Call for application 42nd cycle

Bando ordinario


Applications for participation in the competition, together with the corresponding payment, must be duly completed no later than 14:00 CET on 17 June 2026.

Educational goals and objectives

PSYCHOLOGY AND SOCIAL NEUROSCIENCE
The Ph.D. program in "Psychology and Social Neurosciences," coordinated by Professor Antonio Zuffianò, stems from the merging of two Ph.D.
programs, namely the International Ph.D. in Cognitive Social and Affective Neuroscience (CoSAN) and the Ph.D. in Prosociality, Innovation, and
Collective Effectiveness in Educational and Organizational Contexts. The new doctoral program consists of two scientific curricula: Cognitive Social and
Affective Neuroscience (CoSAN; curriculum coordinated by Prof. Matteo Candidi) and Personality and Organizational Psychology (POP; curriculum
coordinated by Prof. Maria Grazia Gerbino). The CoSAN curriculum aims to facilitate the study of brain systems underlying cognitive, affective, and
social functions. This study will be conducted both in adulthood and during development, under physiological and pathological conditions (e.g., in brain
injuries and dysfunctions underlying deficits in social and affective cognition). Particular attention is paid to the plasticity of cognitive, social, and affective
functions. Further emphasis is given to the possibility of bridging laboratory research and clinical rehabilitation of higher cortical functions underlying
cognitive, social, and affective functions. The POP curriculum aims to stimulate and conduct studies and research on personal and contextual
determinants of adaptation in various fields, including educational, organizational, and healthcare contexts, with the aim of promoting health and wellbeing
at both individual and collective levels. In particular, the curriculum aims for multidisciplinary training, drawing on advanced theories and
techniques that aspire to converge research lines on personality across the lifespan, interpersonal and social relationships, and cultural pluralities.
Capitalizing on the experience and international profile of both curricula, the new doctoral program "Psychology and Social Neurosciences" is
characterized by reciprocal research programs conducted with Italian and foreign universities with active research collaborations. The program's
activities take place entirely in English to attract candidates from around the world. The Ph.D. program hosts students from various Italian (Chieti, Milan,
Verona, Padua, and Udine) and foreign universities, and all students are required to spend research periods abroad.

Number of positions available


Sapienza Scholarships Affliliated Institutions or Excellence Industrial PhD Without scholarship
6 0 0 2

Themes, curriculum and specific competence



Sapienza scholarships: 6

The call includes additional places reserved for scholarship recipients from foreign countries.


Admission Procedure

Qualifications assessment Titles and research project

All the documents submitted for the the application must be written in English.
The candidate is evaluated by taking into account their Cv, titles, previous research experience, their academic transcript (Master Degree, exams), letters of recommendation and motivation, publications, and the research project concerning one of the topics of the chosen curriculum (CoSAN or POP).

Candidates who obtained at least 35/50 in the assessment of their qualifications and project are admitted to the oral exam.
Research project All the documents submitted for the the application must be written in English.
The candidate is evaluated by taking into account their Cv, titles, previous research experience, their academic transcript (Master Degree, exams), letters of recommendation and motivation, publications, and the research project concerning one of the topics of the chosen curriculum (CoSAN or POP).

Candidates who obtained at least 35/50 in the assessment of their qualifications and project are admitted to the oral exam.
language ITALIANO
ERRATA CORRIGE: INGLESE
Oral interview Onsite interviews (in English) will focus on the candidate's previous research experiences and research project concerning one of the research lines of the PhD program (depending on the chosen curriculum CoSAN or POP). In particular, the interview will evaluate: the project, the clarity of the oral presentation of the project and the knowledge of some important issues related to the curriculum (CoSAN or POP). For motivated reasons the interview can take place online via the conference systems indicated by the evaluating committee (e.g., google meet). A valid identity document is required.

The minimum positive score for the oral test is 50/70.
language ITALIANO
ERRATA CORRIGE: INGLESE

contacts and info antonio.zuffiano@uniroma1.it matteo.candidi@uniroma1.it maria.gerbino@uniroma1.it

Curriculum studiorum

Graduation date and grade of the Master's degree
detailed list of exams including completion dates and scores of Masters's degree

Required documentation

§ research project
mandatory
The full text must not exceed 5 pages (excluding the references). This project, which must be submitted by candidates in order to take part in the call, will not be considered compulsory for the research activity of the winning participants., the file must be uploaded within le ore 14:00 del 17/06/2026
§ first letter of introduction (by a teacher)
mandatory, the letter must be uploaded by the candidate, the file must be uploaded within le ore 14:00 del 17/06/2026
§ second letter of introduction (by a teacher)
optional, the letter must be uploaded by the candidate, the file must be uploaded within le ore 14:00 del 17/06/2026
§ third letter of introduction (by a teacher)
optional, the letter must be uploaded by the candidate, the file must be uploaded within le ore 14:00 del 17/06/2026
§ List of publications
optional, the file must be uploaded within le ore 14:00 del 17/06/2026
§ letter of motivation (by the candidate)
mandatory, the file must be uploaded within le ore 14:00 del 17/06/2026
§ Curriculum Vitae et Studiorum
mandatory
The Curriculum vitae should include the research experiences, if any., the file must be uploaded within le ore 14:00 del 17/06/2026

Language Skills

the candidate must know the following languages
ENGLISH

Exam Schedule

Qualifications assessment
day30/06/2026
notesnone
publication on notice boardNO
publication on the web siteYes
web sitehttps://phd.uniroma1.it/web/PSICOLOGIA-E-NEUROSCIENZE-SOCIALI_nD3533.aspx
date of publication30/06/2026
contactsantonio.zuffiano@uniroma1.it; cosanphd@uniroma1.it (admin issues)

Altra tipologia (Research project)
day30/06/2026 1.00.00
notesnone
time09:00
classroom-
address-
publication on notice boardNO
publication on the web siteYes
web sitehttps://phd.uniroma1.it/web/PSICOLOGIA-E-NEUROSCIENZE-SOCIALI_nD3533.aspx
date of publication30/06/2026
contactsantonio.zuffiano@uniroma1.it; cosanphd@uniroma1.it (admin issues)

Oral interview
day09/07/2026
notesnone
time09:00
classroomL'Aula (e il link on-line) sarà comunicata ai candidati ammessi all'orale. The meeting room (and the online-link) will be communicated to candidates who will be admitted to the interviews.
addressVia dei Marsi 78, 00185, Rome
publication on notice boardNO
publication on the web siteYes
web sitehttps://phd.uniroma1.it/web/PSICOLOGIA-E-NEUROSCIENZE-SOCIALI_nD3533.aspx
date of publication09/07/2026
contactsantonio.zuffiano@uniroma1.it; cosanphd@uniroma1.it (admin issues)


Evaluation scale

Qualifications assessment

Valutazione titoli

Punteggio massimo complessivo per la prova/overall max score: 20

Voto di laurea
Degree grade

Punteggio massimo/max score: 5
1. Voto di laurea (magistrale, specialistica o a ciclo unico – max 5 punti)
1. University final degree mark (max 5 points)
110, 110 e lode
110, 110 cum laude		5,0
109 -1084,0
107 -1063,0
105 -1042,0
103 -1021,0
<1020,0
Per coloro che discuteranno la tesi dopo la presentazione della domanda ma comunque entro il 31 ottobre 2026, verrà valutata la media aritmetica degli esami sostenuti.
The candidate's Master's degree grade will be evaluated.For those who will defend their thesis after the submission of the application, but before October 31, 2026, the arithmetic mean of the exams taken will be evaluated.
29 - 305,0
28 – 28.994,0
27 - 27.993,0
26 - 26.992,0
25 - 25.991,0
<250,0

2 - Pubblicazioni (max 6 punti)
2 - Publications (max 6 points)Publications

Punteggio massimo/max score: 6
Pubblicazione ISI (primo autore)
ISI (author)		5,0
È possibile assegnare fino a un massimo di 5 punti per ciascun prodotto valutabile. All'interno della sotto-categoria, si possono valutare più prodotti, fino al raggiungimento del punteggio massimo complessivo di 6 punti previsto per le "Pubblicazioni".
Up to a maximum of 5 points may be awarded for each individual assessable product. Within the sub-category, multiple products may be evaluated, up to the overall maximum of 6 points allocated to the “Publications” category.
Pubblicazione ISI (co-autore)
ISI (co-author)		3,0
È possibile assegnare fino a un massimo di 3 punti per ciascun prodotto valutabile. All'interno della sotto-categoria, si possono valutare più prodotti, fino al raggiungimento del punteggio massimo complessivo di 6 punti previsto per le "Pubblicazioni".
Up to a maximum of 3 points may be awarded for each individual assessable product. Within the sub-category, multiple products may be evaluated, up to the overall maximum of 6 points allocated to the “Publications” category.
Libro o Capitolo di libro (solo autore)
Book or chapter in book (author)		2,0
È possibile assegnare fino a un massimo di 2 punti per ciascun prodotto valutabile. All'interno della sotto-categoria, si possono valutare più prodotti, fino al raggiungimento del punteggio massimo complessivo di 6 punti previsto per le "Pubblicazioni".
Up to a maximum of 2 points may be awarded for each individual assessable product. Within the sub-category, multiple products may be evaluated, up to the overall maximum of 6 points allocated to the “Publications” category.
Libro o Capitolo di libro (co-autore)
Book or chapter in book (co-author)		1,0
È possibile assegnare fino a un massimo di 1 punto per ciascun prodotto valutabile. All'interno della sotto-categoria, si possono valutare più prodotti, fino al raggiungimento del punteggio massimo complessivo di 6 punti previsto per le "Pubblicazioni".
Up to a maximum of 1 points may be awarded for each individual assessable product. Within the sub-category, multiple products may be evaluated, up to the overall maximum of 6 points allocated to the “Publications” category.
Contributo a convegno
Contribution to a lecture/ congress		0,5
È possibile assegnare fino a un massimo di 0,5 punti per ciascun prodotto valutabile. All'interno della sotto-categoria, si possono valutare più prodotti, fino al raggiungimento del punteggio massimo complessivo di 6 punti previsto per le "Pubblicazioni".
Up to a maximum of 0,5 points may be awarded for each individual assessable product. Within the sub-category, multiple products may be evaluated, up to the overall maximum of 6 points allocated to the “Publications” category.

3 - Esperienze di ricerca (max 4 punti)
3 – Research experiences (max 4 points)

Punteggio massimo/max score: 4
Esperienze all’estero (almeno due mesi, compreso Erasmus)
Experience abroad (at least 2 months, including Erasmus)		1,5
È possibile assegnare fino a un massimo di 1,5 punti per ciascuna esperienza valutabile. All'interno della sotto-categoria, si possono valutare più esperienze, fino al raggiungimento del punteggio massimo complessivo di 4 punti previsto per le Esperienze di ricerca
Up to a maximum of 1,5 points may be awarded for each Experience abroad. Within the sub-category, multiple Experience may be evaluated, up to the overall maximum of 4 points allocated to the “Research experiences” category.
Contratti di collaborazione alla ricerca
Collaboration contracts		1,0
È possibile assegnare fino a un massimo di 1 punto per ciascun contratto di collaborazione alla ricerca valutabile. All'interno della sotto-categoria, si possono valutare più contratti, fino al raggiungimento del punteggio massimo complessivo di 4 punti previsto per le Esperienze di ricerca
Up to a maximum of 1 point may be awarded for each Collaboration contracts. Within the sub-category, multiple Collaboration contracts may be evaluated, up to the overall maximum of 4 points allocated to the “Research experiences” category.
Corsi di formazione alla ricerca
Training coursesfor researchers		0,5
È possibile assegnare fino a un massimo di 0,5 punti per ciascun corso di formazione alla ricerca valutabile. All'interno della sotto-categoria, si possono valutare più corsi, fino al raggiungimento del punteggio massimo complessivo di 4 punti previsto per le Esperienze di ricerca
Up to a maximum of 0,5 points may be awarded for each Training coursesfor researchers. Within the sub-category, multiple Training coursesfor researchers may be evaluated, up to the overall maximum of 4 points allocated to the “Research experiences” category.

4 - Lettere di raccomandazione e di motivazione (max 5 punti)
4 – Letters of recommendation and motivation letter (max 5 points)

Punteggio massimo/max score: 5
Altra tipologia (Research project)

Altra tipologia

Progetto di ricerca
Research project

Punteggio massimo complessivo per la prova/overall max score: 30

Conoscenza dello stato dell’arte
Knowledge of the state of the art

Punteggio massimo/max score: 5

Originalità e contenuto innovativo
Innovative aspects of the project

Punteggio massimo/max score: 5

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

Punteggio massimo/max score: 10

Fattibilità del progetto
Feasibility of the project

Punteggio massimo/max score: 5

Pertinenza del progetto con gli obiettivi formativi del dottorato
Relevance of the project to the educational objectives of the PhD programme

Punteggio massimo/max score: 5
Oral interview

Prova orale

Punteggio massimo complessivo per la prova/overall max score: 70

Discussione delle tematiche relative al progetto di ricerca
Discussion of topics related to the research project

Punteggio massimo/max score: 40

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

Punteggio massimo/max score: 20

Lingua straniera
Foreign language

Punteggio massimo/max score: 10

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