Call for Doctoral positions in the International Doctoral School in
Biomolecular Sciences – 25th Cycle

The University of Trento announces the 25th cycle of the Doctoral School in Biomolecular Sciences.
Length: three years
Scientific areas:
BIO/10 Biochemistry
BIO/11 Molecular Biology
BIO/13 Applied Biology
BIO/18 Genetics
BIO/19 Microbiology
CHIM/06 Organic Chemistry
INF/01 Informatics

Head of School: prof. Paolo Macchi
Tel. +39 0461 88 3095 – 3819; E-mail: phd.bioscie@unitn.it
Official language: English

The selection for 10 doctoral positions is announced. 7 positions will be assigned scholarships. The scholarships are funded as follows:

  • no. 2 scholarships funded by the University of Trento on research projects to be carried out at the laboratories of CIBIO.
  • no. 1 scholarship funded by the Microsoft Research – Centre for Computational and Systems Biology, Università degli Studi di Trento (CoSBi) and reserved for candidates with a research project in “Polarized cell growth – “Investigation of the spatial and temporal interactions that are responsible for the polarized growth in wild-type and mutant fission yeast cells.“
  • no. 1 scholarship funded by the Microsoft Research – Centre for Computational and Systems Biology, Università degli Studi di Trento (CoSBi) and reserved for a research project in “Regulation of p53 induced transcription – Use of experimental measurements of p53 transactivation potential is expected, in order to computationally reveal how p53 can achieve selective binding and differential transactivation of target genes in response to various stress conditions.”
  • no. 1 scholarship funded by Fondazione Bruno Kessler (FBK) and reserved for a research project in “Study and development of nanomaterials aimed at purifying nucleic acids from cell samples”.
  • no. 1 scholarship funded by Fondazione Bruno Kessler (FBK) and reserved for a research project in “Functional genomics on UHTS data. Novel analyses methods for profiling of ultra-high throughput (”next-generation”) sequencing data in large-scale functional genomics will be developed: the research will include the study of computational methods, procedures and standards for reproducibility of analyses”.
  • no. 1 scholarship funded by Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Istituto di Biofisica and reserved for a research project “Pore-forming toxins activity in biological membranes.”This scholarship is dedicated to the memory of the late Dr. Gianfranco Menestrina.

The number of grant-assisted positions may be increased by funds from universities, public research institutions or qualified private organizations that are become available after the publication of this announcement and before the oral examinations. Any increase in the number of available positions resulting from an increase of grants will be posted on the website: http://portale.unitn.it/ic/dott/sb.htm

Art. 2 – ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Applications for the doctoral positions are accepted from candidates, regardless of gender, age and nationality, who have an Italian “laurea specialistica” or “laurea magistrale” in compliance with Ministerial Decree no. 509 of 3.11.1999 as amended, a university degree of the previously enforced Italian regulations, or an equivalent academic degree obtained abroad.
The degree in scientific areas will be a preferential title.

Applicants who have a foreign degree which has not been officially recognized as equivalent to an Italian degree must submit a request for equivalence in the application. This is done by adding the following documents:

  • the degree certificate or, in the case of E.U. citizens, a self-certification (according to Presidential Decree no. 445 of December 28, 2000);
  • translation into English of the degree certificate, with exams taken, grades obtained and signed by the applicant under their own responsibility, in order to enable the Doctorate School Committee to declare its equivalence, for the sole purpose of being admitted to the selection of this call. Applications are also accepted from students who expect to complete their by the 9th of October 2009 In such cases admission is “conditional” and applicants must be able to present to the Secretary of the Doctoral School in Biomolecular Sciences (Address: Via delle Regole, 101 – 38060 Mattarello (TN), Italy; Fax: +39 0461 883937) the degree certificate, or a self-certification (according to Presidential Decree no. 445 of 28.12.2000 applicable only to EU citizens) that they have gained the degree within this date or they will be excluded.

After admission to the School, successful non-EU applicants who have a non-Italian qualification and successful EU applicants who have a non-EU qualification, must provide the degree certificate with exams and grades obtained, translated and authenticated by an Italian consulate, embassy or diplomatic representative in the country where the degree was issued, and the respective declaration of validity (“Dichiarazione di Valore”), not later than the date set for enrolment in the Doctoral School.

Art. 3 – THE DOCTORATE PROGRAMME

The Doctorate School in Biomolecular Sciences is characterized by a program that enables students to acquire high-level skills in different research areas, encouraging the development of scientific and technological progress in innovative areas that require interdisciplinary approaches.

The teaching and research programs of the Doctoral School aim to promote cooperation with other Italian or foreign universities. For this reason, study periods abroad not exceeding one year are considered mandatory.

The training is characterized by an appropriate balance between:

  1. courses, mostly concentrated in the first and second year and
  2. research activity in the laboratory.

Each doctorate student attends a timely training course that includes, besides the research performed under the supervision of the tutor and advisor in accordance with the respective competences, base and advanced courses as well as specialization courses in Sciences and Biomolecular Technologies at the University of Trento.

The students enrolled at the International Doctoral School in Biomolecular Sciences are obliged to attend courses, seminars, symposia and practical courses organized by the Doctorate School.

Base and advanced courses. The teaching staff of the University of Trento, assisted also by visiting professors, will provide enhancement courses regarding specific topics of biological and biotechnological relevance. Furthermore during the first year, practical laboratory activities are planned, in order to offer to the new students the opportunity to know directly the scientific topics carried out by different research groups.

Internationally renowned teachers will be invited to hold specific courses of particular scientific relevance.

Seminars. National and international researches will be invited to present their research within the seminar cycle. Internal seminars (journal clubs and progress report) will be regularly organized in order to present and discuss new published results or to shown data of ongoing research activities.

Symposia. A symposium (named work in progress) which all the doctorate students have to attend will be organized once a year. They will present posters regarding their project and will give a short presentation of their results. For the doctorate student, this meeting will be the occasion to socialize and in particular to know the projects and the results of his/her colleagues. Moreover, they will have the opportunity to gain experience in communication and presentation of scientific results.

The 3-year Doctoral School in organized in the following way:

First year: the doctoral students must attend:

  • Courses for a total of 60 hours
  • Initiatives described above.

The teaching program offered each year by the Doctoral School is presented at the start of the academic year in the School’s Manifesto of Studies which will be published on the internet at http://portale.unitn.it/drbs/

At the end of the first year, students must submit a plan of study indicating the courses that each of them intends to follow during the second year among those proposed in the manifesto of the studies.

Second year: the doctoral students must attend:

  • Courses for a total of 60 hours, selected from the basic courses and other courses offered by the Research Doctoral and possibly those of the two-year Specialist Degree Course in Biomolecular Sciences and Technology.
  • Initiatives described above

Early in the second year, the student presents the proposal for the PhD thesis.
During the second year of the Doctorate, upon request, the doctoral students in Biomolecolar Sciences can be authorized to carry out paid auxiliary and integrative teaching activities for a total of not more than 60 hours as long as this does not affect attendance at the doctoral courses and the student’s educational activities.

The third year doctoral students focus predominantly on their research. They must attend the initiatives previously described.

For the admission to the second year, the following requisites are essential:

  • constant participation to the educational activities proposed by the Doctoral School;
  • to pass an examination to evaluate the background and the research activity as well as the obtained preliminary results. The students have two possibilities to hold the exam in order to be admitted to the second year;
  • to obtain a fulfilling evaluation which the either the advisor or the tutor – in case no advisor has been assigned – has to provide within the end of the first year. The letter of evaluation must be concise, clear and precise.

Based on the above information, the Commission proposes to the examination of the Doctoral School Committee of the following scores:

  • APPROVED. The student can access to the second year.
  • APPROVED WITH WARNING, the student may continue but shortcomings have been highlighted in the preparation or research project.
  • NOT APPROVED, further review and evaluation are needed.

The student, who needs a serious revision of the research project based of comments received from the advisor or tutor or from the Committee of Examination, is invited to a subsequent discussion in front of Doctoral School Committee and in the presence of the advisor and tutor.
At the end of this stage of evaluation, the Doctoral School Committee will inform the student of its decision.

For the admission to the third year, the following requisites are essential:

  • to pass an examination to evaluate the background and the research activity as well as the obtained preliminary results;
  • constant participation in the educational activities proposed by the Doctoral School;
  • to obtain a fulfilling evaluation which the advisor or the tutor has to provide within the end of the second year.

For admission to the final exam, the tutor submits to the Doctoral School Committee a letter of presentation that assess the activities carried out by the PhD candidate along with a list of publications that the candidate has submitted or published during the PhD period.
Based on this letter, the Doctoral School Committee will express the opinion of assessment.
Only upon a positive evaluation by the Doctoral School Committee, the student is admitted to the final exam.

Art. 4 – APPLICATION

Application should be made using the form attached to this announcement.
The application, together with all the attachments required, must arrive at the University of Trento by the 30th of September 2009 in one of the following ways:
a) hand-delivered to the University of Trento – Ufficio Protocollo Centrale, Via Belenzani 12 – 38100 Trento (ITALY) from 10:00 am to 12:00 a.m., Monday to Friday;
b) by mail to the following address: Al Magnifico Rettore dell’Università degli Studi di Trento, Via Belenzani 12 – 38100 Trento (ITALY) (please write “Selection for Doctoral School in Biomolecular Sciences” on the envelope);
c) on-line application by 4:00 p.m. (GMT+1)at the following website: http://portale.unitn.it/en/applyphd.htm

Applications arriving after 4:00 p.m. (GMT+1) of the 30th of September 2009 will be disregarded, even if sent before the deadline.
The University of Trento does not accept responsibility for mishandling of applications by mail or courier services, or for applications sent to an incorrect address.

According to Italian Law no. 104/92, art. 20 and to Italian Law no. 68/99, art. 16, par. 1, applicants with special needs are expected to indicate explicitly in their application whether they require special assistance or extra time during the examinations. Under Legislative Decree 196/03, all information will be kept confidential.

Attachments:
Applications must include:
1. A photocopy of the applicant’s identity card or passport;
2. The degree certificate, with a list of the examinations successfully passed and scores obtained in each examination (or degree self-certification, according to Presidential Decree no. 445 of 28.12.2000 concerning EU citizens).

Applicants expecting to be awarded their degree by the 9th of October must submit a certification (or self-certification, according to Presidential Decree no. 445 of 28.12.2000 relating to EU citizens) of the enrolment in the course of studies with a list of the examinations passed and marks obtained.

Applicants expecting to be awarded a foreign degree must submit, furthermore, a translation in English of the exams taken and scores obtained, signed under their own responsibility, valid solely for the purposes of admission to the selection process.
Then, all the applicants will be required to send the degree certificate or self-certification (for the EU citizens according to Presidential Decree no. 445 of 28.12.2000) declaring they have gained the degree, with the grade obtained, to the Secretariat of the Doctoral School of Biomolecular Sciences (Fax 0039 0461 883937) within this date or they will be excluded.

Applicants who have a foreign qualification that has not been officially recognized as equivalent to the Italian degree, have to attach a translation in English of the degree certificate with exams taken and scores obtained, signed under their own responsibility, so as to allow the Doctoral School Committee to declare the equivalence, valid solely for the purposes of admission to the selection process;

3. Curriculum vitae et studiorum;
4. Summary of the degree’s thesis, in English for foreign candidates, subdivided in: thesis motivation, investigation methods, results obtained (with a maximum of 4 pages).

Application may include:

  • At least one reference letter in English or Italian written by thesis advisor or by experts in the doctoral research areas. Any certificates of the English language (e.g. TOEFL, Proficiency Certificate or other);
  • any other qualifications useful for assessment of the applicant (e.g.: scientific publications, prizes, study and post-graduate activities of research, etc.);
  • candidates not resident in Italy who wish to sit the entrance exam in their home countries should provide the Form A duly completed.

If, subsequent to the submission of their application, applicants need to add further information, this must reach the University offices by 4:00 p.m. (GMT+1) of the 30th of September 2009, through one of the ways listed in the letter a) or b) of this article. The applicant’s name, Doctoral School in Biomolecular
Sciences and “Integrazione domanda” must be clearly written on the envelope.

The University of Trento has the right to check, even to spot check, declarations and documents provided by the candidates, according of art. 71 and following articles of the Presidential Decree no. 445 of 28th of December 2000. Candidates whose applications do not conform to the admission requirements set out in the present call may be excluded from the selection process by written notice at any time.

Art. 5 – SELECTION

The selection process consists of:

  • an evaluation assessment of qualifications according to Art. 4;
  • an oral examination.

The Committee may make use of an overall score of 100 points, divided in the following way:

  • 60 points for the qualifications assessment;
  • 40 points for the oral examination.

In order to be admitted to the oral examination candidates must reach a minimum score of 30/60 after the qualifications assessment.

The list of those candidates admitted to the oral examination will be published, after the qualifications assessment, on the web page: http://portale.unitn.it/en/ec/phd/bs.htm.
In order to take the oral examination the candidates must present a valid photo ID.
The oral examination is considered passed with a score even or equal to 20/40.

The selection is considered passed with a score even or equal to 50/100.

Candidates who live abroad, and who intend to take the oral examination from the country they live in, may take the oral exam by phone or electronically, upon receiving consent from the Admissions Committee and upon verifying technical feasibility. These candidates must provide (by filling out Form A) the contact information of the name of a professor or employee belonging to a University or diplomatic institution who may verify the candidate’s identity and oversee the oral examination. The Committee will give candidate appropriate notice of the day and time the oral examination will take place.

There will be no notification sent directly to the candidates who have been admitted to the oral examination.
Instructions pertaining to the date, time and location of the oral examination will be published at least 20 days before they occur on the following webpage: http://portale.unitn.it/en/ec/phd/bs.htm.as laid out in Art. 20 of the University Regulations of Doctoral Schools.

Art. 6 – PROGRAMME OF THE ORAL EXAMINATION

The interview aims to ascertain the preparation of the candidate and his/her research aptitude. The interview is held in English. The interview focuses on questions relating to the research carried out by the candidate, the contribution to any scientific publications along with general questions aimed to determine the background of the candidate.

Art. 7 – ADMISSIONS COMMITTEE

Upon hearing the Doctoral School Committee the Rector appoints the Admissions Committee.
It consists of three members chosen among Italian and foreign tenure professors and researchers, who are experts in the scientific areas of the Doctoral School. The Committee may also include two experts, who may be foreign, from public and private national and international research centres.
Having held the qualifications evaluation and the oral examination, the Committee will draw up a merit-based ranking according to the scores obtained by the applicants.
The final ranking of the candidates will be posted on the website: http://portale.unitn.it/en/ec/phd/bs.htm
Through publication of such list, notification concerning the proceedings is considered to be fulfilled.
Applicants admitted to the School will not receive personal communication of their results.

Art. 8 – ADMISSION TO THE DOCTORAL SCHOOL

Applicants will be admitted to the Doctoral School according to their rank in the final score list and until all available and eligible positions have been filled.
If the candidates are equally worthy of admission, the student’s economic situation will be evaluated for positions that include a grant, in accordance with the Decree of the President of the Council of Ministers (D.P.C.M.) of 9.04.2001 as amended, for positions not assigned a grant, the youngest student shall be given priority.
If an eligible applicant withdraws before the beginning of the programme, the applicant next in rank will be offered the position.
If an eligible applicant withdraws or is excluded in the first three-month term of the first year, the Doctoral School Committee may decide to fill the vacancy with another candidate next in rank in the final score list.
According to art. 19, paragraph 3 of the University Regulations for Doctoral Schools and according to previous Doctoral School Committee resolutions, the Admissions Committee may admit to the School up to 20% of the total assigned places, candidates who are eligible in the general ranking, if they belong to the following categories:

  • applicants from non-E.U. countries who have been awarded any kind of grant;
  • applicants from a country with a specific intergovernmental agreement with Italy, on the basis of a bilateral agreement between the University of Trento and the foreign university (with no obligatory financial burden for the University of Trento);
  • shortlisted applicants who have been awarded grants under Law 449/97, Art. 51 (“Assegni di ricerca”).

Art. 9 – HOW TO ENROLL

Eligible applicants who are admitted to the School should forward their enrolment application on paper with attached stamp duty to:

Università degli Studi di Trento
Direzione Didattica e Servizi agli Studenti
Ufficio Dottorati ed Esami di Stato
Via Inama, 5 – 38100 Trento (ITALIA)

within 15 days after the date of the publication of the final ranking at the page:
http://portale.unitn.it/en/ec/phd/bs.htm

If applicable, the payment receipt of the provincial tax for the right to university study (TDS) must be attached to the application.
In the application (forms are available at the Ufficio Dottorati ed Esami di Stato and on the website:
http://portale.unitn.it/en/ec/phd/bs.htm) candidates should:

  • indicate whether they ask to be awarded a scholarship (successful applicants, who have not been awarded a scholarship should also fill out this section, in case an applicant with scholarship should withdraw);
  • state whether they receive another grant, different from the one awarded by the University of Trento, from the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs;
  • state whether they have already been awarded an Italian scholarship for a doctoral programme;
  • declare that they are not already enrolled and undertake not to enrol on any other programme for a degree, an Italian “Scuola di Specializzazione”, a Ph.D., or Master degree of the I or the II level, for the duration of this Doctoral Programme. Or alternatively, commit to stop attending such a school before the start of the Doctoral Programme;
  • state whether they are an Italian public sector employee;
  • commit to obtain authorization from the Doctoral School Committee before taking up any form of employment;
  • commit to promptly inform the University of any changes of their residence or address.

Admitted non-E.U. applicants holding a non-Italian qualification and admitted E.U. applicants holding a non-E.U. degree must also present their degree certificate along with exams taken and grades, translated and authenticated by an Italian consulate, embassy or diplomatic representative in the country where the degree was issued, and the respective declaration of validity (“Dichiarazione di Valore”), within the date set for enrolment in the Doctoral School.

Eligible applicants admitted to the School who do not send their application within 15 days following the publication date of the ranking on the web page: http://portale.unitn.it/en/ec/phd/bs.htm, lose the right to enrol and their corresponding position will be offered to the next candidate on the list.

Art. 10 – GRANTS

Grants are assigned based on the ranking of applicants drawn up by the Admissions Committee.
If an applicant forfeits his/her right to the grant, the next eligible applicant on the list will be offered the grant.
In the case of one or more grants financed by external entities, the candidates can chose which grant to benefit from, based on their position in the ranking. If these scholarships are reserved for specific areas of research, the candidate may choose to accept or decline the scholarship.

The gross amount of the scholarship is Euro 13,638.47 per year 1.
Grants are normally paid bi-monthly and in advance, with the exception of undue payments in case the student is expelled or suspended.

Grants cannot be combined with other scholarships, except those awarded by national or foreign scientific institutes deemed appropriate for the research activities carried out by the doctoral student.
The scholarship will be increased by 50% for research periods spent abroad that are authorized by the Head of the School or by the Doctoral School Committee.

Grants are awarded for the entire duration of the program following confirmation by the Doctoral School Committee of the results achieved every year by the doctoral students.
A doctoral student’s failure to attend the program for over thirty days will lead to grant suspension.

Art. 11 – DOCTORAL STUDENTS RIGHTS AND DUTIES

Doctoral students must commit to attend the doctorate programme and carry out research and studies on a full- time basis according to the schedules and the regulations laid out by the Doctoral School Committee, as specified in Art. 3 of the present announcement.
Students participating in a co-tutelle programme are required to carry out study and research activities according to the agreement signed with the foreign University.
In case of a negative evaluation by the Doctoral School Committee regarding a student’s participation in School activities and studies, the Rector can exclude him/her from the Doctoral School Programme.
Grants financed by external bodies, where specific research is to be carried out, limit the grant holders to carry out that specific work for the entire duration of the programme.
For the length of the doctorate programme, students are insured by the University against accidents and damage to third parties that occur solely in circumstances pertaining to the doctoral school programme.
From the beginning and for the duration of the doctoral school programme, a public sector employee who is accepted for a doctoral programme may request a leave of absence for reasons of study, without a stipend and may benefit form the doctoral grant, as long as conditions are met.
In the case of admission to a doctorate programme without a grant, or should the applicant not accept it, the person on leave of absence may benefit from the economic remuneration, social insurance and retirement benefits provided by the public institution where he/she is employed. Should the employee terminate employment in public office within two years from having obtained the doctoral degree, the amount paid out during the course of the doctoral studies must be claimed back.

Art. 12 – DOCTORAL TITLE CONFERRAL

The doctoral title, conferred by the Rector, is granted when students pass the final examination which takes place at the end of the doctorate programme.
Upon advice given by the Doctoral School Committee, the Examination Committee is nominated by the Rector, in accordance with the University Regulations for Doctoral Schools.
The issuing of the degree certificate is conditional upon the candidate providing the University archive with copies of the final dissertation The University archives will ensure public accessibility and the proper conservation of the printed thesis. The University will see to it that the National Libraries in Rome and Florence will be provided with a copy of the dissertation, as required by Italian law.

Art. 13 – PERSONAL DATA

The University of Trento, in accordance with Legislative Decree 196/03 “Italian Personal Data Protection Code”, may use applicants’ personal data only for the purpose of selection procedures and for institutional reasons.
In observance of the above-mentioned legislative decree, participation in the selection requires the applicant to give the University of Trento permission to publish his/her personal data concerning the results of the selection procedure on the University website.

*(1) Al the date of publication of the present call, Italian law (art. 2, §26 of Law 335/95 and subsequent modifications) states that scholarships are subject to pension fund contributions (INPS) starting from 1/01/2009, of 17% or 25,72%, of which 1/3 will be charged to the candidate.

Art. 14 – REFERRAL RULE

For matters not explicitly mentioned in the present announcement, please refer to art. 4 of Law no. 210 of 3rd of July 1998, to Ministerial Decree no. 224 of 30th of April 1999 and to the University Regulations for Doctoral Schools issued with the Rector’s Decree no. 937 of 16th of December 2003 and amended with the Rector’s Decree no. 359 of 19th of April 2006.

Trento, 8th of May 2009
The Rector
prof. Davide Bassi

Please kindly mention Scholarshiponline.info when applying for this scholarship