Call for application 41st cycle

Bando ordinario


Educational goals and objectives

ECO-SYSTEM BIOLOGY
The PhD course in Eco-System Biology aims to provide a solid conceptual and methodological foundation for studying the complexity of ecological systems. The systems are analyzed holistically to emphasize the emergent properties that result from integrating the different components. The approach is multidisciplinary, integrating principles from biology, mathematics, and computer science. The aim is to provide a quantitative analysis perspective that bridges the gap between experimental data and theoretical models in environmental research. This approach is integrative and predictive, with the potential to drive innovations in various areas of environmental research. This training aims to equip researchers with the skills to understand the emergent properties and dynamics of complex systems in the context of environmental change. They will learn to use various measurement techniques to collect data from different sources and integrate them to create a holistic view of the environmental system. They will also be trained to interpret data on the response of ecological systems to global change using innovative tools from computational mathematics and computer science. Finally, they will be able to develop sustainable solutions to manage and mitigate environmental change. The objectives are achieved through the development of specific research projects and interdisciplinary teaching. The latter combines principles from various disciplines, including Agronomy, Cell and Molecular Biology, Botany, Ecology, Microbiology, Zoology, Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science. The training project utilizes mathematical modeling, statistical mechanics, and computational simulations to examine the changes in ecological systems across various spatial and temporal scales.
The training and research pathway prepares highly qualified researchers for academic positions at universities or national and international research organizations. These researchers can contribute to the advancement of basic and applied research. Additionally, the skills acquired through this pathway enable individuals to respond to the needs of the industrial and agricultural sectors. This will enable them to work in companies involved in biotechnological innovation and environmental sustainability.

Number of positions available


Sapienza Scholarships Other Scholarships Departments Without scholarship
0 0 3 1

Themes, curriculum and specific competence



Borse ENTI TERZI, PARTENARIATI ESTESI, ECCELLENZA

Tematica:
Ente finanziatore: DIPARTIMENTO DI BIOLOGIA AMBIENTALE
Competenze richieste: nessuna competenza specifica richiesta


Admission Procedure

Qualifications assessment Each candidate's qualifications and research project will be assessed according to the evaluation grid annexed to the competition notice.

Candidates who have obtained at least 30 points in the overall assessment of qualifications are eligible for the next test.
Oral interview The interview may be conducted in Italian or English and will include:

1) a 5-minute presentation of yourself (qualifications, past research experience, scientific interests)
2) a 10-minute PowerPoint presentation of the research project submitted during the application phase
3) the discussion with the Commission on the matters presented under items 1) and 2)
4) assessment of the English language by reading and translating a scientific article if the interview is conducted in Italian. If the interview is conducted in English, the degree of knowledge of the language as a whole will be assessed.

The interview will be assessed according to the evaluation grid annexed to the competition notice.

Candidates who score at least 30 points in the evaluation will pass the oral exam.
The minimum overall score for admission to the PhD program is 60/120.
language ITALIANO
INGLESE

contacts and info Prof.ssa Laura Varone (coordinatrice), Dipartimento di Biologia Ambientale, laura.varone@uniroma1.it; 06/49912408
more info Foreign candidates can take the oral interview remotely. The link will be on the course webpage (https://phd.uniroma1.it/web/BIOLOGIA-DEI-SISTEMI-ECOLOGICI_nD4084_IT.aspx) one week before the test.

Curriculum studiorum

Graduation date and grade of the Master's degree
detailed list of exams including completion dates and scores of Masters's degree
History of Scholarships, Research Grants (or similar)
Certificates of Foreign Languages
Certificates of participation in post-graduate university courses
certificates of Participation in research groups
certificates of Participation in internships
Other University Awards/Degrees (e.g.: awards in competition, second degree)
Computer skills

Required documentation

§ research project
mandatory
In the research project, the candidate must demonstrate clear abilities to design, organize and develop the scientific research with total autonomy. The full text must not exceed 9,000 characters (including spaces).

It should be noted that the project submitted will not necessarily be the one that will be developed during the PhD. The research project is primarily intended to assess the candidate's ability to prepare a research project.

, the file must be uploaded within le ore 23:59 del 19/06/2025
§ List of publications
optional, the file must be uploaded within le ore 23:59 del 19/06/2025
§ Curriculum Vitae et Studiorum
mandatory, the file must be uploaded within le ore 23:59 del 19/06/2025

Language Skills

the candidate must know the following languages
ENGLISH

Exam Schedule

Qualifications assessment
day30/06/2025
notesnone
publication on notice boardYes
publication on the web siteYes
web sitehttps://phd.uniroma1.it/web/biologia-dei-sistemi-ecologici_nd4084.aspx
date of publication03/07/2025
contactsProf.ssa Laura Varone (coordinatrice) laura.varone@uniroma1.it

Oral interview
day08/07/2025
notesnone
time09:00
classroomAula C
addressDipartimento di Biologia Ambientale, Edificio di Botanica (CU022) - Piazzale A. Moro 5, 00185 Roma, Italia
publication on notice boardYes
publication on the web siteYes
web sitehttps://phd.uniroma1.it/web/biologia-dei-sistemi-ecologici_nd4084.aspx
date of publication08/07/2025
contactsProf.ssa Laura Varone (coordinatrice) laura.varone@uniroma1.it


Evaluation scale

Qualifications assessment

Valutazione titoli

Punteggio massimo complessivo per la prova/overall max score: 60

Voto di laurea (max 7 punti) - Gli studenti che discuteranno la tesi prima della data stabilita per la valutazione dei titoli sono tenuti a comunicare al Coordinatore del corso o al Presidente della Commissione il voto di laurea conseguito, mentre per coloro che discuteranno la tesi dopo la data stabilita per la valutazione dei titoli, ma comunque prima del 31 ottobre 2025, la griglia del voto di laurea è sostituita dalla media aritmetica dei voti degli esami
University final degree mark (max 7 points) - Students who have not obtained their title by the application deadline (or graduands who will obtain the degree by October 31st, 2025) will be evaluated on the average grade by the arithmetic mean of the exam grades

Punteggio massimo/max score: 7
110, 110 e lode
110, 110 cum laude		7,0
109 -108
109 -108		6,0
107 -106
107 -106		5,0
105 -104
105 -104		4,0
103 -102
103 -102		3,0
<102
<102		1,0
29 - 30
29 - 30		7,0
28 – 28.99
28 – 28.99		6,0
27 - 27.99
27 - 27.99		5,0
26 - 26.99
26 - 26.99		4,0
25 - 25.99
26 - 26.99		3,0
<25
<25		1,0

Pubblicazioni (max 5 punti)
Publications (max 5 points)

Punteggio massimo/max score: 5
Pubblicazione ISI (primo autore)
ISI (author)		5,0
Pubblicazione ISI (co-autore)
ISI (co-author)		2,0
Libro o Capitolo di libro (solo autore)
Book or chapter in book (author)		5,0
Libro o Capitolo di libro (co-autore)
Book or chapter in book (co-author)		2,0
Contributo a convegno
Contribution to a lecture/ congress		0,5

Esperienze di ricerca (max 3 punti)
Research experiences (max 3 points)

Punteggio massimo/max score: 3
Esperienze all’estero (almeno due mesi, compreso Erasmus)
Experience abroad (at least 2 months, including Erasmus)		1,5
Contratti di collaborazione alla ricerca
Collaboration contracts		1,0
Corsi di formazione alla ricerca
Training coursesfor researchers		0,5

Progetto di ricerca (max 45 punti)
Research project (max 45 points)

Punteggio massimo/max score: 45
Conoscenza dello stato dell’arte
Knowledge of the state of the art		10,0
Originalità e contenuto innovativo
Innovative aspects of the project		10,0
Chiarezza e completezza dell’esposizione degli obiettivi, delle metodologie e dei potenziali risultati
Clarity and completeness of the presentation of objectives, methodologies, and potential results		10,0
Fattibilità del progetto
Feasibility of the project		10,0
Pertinenza del progetto con gli obiettivi formativi del dottorato
Relevance of the project to the educational objectives of the PhD programme		5,0
Oral interview

Prova orale

Punteggio massimo complessivo per la prova/overall max score: 60

Criteri di valutazione per la prova orale
Evaluation criteria for the interview

Punteggio massimo/max score: 60
Criteri di valutazione e relativi punteggi per la prova orale
Evaluation criteria and relative marks for the interview
Prova orale (max 60 punti)
Interview (max 60 points)
Discussione delle tematiche relative al progetto di ricerca
Discussion of topics related to the research project 		40,0
Discussione dell’elaborato e dei titoli del candidato: chiarezza espositiva, capacità di sintesi e interesse scientifico del curriculum
Discussion of the paper and the candidate's qualifications: clarity of presentation, ability to synthesize, and scientific interest of the CV		15,0
Lingua straniera
Foreign language		5,0

© Università degli Studi di Roma "La Sapienza" - Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Roma