XXXIX cycle - National Research Doctorates

The University of L’Aquila, for the academic year 2023/2024, partecipates to the following National Doctorates in which are involved the main italian universities and the most important research institutes.

• The National Doctorate in “Sustainable Development and Climate change” (SDC) is set up by IUSS PAVIA in agreement with 47 italian universities.

The Department of University of L’Aquila involved is the Department of Life, health and environmental sciences.

The University of L’Aquila finances one scholarship funded from the PNRR – ex Ministerial Decree 118/2023.

The theme of the scholarship is Identification of preclinical candidates for the treatment of waterborne parasites. Waterborne schistosome parasites are spreading in Africa and China and recently are appearing also in Europe. Rising water temperatures and altered precipitation associated with climate changes can considerably alter the distribution and abundance of the parasite intermediate host, a snail, resulting in a shift in disease dynamics and transmission to people. Schistosomes infect 200 million people, resulting in significant morbidity and more than 200,000 deaths annually. Female genital schistosomiasis is a common complication of S. haematobium infections, occurring in approximately half of infected females, roughly 40 million girls and women, making it one of the most common gynecologic conditions in Africa. Schistosomiasis control strategies rely almost exclusively on praziquantel, administered to 40 millions people every year, with no new drugs in the clinical pipeline. We identified a highly promising drug target: the worm selenocysteine-containing enzyme thioredoxin glutathione reductase (TGR). We established that TGR is a central and essential mediator of antioxidant defenses in the worm. Our studies have elucidated an inhibitory mechanism that is completely novel for this family of proteins. We hypothesize that it will be possible to optimize our novel TGR inhibitors for potency for TGR inhibition for the development of novel schistosomicidal therapeutics.

The call is available at the following link.

The applications must be submitted until 1 p.m. (italian time), July 17, 2023.

•  The National PhD in “Artificial Intelligence” (AI) , first national initiative regarding this theme, was started on July 2020 thanks to the collaboration from the University of Pisa and the CNR. The PhD is made of 5 federated Ph.D. courses that bring together 61 Universities and research Institutions. Each course is specialized in a strategic sector of AI application and it is organized by a lead university, in collaboration with the National Research Council CNR:

-       Health and life sciences, Campus Bio-Medico - University of Rome

-       Agricolture (Agrifood) and environment, University of Naples “Federico II”

-       Security and cybersecurity, Sapienza University of Rome

-       Industry 4.0, Politecnico di Torino

-       Society, University of Pisa

The Department of University of L’Aquila involved is the Department Information engineering, computer science and mathematics and it participates in the following three National Ph.D.:

• Industry, Politecnico di Torino

The University of L’Aquila finances one scholarship funded from the Centre of Excellence EX-EMERGE.

One of the main problems in the “Industry 4.0” paradigm is the enabling of advanced optimal control and predictive maintenance strategies. This research focuses on the integration of artificial intelligence, automation and ICT technologies. The research activities will benefit of a long-term collaboration with University of Pennsylvania, with exchange visiting periods foreseen, and a collaboration with SIGIT S.p.a. (Turin) within the DigInTraCE EU project (https://www.digintrace.eu) on optimization and defect detection on the injection moulding process.

The call is available at the following link.

The applications must be submitted until 12 a.m. (italian time), July 17, 2023.

• Society, University of Pisa

The University of L’Aquila finances one scholarship funded from the PNRR – ex Ministerial Decree 118/2023.

This research concerns eHealth, in particular, the definition, implementation, and test on a real case study of an intelligent agent, possibly installed on a (low-cost) robotic platform, capable to interact with patients and doctors in a personalized way, based on concepts of Theory of Mind and Affective Computing.

For more information regarding the call see the following link.

• Security and cybersecurity, Sapienza University of Rome

The University of L’Aquila finances one scholarship funded from the PNRR – ex Ministerial Decree 118/2023.

This research concerns Human-AI teaming, i.e., building systems where humans and AIs (Artificial Intelligence systems) form teams, able to learn from data but also to learn from each other, for a continuous improvement of the overall system.

The call is available at the following link.

The applications must be submitted until 2 p.m. (italian time), July 20, 2023.

• The Ph.D. in “Autonomous Systems” (DAuSy) is set up by Politecnico of Bari in coordination with 38 italian Universities.

This Ph.D. aims at providing high-profile skills and rigorous research training to prepare doctoral students to become competent researchers and versatile professionals. Autonomous Systems are able to learn automatically, make decisions, and function autonomously. They are one of the central enabling technologies for applications such as the smart factory, autonomous vehicles, drones, and smart grids. DAUSY is organized into 3 curricula that specifically address different topics and application areas, and that differ and complement each other in terms of technology and methodology: Autonomous Systems for 1) Automation, 2) Smart Environment, 3) Monitoring and Security.

The Department of University of L’Aquila involved is the Department of Information Engineering, Computer Science and Mathematics.

The University of L’Aquila finances one scholarship funded from the PNRR – ex Ministerial Decree 118/2023.

The research topic is Stability and safety of platoons of interconnected vehicles.

The research will focus on stability analysis and control of vehicular traffic in the presence of autonomous, interconnected, and electrically powered vehicles. Recent results of the research group at University of L’Aquila have focused on the problem of "String Stability" in platoons of interconnected vehicles that make use of traffic information provided by some global variables, such as mean and variance of speed and intervehicular distance. Adaptive

"human-based" control was also developed through the use of Model Predictive Control, which takes into account human behavior in response to different environmental situations.

The objective of the proposed research is to analyze the possibility of using, at the decentralized controller level, global traffic information possibly obtainable as an output of a macroscopic model. The complex case of mixed autonomous and assisted driving traffic will be investigated, where autonomous vehicles can play the role of a traffic regulation tool, with benefits for the reduction of emissions, congestion and safety. Another element that will be considered is the power supply, which introduces the need to appropriately manage the battery charging process in the control system.

Dedicated courses for doctoral students offered at universities contributing to the national doctoral program are provided. Participation in conferences, workshops and seminarsi is encouraged.

The doctoral student will acquire technical and scientific skills that can be used in multiple application contexts. The theoretical topics covered, integrated with the more strictly engineering knowledge envisaged in the project, will provide the Ph.Dstudent with a high level of expertise.

The call is available at the following link.

The applications must be submitted until 1 p.m. (italian time), July 17, 2023.

• The National Doctorate in “Blockchain e Distributed Ledger Technology”, (https://www.unicam.it/didattica/phd-blockchain-e-distributed-ledger-technology) is set up by University of Camerino.

Blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technology provide building blocks of the so-called “Internet of Value”, since they enable recording of interactions and transfer “value” by recording any change in the ownership of asset, as well as of any other specific personal data.

The National Doctoral Program in “Blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technology” aims to educate and train a new generation of researchers, professionals and innovators who can provide proper answers to the related scientific and innovation emerging challenges.

The Department of University of L’Aquila involved is the Department of Information Engineering, Computer Science and Mathematics.

The University of L’Aquila finances one scholarship funded from the PNRR – ex Ministerial Decree 118/2023.

The research topic concerns the study of Blockchain and Distributed Ledger technologies. It is our interest to search for innovative applications in the area of large territories resource management. The models and prototypes designed and validated in this PhD program could constitute a starting point for a rationalization of activities of a Public Administration of a large rural and agriculturally based territory.

The call is available at the following link.

The applications must be submitted until 1 p.m. (Italian time) of July 27, 2023.

• The National Ph.D. course in “Defense against natural risks and ecological transaction of build environment is set up by University of Catania.

The objective of the Ph.D. course is to train experts which will be able to face problems related to prevention and management of dangerous natural events and to promote innovative and efficient solutions to these problems. The Ph.D. course is articulated in 4 curricula.

The Department of University of L’Aquila involved is the Department of Civil, construction-architectural and environmental engineering.

The University of L’Aquila finances one scholarship funded from the PNRR – ex Ministerial Decree 118/2023.

The research topic is Protection of infrastructures from natural and anthropogenic actions.

The research will be aimed at defining mathematical models that describe the mechanical behavior of civil structures and infrastructures, such as bridges, viaducts, power lines, gas pipelines, underground utilities and smart tunnels for distribution of services, and that can contemplate innovative systems of protection from environmental or anthropogenic actions. Mathematical models will be rigorous but at the same time simple, manageable, parametrically definable, easily generalizable and amenable to gradual enrichment. The actions considered will involve natural phenomena such as earthquake, wind, wear, or anthropogenic ones such as vehicular traffic, overloads, impacts, explosions, etc.

The call is available at the following link.

The applications must be submitted until 12:00 a.m. (italian time), September 16, 2023, only by the following online platform.

You must follow the procedure described at paragraph 10, art. 3 of the call.

• The National Doctorate in “Heritage Science" is set up by Sapienza University of Rome.

The Ph.D. aims at fostering coordination, overcoming the fragmentation of the higher education system in the field of research applied to cultural heritage and creating a new generation of researchers and professionals working in the field, able to collaborate and compete in the context of the most prestigious European and international initiatives. The PhD course, which is based in Sapienza University, is articulated in various curriculum so, with mobility, Professors and Ph.D. students can move between the different Universities connected with a curriculum and, when possible, between different curricula.

The Department of University of L’Aquila involved is the Department of Civil, construction-architectural and environmental engineering.

The University of L’Aquila finances one scholarship funded from the PNRR – ex Ministerial Decree 118/2023.

The Ph.D. research intends to develop the topic of knowledge for architectural conservation and structural safety, through the study of the restorations carried out on monumental buildings in the 20th century, examining in particular the construction techniques and the consolidations and integrations in reinforced concrete (in order to study its compatibility with historical construction and its static and seismic behaviour). The historic architectures of Abruzzo and central Italy underwent several post-seismic restorations and reconstructions during the 20th century; the recent seismic events constituted a test for the previous restorations often highlighting numerous criticalities, but also some (rare) non damaging interventions. The research will consist in the study of some relevant restorations and reconstructions on monumental architectures through the archive documents about the historic construction site and through in situ observations about seismic damages. The analysis of the seismic behaviour will consider the historical and recent earthquakes; the constructive and structural modelling will verify the vulnerability on a model corresponding as much is possible to the real situation.

The call is available at the following link.

The applications must be submitted until 2 p.m. (italian time), July 20, 2023.

• The National Doctorate in “Photovoltaics” is set up by University of Salerno and consists of a network of 22 italian Universities.

The Ph.D. is organized in six distinct curricula, which will cover the following aspects:

• Curriculum A - “Solar cells technologies and lifecycle”
• Curriculum B - “Module and system design and integration”
• Curriculum C - “Monitoring and Diagnosis”
• Curriculum D - “Power Electronics and Control”
• Curriculum E - “Solar intermittency and storage”
• Curriculum F - “Distributed generation and grid connection”

Photovoltaics represents one of the pillars of the energy transition and plays a key role in achieving the objectives of the European Green Deal. The recent international crisis and its effects on Europe's supply of fossil fuels is leading to a further acceleration of the transition, to the advantage of technologies, including photovoltaics, which have reached great technological maturity, and which can provide answers to the demand for energy in a short time. As a result, the European effort in terms of research and development as well as production throughout the supply chain is increasing and it is expected to reach 1 TWp of photovoltaic capacity by 2030 and 178.000 new jobs are estimated to be created in Europe.

The Department of University of L’Aquila involved is the Department of Information engineering, computer science and mathematics.

The University of L’Aquila finances one scholarship related to Curriculum D funded from the PNRR – ex Ministerial Decree 118/2023.

For more information regarding the call see the following link.

• The National Doctorate in “Space Science and Technology (SST)" is set up by University of Trento.

The Ph.D. aims to train young PhD’s in the field of science, engineering, technology and international relations in the space sector through the development of knowledge, skills and competencies in the research areas of interest of the twenty-seven participating Universities and Research Institutions.

The training topics related to space activities cover multiple areas, which makes the National PhD approach particularly effective. In this way, lectures and training content, laboratories and internship opportunities, offered by a large number of national and international universities and research organizations, can be shared, ensuring quality and excellence in content, the building of a solid network of professional relationships and at the same time a wide variety of customized training profiles

The Department of University of L’Aquila involved is the Department of Physical and chemical sciences.

The University of L’Aquila finances one scholarship funded from the PNRR – ex Ministerial Decree 118/2023.

The possibility of predicting how solar activity modifies the magnetosphere-ionosphere system by inducing currents at ground capable of damaging national power grids, and generating radioactive flow of particles in the circumterrestrial environment able to damage satellite systems, represents one of the main outcomes for the Space Weather, as also confirmed by the latest Space Situation Awareness (SSA) report (2022) of the of the European community. This topic aims to increase the possibility of predicting the arrival and impact of a solar storm on our planet, the consequences of which represent the main natural hazards for modern technological society and satellite devices. In three years of activity, the PhD student will acquire the main knowledge relating to the analysis of time series with innovative non-linear data analysis techniques, to the identification of the main perturbations of solar origin and to the models of the internal and external geo-magnetic field. The aim is to develop possible models for the mitigation of the main natural hazards deriving from solar activity on national power grids and satellites orbiting in the circumterrestrial environment. During the three years of the PhD, a stay of at least 5 months at the Imperial College of London is foreseen.

The call is available at the following link.

The applications must be submitted to University of Trento by the following online platform until 4 p.m. (italian time), July 6, 2023.

• The National Doctorate in “Catalysis” is set up by University of Perugia.

The Ph.D., at the moment, involves 26 Universities, 5 Research Centers and Institutions, 15 Italian and foreign companies.

The PhD in Catalysis intends to create a multidisciplinary structure aimed at post-graduate training in the field of catalyzed processes of both academic and industrial interest. This project is motivated by the crucial importance that chemistry and catalysis have in all strategic areas for the competitiveness of a country system. From the production of electricity to that of hydrogen, from polymers to semiconductor materials, from the fundamental products of fine chemicals (fertilizers, flavourings, additives, etc. etc.) to pharmacologically active molecules (API), the development of catalytic processes represents the key tool to make a process efficient and sustainable. With the involvement of national reference figures from both the academic and industrial worlds, and with the support of eminent scientists of international standing, the Academic Board of this PhD course intends to create a cultural platform capable of creating a new generation of capable professionals to develop new concepts of catalysis in research and innovation.

The Department of University of L’Aquila involved is the Department of Physical and chemical sciences.

The University of L’Aquila:

• finances one scholarship funded from the PNRR - ex Ministerial Decree 118/2023.
  The research topic is Paradigm switch in catalysis and asymmetric catalysis towards sustainability.

This scholarship has the main objective of improving the adsorption properties of biomass derived carbonaceous materials with a high surface area, through specific and selective functionalisation aimed at increasing their targeted adsorption properties of hydrogen (H2) and carbon dioxide (CO2), i.e. gases of particular technological interest).

• Finances one scholarship funded from the PNRR - ex Ministerial Decree 117/2023, in cooperation with Fater S.p.A. The reseach topic is Paradigm shift in catalysis and asymmetric catalysis towards sustainability.

For more information regarding the call see the following link: http://www.dcbb.unipg.it/catalisi

• The National Doctorate in “Sustainable Materials, Processes and Systems for Energy Transition” is set up by the Politecnico of Torino, in convention with other itailan Universities, CNR, INRiM and IIT.

The Department of University of L’Aquila involved is the Department of Physical and chemical sciences.

The University of L’Aquila finances four scholarships funded from the PNRR – ex Ministerial Decree 118/2023.

The research topics are:

1)      Green hydrogen production with water splitting catalyzed by quantum materials;

2)      Protection against exposure to nanomaterials;

3)      Thermoplasmonic solar membrane distillation for seawater desalination;

4)      Next-generation solar cells based on quantum materials.

The call is available at the following link.

The applications must be submitted to University of Trento by the following online platform https://webapps.unitn.it/Apply/it/Web/Home/dott - until 12 a.m. (italian time), July 17, 2023.

• The National Doctorate in “Precision medicine” is set up by University of Palermo.

The Department of University of L’Aquila involved is the Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences.

The University of L’Aquila finances two scholarships funded from the PNRR - ex Ministerial Decree 118/2023.

The research topics are:

• Biological mechanisms underlying the different effects of BAP1 status on the prognosis of patients with Malignant Pleural Mesotheloma and Renal Cell Carcinoma.

Given the opposite clinical effect of BRCA Associated Protein gene (BAP1) status and the BAP1-regulated 1inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor 3 (IP3R3) function in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma (MPM) and Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) will study their interaction and biological effects in both of these malignancies. Our approach will rely on basilar cell and molecular biology approaches using cell lines from MPM and RCC, harboring wild-type BAP1, mutated or null BAP1. The expression of BAP1 and IP3R3 will be modulated through gene knock-down or overexpression and the biological behavior of cells will be evaluated through proliferation, spheres/spheroids formations, cell death assays and apoptosis before and after oxidative stress Spheres/spheroids will be then characterized focusing on the expression of stemness markers. Moreover, their metabolism will be studied with sea-horse analysis and metabolomics together with the changes in RNA-seq analysis after gene silencing of BAP1 and/or IP3R3. Eventually we willl explore the role of Ca++ fluxes in regulating these processes. Altogether, we believe our project will greatly expand the understanding of the BAP1-driven carcinogenesis and progression in two cancer entities which show a few communal, genetic alterations, but quite different clinical behavior and provide relevant new translational insights for RCC and MPM).

• Investigate cesi role in non-cancerous cells of the colorectal cancer (CRC) microenvironment (TME).

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second lethal cancer in the world. Due to obesity pandemic, the incidence of CRC is increasing in young adults and more than 25% of cases of CRC patients now present with metastatic disease. Treatment for these patients is mostly palliative, with 5-year survival rates of less than 10%. Therefore, there is an urgent need for new therapies for the treatment of advanced CRC.

Recently, we have identified carboxylesterase 1 (CES1) as an essential lipase, regulated by NF-κB, which mediates metabolic adaptation and survival of CRC cells, thus representing a possible therapeutic target.

Recent studies have shown that CES1 expression also increases in non-malignant populations of the tumor microenvironment, and specifically in the subgroup of tumor-associated pro-angiogenic macrophages known as SPP1+ TAMs. Notably, the presence of TAM SPP1+ has been associated with resistance to therapy and poor prognosis. These data suggest that, beyond its role in CRC cells, CES1 may play a role in TME cells, favoring the establishment of an immunosuppressive microenvironment that fuels aggressive disease and therapy resistance.

Therefore, therapeutic blockade of CES1 could have an impact on the metabolism of TAMs, by blocking the oxidative metabolism that polarizes them towards a pro-tumorigenic phenotype.

Hence, the aim of this project is to elucidate the role of CES1 in TAMs and investigate whether and how the genetic and pharmacological targeting of CES1 in this cell population could affect their metabolism and functions and, consequently, the behavior of CRC cells.

For more information regarding the call see the following link: https://www.unipa.it/dipartimenti/di.chir.on.s./dottorato-nazionale-in-medicina-di-precisione/

• The National Doctorate in “Regulation, management and law of public sector organizations” is set up by University of Salento in convention with 7 italian Universities.

The Department of University of L’Aquila involved is the Department of Industrial and Information Engineering and Economics.

The University of L’Aquila finances two scholarships funded from the PNRR – ex Ministerial Decree 118/2023.

The research topics are:

-        Direct management of local public services between D. Lgs. no. 201/2022, Consolidated Law on Public Companies and accounting rules

-        The role of the municipal government in land development

For more information regarding the call see the following link: https://www.scienzegiuridiche.unisalento.it/dopo-la-laurea/dottorato-di-ricerca/regulation-management-and-law-of-public-sector-organizations

• The National Doctorate in “Motor and sport sciences” is set up by Unievrsity of Verona.

The Department of University of L’Aquila involved is the Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences.

The University of L’Aquila finances one scholarship funded from the PNRR – ex Ministerial Decree 118/2023.

The research topic is Adapted exercise for primary and secondary prevention of chronic non communicable diseases.

The Ph.D student will plan and carry out Adapted Physical Exercise programs specific to the identified target populations, with in-person and online modality, consisting of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise, exercises to increase muscle strength, flexibility, and muscle elasticity.

For more information regarding the call see the following link.

The National Doctorate in “Micro- and nano-electronics” is set up by University of Pavia, in partnership with 17 italian Universities.

The Industrial Ph. D. Program has the objective of training researchers and professionals capable of responding to the challenges that the technological development and the Italian and European initiatives are rising. It aims to build an Italian "ecosystem" for micro- and nano-electronics capable of preparing high-profile researchers, essential to capitalize on investments in the sector and, at the same time, allow Italy to play an important role in the technological developments of the next decades.

The Department of University of L’Aquila involved is the Department of Industrial and Information Engineering and Economics.

The University of L’Aquila finances one scholarship funded from the Department of Industrial and Information Engineering and Economics.

The call is available at the following link.

The applications must be submitted until 12 a.m. (italian time), July 28, 2023.