementary constituents of matter and the fundamental laws of the universe. Its scientific mission is “to promote, coordinate, and undertake scientific research in nuclear, subnuclear, astroparticle and fundamental interactions physics, which also involve technological research and development relevant to the activities in these sectors” (art. 2, INFN Statute). In Italy, the national research system consists of public and private parties who undertake scientific and technological research. In particular, INFN carries out both theoretical and experimental cutting-edge research in the fields of nuclear, elementary particle, and astroparticle physics. It works in close cooperation with the main Italian universities and in a highly competitive international context, but also, and above all, in large scientific collaborations. Experimental research in these sectors requires state-of-the-art instruments that are often unique. To build them, innovative technologies, which INFN develops both in its laboratories and in collaboration with industry, must be designed. Useful applications in other sectors often originate from such technology, benefiting everyone and having a significant positive impact on society in terms of economic development and technological progress.
Scholarship type: BORSISTA ENTE ESTERNO PUBBLICO DI RICERCA

Founded by: Centro Studi e Ricerche Enrico Fermi (CREF)

Research topic: Medical Physics
Description: The “Enrico Fermi Historical Museum of Physics and Research Centre” (CREF) is located in the building that housed the historic Royal Institute of Physics in the 1930s, where Enrico Fermi and a group of young physicists carried out the first experiments on radioactivity induced by neutrons, fundamental to the future development of nuclear energy. Here, the history of physics and the whole twentieth century was written. In 1999, Parliament unanimously approved a law to create a new research institution, the “Enrico Fermi Historical Museum of Physics and Research Centre” (CREF), under the supervision of the Ministry of the University, to honour the place’s historical memory. The restored building will officially be inaugurated in November 2019, beginning the CREF’s real operational, scientific, and museum phase. The organisation’s mission is therefore twofold: It aims to ensure the widespread dissemination and communication of Fermi’s life and discoveries by developing a modern historical physics museum dedicated to his scientific legacy. The Museum’s activities also include various types of initiatives for the dissemination and promotion of scientific culture aimed at a wide and varied audience, with particular attention to schools and universities. In the spirit that characterised Enrico Fermi’s activities, it aims to develop original and powerful lines of research based on physics methods but with a strong interdisciplinary character.
Scholarship type: BORSISTA ENTE ESTERNO PUBBLICO DI RICERCA

Founded by: Centro Studi e Ricerche Enrico Fermi (CREF)

Research topic: Physics for Cultural Heritage
Description: The “Enrico Fermi Historical Museum of Physics and Research Centre” (CREF) is located in the building that housed the historic Royal Institute of Physics in the 1930s, where Enrico Fermi and a group of young physicists carried out the first experiments on radioactivity induced by neutrons, fundamental to the future development of nuclear energy. Here, the history of physics and the whole twentieth century was written. In 1999, Parliament unanimously approved a law to create a new research institution, the “Enrico Fermi Historical Museum of Physics and Research Centre” (CREF), under the supervision of the Ministry of the University, to honour the place’s historical memory. The restored building will officially be inaugurated in November 2019, beginning the CREF’s real operational, scientific, and museum phase. The organisation’s mission is therefore twofold: It aims to ensure the widespread dissemination and communication of Fermi’s life and discoveries by developing a modern historical physics museum dedicated to his scientific legacy. The Museum’s activities also include various types of initiatives for the dissemination and promotion of scientific culture aimed at a wide and varied audience, with particular attention to schools and universities. In the spirit that characterised Enrico Fermi’s activities, it aims to develop original and powerful lines of research based on physics methods but with a strong interdisciplinary character
Scholarship type: BORSISTA ENTE ESTERNO PUBBLICO DI RICERCA

Self-certification of the academic qualification obtained through Model A:

• Master’s Degree
• Single-cycle Degree
• Specialist Degree
• Old-system Degree
• Degree obtained abroad corresponding to EQF Level 7
• provided that they belong to the following classes: All classes