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Introduction to the PhD Program in Neurobiology

The International School for Advanced Studies in Trieste offers a post-graduate training program to obtain a "Doctor Philosophiae" (Ph.D) degree in Neurobiology. The Ph.D program lasts for four years, with the possibility of obtaining the title at the end of the third year. The program is based on teaching and research activities, with examinations to determine admission from one year to the next and the attainment of the Ph.D degree.

Program Structure and Benefits

The School awards fellowships for 4 years, with a yearly amount of 16,242.96 gross (11.41% tax). Candidates may also hold fellowships from other sources that may be increased by School funds up to the aforementioned amount. Additional benefits include:

• A contribution towards living expenses of 150.00 gross per month for those who subscribe to a registered rent contract in the Trieste province.
• A "laptop contribution" up to 400.00 may be granted upon request and presentation of the relevant invoice.
• A contribution towards the expenses to be enrolled in the health insurance system up to 700 per year will be granted to non-EU students and EU students who are unable to extend their health coverage in Italy.
• Students enrolled in the third/fourth year can request a contribution of up to 1,000.00 for their access to training and/or to create a network of academic contacts to help them in their future career.
• A contribution (70% of the amount of the fellowship) may be awarded to students who are forced to suspend their activity due to illness, maternity, or other serious reasons up to 5 months.

Requirements and Admission Criteria

The School welcomes applications from young candidates who are going to complete or have just completed their undergraduate studies with a strong interest in research. To be admitted to the School, candidates must be in possession of one of the following degrees by 31 October of the same year:

• Italian laurea or laurea specialistica/magistrale in a scientific subject.
• A University degree obtained abroad and considered equivalent to the aforementioned Italian degrees by the governing bodies of the School (i.e., M.Sc.).

Application Procedure

An online application must be filled in and sent using the available procedure. Candidates should upload the following documents in pdf format:

• Curriculum vitae et studiorum.
• A certificate of University examinations taken (with marks).
• A final degree certificate.
• If, at the time of application, candidates are not yet in possession of a degree certificate, they can submit it at the time of the examination.
• European Union candidates can submit a personal declaration instead of the aforementioned certificates.
• A copy of the diploma thesis (if any).

Entrance Exam and Admission

All the information about the oral exams (also by videoconference) can be found in the program details. All students admitted to the School will be notified by email and will be asked to be present at the School starting from the first Monday in November of the same year. Failure to do so without a valid reason will result in the loss of the place and fellowship awarded. In order to be enrolled and to be awarded the fellowship, admitted candidates must pay a "Regional Tax" of the amount of 120.00 - 160.00 per year.

Research Fields

Projects available for the first year students include:

• Somatosensation
• Peripheral Nervous System
• Olfactory Systems and Ion Channels
• Synaptic Neurophysiology and Neuronal Networks
• Bionanotechnology
• New Materials and Neurons
• Dynamics and time scales of neuronal excitability
• Neuronal networks properties
• Role of noise in the nervous system
• Biophysical modelling of the nervous system
• Spinal networks patho-physiology and locomotion
• Interfaces to simultaneously stimulate and record signals from the spinal cord
• Computational modelling of ion channels, neurons, and networks
• Information processing and excitability in neocortical neurons
• In vitro optogenetic control of neuronal networks

Key Dates

• Deadline for online procedure: 25 March 2026
• Oral Exam: 22-23 April 2026
• Head of the PhD course: Prof. Laura Ballerini