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

EARTH SCIENCES
The three-year long Ph.D. program in Earth Sciences (Dottorato di Ricerca in Scienze della Terra) promotes original scientific research and cultural development in 1) geosciences and 2) environment and Cultural Heritage.
During the first two years of the program, each Ph.D. student is required to develop his research project and attend courses, seminars and other training activities either in Italy or abroad, according to the training/research programme submitted by the student and approved by the Ph.D. Program Committee once a year. The student’s training/research activities are supervised by an academic advisor (plus an external co-advisor, if appropriate). At the end of the 3 years of study and research, the Ph.D. candidate is required to submit a final thesis, either in Italian or English.

Number of positions available


Sapienza Scholarships Affliliated Institutions or Excellence Industrial PhD Without scholarship
9 0 0 2

Themes, curriculum and specific competence



Sapienza scholarships: 9


Admission Procedure

Qualifications assessment CV and professional titles: max score 15

Europass CV is warmly recommended to applicants:
https://europass.europa.eu/en/create-europass-cv

1.2 Publications (JCR-ISI, non JCR-ISI, books or monographs, abstracts): max score 4

1.3 Previous experiences in Italy and abroad (training, research, job): max score 3

1.4 Other qualifications evaluated by the Committee: max score 3

Research project For the purposes of selection for the Ph.D. program, applicants must submit a research proposal that clearly demonstrates their ability to conceive, organize, and carry out scientific research entirely on their own. Any text exceeding the character limit specified in the attached template will not be considered by the evaluation committee.

2.1. The project, written in English, may contain up to a maximum of 5 figures and must include the following information:

Title - ###/100 characters (spaces included)

General Objective - ###/200 characters (spaces included)
General objective (also called goal) of your PhD project is a long-term purpose of high level, very broad and ambitious.

Specific Objective - ###/700 characters (spaces included)
The specific objective consists in the solution of a specific problem and is what the candidate is committed to achieving at the end of the three years. The specific objective, which contributes to the general objective, may have sub-objectives, and it is usually expressed through a noun and not a verb (it is the goal, not the path) and must be SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time-bound). Expected outcomes during individual phases of the research should not be described in this section (see next points);

State of the art - ###/4000 characters (spaces included)
Describe the state of the art of your chosen research field. At the end of the state-of-the-art, you should be able to clearly identify one or more open questions (to which your project will give an answer by reaching its objectives).

Research activities - ###/4000 characters (spaces included)
Organization of research activities (tasks) over the three years to achieve the specific objective/s. Description of operational details, duration of the single research activity and results expected at the end of each activity.

International mobility - ###/500 characters (spaces included)
International mobility: Details of mobility abroad (for research/training) planned during the three years (minimum 1 month, maximum 18 months). Obviously, some details may change during the project according to your research needs.

Time schedule - ###/500 characters (spaces included)
Brief description of the time schedule of all your planned activities (research, training, dissemination, and mobility). The graphical form (Gantt chart) must be attached in the following section.

Figure 1 (with caption ###/300 characters spaces included)

Figure 2 (with caption ###/300 characters spaces included)

Figure 3 (with caption ###/300 characters spaces included)

Figure 4 (with caption ###/300 characters spaces included)

Figure 5 Time schedule
Graphical form (Gantt chart) of the time schedule of all your planned activities (research, training, dissemination, and mobility) planned for the three-year project period (Required)

References - ###/2500 characters (spaces included)

2.2. The following points will be carefully considered by the Evaluation Committee:
a) clarity and completeness of the specific objectives, research strategy, and Gantt chart;
b) relevance of the project to the educational goals of the PhD program;
c) knowledge of the state of the art and definition of the open issues;
d) innovative aspects of the project;
e) feasibility of the project.

Only the candidates with a minimum score of 40/60 (i.e., the sum of scores obtained for CV and professional titles plus research project) will be admitted to the interview.
language ITALIANO
ERRATA CORRIGE: INGLESE

Oral interview In the case of a high number of candidates, the Evaluation Committee will continue the interview process in the following days.

The interview will focus on the research project, CV and professional titles of the candidates.

The oral exam will be conducted in English.

Only the candidates with a minimum interview score of 36/60 will be admitted to the final ranking list.

The minimum score required to be admitted to the final ranking list is 76/120.

Admission to the Ph.D. program in Earth Sciences is subject to the availability of spots as specified in the call for applications.
language ITALIANO
ERRATA CORRIGE: INGLESE


contacts and info dottorato-dst@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
Graduation date and grade of the Bachelor’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
Check page 14 of the document in attach. , the file must be uploaded within le ore 14:00 del 17/06/2026

§ first 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

§ 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

§ Curriculum Vitae et Studiorum
mandatory
See page 10 and 11 of the document. , 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
day23/06/2026
notesnone
publication on notice boardNO
publication on the web siteYes
web sitehttps://phd.uniroma1.it/web/SCIENZE-DELLA-TERRA_nD3538.aspx
date of publication01/07/2026
contactsdottorato-dst@uniroma1.it

Altra tipologia (Research project)
day01/07/2026
notesnone
time14:00
classroomAula 12
addressDip. Scienze della Terra Università di Roma La Sapienza P.le Aldo Moro 5 00185 Roma
publication on notice boardNO
publication on the web siteYes
web sitehttps://phd.uniroma1.it/web/SCIENZE-DELLA-TERRA_nD3538.aspx
date of publication01/07/2026
contactsdottorato-dst@uniroma1.it

Oral interview
day09/07/2026
notesnone
time09:00
classroomAula Lucchesi
addressDip. Scienze della Terra Università di Roma La Sapienza P.le Aldo Moro 5 00185 Roma
publication on notice boardNO
publication on the web siteYes
web sitehttps://phd.uniroma1.it/web/SCIENZE-DELLA-TERRA_nD3538.aspx
date of publication09/07/2026
contactsdottorato-dst@uniroma1.it


Evaluation scale

Qualifications assessment

Valutazione titoli

Punteggio massimo complessivo per la prova/overall max score: 15

1.1 Voto di laurea (triennale +magistrale/specialistica o a ciclo unico): max 5 punti
1.1 University degree mark (Bachelor +Master degree programs): max score 5

Punteggio massimo/max score: 5
Per la laurea a ciclo unico saranno assegnati 5 punti ai laureati con 110 e lode, 3 punti dal 110 al 106, 1 punto dal 105 al 100. - Il punteggio degli esami viene normalizzato rispetto all’età accademica dei partecipanti. Un candidato più giovane che si è laureato alla magistrale in 5 anni, come stabilito dal ministero, avrà un punteggio maggiore di un candidato che ha concluso il suo percorso ad esempio in 10 anni. Poiché il bando prevede che i candidati possano non essere laureati, in questo caso la normalizzazione viene fatta alla data dell’ultimo esame.
For the single-cycle degree, 5 points will be awarded to graduates with a final mark of 110 with honours, 3 points for grades from 110 to 106, and 1 point for grades from 105 to 100. - Exam scores are normalized based on the candidates’ academic age. A younger candidate who completed a master’s degree in 5 years, as required by the Ministry, will receive a higher score than a candidate who completed their degree in, say, 10 years. Since the call for applications allows for candidates who have not yet graduated, in this case the normalization is based on the date of the most recent exam.

Triennale
Bachelor degree
110 e lode
110 cum laude
3,0
110-106
110-106
2,0
105-100
105-100
1,0
Magistrale, specialistica
Master degree
110 e lode
110 cum laude
2,0
110-106
110-106
1,0
Per gli studenti che discuteranno la tesi di laurea magistrale dopo la presentazione della domanda ma comunque entro il 31 ottobre di quest'anno, la tabella di cui sopra della laurea magistrale è sostituita da quella seguente di media aritmetica
For students that will graduate (Master) after the submission of the application, but before 31 October of this year, the Evaluation Committee will calculate the average grade resulting from the list of the exams (max score 2).
30-28
30-28
2,0
27.99-26
27.99-26
1,0

1.2 Pubblicazioni (JCR-ISI, non JCR-ISI, libri/monografie, abstract): max 4 punti
1.2 Publications (JCR-ISI, non JCR-ISI, books or monographs, abstracts): max score 4

Punteggio massimo/max score: 4

1.3 Esperienze precedenti in Italia e all’estero (formazione, ricerca, lavoro): max 3 punti
1.3 Previous experiences in Italy and abroad (training, research, job): max score 3

Punteggio massimo/max score: 3

1.4 Altri titoli valutati dalla Commissione di esame: max 3 punti
1.4 Other qualifications evaluated by the Committee: max score 3

Punteggio massimo/max score: 3


Altra tipologia (Research project)

Altra tipologia

Progetto di ricerca
Research project

Punteggio massimo complessivo per la prova/overall max score: 45

Progetto di ricerca
Research project

Punteggio massimo/max score: 45
Ai fini della selezione verranno valutati con particolare attenzione: a) chiarezza e completezza della definizione e della descrizione dell’obiettivo specifico, della strategia utilizzata per raggiungerlo e del cronoprogramma; b) pertinenza del progetto con gli obiettivi formativi del dottorato; c) conoscenza dello stato dell’arte e definizione dei problemi aperti; d)contenuti innovativi del progetto; e) fattibilità del progetto.
The following points will be carefully considered by the Evaluation Committee: a) clarity and completeness of the specific objectives, research strategy, and Gantt chart; b) relevance of the project to the educational goals of the PhD program; c) knowledge of the state of the art and definition of the open issues; d) innovative aspects of the project; e) feasibility of the project.



Oral interview

Prova orale

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

Pova orale
Interview

Punteggio massimo/max score: 60
La votazione della Commissione esaminatrice si basa sui seguenti criteri: 1) pertinenza e aderenza ai contenuti richiesti; 2) completezza degli argomenti svolti, padronanza dell’argomento e rigore tecnicoscientifico; 3) capacità di sintesi; 4) uso di linguaggio appropriato e chiarezza espositiva.
The assessment of the examining commission is based on the following criteria: 1) Relevance and adherence to the required content; 2) Completeness of the topics covered, mastery of the subject, and technical-scientific rigor; 3) Synthesis skills; 4) Use of appropriate language and clarity of exposition.



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