Coordinator
Professor Francesca Modugno
e-mail: francesca.modugno@unipi.it
Administrative seat
Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry (DCCI)
Project description
The PhD Programme in Chemical and Materials Sciences (DSCM) is designed to: deepen knowledge of theoretical, experimental and computational techniques and methodologies for the synthesis, characterisation and development of molecular systems and materials; strengthen the ability to conduct independent research within a highly interdisciplinary network; and foster the development of transferable skills, such as the ability to present one’s research clearly and effectively to both specialist and general audiences, to write scientific papers and proposals, and to incorporate them into the broader context of the final thesis.
The programme is updated annually through consultations with stakeholders and an analysis of the academic backgrounds of incoming students and the professional profiles of graduates.
The Academic Board appoints a supervisor and co-supervisor for each PhD candidate, typically selected from among the lecturers or researchers of the DCCI. The co-supervisor may also be a scientifically qualified member of staff from other universities or public or private research institutions. The candidate works with their supervisors to define a research project, which is then submitted to the Academic Board. Each year, candidates are required to report on the progress of their research to the DSCM Academic Board and all DCCI lecturers, and to present their work in a seminar.
The individual study plan is agreed with the supervisors and the Coordinator, who carry out ongoing monitoring of both scientific and educational activities. This includes assessing annual reports and interim seminars, and supporting the student in defining and achieving their goals, encouraging increasing levels of independence.
Candidates are required to attend courses offered by the DSCM (https://dscm.dcci.unipi.it/offerta-formativa/corsi.html), amounting to at least 32 hours in the first year, and at least 28 hours across the second and third years. These are scheduled to complement their research activities. With prior authorisation, one or more of these courses may be replaced by courses offered by the University, other PhD programmes, or national and international schools.
The programme also includes advanced language training, and all educational activities are conducted in English, which is the official language of the programme. PhD students attend the course “English for Research Publication and Presentation Purposes” (30 hours), offered by the University Language Centre, as well as interdisciplinary training modules organised by the University (https://dottorato.unipi.it/index.php/it/dottorandi/item/609.html), and a minimum number of scientific seminars, held by the DSCM, the Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry (DCCI), other departments or institutions, or within national or international schools.
PhD candidates are also involved in public engagement activities such as “Bright – The European Researchers’ Night”, and in the production of videos about their research (“PhD Tales”, https://dscm.dcci.unipi.it/dottorandi/video-phd.html). They are also responsible for organising the international conference “Chemistry for the Future” (https://cff.dcci.unipi.it/). Students are consistently encouraged and supported – also through dedicated funding – to attend national and international conferences and workshops.
In addition to DSCM courses, the University of Pisa offers interdisciplinary training opportunities aimed at enhancing knowledge and skills in areas such as languages, statistics, IT, digital tools, and entrepreneurship. These are designed to improve career prospects and facilitate participation in international research systems and knowledge valorisation. The University also offers action-learning seminars through the Career Labs for Doc and European project planning workshops.
Particular attention is given to raising the visibility of the training and research programme: students are required to share the results of their research with a non-specialist audience via the dedicated “PhD Bulletin Board”, the DSCM’s website and social media channels (https://dscm.dcci.unipi.it/dottorandi/bacheca.html), and to update their personal webpages with information about their projects and research outputs (e.g. https://dscm.dcci.unipi.it/dottorandi/cicli-attivi/ciclo-38.html). They also participate in the “Chemistry for the Future” conference through oral presentations or posters.
PhD students are further encouraged to participate actively in scientific events and competitive calls at local, national and international level. They are also involved in activities aimed at deepening the interdisciplinary aspects of their research, learning to manage the various components of a scientific project.
Course objectives
The aim of the DSCM is to train recent graduates in Chemistry, Industrial Chemistry and related disciplines in the most advanced methods of research in the various fields of Chemistry and Materials Science. The programme equips them with the knowledge and skills required to play a key role in basic and applied chemistry, industrial chemistry, materials science, and other sectors where chemistry plays a central role.
PhD students learn how to approach and solve complex problems by competently using experimental, computational and theoretical techniques in a multidisciplinary research environment. The programme focuses on the synthesis, characterisation and development of molecular species and materials, including organic, inorganic, polymeric and supramolecular systems.
Within a highly qualified setting, each PhD candidate acquires the skills, knowledge and working methods necessary to conduct high-level research. They develop their project within one of the most cutting-edge fields of chemistry, such as molecular modelling; the synthesis and characterisation of molecular systems and aggregates; functional and nanostructured polymeric and/or hybrid materials; spectroscopic and thermodynamic analysis of molecular and collective properties; processes related to energy production, storage and transport; innovative methodologies for environmental, clinical and cultural heritage analysis; reaction mechanisms and molecular interactions; catalysis and sustainable chemical processes for more efficient use of natural and environmental resources.
Multidisciplinary research projects involving multiple scientific disciplines are actively encouraged, including collaborations with other departments and national or international research institutions.
The training and research objectives are achieved through the access of PhD students to high-quality structural resources, including equipment, services, logistics and administrative support and facilities at the Department, the University’s libraries and bibliographic resources, the University’s IT system, and the Centro per l’Integrazione della Strumentazione dell’Università di Pisa (CISUP – https://cisup.unipi.it/). CISUP is a core facility platform providing access to a wide range of recently acquired advanced instruments, including techniques for spectrometry, microscopy and imaging, materials analysis, calorimetry, spectroscopy, additive manufacturing and microlayering.
Essential to achieving these objectives is the extensive and varied scientific and technical support provided by the DCCI’s lecturers, technicians and collaborators, who share a clear, structured and publicly accessible outline of the PhD training pathway.
Another key objective is the internationalisation of the training environment. This is pursued through strong engagement with internationally renowned researchers and research institutions, including participation in international projects, scientific events, and dedicated teaching activities, some of which are delivered by high-profile visiting scholars and experts. International mobility is strongly encouraged, with opportunities for doctoral students to spend periods abroad ranging from 3 to 12 months. This helps them develop the ability to carry out research in dynamic international settings, promotes independence, and facilitates integration into highly qualified research networks.
In addition to scientific training, the programme also aims to develop transferable and soft skills such as teamwork, scientific communication, outreach, event organisation, competitive funding applications, familiarity with European and international research systems, and project management.
Another key objective is to prepare PhD students to actively contribute to the University’s third mission. To this end, students receive specific training and take part in outreach and communication initiatives related to their research activities, tailored to different audiences and target groups. Strong links are maintained with industry and collaborations with private companies and public institutions are common, often playing a significant role in the students’ projects.
The objectives of technology transfer and valorisation of research results are consistently supported by the Department and the University, helping to maximise the impact of doctoral research and place candidates at the centre of a network of cross-sector contacts, thereby significantly enhancing their career prospects after the PhD.
Scientific-disciplinary areas
Analytical Chemistry
Physical Chemistry
General and Inorganic Chemistry
Industrial Chemistry
Organic Chemistry
Internal regulations of the PhD programme in Chemical and Materials Sciences
Website
http://dscm.dcci.unipi.it/
