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The University of Padua offers a PhD programme in “Technologies for Fundamental Research in Physics and Astrophysics,” a highly multidisciplinary doctoral course aimed at developing technological and engineering skills that are an integral part of experimental fundamental research in Physics and Astrophysics.

Course objectives

The PhD programme in Technologies for Fundamental Research in Physics and Astrophysics aims to provide a multidisciplinary pathway on technologies essential to fundamental research. The implementation of major scientific projects in Physics and Astrophysics has long relied on fruitful collaboration between research institutes and universities, extending well beyond the boundaries of Physics departments. Technological developments have encouraged strong interactions with Engineering and other technological departments, which have offered valuable contributions through their specific expertise, while at the same time benefiting from involvement in cutting-edge developments promoted by broad national and international scientific communities.

The growing importance of technological expertise has led research institutions to introduce, alongside the role of researcher, the role of technologist, who works closely with researchers and shares similar career prospects. Recently, Law 79/2022 introduced and regulated the permanent technologist position within universities as well. However, while researchers are trained within their respective disciplinary PhD programmes, the training of technologists for scientific projects outside the field of Engineering requires pathways that combine technological specialisation and research with applications in sectors and problems entirely new to the student.

The increasing demand within industry for professionals capable of supporting technological development—both to meet the growing complexity of scientific instrumentation and to manage industrial transfer for civilian applications—calls for the creation of a professional figure able to communicate effectively with both the research and industrial worlds.

To address this need, the National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN) and the National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF) are promoting the establishment of the PhD programme in Technologies for Fundamental Research in Physics and Astrophysics. The programme mainly targets newly graduated engineers or computer scientists, offering multidisciplinary training aimed at preparing young, highly qualified researchers and technologists equipped with technological and engineering skills that are essential to experimental fundamental research. These skills are crucial in meeting the ongoing need for innovative and effective solutions that enable advancements in Physics and Astrophysics research.

The proposed PhD programme, structured into five curricula, provides complementary and multidisciplinary training across all areas that experimental research in Physics and Astrophysics relies upon.

The primary goal of the programme is therefore to train future professionals in technological fields with a multidisciplinary perspective, capable of addressing frontier-level experimental challenges with innovative and effective solutions. The trained PhD graduates will be able to act as key players and, in close collaboration with physicists and astronomers, guide technological development through roles in design, coordination, and management, both in academia and in industry.

The strongly trans- and multidisciplinary nature of the doctoral programme, along with interaction among doctoral candidates with diverse backgrounds and training, will contribute to forming future professionals capable of tackling frontier research challenges—including methodological and procedural aspects—with an integrated and versatile approach.

Finally, an additional goal of the PhD programme is to strengthen existing synergies among participating universities and research institutions, thereby increasing international competitiveness and becoming a hub of attraction for students with technological backgrounds from around the world.

Educational activities

The training plan is based on the development of an original research project that is relevant to advancing knowledge in technologies for fundamental research in Physics and Astrophysics. The research topics are organised into five curricula.

The student’s research project must be highly interdisciplinary, consistent with the educational objectives of the programme. In addition to attending advanced training courses, each PhD candidate will have a supervisor from the curriculum of reference, as well as a co-supervisor from the Physics or Astrophysics area relevant to the research project.

Researchers from the participating research institutions may also act as supervisors. Special attention will be devoted to encouraging the involvement of female candidates.

The training programme will provide the skills and tools needed to play a leading role in innovation in advanced technologies used in both public and private research, as well as in the transfer of such technologies to national production sectors.

Research areas

The PhD programme is organised into five curricula, each covering a major thematic area:

• Mechanics: Use and development of advanced methods and technologies in additive manufacturing, materials, cryogenics, ultra-high vacuum, metrology, mechatronics, and multi-physics simulations and analyses.
• Electronics: Topics in analogue and digital microelectronics for detector readout, sensor networks and detectors, electrodynamics, magnetism, radiation-hard electronics, radio-frequency electronics for detectors, power electronics for detectors, electronics for control, diagnostics, and safety systems of accelerators and detectors, and radio communication systems.
• Computing and Computer Science: Implementation of computing and networking technologies, methods and applications in supercomputing, Big Data, data storage, and the use of AI.
• Detectors, Lasers, and Optics: Technologies for radiation detectors, optical, infrared, and high-energy detectors, as well as laser, optical, and optomechanical technologies.
• Electrical Engineering and Accelerator Electrical Engineering: Technologies for generating extremely intense electromagnetic fields for accelerators, including electromagnets, radio-frequency cavities, transmission systems, particularly those operating in superconducting regimes, permanent magnets, and high-performance power systems.

Professional profile

The PhD in Technologies for Fundamental Research in Physics and Astrophysics adopts a strongly trans- and multidisciplinary approach, introducing—for the first time at the national level—a post-graduate training pathway for professionals who can ensure frontier technological development in experimental research. The specialists trained in this programme will possess all the knowledge and skills necessary to address technological progress in fundamental research with versatility, comprehensive understanding, and interdisciplinary approach.

The goal is to prepare PhD graduates capable of leading the development of frontier research in Physics and Astrophysics at managerial or high-responsibility levels, both in academia and in industry.

The innovative nature of the programme represents a significant step forward not only at the national level but also internationally. Most major experiments in the relevant scientific domains take place within international collaborations, with experimental sites located worldwide. Therefore, the professional opportunities for graduates of this PhD programme will also extend broadly at the international level.

The delivery of all courses in English ensures accessibility not only to Italian graduates but also to candidates from around the world. Students will be assigned to one of the five curricula according to the research project presented and approved by the academic board, within which they will acquire and deepen the skills related to their chosen field. However, in order to meet the strongly interdisciplinary requirements of the programme and achieve the intended educational objectives—forming professionals with both technological and experimental research skills—doctoral candidates will also attend courses in Physics and Astrophysics.

Furthermore, the involvement of international faculty during the schools organised for doctoral candidates will guarantee broad and diverse training and enable students to develop complementary skills to address the technological challenges of fundamental research in various application domains.

The training provided through the PhD programme will open concrete professional opportunities primarily within national and international research institutions, thanks to the visibility gained through participation in major international scientific collaborations. The advanced technological skills typically acquired through frontier-level research activities, along with experience in development conducted in collaboration with industry, will create valuable employment opportunities in companies and significantly enhance graduates’ professional profiles. This will also provide strategic benefits for the country, fostering the emergence of new and dynamic professionals capable of facilitating—naturally and directly—the transfer of knowledge and technology from public research institutions and universities to the national industrial sector.

  Curriculum

• Mechanics
• Elecronics
• Computing and information technology
• Detectors, Lasers and Optics
• Electrotechnics and electrotechnics for accelerators

  Other information

• Call and Final ranking
• The International PhD guide
• Administrative information