Across all fields, technological development fosters the collection of large amounts of complex datasets that require advanced data science skills to be organized, processed, and successfully mined. Data Science and Artificial Intelligence are two cross-disciplinary fields rooted at the grounds of computer science, mathematics, statistics, and physics to advance our ability to understand complex phenomena through the use of massive data.
The Applied Data Science and Artificial Intelligence PhD Program (ADSAI) trains researchers and highly qualified experts in these disciplines, focusing on the applications to natural and life sciences, industry, smart cities, transportation, economy, and society.
ADSAI is an international doctorate course taught in English, offered by the University of Trieste, with the collaboration of researchers from other research institutions, among which SISSA (International School for Advanced Studies), ICTP (International Centre for Theoretical Physics), INAF (Astrophysics observatory), and Area Science Park.
The PhD trains researchers with a thorough scientific background in the methodological foundations (computer science, mathematics, statistics) of data science and artificial intelligence and its implications in different application domains: medicine and life sciences, industry 4.0, society and economy, and data-driven science.
The training includes didactics on fundamentals and applications of data science and AI, including some ethical and legal aspects, but also courses on organizational aspects of research and state-of-the-art analysis. PhD students will be sensitized to the principles of research reproducibility and FAIR data. Teaching will be tailored to the prior study plan and the research theme pursued by the doctoral student. In the second and third years, scholarly activity will be developed, with a possible period of residency in research institutions of international relevance.
Common aspects of the training are the theoretical-experimental multidisciplinary approach as a qualifying aspect of both research and interaction with the territory and the productive world.
PhD students will be enabled to develop their communication skills: specific courses will be offered and their participation in teaching and dissemination activities both in scientific venues and in events aimed at the general public will be encouraged. Main training objective is the preparation of theoretical and applied research professionals of excellent level on the international scene.
ADSAI graduates will be attractive to top-tier Data Science and innovation companies and will have scientific profiles ready to enter the academic world in Italy and abroad. Given the broad impact of data science and artificial intelligence in modern society, industry, and business, graduates will have the opportunity to pursue a fulfilling career in a variety of fields.
Potential career paths range from the financial sector to digital services, healthcare, technology companies, market research, and many others.