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

LIFE SCIENCES
This three-year program aims at providing high-level scientific research and training opportunities for students with background in biological sciences, medicine, engineering, physics, chemistry, pharmacology, interested in studying the functions of the organism in the field of health and disease with a multidisciplinary approach.
The course is divided into three curricula that address the different topics of Life Sciences:
1) Biology and genetics of prokaryotes and viruses; host-pathogen interaction including immune response, and antimicrobial resistance mechanisms. This study program will focus on the molecular mechanisms underlying the fundamental processes in the biology of prokaryotic cells and viruses and their interactions with the host. Research areas of interest include the strategies adopted by bacteria/viruses to counteract the stress conditions imposed by the host and mechanisms of microbial/viral infection, persistence and avoidance of immune responses. The cellular pathways involved in the pathogenesis of bacterial/viral infections, as well as the evolution of the mechanisms of resistance to antibiotics and antivirals are also studied.
2) Bioinformatics and Omics, Structure and function of macromolecules, Discovery of new drugs. This program focuses on the properties of biological macromolecules, to interpret biological complexity in relevant phenomena such as cell reprogramming, cancer, host-pathogen interactions. Different approaches are used, involving structural biology, biochemistry, bioinformatics, design and chemistry of new drugs. Research areas include the study of protein structure, stability and folding and of recognition between biomolecules and the structural analysis of target molecules to design, synthesize and validate antimicrobial and antiviral compounds and anticancer drugs. Computational approaches are also explored for the interpretation of -omics data and prediction of the function and structure of macromolecules.
3) Molecular and Cellular Biology and Genetics of eukaryotic cells; Developmental Biology; Cell Physiology. This curriculum focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying the fundamental processes of eukaryotic cell biology. Current areas of interest include regulatory signaling networks, crosstalk and cellular trafficking as well as metabolism and metabolic reprogramming in physiological and pathological adaptation. Relevant research is carried out to analyze the expression and function of non-protein coding genes, such as small and long non-coding RNAs. Chromosomal organization, genome stability, epigenetics, cell differentiation and the fate of stem cells in response to microenvironmental factors are also investigated.

Number of positions available


Sapienza Scholarships Affliliated Institutions or Excellence Industrial PhD Without scholarship
6 2 0 1

Themes, curriculum and specific competence



Scholarships funded by affiliated Institution and Departments of Excellence

1 scholarship funded by the affiliated Institution: DIPARTIMENTO DI INGEGNERIA MECCANICA E AEROSPAZIALE (DIMA)
Topic: ERC-StG-2025-BRIDGE

1 scholarship funded by the affiliated Institution: ISTITUTO PASTEUR ITALIA - FONDAZIONE CENCI BOLOGNETTI
Topic: The candidate will choose a topic when submitting the online application

Sapienza scholarships: 6

Admission Procedure

Qualifications assessment Candidates who wish to apply for a
doctoral position are requested to apply
following the application procedure as
specified in the call for applicants.
Qualifications are evaluated in
accordance with the following
assessment criteria defined by the
Teaching Board of the PhD Program in
Life Sciences
(the detailed evaluation grid is detailed
below):
1. Academic transcripts (detailed exams,
grades, completion dates, graduation
date and score). Up to 40 points.
2. Curriculum vitae. Please indicate
clearly other appropriately certified
publications, honors, awards, or
qualifications. Up to 8 points.
3. Letter of motivation. The candidate
should briefly describe previous research
experience (including thesis, meeting
presentations or posters) and prospective
scientific interests (within the 3 possible
curricula of the PhD school),including an
outline of a possibile project. Up to 8
points.
4. Letter(s) of recommendation
supporting the candidate. It should be
clear from the letter why the reviewer is
able to evaluate the candidate. Up to 4
points.
The candidates whose overall score in
phase 1 (total score from points 1-4) will
be higher than or equal to 40 out of 60
will be short-listed, ranked according to
their total qualifications merit score, and
invited for an interview.
Note: The expenses incurred by the
applicant to appear for an interview will
not be reimbursed.
The short-list will be announced in the web
site:
https://phd.uniroma1.it/web/SCIENZEDE
LLAVITA_nD3539.aspx
The successful applicants will receive no
personal communications of their results.
The notification is considered as
delivered through the announcement of
the list.

Candidates who obtained at least 40/60 in the assessment of their qualifications are admitted to the written test.
Oral interview The interview, in Italian or English
(candidate's choice), is aimed to assess
the candidate background, skills, and
potential to carry out research in the scientific areas of the PhD Program.
During the interview, the evaluation
Committee will:
• ask to discuss the research statement
and personal motivations for applying to
the PhD Programme;
• verify the background in life sciences;
• conduct an in-depth discussion of the
qualifications of the candidate.
• Given that English is the official
language of the course, the candidate’s
proficiency in this language will also be
evaluated.
The interview will take place on the date
indicated in the call. If necessary, the
interviews can also take place remotely
using video-conferencing facilities. The
Evaluation Committee will inform the
candidates of the modality of the
interviews (face-to-face or remote) by a
specific notice that will be published on
the website
https://phd.uniroma1.it/web/SCIENZEDE
LLAVITA_nD3539.aspx. No
personal communication will be delivered
to the candidates.
For the second phase, the evaluation
Committee assigns a score of up to 60
points.
The minimum positive score for the oral test is 40/60.
The final score (titles and
interview) to be included in the final
ranking must be above 80/120.
language ITALIANO
ERRATA CORRIGE:
ITALIANO
INGLESE

contacts and info dottorato.scienzedellavita-dsb@uniroma1.it
more info Evaluation criteria are those detailed in the call and website

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
detailed list of exams including completion dates and scores of 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

§ first letter of introduction (by a teacher)
mandatory, the letter must be uploaded by the candidate
Recommendation letters should be provided ONLY in the format provided.
Letters in other formats will not be accepted., the file must be uploaded within le ore 14:00 del 17/06/2026
download the attachement
§ second letter of introduction (by a teacher)
mandatory, the letter must be uploaded by the candidate
Recommendation letters should be provided ONLY in the format provided.
Letters in other formats will not be accepted., the file must be uploaded within le ore 14:00 del 17/06/2026
download the attachement
§ List of publications
optional
Please enclose the publication list (if any) AS INDICATED IN THE BRIEF CURRICULUM following
the format:
Authors (all authors Last, First name ) -Title-Journal-Year-Volume-Pages,, the file must be uploaded within le ore 14:00 del 17/06/2026
§ Motivation letter containing the indication of chosen curriculum (by the candidate )
mandatory
Use ONLY the format provided.
Please notice that text can be written in Italian or english.
Fill, sign the document and upload it with your application.
Letters in other formats will not be accepted., the file must be uploaded within le ore 14:00 del 17/06/2026
download the attachement

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/SCIENZE-DELLA-VITA_nD3539.aspx
date of publication07/07/2026
contactsdottorato.scienzedellavita-dsb@uniroma1.it

Oral interview
day16/07/2026
notesnone
time09:00
classroomAula Serra 1 (CU022-E01PS1L081)
addressIstituto di Genetica (CU022), Sapienza Università di Roma, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Roma
publication on notice boardNO
publication on the web siteYes
web sitehttps://phd.uniroma1.it/web/SCIENZE-DELLA-VITA_nD3539.aspx
date of publication16/07/2026
contactsdottorato.scienzedellavita-dsb@uniroma1.it


Evaluation scale

Qualifications assessment

Valutazione titoli

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

Carriera Accademica
Academic Transcripts

Punteggio massimo/max score: 40
La griglia riporta i punteggi massimi conseguibili dai candidati in base alla carriera accademica, sia svolta con un percorso Triennale più Magistrale che con un percorso a Ciclo Unico. Nella valutazione sono inclusi sia il voto di laurea che la media degli esami. Viene valutato se il titolo è stato conseguito in corso e il numero di lodi complessivamente conseguite nell'intero percorso accademico. Per i candidati con titolo conseguito all'estero, il candidato dovrà fornire nella lettera di motivazione la conversione dei voti (laurea e media esami) nei voti del sistema italiano. Vengono inoltre fornite griglie separate per la valutazione degli studenti Laureandi.
The grid shows the maximum scores that candidates can achieve based on their academic career, whether it is a Bachelor's degree plus a Master's degree or a Single Cycle degree. The evaluation includes both the degree grade and the average grade of the exams. It is assessed whether the qualification was obtained on time and the total number of honors obtained in the entire academic career. For candidates with a foreign degree, the candidate must indicate in the motivation letter the conversion of the grades (final exam and carrier grades) into the italian system grades. Separate grids are also provided for the evaluation of Graduating students.
Valutazione Carriera Accademica laurea magistrale - voto di laurea
Evaluation of Academic Transcripts for Master degree - Final Grade
110 e lode
110 cum laude		8,0
110
110		6,0
109-108
109-108		4,0
107-104
107-104		2,0
<104
<104		0,0
Se in corso
If on time		4,0
Valutazione Carriera Accademica Laurea Magistrale - Media Esami
Evaluation Academic Transcripts - Master Degree - Average Grade
29-30
29-30		11,0
28 – 28.99
28 – 28.99		10,0
26 - 27.99
26 - 27.99		9,0
24-25.99
24-25.99		5,0
<24
<24		0,0
Valutazione Carriera Accademica Laurea Triennale- voto di laurea
Evaluation of Academic Transcripts for Bachelor degree - Final Grade
110 e lode
110 cum laude		5,0
110-106
110-106		4,0
105-100
105-100		2,0
99-92
99-92		1,0
<92
<92		0,0
Se In Corso
If on time		2,0
Valutazione Carriera Accademica - Laurea Triennale - Media Esami
Evaluation of Academic Carrier - Bachelor Degree - Average Grade
29 - 30
29 - 30		6,0
28 – 28.99
28 – 28.99		5,0
26 - 27.99
26 - 27.99		4,0
24 - 25.99
24 - 25.99		3,0
<24
<24		0,0
Valutazione Carriera Accademica - Laurea a ciclo unico (5 o 6 anni)- voto di laurea
Evaluation Academic Career - Single-cycle degree (5 or 6 years) - Final grade
110 e lode
110 cum laude		13,0
110 -106
110 -106		10,0
105-100
105-100		7,0
99-92
99-92		4,0
<92
<92		0,0
Se in corso
If on Time		5,0
Valutazione Carriera Accademica - Laurea a ciclo unico (5 o 6 anni)- media esami
Evaluation Academic Career - Single-cycle degree (5 or 6 years) - Average Grade
29 - 30
29 - 30		18,0
28 – 28.99
28 – 28.99		16,0
26 - 27.99
26 - 27.99		14,0
24 - 25.99
24 - 25.99		8,0
<24
<24		0,0
Laureandi - Valutazione Carriera Accademica laurea magistrale - media esami
Undergraduates - Evaluation academic carrier Master Degree - average grade
29 - 30
29 - 30		19,0
28 – 28.99
28 – 28.99		17,0
27 - 27.99
27 - 27.99		15,0
26 - 26.99
26 - 26.99		13,0
25 - 25.99
25 - 25.99		10,0
24-24.99
24-24.99		7,0
<24
<24		0,0
Se in corso
If on time		4,0
Laureandi - Valutazione Carriera Accademica laurea triennale - Voto Laurea
Undergraduates - Evaluation academic carrier Bachelor Degree - Final grade
110 e lode
110 cum laude		5,0
110-106
110-106		4,0
105-100
105-100		2,0
99-92
99-92		1,0
<92
<92		0,0
Se in corso
If on time		2,0
Laureandi - Valutazione Carriera Accademica laurea triennale - Media Esami
Undergraduates - Evaluation academic carrier Bachelor Degree - Average grade
29 - 30
29 - 30		6,0
28 – 28.99
28 – 28.99		5,0
26 - 27.99
26 - 27.99		4,0
24 - 25.99
24 - 25.99		3,0
<24
<24		0,0
Laureandi - Valutazione Carriera Accademica - Laurea a ciclo unico (5 o 6 anni)- Media Esami
Undergraduates- Evaluation Academic Career - Single-cycle degree (5 or 6 years) - Average Grade
29 - 30
29 - 30		31,0
28 – 28.99
28 – 28.99		28,0
27 - 27.99
27 - 27.99		25,0
26 - 26.99
26 - 26.99		22,0
25 - 25.99
25 - 25.99		18,0
24 - 24.99
24 - 24.99		12,0
<24
<24		0,0
Se in corso
If on time		5,0
Per tutti i candidati: Valutazione del numero di esami con lode nell'intera carriera
For all candidates: Evaluation of number of "Cum laude" exams during the complete academic carrier
10
10		4,0
8
8		3,0
6
6		2,0
4
4		1,0

Curriculum vitae
Curriculum vitae

Punteggio massimo/max score: 8

Lettera di motivazione
Motivation letter

Punteggio massimo/max score: 8

Lettere di presentazione (max 2 lettere)
Recommendation Letters (max 2 letters)

Punteggio massimo/max score: 4
Oral interview

Prova orale

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

Punteggio orale
Oral exam evaluation

Punteggio massimo/max score: 60
Valutazione Prova orale (max 60 punti). L'intervista, in italiano o in inglese a scelta del candidato, si propone di valutare il background dei candidati, le competenze e la possibilità di svolgere attività di ricerca nei settori scientifici del Dottorato. Durante l'intervista, la Commissione: 1) chiederà di discutere il progetto di ricerca e le motivazioni personali per l'applicazione al programma di dottorato di ricerca e verificherà le competenze del candidato in scienze della vita; 2) condurrà una discussione approfondita delle qualifiche e dei titoli del candidato; 3) Poiché l'inglese è la lingua ufficiale del corso, ne sarà valutata la conoscenza da parte del candidato. La prova orale si intenderà superata con la votazione di almeno 40/60. L'esito della prova orale verrà comunicato tramite pubblicazione di avviso sul sito del dottorato.
Oral exam (max 60 points). The interview, in Italian or English at the candidate's choice, aims to evaluate the candidates' background, skills and possibility of carrying out research activities in the scientific sectors of the Doctorate. During the interview, the Commission: • will ask to discuss the research statement and personal motivations for applying to the PhD program and will verify the candidate's skills in life sciences; • conduct an in-depth discussion of the candidate's qualifications; • Since English is the official language of the course, the candidate's knowledge of it will be assessed. The oral exam will be considered passed with a score of at least 40/60. The results of the oral exam will be published on the doctoral website.

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