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

PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES
The PhD in "Pharmaceutical Sciences" focuses mainly on three interconnected areas, all of a predominantly chemical nature: a) synthesis of new substances with pharmacological action (or extraction of active ingredients from natural sources and study of their structure), as well as development of innovative synthetic processes for the preparation of biologically active substances; b) study of the formulation aimed at optimizing the therapeutic action, reducing side effects, modifying the release of the drug from the pharmaceutical form, improving drug targeting and patient compliance, c) innovative analytical procedures for the qualitative and quantitative determination of drug components and food matrices; identification and dosage of impurities and by-products. The PhD in "Pharmaceutical Sciences" covers both the specific field of pharmaceutical technologies and innovative chemical processes. The PhD program aims to develop the knowledge and experience of PhD students in these areas, with a view to possible inclusion in the pharmaceutical industry as highly qualified personnel or in public or private research facilities. Each PhD student, assisted by one or more professors of the Faculty, follows an individual training course and specializes in a single sector through experimental thesis work. However, thanks to coordinated exchanges of information (lectures, seminars, and schools for doctoral students in Pharmaceutical Sciences, with the obligation to participate as defined by the postgraduate regulations), the student can expand their skills even in fields not directly related to the research work for the thesis. To complete the training, cycles of conferences are organized by experts from the University, the pharmaceutical industry, the Ministry of Health, and the National Institute of Health. In recent years, various speakers have focused mainly on the rules of good manufacturing practice (GMP) and the procedures for obtaining medicines' marketing authorization (MA). PhD students must also hold seminars on the topics covered by their research at least once a year. PhD students must also present seminars on their research topics at least once a year. The Academic Board encourages experiences at foreign universities both to follow specific courses and to develop research activities. Training internships in industries in the sector are also encouraged.

Number of positions available


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

Themes, curriculum and specific competence



Scholarships funded by affiliated Institution and Departments of Excellence


1 scholarship funded by the affiliated Institution: ISTITUTO SUPERIORE DI SANITÀ (ISS)
Topic: Drug repurposing and chiral metabolites in oncology: stereochemical and therapeutic implications

Sapienza scholarships: 6


Admission Procedure

Qualifications assessment Assessment of Qualifications and CV (maximum score 30). Evaluation of the candidate’s academic qualifications, academic record, and any scientific experience.
Minimum score: 18 points

Research project evaluation Assessment of the Research Proposal (maximum score: 10). Evaluation of an original research proposal submitted by the candidate (in Italian or English).
Minimum score: 6 points
language ITALIANO
INGLESE

Oral interview Details of the Oral Examination (maximum score 60): The oral examination consists of an individual interview, held either in person or by videoconference (where applicable and requested within the deadline set out in the call for applications), aimed at thoroughly assessing the candidate’s preparation and aptitude for research in the scientific fields relevant to the doctoral program. The interview will focus primarily on the discussion of the research project submitted by the candidate, as well as on the evaluation of the candidate’s basic theoretical knowledge and experimental skills in the disciplines related to the doctoral program.
The candidate’s proficiency in English will also be assessed.
Language of the examination: ITALIAN, ENGLISH
Minimum score: 30 points
language ITALIANO
INGLESE


contacts and info Sito internet indirizzo del sito https://phd.uniroma1.it/web/SCIENZE-FARMACEUTICHE_nD3542.aspx Info e recapiti Sonia Renzetti: sonia.renzetti@uniroma1.it, Franco Mazzei: franco.mazzei@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
History of Scholarships, Research Grants (or similar)
Certificates of participation in post-graduate university courses
certificates of Participation in research groups

Required documentation

§ degree thesis abstract
optional, the file must be uploaded within le ore 14:00 del 17/06/2026

§ research project
mandatory
Each candidate must submit, together with the application for admission, an original Research Proposal in PDF format, written in Italian or English, with a minimum length of 4,000 and a maximum of 8,000 characters (including spaces, excluding bibliography and figures), relating to the research topics of the doctoral program., 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

§ description of previous research experience
optional, the file must be uploaded within le ore 14:00 del 17/06/2026

§ Curriculum Vitae et Studiorum
optional, the file must be uploaded within le ore 14:00 del 17/06/2026

Language Skills

the candidate must know the following languages
ITALIANO
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-FARMACEUTICHE_nD3542.aspx
date of publication03/07/2026
contactssonia renzetti; sonia.renzetti@uniroma1.it

Altra tipologia (Research project evaluation)
day03/07/2026
notesnone
time08:30
classroomAula A "Giuliano"
addressDipartimento di Chimica e Tecnologie del Farmaco (Ed. CU019), Sapienza Università di Roma, P.le Aldo Moro 5 - 00185, Roma
publication on notice boardNO
publication on the web siteYes
web sitehttps://phd.uniroma1.it/web/SCIENZE-FARMACEUTICHE_nD3542.aspx
date of publication06/07/2026
contactssonia renzetti; sonia.renzetti@uniroma1.it

Oral interview
day09/07/2026
notesnone
time08:30
classroomAula A "Giuliano"
addressDipartimento di Chimica e Tecnologie del Farmaco (Ed. CU019), Sapienza Università di Roma, P.le Aldo Moro 5 - 00185, Roma
publication on notice boardNO
publication on the web siteYes
web sitehttps://phd.uniroma1.it/web/SCIENZE-FARMACEUTICHE_nD3542.aspx
date of publication09/07/2026
contactssonia renzetti; sonia.renzetti@uniroma1.it


Evaluation scale

Qualifications assessment

Valutazione titoli

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

Voto di Laurea Magistrale (o Specialistica, o a Ciclo Unico) o Media degli esami (per laureandi non ancora in possesso del titolo)
Final Mark of the Master’s Degree (or equivalent second-cycle / single-cycle degree) or Average mark of examinations (for candidates who have not yet obtained their degree)

Punteggio massimo/max score: 25
Viene assegnato un punteggio in funzione del voto finale di laurea del candidato (su base 110). La seguente griglia sarà applicata per l’attribuzione dei punti in relazione al voto di laurea magistrale: 110 e lode (110/110 e lode) 25 punti 110/110 (senza lode) - 23 punti 109/110 - 21 punti 108/110 - 19 punti 107/110 - 17 punti 106/110 - 15 punti 105/110 - 13 punti 104-100/110 - 11 punti 99-90/110 - 9 punti < 90/110 - 1 punto Qualora il candidato non abbia ancora conseguito la laurea magistrale alla data di presentazione della domanda verrà considerata la media ponderata dei voti degli esami sostenuti fino a tale data, purché il candidato consegua il titolo entro il termine previsto (es. entro il 31 ottobre dell’anno in corso). In tal caso, l’attribuzione del punteggio avverrà secondo una griglia equivalente basata sulla media su base 30: 30-29 - 25 punti 28.99–28 - 23 punti 27.99–27 - 21 punti 26.99–26 - 19 punti 25.99–25 - 17 punti 24.99–24 - 15 punti < 24 - 1 punto
A score is assigned on the basis of the candidate’s final degree mark (out of 110). The following scale will be applied for the allocation of points in relation to the candidate’s Master’s degree mark: 110 cum laude (110/110 cum laude) – 25 points 110/110 (without honours) – 23 points 109/110 – 21 points 108/110 – 19 points 107/110 – 17 points 106/110 – 15 points 105/110 – 13 points 104–100/110 – 11 points 99–90/110 – 9 points Below 90/110 – 1 point Where the candidate has not yet obtained the Master’s degree by the date of the submission of the application, the weighted average mark of the examinations passed up to that date will be taken into consideration, provided that the candidate obtains the degree within the prescribed deadline (e.g. by 31 October of the current year). In such cases, the score will be assigned according to an equivalent scale based on the average mark out of 30: 30–29 – 25 points 28.99–28 – 23 points 27.99–27 – 21 points 26.99–26 – 19 points 25.99–25 – 17 points 24.99–24 – 15 points Below 24 – 1 point

110 e lode
110 cum laude
25,0
110/110
110/110
23,0
109/110
109/110
21,0
108/110
108/110
19,0
107/110
107/110
17,0
106/110
106/110
15,0
105/110
105/110
13,0
104-100/110
104-100/110
11,0
99-90/110
99-90/110
9,0
<90/110
<90/110
1,0
Per gli studenti laureandi la griglia precedente è sostituita dalla seguente:
For students who will discuss the thesis after submitting application and before 31 October 2026, the Final Mark of the Master’s Degree grid is replaced by the following:
30 – 29
30 – 29
25,0
28 – 28.99
28.99–28
23,0
27.99 – 27
27.99 – 27
21,0
26.99 – 26
26.99 – 26
19,0
25.99 – 25
25.99 – 25
17,0
24.99 – 24
24.99 – 24
15,0
< 24
< 24
1,0

Laurea Magistrale (o Specialistica, o a Ciclo Unico) in corso
Master’s degree (or Specialist degree, or Single-cycle degree) completed within the five years prescribed by the academic regulations.

Punteggio massimo/max score: 3
Laurea Magistrale (o Specialistica, o a Ciclo Unico) in corso
Master’s degree (or Specialist degree, or Single-cycle degree) completed within the five years prescribed by the academic regulations.


Altri Titoli Accademici e di Ricerca
Other Academic and Research Qualifications

Punteggio massimo/max score: 2
Saranno valutate ulteriori qualifiche e attività del candidato rilevanti per il percorso di ricerca, ad esempio: eventuali pubblicazioni scientifiche (articoli su riviste indicizzate, contributi in volumi o atti di convegni e altre pubblicazioni analoghe), esperienze di ricerca (borse di studio, assegni di ricerca, partecipazione a progetti scientifici, periodi di studio all’estero, tirocini in laboratorio, ecc.) e altri titoli formativi post-laurea o riconoscimenti (master, corsi di perfezionamento, ulteriori certificazioni qualificanti).
Additional qualifications and activities of the candidate relevant to the research path will also be considered, for example: any scientific publications (articles in indexed journals, contributions to edited volumes or conference proceedings, and other similar publications), research experience (scholarships, research fellowships, participation in scientific projects, study periods abroad, laboratory internships, etc.), and other post-graduate qualifications or recognitions (master’s degrees, advanced training courses, further qualifying certifications).



Altra tipologia (Research project evaluation)

Altra tipologia

Valutazione del progetto di ricerca
Research project evaluation

Punteggio massimo complessivo per la prova/overall max score: 10

Chiarezza e completezza espositiva.
Clarity and completeness of presentation.

Punteggio massimo/max score: 3
Chiarezza e completezza espositiva nella definizione degli obiettivi di ricerca, nella descrizione del quadro metodologico e nel calendario di sviluppo del progetto.
Clarity and completeness of presentation in defining the research objectives, describing the methodological framework, and outlining the project development timeline.


Attinenza tematica del progetto rispetto agli obiettivi formativi del Dottorato in Scienze Farmaceutiche.
Relevance of the project topic to the educational objectives of the PhD Programme in Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Punteggio massimo/max score: 4
Attinenza tematica del progetto rispetto agli obiettivi formativi del Dottorato in Scienze Farmaceutiche, con particolare riferimento alle tematiche di ricerca previste nei relativi curricula.
Relevance of the project topic to the educational objectives of the PhD Programme in Pharmaceutical Sciences, with particular reference to the research areas covered by the respective curricula.


Grado di innovatività del progetto
Degree of innovativeness of the project.

Punteggio massimo/max score: 3
Grado di innovatività del progetto e potenziale contributo all’avanzamento delle conoscenze rispetto allo stato dell’arte nel campo di ricerca di riferimento.
Degree of innovativeness of the project and its potential contribution to the advancement of knowledge with respect to the state of the art in the relevant field of research.



Oral interview

Prova orale

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

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

Punteggio massimo/max score: 20

Verifica della preparazione scientifica del candidato
Assessment of the candidate’s scientific background.

Punteggio massimo/max score: 30
Verifica delle conoscenze teoriche di base e delle competenze sperimentali del candidato nelle discipline attinenti al Dottorato.
Assessment of the candidate’s basic theoretical knowledge and experimental skills in the disciplines relevant to the PhD programme.


Lingua straniera
Foreign language

Punteggio massimo/max score: 10


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