The PhD program in Physics and Emerging Technologies aims to train young researchers for positions in Italy and abroad, in universities, research institutes, and high-tech companies. The program consists of a single curriculum that covers a wide range of techniques and approaches in physics and their applications in emerging technologies, such as quantum technologies.

The PhD program in Physics and Emerging Technologies is designed to complete the scientific education in Physics in the fields actively developed within the Department of Physics at the University of Salerno, the CNR-SPIN Institute, the INFN Salerno Section, and in collaboration with the NAMOMATES Interdepartmental Center, INGV, and CNR-IMAA. The PhD program aims to train researchers capable of conducting independent research in the fields of Theoretical Physics, Condensed Matter Physics, Nuclear and Subnuclear Physics, Applied Physics and Complex Systems, Geophysics, Nanotechnologies, Physics Education, and the History of Physics. In theoretical work, PhD students are expected to be able to construct and study mathematical models for the description of physical phenomena, while in experimental work they should be able to conduct laboratory experiments and critically analyze the results. Overall, the PhD program trains students in the scientific method and its applications in various contexts, making them suitable for leadership positions in high-level organizations.

PhD students with scholarships are required to spend a minimum of six months conducting research and training at foreign universities or research centers. Additionally, they participate in internationally recognized research projects, regularly attend courses taught in English, and take part in international schools and conferences. Framework agreements and partnerships with foreign universities, institutions, and companies are in place for traineeships. Doctoral theses are regularly written in English and made available to the international scientific community.

Career and Professional Opportunities

This proposal stems from the demand for highly qualified personnel in both experimental and theoretical physics (focused on the study of materials, elementary particles, astrophysics, and geophysics) with extensive knowledge of both fundamental and applied aspects, and expertise in cutting-edge technologies in fields ranging from computation to sustainability. The employment sectors requiring a PhD degree include the public sector (universities, research institutions, and services), where the degree is essential for pursuing research, and the advanced industrial sector (electronics, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, advanced instrumentation), where a PhD is a preferred qualification. A typical career path will continue to be teaching at universities and secondary schools, but PhD graduates in Physics and Emerging Technologies will also easily find positions in industries requiring high-level scientific expertise, such as financial markets or those tackling complex interdisciplinary problems. PhD graduates will meet the needs of the local job market, considering the low number of PhD holders employed in Italian companies compared to more advanced countries, and, based on the outcomes of previous cohorts, they can also look forward to qualified employment in an international context.

Alignment with the Objectives of the PNRR

The objectives of the PhD program are fully aligned with the priorities of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR). The latter identifies several intervention areas, particularly in Education and Research (Mission 4), which aims at improving the quality and expanding the scope of education, as well as strengthening research and promoting innovative models for basic and applied research conducted in synergy between universities and businesses, while supporting innovation processes and technology transfer. In relation to the mission of digitalization and innovation, emerging technologies are moving out of research laboratories and entering the market in major countries, prompting the European Union to invest in dedicated initiatives. The PNRR provides resources that will enable research development.

These considerations are fully intertwined with the goals of the PhD program, which, as already mentioned, aim to support the education of young people not only in basic physics but also in the fields of the most modern technologies. The ultimate goal is to offer study programs capable of enhancing the abilities of future scholars and professionals to effectively manage complex situations with the aid of advanced technologies.