PhD in
The main goal of this programme is to train future scientists with a strong professional background who are capable of working in an international and highly competitive environment, such as the Information Technology (IT) sector.
What makes our PhD graduates ideal candidates to work as researchers both in academia and in the IT sector is their ability to research and understand theoretical and applied research topics, the collaborative approach to work, and their dissemination and writing skills. Moreover, problem solving skills and the ability to work autonomously enable them to become key players in every field of IT, as independent consultants or in management roles.
At the end of our programme, graduates are equipped with a vast knowledge of IT, from the formal and theoretical aspects to the latest developments in methodology and technology.
PhD students can choose any of the three research themes offered by the faculty. They are different not only in the main topics explored, but also in the research methodology applied. In the Knowledge and Data area, students investigate the topics of Intelligent Integration and Access to Data, Conceptual and Cognitive Modelling, and Process-aware Information Systems Management. In the Software and Systems Engineering area, work follows an empirical approach based on the implementation of prototypes and techniques and the carrying out and analysis of experiments. Finally, the Information and Database Systems Engineering area adopts a hybrid approach, with a focus on efficient implementation and user interaction. This large spectrum of topics offers PhD candidates a wide range of options to develop their own research and great flexibility to match their interests.
Duration of the programme: 3 years
Courses will be taught in English
Places available: 10 with scholarship + 3 without scholarship
Campus: Bozen-Bolzano
Tuition fees: € 189 per year
The aim of the PhD programme is to allow students to acquire the abilities and skills to carry out independent research in the area of computer science. This also involves the ability to communicate ideas clearly and efficiently orally and in writing and the ability to work in groups.
In order to conclude the programme successfully, the PhD student has to elaborate a research topic independently and this research must contribute significantly to current knowledge in the area of computer science. Due to the time limits of the programme, PhD students will focus on their research work. To achieve this, they are supported by a structured PhD programme.
The programme is divided into four stages, respectively ending at months 6, 12, 24, and 36 of the programme.
During the three years of the PhD programme, candidates are required to commit full-time to the PhD, and the programme will include both working on the research project and learning activities. Students are also strongly encouraged to carry out part of their research in another university or research center, for a longer period, ranging from 1 month and up to 18 months. This is an extremely valuable opportunity for a PhD candidate to study specific aspects of their research in depth under direct supervision of world experts in their chosen research topic. It is also an opportunity to carry out research in highly stimulating and competitive contexts, while exchanging ideas with other scholars and establishing an early network of colleagues in the world of research.
We have established partnerships with many universities and research institutions in Italy and abroad, such as the Technical University of Dresden, the Universidade Nova of Lisbon and the Technical University of Vienna. In addition, members of our Faculty cooperate on a regular basis with other universities and research institutes, such as Oxford University, Rice University Houston, Zürich University, Sapienza University of Rome, University of Trento, and FBK Trento.
Some of the PhD positions are collaborations supported by external research and industry partners (Fondazione Bruno Kessler FBK, Südtiroler Informatik SIAG, NOI Techpark, Barbieri Electronic snc, University of Umea).
PhD Programme Coordinator: Prof. Antonio Liotta
Student representative in the Lecturer's Committee: Thomas Borsani
Living in South Tyrol, Housing, Scholarships and more
Application procedure, Visa, Residence permit and more
You can find key information to apply and gain admission to this PhD Programme. For detailed information browse the general and specific calls below.
In order to gain admission to the PhD programme, you will need to have obtained 300 ECTS credit points (Master degree) and have some relevant academic experience in Computer Science, Computer Engineering or Electronics or in a related discipline.
Application deadline: by 11/07/2024 (by noon local time)
Admission interviews: 17-18/07/2024 (via MS Teams)
Publication of ranking lists: by 05/08/2024
Applicants with scholarship: by 20/08/2024 at 12pm (local time);
Applicants without scholarship: starting from 21/08/2024 until 30/08/2024;
Enrolment: Starting from 21/08/2024 until 31/10/2024 (by noon local time)
Application deadline: 02/10/2024 (by noon local time)
Admission interviews: to be defined (via MS Teams)
Publication ranking list: by 17/10/2024
Applicants with scholarship: 25/10/2024 (by noon local time)
Enrolment: starting from 26/10/2024 until 31/10/2024
Total Positions: 13
Positions with university scholarships: 4
Positions with other types of scholarships: 2
Positions MD 630/2024 under PNRR: 2
Positions ESF+: 1
Co-funded by Eurac Research: 1
Positions without scholarship: 3
Positions with other types of scholarships: 1
Positions ESF+: 1
In the academic year 2024/2025, the Computer Science doctoral school offers 15 research topics.
At this link you can find the detailed descriptions (project description + required skills) of all Research Projects and their corresponding supervisors.
Please carefully read the document, consider that you can select up to three projects. You may also propose a topic not included in the list of projects provided. The proposed topic should match the expertise of a Scientific Committee member.
At this link you can find the list of research projects and their corresponding proposed supervisors of the MD630/2024 PNRR positions.
At this link you can find the list of research projects and their corresponding proposed supervisors of the ESF+ positions.
At this link you can find the detailed descriptions (project description + required skills) of the project funded by external organization
At this link you can find the description of the project FSE+ funded
All citizens may apply to be admitted to a PhD program:
To apply for the position financed by European Social Fund Plus ESF+
The official language of the PhD programme is English. Therefore applicants must have very good knowledge of English.
The proficiency in English will also be assessed during the interviews.
Applications to the selection procedure can be submitted from the date of the announcement of the public competition.
Each application is subject to a payment for administrative expenses (30 €). This registration fee cannot be reimbursed under any circumstances.
In order to apply, you need to follow these steps:
Completing the application online is the only way to submit the application. Applications will not be considered if:
It is necessary to upload the required documentation for each PhD programme chosen in the portal. A traffic light system indicates complete/incomplete documentation (missing documents will be marked in red).
Only documents uploaded by the deadline will be evaluated. It is advisable to apply online well in advance and to check the portal regularly to take note of any notes concerning missing and/or incorrect documents.
After the deadline, it will no longer be possible to complete/correct incomplete applications.
The University is not liable if the portal is overcharged, due to the net or to the software itself.
To apply to the PhD programme, applicants must include the documentation listed below. Incomplete applications will be excluded from the competition.
Attention: text exceeding the maximum allowed length (if clearly indicated for a document) will not be taken into account! Please respect the format/length indicated.
Diploma supplement or the Master degree diploma together with the transcript of records of all passed exams (=certificate with exams list of Master degree):
The above must contain the following information: final grade, exams passed with grade and date of passing, credit points, scientific fields (the latter only for Italian titles), university where the degree was or will be awarded and date of graduation.
For qualifications obtained abroad, also: scale of grades awarded by the home university (with a minimum final grade to obtain the qualification and a maximum final grade achievable). Unibz reserves the right to request a description of the contents of the single courses and/or teaching hours where necessary.
Other documents (facultative) to be included in the application if available:
Selection is based on:
The following points are awarded:
The Selection Board will select the best candidates based on a comparative evaluation. Candidates who obtain a score of at least 45 points in the evaluation of the admission documentation will be admitted to the next stage of the selection, which will consist of an oral interview in which knowledge of the English language will also be assessed. Remote interviews must take place via video call (MS Teams).
The final score is the sum of the score obtained in the evaluation of the documentation and the score obtained in the oral interview. The maximum score obtainable is 100.
Candidates who obtain a minimum score of 70/100 in the assessment will be considered eligible. The ranking of successful candidates for admission to the PhD programme is defined by the final score calculated as above. The best eligible candidates are admitted to the course according to the number of places available with and without a scholarship, in the order of their ranking. The remaining eligible candidates will be placed on a waiting list. Candidates on the waiting list will only be admitted to the course if an already admitted candidate withdraws from the course.
Fees amount to € 189
In order to confirm your study place, you need to log on to the application portal and pay the tuition fees (€ 189) which includes the provincial tax for the right to study of € 173 and a revenue stamp of € 16. by one of the methods indicated on the portal by the deadline indicated above.
If you do not respect this deadline, you will automatically lose your study place. If, by paying the instalment you have confirmed the study place, there will be no refund of the tuition fees unless you are a non-EU applicant resident abroad and you do not receive the necessary documents from the Italian authorities in your country.
Publication of the call: from 10/06/2024
Application deadline: by 11/07/2024 (by noon local time)
CALL GENERAL PART (PDF): EN – IT – DE
CALL SPECIFIC PART (PDF): EN – IT – DE
Publication of the call: from 10/06/2024
Application deadline: by 11/07/2024 (by noon local time)
CALL GENERAL PART (PDF): EN – IT – DE
CALL SPECIFIC PART (PDF): EN – IT – DE
Publication of the call: from 02/09/2024
Application deadline: by 02/10/2024 (by noon local time)
CALL GENERAL PART (PDF): EN – IT – DE
CALL SPECIFIC PART (PDF): EN – IT – DE
Publication of the call: from 02/09/2024
Application deadline: by 02/10/2024 (by noon local time)
CALL GENERAL PART (PDF): EN – IT – DE
CALL SPECIFIC PART (PDF): EN – IT – DE
Contact us by phone at +39 0471 012800 or send us an e-mail: phd@unibz.it.