The PhD programme involves a multidisciplinary team of professors with expertise across the fields of biology and chemistry. Their research covers several key areas: biochemistry, genetics, and microbiology for research in biomedical sciences; zoology, biological anthropology, and ecology for environmental biology (including marine, animal, and human systems) and organic chemistry, pharmacology, pharmaceutical sciences, and pharmaceutical technologies for research focused on drug development.

The PhD course is organized into three curricula:

• Biomedical, in which students focus on research activities in the fields of biochemistry, genetics and microbiology;
• Human and Animal Biology and Ecology, in which students focus on research activities in the fields of anthropology, ecology and zoology;
• Drug Sciences, in which students focus on research activities in the fields of medicinal chemistry, nutraceuticals, pharmacology, organic chemistry and pharmaceutical technology.

Educational Objectives

The PhD in Life, Environmental and Drug Sciences is a three-year doctoral programme designed to train scientists capable of conducting independent, original, and high-level research across biology, environmental sciences, and pharmaceutical sciences.

The programme aims to provide doctoral candidates with a solid foundation in advanced methodologies, interdisciplinary approaches, international collaboration, and transferable skills essential for careers in academia, industry, or public institutions.

Educational objectives are structured over three years, with progressive acquisition of scientific, technical, and professional competencies. The training path is personalized based on each student's curriculum and research project while maintaining common goals and standards across all curricula.

First Year Objectives

During the first year, students of all curricula (Biomedical Sciences,  Human/Animal Biology and Ecology, Drug Sciences) are expected to:

• Possess a systematic understanding of a research theme within their specific field.
• Acquire and apply scientific methodologies, tools, and statistical techniques for the analysis of biological, environmental, or pharmaceutical processes and challenges.
• Approach scientific problems critically, formulating research questions that are relevant and innovative.
• Develop and apply experimental approaches, demonstrating the ability to design, plan, and execute research strategies independently.
• Receive targeted technical training in laboratory practices, instrumentation, safety (e.g., GLP, BSL3, animal experimentation), and ethics in research.
• Present a Project Proposal.
• Participate in mandatory courses and seminars to strengthen their scientific background and cross-disciplinary knowledge.

Second Year Objectives

In the second year, students will:

• Analyse and interpret research data and use these results to formulate new hypotheses and design subsequent experiments.
• Present the results to the Scientific Group and then to the PhD Board and colleagues.
• Enhance problem-solving abilities, adapting methodologies and strategies as research evolves.
• Acquire knowledge of research management, including national/international project design, intellectual property rights, and research valorisation.
• Initiate the dissemination of research results through conference presentations and academic events, supported financially by the Supervisor, and begin drafting scientific manuscripts for publication.
• Undertake international research stay (minimum 6 months) to raise collaboration and broaden scientific perspectives.
• Participate in knowledge transfer and public engagement (Third Mission), through outreach activities, workshops, and communication events.

Third Year Objectives

In the final year, students will:

• Complete their international research experience, integrating new skills and collaborations into their project.
• Develop strong communication skills, particularly in preparing and delivering conference presentations and writing scientific articles in English.
• Critically evaluate their research, identifying strengths, limitations, and future directions.
• Present the results to the Scientific Group and then to the PhD Board and colleagues.
• Finalize and defend their doctoral thesis, demonstrating scientific maturity and autonomy.
• Contribute to knowledge transfer and public engagement (Third Mission), through outreach activities, workshops, and communication events.

Integrated Competencies Across the PhD Path

Throughout the PhD programme, students will:

• Gain interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary competencies, adapting to evolving research landscapes.
• Achieve a certified C1 level in English, essential for scientific communication and international collaboration.
• Participate in transferable skills training, including research ethics, data management, grant writing, teaching and mentoring, and career development.
• Customize their training plan in agreement with their Supervisor, balancing mandatory and optional activities to meet the 180 FC (Formative Credit) requirement.
• Participate actively in the academic community, through research seminars, annual reports, thesis presentations, and internal evaluations.
• By the end of the programme, PhD graduates will be fully equipped to pursue careers as independent researchers, contributing to scientific advancement and addressing societal challenges at the national and international level.

Scholarships

Each PhD candidate is supported by scholarships funded by the Ministry of University and Research (MUR), including resources made available through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) or through co-funding by enterprises. In addition, according to Ministerial Decree 226/2021, at least 10% of the scholarship budget must be allocated to research activities. This budget, guaranteed by the supervisor, may cover the following expenses:

• Purchase of equipment necessary for doctoral research activities
• Purchase of consumable materials
• Participation in conferences and seminars
• Training courses and/or advanced training activities
• Laboratory analysis services, including external services directly related to the doctoral research

Career Opportunities

The PhD students, at the end of the program, will obtain high competences in one of the above described investigational areas, a complete judgment autonomy, an adequate communication skill, a high ability to learn new information and apply new technologies to one of the listed research areas.

Therefore, they will be able to:

• perform research activities in academia and research centers;
• perform research and development activities in biomedical, environmental and pharmaceutical companies;
• perform promotion and developmental activities regarding innovation technologies, new technology design and management in biomedical, environmental and pharmaceutical fields;
• perform professional activities related to:
  • the study and understanding of biological phenomena at molecular, genetic and microbiologic level;
  • the regulated and incremental use of biotic resources in the environmental field;
  • the design and development new molecules and release systems in the pharmaceutical field;
  • carry out consultancy activities in the biomedical, environmental and pharmaceutical fields;
  • perform advice activities in biomedical, environmental and pharmaceutical fields.