The PhD program in Physics at the University of Trieste is integrated into a research and higher education system that is unique in Italy for its exceptional concentration of physics research institutions forming the so-called “Sistema Trieste”. The spectrum of research activities is very broad and lies at the forefront of many relevant fields in physics. Next to a significant theoretical and computational research activity, a wide community of experimental physicists belongs both to the University and to public and private research bodies who are actively engaged in a variety of relevant fields. The synergy between the experimental activities and the theoretical and computational ones at the University, as well as with those in all laboratories in Trieste, provide the students of the PhD School of Physics with a very rich and stimulating environment, full of learning opportunities and characterized by an exceptional range of research activities to join which is rare to find elsewhere.
The training activities offered by the PhD program in Physics enable doctoral students to gain a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the latest advancements in theoretical and experimental research. These activities focus on the fields of Physics studied at the University of Trieste, in collaboration with local research institutions.The PhD program represents a crucial step in a researcher’s education, with research activities at its heart.
This is primarily achieved through the doctoral students’ integration into research groups operating at the University of Trieste and in collaboration with Research Institutions. In these research groups the doctoral student learns the approaches, techniques and methods as well as the use of advanced instrumentation necessary to work in frontier scientific research. Special attention is given to the development of experimental methods, theoretical approaches and data analysis techniques.
The primary goal of the PhD program in Physics is to train young scientists in both fundamental and applied physics research, preparing them to become independent researchers and versatile professionals. The program aims to facilitate their transition into the workforce, especially within the field of scientific research. Moreover, the PhD in Physics, given its specificity, offers candidates an excellent opportunity to develop teamwork skills and stimulates one's competences regarding scientific presentation and writing.
In addition to technical expertise, the PhD program helps students develop essential soft skills, such as effectively communicating research findings, managing collaborations and teamwork, and designing new experiments and projects. These transferable skills prepare doctoral graduates to excel in both academic and non-academic environments.
Common professional pathways for Physics graduates include postdoctoral research activities at universities and research centers, both national and international, as well as applied research in the industrial sector. Physics graduates successfully find employment in companies and start-ups specializing in manufacturing, support, research and development of technology-intensive products and services, such as computing, telecommunication, electronics, optics & imaging, robotics, energy and climate, biotechnology, finance. Consulting positions in the private sector, leading positions in public administration, as well as teaching positions at universities and secondary schools are also common career options.
Employment statistics for Physics graduates are highly favorable, with a significant proportion securing jobs directly related to their PhD degree. The PhD program in Physics has been tracking the career progression of its graduates for several years now, assessing their ability to secure postdoctoral positions at prestigious international institutions or professional roles in private industry. The most common career paths include: research positions at universities in Italy and abroad, applied research in leading private or public institutions, secondary school teaching, financial analysis, computer programming, statistics in insurance companies, and research roles in deep-tech companies.