PhD program in Biomedical Sciences

The institution

The University of Pavia, founded in 1361, is one of the world’s oldest academic institutions. Today almost 24,000 students, from both Italy and overseas, study at our University. Pavia, as a city-campus, offers students a unique experience in Italy and rare in Europe: to stay at one of 20 University colleges. Pavia is a city in northern Italy with 70,000 inhabitants located 30 km south of Milan, connected by regional and suburban trains every 10 minutes. Life in Pavia is both pleasant and affordable, particularly in comparison with much higher housing and living costs in Milan and other urban centres in Lombardy. Pavia’s campus offers a unique university experience to students who can enjoy countless events, festivals, exhibitions, concerts and sport activities, at all levels.

The program

The Ph.D. program in Biomedical Sciences offers an integrated approach to biomedical research. The objective is training young researchers coming from different backgrounds capable to tackle the challenges of modern biomedical studies, which involve a deep understanding of complex physiological and pathological processes and their projection into medical applications. Specific tracks address fundamental disciplines including physiology, biochemistry and pharmacology, as well as applied disciplines including neurosciences and other fundamental medical sectors.

Ph.D. students are expected to combine laboratory research activity in one of the program research lines with attendance to advanced courses (3/year) and seminars held by faculty members and international speakers. During the three-year program, the students will have the opportunity to acquire knowledge on frontline topics and technologies, including advanced biological and clinical measurements, data analysis and mathematical modeling. All activities, including the Ph.D. thesis, are in English and collaborative stages abroad are supported.

Students of the program will have access to the research facilities of the University, including a high-performance computational cluster and high-resolution microscopy and imaging set-ups, and of the three associated research hospitals (IRCCS Mondino, San Matteo and Maugeri), including preclinical laboratories and clinical scanners.

Coordinator: Prof. Antonio Pisani (From 37th cycle onwards)

PhD program website