Educational and Research Project
The PhD Programme in Life Sciences provides scientific and research-design skills in several areas of biology, including ecology, biodiversity and biological evolution, agri-food sciences, cellular biology, and preclinical experimental biology, with the aim of improving public health through disease prevention.
The programme represents the natural continuation of academic training for graduates in Biology and related disciplines, but it is also open to graduates in Pharmacy, Biotechnology, and Medicine. Educational and research activities are carried out through advanced investigative methodologies aimed at producing high-impact scientific data. PhD students benefit from internationally recognized scientific expertise, research resources, and advanced technological facilities.
The programme includes research periods abroad in partner laboratories and collaborations with companies operating in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and agri-food sectors. This allows PhD students to acquire integrated knowledge of the most innovative research methodologies, as well as skills in planning international collaborations and translating basic academic research into advanced technological applications.
The PhD programme is structured into two curricula:
- Biodiversity, Conservation and Environmental Quality, aimed at training researchers specialized in ecological and evolutionary mechanisms underlying biodiversity, nature conservation, and environmental management;
- Cellular Biology, Pathophysiology and Pharmacology, focused on the functional, molecular, and ultrastructural study of cells and tissues, with particular attention to the pathogenic mechanisms of diseases, the effects of new drugs, global health, and immunization.
The overall goal of the programme is to train highly qualified professionals capable of pursuing academic research and promoting the transfer of innovative research methodologies in the biological-medical, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, agri-food, and environmental sectors.
Research Training
The educational activities of the PhD programme are characterized by a strong interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approach, aimed at providing up-to-date knowledge in the different areas of biology together with transferable research skills.
PhD students acquire competences in:
- research design and management;
- knowledge of the European Research Area;
- preparation and management of national and European research projects;
- intellectual property and patent management;
- scientific communication.
Collaboration with companies and research institutions also enables PhD students to engage directly with industrial research challenges and activities related to innovation and technology transfer.
The effectiveness of the training programme is demonstrated by the professional outcomes achieved by former PhD graduates, who have pursued careers:
- in universities and national and international research institutions;
- in biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies and private foundations;
- in environmental monitoring and management sectors;
- in secondary school education and teaching.
Mobility and Internationalization
The PhD Programme in Life Sciences actively promotes the internationalization of doctoral students through collaborations with foreign universities and research centers, participation in European projects, including Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, and the presence of international scholars within the PhD Board.
The programme encourages the writing of doctoral theses in English and the participation of foreign researchers in final examination committees. Furthermore, starting from the XLI cycle, all PhD students are required to undertake a mandatory research and training period abroad lasting at least six months.
Thanks to a well-established network of international academic and scientific collaborations across Europe and worldwide, the programme provides doctoral students with a highly qualified and internationally competitive training environment.
Expected Employment and Professional Opportunities
The interdisciplinary nature of the Doctorate program covers various aspects of biology and human health. Doctoral students also have the opportunity to acquire transdisciplinary skills such as: communicating science, writing and managing national and European projects, patent management. Additionally, collaboration with various industries in the biotechnological field gives them a direct approach to industrial research issues. All of this provides Doctoral graduates in Life Sciences with the necessary skills to find employment opportunities in sectors related to technology transfer and innovation in biotechnological, pharmaceutical, health, agri-food companies, and in companies and organizations involved in monitoring, restoration, and management of natural and anthropized ecosystems. Another natural employment opportunity for Doctoral graduates is in the University sector, both nationally and internationally. Furthermore, Doctoral graduates in Life Sciences find professional opportunities in the field of education aimed at both secondary school students of first and second degree.
-Training activities
A PhD student is required to achieve 180 credits over the three years (around 60 credits/year)
20 credits (achievable the first, the second or the third year of the PhD program) are achievable by attending PhD lectures, MSc courses, research institution courses, or private courses if suitable as specified below:
- A minimum of 5 credits (1 ECT=6 hours) achievable with courses taught specifically for the doctoral course with learning assessment.
- A minimum of 5 credits (1 ECT =6 hours) achievable with attendance at the university soft skills (https://www.unisi.it/ricerca/dottorati-di-ricerca/corsi-trasversali-soft...)
- Up to 10 credits (1 ECT =6 hours) achievable with attendance at courses at point 1 or 2 or with attendance at MSc courses (UNISI or other University), research institution courses, or private courses if suitable (Phd Theaching board decide).
160 credits (achievable the first, the second or the third year of the PhD program) are achievable through other activities (scientific activity, participation to seminars and conferences, tutoring activity, publications, period abroad, writing thesis etc,).
For information on how to obtain the degree, please refer to: https://www.unisi.it/ricerca/dottorati-di-ricerca/informazioni-dottorand...
For everyone, the advancement to the next year is subject to:
- obtaining the ORCID (https://orcid.org/),
- completing the course evaluation (https://www.unisi.it/ateneo/assicurazione-della-qualita/dottorati-opinione),
- acquiring the 60 training credits validated by the supervisor,
- participation in the PhD day with an oral presentation on one's research activities.
-Training activities and seminars