ALLEGATO I, D.R. n.

99/2025

Call for Applications for Admission to the Ph.D. Programmes

XLI cycle - Academic Year 2025/2026
Art. 1
(Public Selection Announcement)
A public selection is announced at the Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna di Pisa (hereafter referred to as
"Scuola") for admission to 60 Ph.D. positions for the academic year 2025/2026 - Cycle XLI, in the
following Programmes, as described in the table and reported in the individual Course factsheets,
attached and representing integral part of the Call.

Ph.D. Programme Scholarship

Agrobiodiversity 5
Agrobiosciences 5
Biorobotics 9
Law 5
Economics 5
Emerging Digital Technologies 8
Health Science, Technology and Management 6
Human Rights, Global Politics, and Sustainability: Legal and 5
Philosophical Perspectives
Management Innovation, Sustainability and Healthcare 6
Translational Medicine 6

The number of positions may increase before the beginning of the Programmes, should additional
funding become available, including, but not limited to, projects funded by the European Union -
NextGenerationEU. Please note that funding for some positions may be bound to specific research
topics.
In the factsheets for each Ph.D. Programme, attached and representing an integral part of this Call,
are detailed the available positions and types of scholarship or equivalent funding, the application
evaluation criteria, the research areas, contacts, and other information relevant to the specific Ph.D.
Programme.
Each Ph.D. Programme can reserve one or more positions in the ranking list for eligible candidates
who belong to the categories set out in the Ministerial Decree nr. 226 of 14 December 2021 at art.
8, par. 2 and 4, and art. 8, par. 4. and have been assessed as eligible following this selection
procedure.
According to Ministerial Decree No. 226 of 14 December 2021, the School will be able to enrol
successful candidates only upon successful completion of the accreditation process for the XLI
Cycle.

Art. 2
(Application Requirements)
Applicants with at least one of the following qualifications may participate in the selection, without
citizenship restrictions:

1
 • Laurea Vecchio Ordinamento (Italian University degree obtained before 1999);

• Laurea magistrale, magistrale a ciclo unico or specialistica (Italian University second-

level degree);

• A non-Italian MSc degree recognised as equivalent to the above-mentioned second-

level academic degrees for the sole purpose of participating in the Call for admission to the
Ph.D. programme.

The eligibility of the foreign qualification will be assessed by the Selection Committee according to
the laws and regulations in force in Italy and in the country where the degree was awarded. The
Commission will assess the equivalence in terms of level, nature, content, and academic rights to
the Italian academic degree required for access to a Ph.D. Programme.
Applicants who, as of the deadline for participation in the competition, have not obtained the degree
and will obtain it by September 30, 2025, may also participate in the selection; failure to do so will
result in forfeiture of admission to the Ph.D. Programme.
Participation in the selection is not open to those who have already received a Ph.D. scholarship to
attend a Ph.D. programme in Italy, even if only for one instalment.

Art. 3
(Application Submission)
3.1 Application procedure for submission
The application for parteciparion in the selection must be submitted, under penalty of exclusion,
through the online platform Esse3 available at https://sssup.esse3.cineca.it/Home.do. by the
deadlines specified in the following table.

Ph.D. Programme Deadline

Agrobiodiversity May 15th, 2025 5.00 p.m.
Agrobiosciences May 15th 2025 5.00 p.m.
Biorobotics May 15th, 2025 5.00 p.m.
Law May 15th, 2025 5.00 p.m.
Economics April 15th 2025 5.00 p.m.
Emerging Digital Technologies May 15th 2025 5.00 p.m.
Health Science, Technology and Management May 15th 2025 5.00 p.m.
Human Rights, Global Politics, and Sustainability: Legal and May 15th 2025 5.00 p.m.
Philosophical Perspectives
Management Innovation, Sustainability and Healthcare May 15th 2025 5.00 p.m.
Translational Medicine May 15th 2025 5.00 p.m.

To proceed with the submission of the application, candidates must:

1. Register by entering the required data on the Esse3 platform.
2. Save the credentials (login and password) provided, which must be changed the next time
you log in.
3. Access the Esse3 platform again, select the Ph.D. Course and the desired curriculum (if
applicable).
4. Complete the application by following the instructions provided on each page.

2
At the end of the procedure, please ensure that you have received the e-mail confirming that your
application has been submitted.
The School accepts no liability for system malfunctions or connection problems.
3.2 Documents for the submission
In the application, applicants are required to declare, under their own responsibility, the following
details:
a) Surname, forename, place and date of birth, citizenship;
b) Type of secondary school diploma, graduation date, and issuing School or Institute;
c) Possession of the academic qualification referred to in Article 2 above with an indication of
the degree course, its duration, and the issuing University or Higher Education Institution;
d) the Date on which the degree is expected to be awarded, for those who do not yet possess
it;
e) E-mail address, which is mandatory for communications related to the Call.
Applicants must also complete the 'Additional Information' section as part of their application.
The following documents, in 'PDF' format, must be attached to the application:
1. Copy of a valid identity document (copy of passport is preferable for non-EU
applicants);
2. Certificate of the academic qualification valid for admission, to be provided
according to the country in which the qualification was awarded or is to be awarded:
2.1 Degree obtained or to be obtained in Italy
Candidates must submit a certificate ora self-certification in the form of a declaration in
lieu of certification, in accordance with Article 46 of Presidential Decree No. 445 of 28
December 2000 and subsequent amendments. The self-certification can be completed
using the form available at the following link:
https://www.santannapisa.it/it/autocertificazione. The self-certification must include:
• Details of the academic qualification obtained or to be obtained, including the
degree title, degree class, awarding university, date of completion, and the
final grade (if already awarded) or the expected date of completion (if not yet
obtained).
• A list of examinations taken, specifying the date passed, acquired credits,
and grade for each examination.
2.2 Degree obtained or to be obtained abroad
Candidates holding or expecting to obtain a degree from a foreign institution must submit
the following documents:
• For degrees obtained:
o A certificate issued by the awarding institution confirming the completion of a
second-level university degree (see Article 2), specifying the degree type,
date of award, and final grade.
o A transcript of records listing all examinations taken, including credits (if
applicable under the awarding country’s university system), grades, and the
grading scale.

3
 • For degrees not yet been obtained:
o A certificate of enrollment in a program granting access to Ph.D. studies (see
Article 2), including details of examinations taken, acquired credits (if
applicable), grades, grading scale, and the expected date of degree
completion.
All documents related to degrees obtained or to be obtained abroad must be issued
in English.
3. Curriculum Vitae et Studiorum, in Italian or English;
4. Motivational letter, in Italian or English;
5. Research project, in Italian or English, related to the research areas of the Ph.D.
Programme of interest, designed to be evaluated for admission. Applicants are invited to
review the research areas of the Ph.D. Programme of interest on the School's website.
6. Any mandatory documents as specified in the Ph.D. Programme factsheet.
Each Ph.D. Programme factsheet, which represents an integral part of this Call, may include further
guidance on the above items and the request for additional information and optional/mandatory
documentation to be attached to the application.
Failure to submit the mandatory documents will result in exclusion from the competition.
Candidates with disabilities or DSA must enclose with their application to take part in the competition
the specialised documentation attesting to their disability or DSA and a note requesting the aid
required for the competition, as well as the possible need for additional time. If the candidate's
disability does not allow him/her to use the online platform for submitting the application, he/she may
request to submit the application by an alternative method by sending an appropriate request to
[email protected]
Please note that it will not be possible to supplement the documents attached to the application
after the deadline for submission.
The School may, at any time during the procedure, even after the beginning of the Programmes,
perform checks on the truthfulness of the declarations and documents submitted and may request
the presentation of the original documents. In the event of false declarations, the School may, at any
time, by motivated decision of the Rector, order the exclusion of candidates from the selection
procedure or the Ph.D. Programme, without prejudice to any criminal liability deriving from the same
According to Art. 7, par. 4 of the School’s Code of Ethics, should an applicant taking part in the
selection procedure be up to a 4th-degree relative or 2nd-degree relative-in-law of a member of the
Faculty, technical-administrative, or research staff of the School, he/she must give written notice of
their kinship prior to the beginning of the selection procedures.
Art. 4
(Selection Committees and Assessment)
4.1 Committee
The Selection Committees for admission to the Ph.D. Programmes are appointed by the Rector’s
decree and their members can be found on each Ph.D. programme website. Each Selection
Committee may appoint sub-committees to ensure the efficiency and rapidity of the selection
procedure. The relevant activities of the Committees may be also carried out remotely, while
guaranteeing the security and traceability of communications, according to current legislation.

4
4.2 Assessment
The selection will entail an evaluation of the qualifications and the research project submitted and
an in-person or online interview, in Italian or English. During the interview, the applicant's motivation
to participate in the Ph.D. programme will be assessed, among other things. The positive outcome
of the assessment of the qualifications and the research project is a necessary condition for
admission to the interview.
The interview schedules will be published on the web pages Ph.D. programme.
The list of admitted candidates for the interview will be published on the specific web pages indicated
in each Ph.D. programme factsheet, starting from the dates indicated in the following table.

Ph.D. Programme List of admitted for interview

Agrobiodiversity starting from June 13th, 2025
Agrobiosciences starting from June 13th 2025
Biorobotics starting from June 13th 2025
Law starting from June 13th 2025
Economics starting from May 8th 2025
Emerging Digital Technologies starting from June 13th 2025
Health Science, Technology and Management starting from June 13th 2025
Human Rights, Global Politics, and Sustainability: Legal and starting from June 13th 2025
Philosophical Perspectives
Management Innovation, Sustainability and Healthcare starting from June 13th 2025
Translational Medicine starting from June 13th,2025

Applicants must be available for the entire day set for the interview.
In the case of online interviews, it is the candidate's responsibility to ensure the availability of the
required hardware (PC, webcam) and software and a reliable Internet connection. At the beginning
of the online interview, applicants must show the identity document that was submitted with their
application for identification purposes.
The criteria for assessing applications are detailed in each Ph.D. Programme factsheet attached to
this Call, of which they represent an integral part.
The online interviews will be conducted via the Teams or Webex platforms; the links will be
published on the web pages of the individual courses along with the list of admitted candidates.
All information concerning the selection will be published on the specific web pages indicated in
each Ph.D. programme factsheet. This publication will have the value of a final notification for all
purposes. No personal communications will be sent to the individual candidates, except for
the communication sent to the successful candidates admitted to the Programme at the e-mail
address provided at the time of application.

5
 Art. 5
(Ph.D. Programme Admission and Enrolment)
5.1 Ranking List
The final ranking lists, approved by the Rector’s decree, will be published on on the web pages of
the individual courses by the dates indicated in the table.

Ph.D. Programme Ranking List

Agrobiodiversity By July 15, 2025
Agrobioscienzces By July 15, 2025
Biorobotic By July 15, 2025
Law By July 15, 2025
Economics By May 30, 2025
Emerging Digital Technologies By July 15, 2025
Health Science, Technology and Management By July 15, 2025
Human Rights, Global Politics, and Sustainability: Legal and By July 15, 2025
Philosophical Perspectives
Management Innovation, Sustainability and Healthcare By July 15, 2025
Traslationa Medicine By July 15, 2025

Successful candidates will be admitted to the Ph.D. Programme according to the ranking list order
and up to the number of available positions.
In case of an equal ranking position, preference will be given to the younger candidate.
Successful candidates must confirm their acceptance within seven (7) days from the date of receipt
of the notification, otherwise, they will be excluded, and the position will be assigned to the first
eligible candidate on the ranking list. In the event of renunciation of the position or the scholarship,
these will be re-assigned to the first eligible candidate on the ranking list, subject to compliance with
the specific provisions of agreements with public or private organisations financing the scholarships
conditioned on meeting certain requirements or aimed at specific research topics.
The School, while respecting the reserved seats as per Art. 8, paragraphs 2 and 4, of Ministerial
Decree 226/2021, will allocate any available places due to withdrawals to eligible candidates on the
ranking list before the start of the Ph.D. programme, scheduled for October 1, 2025.
Further reallocations after this date, but no later than December 1, will be made with the approval of
the Faculty Board of the relevant Ph.D. programme.
5.2 Enrollment
To complete the enrollment process, students must provide the following documents:
• A copy of a valid identification document;
• Regional Tax for the Right to University Study payment receipt (under Art. 18, par. 8,
of Legislative Decree no. 68 of 29 March 2012) the amount of which, for the academic year
2025/2026, is set at € 140.00.
The following students are exempt from paying the regional fee for the Right to University Education:
• Those who have applied for a scholarship from the Regional Agency for the Right to
University Education (DSU Toscana) for the 2025/2026 academic year. If they are later
deemed ineligible or not awarded the scholarship, they must pay the fee after the final
ranking is published by DSU Toscana;

6
 • Students with disabilities who have been recognized as having a handicap (Art. 3,
paragraph 1, of Law No. 104 of February 5, 1992) or a disability of 66% or higher;
• Students who are children of individuals receiving disability pensions (Art. 30 of Law No.
118 of March 30, 1971).
To enter Italy, students who are citizens of non-EU countries must apply for a visa for study purposes,
issued by the Italian embassies or consulates with jurisdiction over the country of origin. Upon arrival
in Italy, students are required to apply for a residence permit for study purposes within eight (8) days.
More information can be found at: http://www.santannapisa.it/it/internazionale/welcome-and-support
In special and justified cases related to the procedures for obtaining a visa to enter Italy, the arrival
of the students may be postponed, normally no later than 30 days from the official start of the Ph.D.
Programme.
5.3 Additional Documents for Enrollment for Candidates with a non Italian Academic Degree
In addition to the requirements outlined in Art. 5, paragraph 2, successful candidates holding an
academic degree not obtained in Italy must submit (if not already provided during the application
process in the “Application for Selection”) one of the following documents by the the first of October
2025:
• Diploma Supplement1 (if issued by the university that awarded the degree, typically used in
countries within the European Higher Education Area);
• Declaration of Value2 issued by the Italian diplomatic or consular authorities in the country
of the institution that awarded the degree;
• Certificate of Comparability3 of the foreign university degree, issued by the ENIC-NARIC
center in Italy (CIMEA), containing all necessary information for the evaluation of the
qualification.
If the Diploma Supplement or the Declaration of Value or the Certificate of Comparability mentioned
above are not yet available by 1 October 2025, a document proving that the request for its issue has
been submitted to the relevant diplomatic representation or ENIC-NARIC centre must be presented.
Those who fail to submit the required documentation by 1 October 2025 will be enrolled with
reservations and will forfeit their place on the course if they fail to produce this documentation within
3 months of the start of the Ph.D. programme.
The School reserves the right to carry out checks on the documentation relating to the qualifications
(obtained in Italy and abroad) at any time and, if the documentation provided does not comply with
the requirements of the present call, the candidate will forfeit the Ph.D. programme and will have to
refund any scholarship received.

1
Diploma Supplement refers to a document attached to a higher education degree with the purpose of improving
international “transparency” and facilitating the academic and professional recognition of degrees awarded
(diplomas, degrees, certificates etc.). The Diploma Supplement must be issued by the same institution that
awarded the degree. More details at: https://europa.eu/europass/en/diploma-supplement and
http://www.cimea.it/it/servizi/il-sistema-italiano-di-istruzione-superiore/diploma-supplement.aspx
2
Please see https://www.cimea.it/EN/pagina-glossario
3
https://www.cimea.it/EN/pagina-attestati-di-comparabilita-e-verifica-dei-titoli
7
 Art. 6
(Ph.D. Scholarships and Other Contributions)
Scholarships are for the duration of the relevant Ph.D. Programmes and confirmed annually upon
admission to the following year by approval from the Faculty Board of the individual
Ph.D.Programme. Ph.D. scholarships are awarded following the ranking order, except for
scholarships linked to specific topics or research projects, which may be awarded to the first eligible
candidate(s) identified by the Selection Committee.
The annual budget for each student includes a scholarship and an additional housing
contribution, as detailed in the individual Ph.D. programme factsheet. The scholarship and the
housing contribution are paid in monthly deferred installments.
A number of rooms in the School's residential facilities are made available through a call for
applications; for more information please visit https://www.santannapisa.it/it/housing-phd-students
For periods of study and research abroad, authorised by the Faculty Board, the scholarship can be
increased by 50%, following the procedures set out in the Training Activities Regulations. In addition,
under Article 9 of Ministerial Decree 226/2021, the School makes available to all Ph.D. students an
individual budget of no less than 10% of the annual amount of the scholarship to cover expenses
related to their research activities.
Ph.D. students have access to the School's library, laboratories and other facilities in accordance
with their respective regulations. Ph.D. students can also use the School’s canteen for the duration
of the Programme (with the benefit of 26 free meals per month, excluding holiday periods as specified
in the academic calendar).
Scholarships cannot be combined with other scholarships for any reason whatsoever, except for
those granted by national or foreign institutions, aimed at supplementing the student's research
activities with visits abroad. Those who have previously received a Ph.D. scholarship in Italy, even
partially, are not eligible for another Ph.D. scholarship.
The scholarships and contributions referred to in this article are subject for tax and contribution
purposes to the regulations in force on scholarships granted by Universities and Regions.
The School insures each student against accident and civil liability for the entire duration of the
Programme and ensures that the safety conditions of the premises, facilities, instruments, and
equipment used in the Ph.D. Programme are observed. The School also provides insurance
coverage for health and ancillary risks during duly authorized off-campus travel undertaken in
accordance with internal regulations.
Art. 7
(Ph.D. Student Obligations)
Ph.D. students are required to attend the courses and research activities offered by the School for
the Ph.D. Programmes, to fulfill the obligations provided for in the Training Activities Regulations
(Book III), including the submission of the annual report on the educational and research activities
carried out, and to comply with the policies included in the School’s Statute, internal Regulations,
Code of Ethics and Code of Conduct. Ph.D. students must:
- Complete the training evaluation questionnaires required by the School;
- Complete any periodic reports required by the type of scholarship funding awarded;
- Comply with the requirements of the type of scholarship awarded;
- Timely notify the supervisor and the Ph.D. Office of any requests to use the research
budget and to spend a term abroad.
8
For health and safety protection, Ph.D. students must also:
- Fill in the Employment Destination form;
- Undergo health checks as part of the health surveillance carried out by the School's
Medical Officer; - Participate in the planned training and instruction courses.
Failure to comply with health and safety obligations may result in sanctions, including a ban on
accessing the School’s premises.
Art. 8
(Compatibility and Incompatibility)
Admission to the Ph.D. program requires full-time and exclusive commitment.
The rules regarding compatibility and incompatibility with Ph.D. enrollment are governed by the
applicable national regulations.
Art. 9
(Intellectual Property Rights)
Intellectual and industrial property rights over any results achieved by the Ph.D. student (including,
but not limited to, software, patentable or non-patentable industrial inventions, know-how, models,
data, and data collections) are disciplined by the relevant National Legislation into force, the School
internal regulations, as well as any specific agreements with universities, companies, or institutions
involved.
Ph.D. students are required to promptly inform their Supervisor and Coordinator of any results
achieved and must not disclose or use them without prior authorization from the School.
The student is also required to sign a specific confidentiality and intellectual property rights
agreement regarding any confidential information, data, and documents they may become aware of
while carrying out their activities at and/or on behalf of the School.
Article 10
(Procedure Manager and Personal Data Processing)
Pursuant to Article 5 of Law 241/90 and subsequent amendments, the manager of the competitive
procedure referred to in this call for applications is Dr. Sara Barsanti, Head of the Ph.D. Office, Scuola
Superiore Sant'Anna, Via Santa Cecilia, 3, 56127 Pisa – e-mail: [email protected]
In accordance with the "European Regulation on the Protection of Personal Data" (EU Regulation
679/2016), the data controller for the personal data provided within the framework of the competitive
procedure in question is Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, represented by the Rector, with its registered
office at Piazza Martiri della Libertà 33, Pisa. The designated internal data processor is Dr. Giovanna
Bottai, Head of the Postgraduate Training Area – e-mail: [email protected]
Additional authorized data processors include personnel employed in the Ph.D. Office, the
Coordinators of Ph.D. programs, and the respective Committees and any sub-committees of the
selection process. Data processing will be carried out using computerized procedures, strictly within
the scope necessary to achieve the purposes outlined below. Anonymized data will be used for
statistical analyses.
The provision of personal data (including name, surname, contact details, and any other data
submitted in the application form) is necessary for participation in this selection process. The data
processing is intended for institutional purposes, including the management of the selection
procedures, the creation of academic records, and the dissemination of potential opportunities such
as scholarships, awards, and similar initiatives.
9
The acquired data will be processed, stored, and communicated in compliance with European and
national regulations (Regulation 679/2016 and Legislative Decree 196/2003) for an indefinite period,
as provided for in the School’s Records Retention Schedule and in accordance with the principles of
publicity and transparency for the proper functioning of the Public Administration.
Data subjects may, at any time, exercise their rights with respect to the School, including the right to
access their personal data, request its rectification, updating, or deletion if incomplete, incorrect, or
collected in violation of the law. They may also object to data processing for legally recognized
reasons and request the deletion, anonymization, or restriction of data processing if carried out
unlawfully, including for data that is no longer necessary for the purposes for which it was collected
or subsequently processed. Requests should be addressed to Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, Ph.D.
Office, Via Santa Cecilia, 3, Pisa – e-mail: [email protected]. Furthermore, data subjects
have the right to lodge a complaint with the Data Protection Authority.
For further clarifications and information, the School’s Data Protection Officer can be contacted at
the following e-mail address: [email protected].

The Rector
Prof. Sabina Nuti

10
 Factsheet no. 1

Ph.D. in Agrobiodiversity

https://www.santannapisa.it/en/training/phd-agrobiodiversity

Prof. Pierdomenico Perata

PhD Coordinator
e-mail: [email protected]
Language English

Duration 4 years
The ambitious goal of the program is to enhance the capabilities of human resources
in the use and management of agrobiodiversity in agricultural and natural systems, with
a particular focus on Global South areas. This can be articulated into a series of
subsidiary objectives that collectively contribute to the achievement of the main goal.
The contributory objectives of the program are listed below.
Disciplinary Skills As a doctoral program, the first objective is to provide solid
theoretical, methodological, and practical skills in disciplinary areas such as
agroecology, plant genetics, genomics, and physiology. Other fundamental areas for
acquiring skills include statistics, bioinformatics, and ecology. Classroom courses,
Academic specialized seminars, discussions on scientific articles, and interactive events where
Objectives students are directly involved are obvious tools.
Interdisciplinarity The Ph.D. in Agrobiodiversity aims to instill the idea that the
complex problems contemporary societies face require interdisciplinary and
transdisciplinary approaches. Additionally, the program is very active in organizing or
co-organizing interdisciplinary activities in the form of seminar series and workshops.
Internationalization A heterogeneous cohort of students from different parts of Italy,
Europe, and the rest of the world is a feature of our program.
Cultural Growth The composition of the student cohort also contributes to the
dissemination of culture, further supported by providing foreign students interested in
learning Italian.
A Plant genetic resources
Curricula
B Functional biodiversity in agroecosystems

Available
n. 5 positions with scholarship funded by Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna;
Positions

Calendar of the Application deadline: May 15, 2025 at 5 p.m. (Italian time)
selection List of admitted to interview: starting from June 13, 2025.
Ranking List: by July 15, 2025.
Schedule of interviews will be available on the page:
https://www.santannapisa.it/it/training/call-application-phd-agrobiodiversity-
2025-26
Interviews will be held in-person in Pisa or remotely, using the Microsoft
Teams/WebEx platform. Please, check the page periodically for updates.
Scholarship and The annual budget for each student includes:
contributions 1. a scholarship of € 16,243.00, inclusive of social security charges borne by the
recipient:
2. a supplement to the scholarship for housing contribution of € 2,200/year
inclusive of social security charges borne by the recipient.
The scholarship and the housing contribution supplement are paid in postponed
monthly installments.
Additional Applicants should attach all the documents requested in the call for application
information and (art 3) and provide the information requested in the mandatory “Additional
documentation information”.
11
to be attached to
the online Please note that the research project must be written exclusively in English, with
application a length of about 3,500 words and preferably address topics relevant to the areas of
interest of the Ph.D. in Agrobiodiversity, which are listed at the following web page:
https://www.santannapisa.it/it/training/phd-agrobiodiversity

Optional documents
• Publications (e.g. articles in scientific journals, conference proceedings, etc);
• Other Master and/or specialization degrees in subjects consistent with the
research topics of this PhD program;
• Research and working experience
• Internships in home country or abroad (e.g. Erasmus programs or similar)
• Language certificates (e.g. the Cambridge First Certificate in English (FCE), or
TOEFL (at least 220 points computer-based or 500 points paper-based). The
level of equivalence of English language certificates is assessed by the
Selection Committee.
• Any other document certifying the applicant’s excellence (prizes, fellowships,
and grants)

Evaluation The selection process will take place in three successive steps: a) evaluation of the
Criteria research project; b) assessment of the presented documentation; c) online interview.
Advancement to the next evaluation stage is determined by achieving a minimum
grade, as indicated below.
a) Evaluation of the research project - maximum grade awarded 50 points
The research project should be coherent with the objectives of the Ph.D. in
Agrobiodiversity.
The project must have a clear development and include:
- title of the research;
- scientific assumptions and literature references relating to the theories and
approaches by which the research intends to be inspired;
- overall purpose, objectives, and expectations/questions guiding the research;
- experimental methods and data analysis methodologies which will or could be
used;
- a timetable of the activities proposed.
The candidate's research project will be evaluated in terms of:
- knowledge and correct application of relevant theories and literature, and
coherence of the proposal in relation to the objectives of the Ph.D. Programme
in plant agrobiodiversity;
- coherence, feasibility, and robustness of the research approaches and methods
proposed;
- originality and innovativeness of the research;
- clarity of presentation;
- feasibility of the research in relation to the duration of the Ph.D.
After having evaluated the research project, the Selection Committee will formulate a
summary result and assign a grade out of a total of 50 points
Candidates who have obtained a grade of no less than 40 / 50 will be admitted to the
subsequent evaluation of qualifications.
b) Evaluation of qualifications - maximum grade awarded 20 points
The Selection Committee will evaluate the curriculum studiorum and any scientific
qualifications presented. At the end of the evaluation, the Committee will formulate a
summary result and assign a grade out of a total of 20 points.
Candidates who have obtained a grade of no less than 10 / 20 will be admitted to the
interview.
The presence of candidates during the evaluation of qualifications is not expected.
c) On-line interview - maximum grade awarded: 30 points

12
 Candidates who have obtained a grade of no less than 20 / 30 will be admitted to the
final ranking list.
The interview will take place through a video conference and will have as its subject
a general discussion, which will also concern the qualifications presented and the
contents of the research program presented, as well as an oral test to assess
knowledge of the English language.

The minimum prescribed overall grade for inclusion in the final ranking list is 70/100.
Contacts
[email protected]

+39 050 882604

13
 Factsheet no. 2

Ph.D. in Agrobiosciences

https://www.santannapisa.it/en/training/phd-agrobiosciences

Ph.D. Prof. Luca Sebastiani

Coordinator e-mail: [email protected]

Language English/Italian

Duration 3 years

The Programme is aimed at the acquisition of high-level skills, necessary to carry out
research activities in one or more of the thematic areas included in the Ph.D.
programme and represented by the members of the college in an autonomous, original,
and methodologically rigorous manner. PhD students will be able to tackle complex
research problems and formulate and test hypotheses with a full knowledge and
understanding of the most important research methodologies and techniques.
During the course, doctoral students will acquire high-level skills through the in-depth
Academic study of one of the research areas included in the course; they will acquire research
Objectives methodologies and techniques and data analysis useful to their field of study; they will
set up and carry out original research, the results of which will be the subject of a thesis
that will be discussed orally at the end of the three years.
Students will also be trained to develop highly professionalized collateral skills related
to scientific writing and communication, including the ability to communicate research
results to a diverse range of audiences. In short, the training objective is realized
through didactic-scientific training, technical-scientific training, and organizational-
managerial training.

Plant biotechnologies; Plant genetics and physiology;

Genomics and crop Plant genomics; Crop production sciences; Pre and post-
production harvest advanced technologies in horticulture; Quality of
crop production.

Curricula
Agroecology; Organic, integrated or low-input farming;
Functional biodiversity in agroecosystems; Landscape
Agriculture, Environment, agronomy; Multi-criteria analysis of food and non-food
and Landscape cropping systems; Agro-environmental analysis of
cropping systems; Multifunctional agriculture; Interaction
between farming-territory-landscape.

Available n. 5 positions with scholarship funded by Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies;

Positions

Calendar of the Application deadline: May 15, 2025 at 5 p.m. (Italian time)
selection List of admitted to interview: starting from June 13, 2025.
Ranking List: by July 15, 2025.
Schedule of interviews will be available on the page:
https://www.santannapisa.it/en/training/call-for-application-phd-agrobiosciences-
2025-26

14
 Interviews will be held in-person in Pisa or remotely, using the Microsoft
Teams/WebEx platform. Please, check the page periodically for updates.

Scholarship The annual budget for each student includes:

and • a scholarship of € 16,243.00, inclusive of social security charges borne by the
contributions recipient:
• a supplement to the scholarship for housing contribution of € 2,200/year
inclusive of social security charges borne by the recipient.
The scholarship and the housing contribution supplement are paid in postponed monthly
installments.
Please refer to Article n. 3 of the Call for Applications for all mandatory
Additional
documents.
documentation
to be attached
Additional optional documents:
to the online
• Copy of any other qualifications or publications relevant to the Ph.D.
application
programme.
Assessment of qualifications – maximum score 70 points.
The Selection Committee will assess the Curriculum Vitae et Studiorum and any relevant
qualification submitted. The candidate’s research plan will be assessed in terms of
quality feasibility and relevance to lines of research specified in the “Curricula” section
of this information sheet with particular reference to the research lines of the Faculty
Board (https://www.santannapisa.it/en/node/6379). On completing the assessment, the
Committee will express a concise evaluation and award a score out of seventy.
Candidates with a score of at least 49/70 will be accepted for interview.
The presence of the candidates is not required through the assessment of
qualifications.
Evaluation
Criteria Interview – maximum score 30 points.
During the examination with the members of the Selection Committee, candidates will
be asked to present their CVs and research projects using a short PowerPoint
presentation in English.
Candidates obtaining a score below 21/30 in the interview will be excluded
from selection.
The interview may be conducted as a video conference (using Cisco WebEx or Teams).
In this case, the document of identification provided when registering online must be
presented before the examination to confirm the candidate's identity.

The minimum score for inclusion in the final ranking list is 70/100.

[email protected]
Contacts
+39 050 882604

15
 Fachtsheet n. 3

Ph.D. in BioRobotics

https://www.santannapisa.it/en/education/phd-biorobotics

Prof. Arianna Menciassi

e-mail: [email protected]

Deputy Coordinators:
PhD Coordinator
Prof. Calogero Maria Oddo
e-mail: [email protected]
Prof. Stefano Palagi
e-mail: [email protected]
Language English/Italian

Duration 3 years

The Ph.D. in BioRobotics provides you with interdisciplinary skills in the fields of
engineering, including bioengineering and robotics, as well as mathematical and
Academic physical sciences. This program also provides exposure to issues related to life
Objectives sciences, biotechnology, material science, social sciences, and humanities. You will
develop the ability to approach complex problems to play a role both in Academia and
in industrial innovation.

n. 9 positions with scholarship funded by Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies

Further positions may be activated, funded by active projects at Sant’Anna School of

Advanced Studies and/or by additional financial resources, specific agreements, or
apprenticeship contracts.
Further positions will be posted on the page
https://www.santannapisa.it/en/training/call-for-application-phd-biorobotics-
2025-26

Moreover, additional scholarships may be available in the framework of the following

projects funded by the European Union – NextGenerationEU:
• PNRR A-ROGER_COD_12378333;
Available • ERC_CELLOIDS_ GA 948590;
Positions • ERC_DANTE_ GA 101115741;
• ERC_EPIC_GA 101124721;
• ERC_I-BOT _GA 101162939;
• ERC_MUSE_GA 101116249;
• ERC_POC SOFTINVADERS_GA 101213190;
• FIS MUR_IBRIS_COD_FIS00001278;
• FISA2022_MUR_SURF-UP_COD FISA-2022-00770.

Moreover, additional scholarships may be available in the framework of the following

projects funded by INAIL:
• BIOARMNEXT

16
 MIOPRO2
WOUND
HANDEVAL

INAL projects in partnership

• ADJOINT2
BIOINTERNECT
ELINER

Further information about INAIL projects are published on the page

https://www.santannapisa.it/en/institute/biorobotics/grants

Application deadline: May 15, 2025, at 5 p.m. (Italian time)

List of admitted to the interview: starting from June 13, 2025

Ranking List: by July 15, 2025

Calendar of the
Schedule of interviews will be published on this page
selection
https://www.santannapisa.it/en/training/call-for-application-phd-biorobotics-
2025-26

Interviews will take place in-person in Pontedera (PI) – Italy – or remotely using the
Microsoft Teams/WebEx platform.
You are advised to check the page periodically.
The annual budget for each student includes:
• a scholarship of € 18,800.00, inclusive of social security charges borne by the
recipient;
Scholarship • a supplement to the scholarship for housing contribution of € 2,200/year
inclusive of social security charges borne by the recipient.
The fellowship and the housing contribution supplement are paid in postponed
monthly instalments.

Mandatory documents (in addition to those already listed in Art. 3 of the Call for
Applications):

a) Documentation of the exams passed (transcript or Diploma Supplement – and

of the degree grade, if any) in the bachelor’s degree courses. This should
include the corresponding credits and grades achieved in each exam. Please
note that the documentation must be in Italian or English.
b) Weighted average of exam marks obtained in the first and second-level degree
courses (or in the single-cycle degree course).
For foreign degree courses, please provide the following details:
Additional • minimum and maximum marks that can be obtained on individual exams;
required • minimum and maximum marks required for achieving the degree (if
information and applicable);
documentation to • conversion of the grade point average into CGPA (USA 4 points).
be attached to the c) 3-page summary of the master thesis dissertation (even if the degree has not
online application yet been obtained).
d) Copy of any other qualification deemed appropriate (e.g., published or
submitted articles – with documents attesting to their submission; course
participation; internships; work or research activities).
e) Contact details of reference persons: name, surname, and institutional e-mail
address of two university professors who have followed the candidate's training
process during their university studies. Professors will receive a link to directly
upload their reference letter within 5 days after the deadline of this call.
f) Selection of a maximum of three research lines of interest chosen from the list
published on the page https://www.santannapisa.it/en/training/phd-
biorobotics/research-lines

17
 Evaluation of qualifications - maximum score awarded 30
The Examining Committee will assess several documents, including the motivation
letter (max 1 page), the curriculum vitae et studiorum (which includes details of the
degree and average marks in the first and second-level degree courses), the second-
level degree thesis, and any scientific qualifications (publications and related
experiences) presented by the candidate. The Committee will provide a summary
judgment and assign a score.
Candidates will not be present during the evaluation of qualifications.

Evaluation of the research plan - maximum score awarded 20

The research plan must be focused on a topic related to the research lines of the PhD
in BioRobotics, consistent with the choice of the three research lines of potential
interest.
Please ensure that your plan (max 3 pages) includes the following details:
1. Title of the research.
2. Scientific assumptions and literature references related to the theories and
approaches that the research intends to follow.
3. Overarching goal, objectives, and questions guiding the research.
4. Methodologies to be adopted, which may include experimental, modelling,
computational, and/or data analysis techniques.
Evaluation The research plan of the candidate will be assessed based on the following criteria:
Criteria • Demonstrated understanding and accurate use of theories and pertinent
literature.
• Consistency, feasibility, and strength of the proposed research methods and
approaches.
• Originality and innovativeness of the research.
• Clarity and thoroughness of presentation.
• Relevance to the research areas of the PhD program in BioRobotics.
After the evaluation, the Commission will provide a summary judgment and a score
to the applicants.
Candidates will not be present during the evaluation of their research plan.

Candidates with a score of 35/50 or above, which is the sum of their qualifications
and research plan evaluations, will be eligible for the next interview round.

Interview - maximum score awarded 50

The interview will consist of a discussion that will cover the presented qualifications
and research plan. The aim is to verify specific knowledge and technical-scientific
skills, as well as motivation and propensity for research. Additionally, proficiency in
the English language will be assessed.
Candidates who score less than 35/50 in the interview will not be included in the merit
list.

[email protected]
Contacts
+39 050 88 3136

18
 Factsheet no. 4

Ph.D. in Law

http://www.phdinlaw.santannapisa.it/

Ph.D. Prof. Gianluigi Palombella

Coordinator e-mail [email protected]

Language Italian, English

Duration 3 years

Our PhD in Law bears an essential international inspiration. It promotes a strong

interdisciplinary methodology and develops by integrating generalist and specialized
competencies in the legal field. Its aim is to train researchers capable of creativity and
originality, in frontier fields, in the strategic directions of the DIRPOLIS Institute
(sustainability, AI and technology law, environment and ecological transition, rule of law
and constitutional guarantees, human rights, economic law, regulation and global
Academic
governance, theories and practices of comparative and transnational law), and able to
Objectives
move with mastery in a global horizon of legal interconnections. The Course also aims
to train, through a multi-disciplinary and inter-disciplinary didactic and research
pathway, figures with a high scientific and professional profile adequately prepared both
to operate in the academic and university research spheres at national and
international levels and to hold highly qualified positions in national and international
organizations and agencies, in the public, private and in the third sector.

n. 5 positions with scholarship funded by Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies

Available
(1 of which is reserved for candidates who obtained their qualification at a non-Italian
Positions
University)
Selection
Calendar Application deadline: May 15, 2025 at 5 p.m. (Italian time)
List of admitted to interview: starting from June 13, 2025.
Ranking List: by July 15, 2025.
Schedule of interviews will be available on the page:
(https://www.santannapisa.it/en/training/call-for-application-phd-law-2025-26)
Interviews will be held in-person in Pisa or remotely, using the Microsoft
Teams/WebEx platform. Please, check the page periodically for updates.

The annual budget for each student includes:

• a scholarship of € 16,243.00, inclusive of social security charges borne by the
Scholarship and recipient:
contributions • a supplement to the scholarship for housing contribution of € 2,200/year
inclusive of social security charges borne by the recipient.
The scholarship and the housing contribution supplement are paid in postponed
monthly installments.
Please refer to Article n. 3 of the Call for Applications for all mandatory
documents.
Other non- Optional documents:
mandatory
documents 1) A copy of the MSc degree thesis or an abstract of the thesis with the
cover; those candidates who have not yet obtained the qualification should
attach a copy of the degree thesis as a final draft or an abstract of the same
to the application.

19
 2) Two letters from faculty who supervised the candidate’s education during
their university studies. Candidates are required to add the name, surname,
and institutional e-mail address of the Professors in the application process.
Professors will receive a link where they can directly upload the reference
letters. Letters can be uploaded until three days after the deadline.
3) Copy of any other qualifications or publications that the candidate deems
relevant to the programme.

Pre-selection
Candidates are asked to take into account the research fields and interests of the
members of the Ph.D. in Law Faculty Board.

Eligibility for the competition is established beforehand by a pre-selection committee

and assessing the coherence of the research projects submitted with the lines
of research of the Faculty and their scientific-disciplinary sectors.
Selection from eligible candidates, following the said assessment, is carried out by a
Selection Committee. Selection will be performed through an assessment of the
qualifications presented and an interview. Assessment will be based on a scale of 1 to
100 points.

Assessment of Qualifications – maximum score possible 70

The Examining Board will assess the academic, professional and scientific
qualifications submitted as resulting from CV, and his/her research plan (quality of the
project and relevance to the PhD board professors’ research areas).
The research project, drafted in Italian or English, of a maximum of 3000 words
(bibliography excluded) with details of the research activity that the candidate wishes
to perform during his/her PhD, should include:
a. the title;
b. the scientific premises and relevant bibliography;
c. the aim and expected results of the research project;
Test
d. coherence between the research project submitted and the lines of
examinations
research followed by the teaching staff of the PhD, which can be found
on the following website: http://www.phdinlaw.santannapisa.it/;
https://www.santannapisa.it/en/education/coordinator-and-board

Those candidates obtaining a score of at least 49/70 in the assessment phase will be
accepted for interview.

Candidates are not present during the assessment of qualifications.

Interview – maximum score possible 30

The interview will focus on the qualifications submitted, the proposed research project,
and the level of knowledge of English.
Those candidates obtaining a score below 21/30 will be excluded from the merit ranking
list.
Candidates have the option to carry out the interview via a video conference. In this
case, the identity document used in the online application form must be shown before
the start of the test to enable identification of the candidate. It is in any case the
candidate’s responsibility to make sure that the required hardware (PC, webcam) and
software are available and that there is a reliable internet connection.

A minimum score of 70/100 is necessary to be accepted for the PhD.

[email protected]
Information
tel. +39.050.882.681

20
 Factsheet no. 5
Ph.D. in Economics

https://www.santannapisa.it/it/formazione/international-doctoral-programme-economics

Prof. Alessio Moneta

PhD Coordinator
e-mail: [email protected]

Language English

Duration 4 years

Academic The primary aim of the program is to train top-level scholars and researchers in the
Objectives field of economics.

No. 5 positions with scholarship funded as follows:

• no. 4 funded by Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies.
Available • no. 1 funded by Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies under the
Positions L’EMbeDS Project
Further positions may be made available before the start of the program, depending
on external funding.

Calendar of the Application deadline: April 15, 2025 at 5 p.m. (Italian time)
selection List of admitted to interview: starting from May 8, 2025
Ranking List: by May 30th, 2025
Schedule of interviews: 15 and 16 May 2025 – from 10.00 a.m. Italian Time
Interviews will be held in-person in Pisa or remotely, using the Microsoft
Teams/WebEx platform.
Please, check the page periodically for updates
https://www.santannapisa.it/it/training/call-application-phd-economics-2025-
26

Scholarship and
contributions The annual budget for each student includes:
• a scholarship of € 16,243.00, inclusive of social security charges borne by
the recipient:
• a supplement to the scholarship for housing contribution of € 2,200/year
inclusive of social security charges borne by the recipient.
The scholarship and the housing contribution supplement are paid in postponed
monthly installments.

- Copy of their MSc degree thesis. Candidates who have not obtained their
Additional qualification yet should attach a copy of the final draft of their degree thesis or an
Mandatory abstract of it.
documentation to
be attached to the Please refer to Article n. 3 of the Call for Applications for all mandatory documents
online application (https://www.santannapisa.it/it/training/call-application-phd-economics-
2025-26)

Please note: All mandatory documents must be attached; failure to comply will result
in exclusion from the competition.

Additional non- - Applicants are strongly advised to request reference letters from at least two
mandatory academic scholars (e.g., MSc thesis advisor) or other experts who had the
documentation to opportunity to assess the applicants’ work during their academic studies. Applicants
21
be attached to the should add each referee’s name, surname, and institutional e-mail address in the
online application online application form so that each referee will receive a link to upload their
reference letters within three days after the application deadline.
The reference letter should provide a clear assessment of the candidate’s expertise
and skills, potential for doing research, scientific maturity, and interests, possibly in
comparative terms with other students attending a Ph.D. Course in Economics
known by the referees over the last five years. The letter should also indicate the
applicant’s knowledge of the English language and general attitude to undertake a
Ph.D. Course.
- Publications and any other documentation that may contribute to providing an
assessment of the candidate’s skills and attitudes.

Assessment of qualifications – maximum score 70

The Admission Committee will assess the Curriculum Vitae et Studiorum and any
relevant qualification submitted.
The candidate’s research plan will be assessed in terms of quality, feasibility, and
relevance, especially concerning the research lines of the Faculty Board and the
Institute of Economics members. Links:
https://www.santannapisa.it/it/coordinator-and-faculty-board-phd-economics
https://www.santannapisa.it/en/istituto/economia.
Evaluation Criteria On completing the assessment, the Committee will express a concise evaluation
and award a score out of 70. Candidates with a score of at least 60/70 will be
accepted for interview.

Interview–maximum score 30
During the interview with the Admission Committee, candidates will be asked to
present their CV and the research project in English.
Candidates scoring below 10/30 in the interview will be excluded from selection.
The minimum score for inclusion in the final ranking list is 70/100.

[email protected]
Contacts
+39 050 882604

22
 Factsheet n. 6

Ph.D. in Emerging Digital Technologies (EDT)

https://www.santannapisa.it/en/training/international-phd-course-emerging-digital-technologies

Prof. Luca Valcarenghi

Ph.D. Coordinator
e-mail: [email protected]
Language English

Duration 3 years

The aim of the program is to train a high-level professional whose target placement
Academic is represented by national and international research facilities, public and private,
Objectives and device manufacturing or service-providing companies operating in the field of
communication, information and perception technologies.

• Telecommunication Networks and Photonic Technologies deals with future

generation programmable wired and wireless telecommunication systems and
networks, photonic circuits and integrated sensors, photonics for microwaves for
5G/6G, photonics for radar and lidar, optical wireless, use of artificial intelligence
and programmable hardware accelerators (FPGAs, CPUs, SmartNICs) in
telecommunication networks and quantum technologies. Applications of these
technologies cover the terrestrial, non-terrestrial and space sectors.

• Cyber-Physical Systems focus on methodologies, models and algorithms for

mobile and distributed cyber-physical systems, ensuring performance, reliability
and security. Expertise includes real-time operating systems, middleware,
Curricula virtualization, machine learning, resource optimization on platforms with
hardware accelerators (GPUs, TPUs, FPGAs), and optimized industrial process
management. Key applications include embedded control systems, industrial
automation, cloud-edge computing, IoT architectures, and autonomous
vehicles.

• Mechanical Intelligence and Robotics refers to human-robot interaction

systems, virtual/augmented reality, cognitive architectures for artificial entities,
intelligent automation systems and artificial intelligence, advanced materials for
robotics, renewable energy recovery mechanisms, intelligent machines and
materials, advanced sensor optoelectronic systems, and aerospace
technologies.

No. 8 positions with scholarships funded follows:

• No. 6 (two per curricula) funded by Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies
on the research topics related to the EDT curricula).
• No. 1 entitled to Prof. Di Natale, financed on one of the following topics:
o real-time systems;
o design optimization of embedded systems;
o software for automotive systems.
Available Positions • No. 1 funded by Danieli Atomation s.p.a. on one of the following topics:
o Development of advanced approaches and technologies for
controlling the environmental impact of steel establishments;
o Development of AI/DL-based algorithms and applications for the
optimization of continuous and semi-continuous manufacturing
processes.

Further positions that may become available will be published at the following link:

23
 https://www.santannapisa.it/en/call-application-phd-emerging-digital-technologies-
2025-26

Calendar of the Application deadline: May 15, 2025 at 5.00 p.m. (CET - Italian time).
selection List of admitted to interview: starting from June 13, 2025.
Ranking List: by July 15, 2025.
Schedule of interviews available at:
https://www.santannapisa.it/en/call-application-phd-emerging-digital-technologies-
2025-26
Interviews will be held in-person in Pisa or online using the Microsoft
Teams/WebEx platform. Please, check the Ph.D. website for further updates.
Scholarship and The annual budget for each student includes:
contributions • a scholarship of € 18,800.00, inclusive of social security charges borne by the
recipient;
• a supplement to the scholarship for housing contribution of € 2,200/year
inclusive of social security charges borne by the recipient.
The fellowship and the housing contribution supplement are paid in postponed
monthly instalments.
• Mandatory documents (in addition to those already listed in Art. 3 of the Call for
Applications):

✓ A copy of the degree thesis (Laurea Vecchio Ordinamento, Laurea

specialistica/magistrale, degree obtained abroad, both equivalent in
duration and contents to an Italian degree) and an abstract of the thesis
(along with a copy of the cover either in Italian or English). Candidates who
have not yet received their degree must attach a copy of the thesis final draft
or an abstract to their application.
✓ A research proposal (RP):
o The proposal must not exceed 3000 words (above this limit, it will
not be considered).
o It shall embrace a three-year development plan and include, in
detail:
Additional ▪ research title;
documentation to ▪ scientific background and relevant bibliography;
be attached to the ▪ research aims and expectations;
online application ▪ where necessary, experimental and data analysis
methodologies;
▪ connections and implications to the PhD EDT curricula
research topics.
o The RP is not binding in defining the research program to be carried
out within the course but must be closely related to the research
topics of the EDT curricula.

• Optional documents (useful for evaluation purposes):

✓ Copies of any publications with full bibliographic reference (including Doi

and/or ISBN).
✓ Any other additional documentation (e.g. GRE certifications, awards, work
experience, certificates of participation in courses and internships, etc.).

24
 The selection consists of an assessment of the submitted qualifications and an
interview. The Evaluation Committee will assign, in hundredths, a score from 1
to 100.

Assessment of qualifications – maximum score 70

The Committee will evaluate the CV and any scientific submitted qualifications.
The candidate’s research proposal will be assessed in terms of quality, feasibility,
and relevance with EDT’s curricula research lines included in this factsheet.
Candidates obtaining a score of at least 49/70 in the assessment of
qualifications phase will be admitted to the interview.

The shortlist of candidates admitted to the interview and the schedule of interviews
will be published at:
https://www.santannapisa.it/en/call-application-phd-emerging-digital-
technologies-2025-26

Interview – maximum score 30

The interview will consist of a discussion about the submitted qualifications with
special attention to the CV, and about the research proposal, as well as of a
Evaluation Criteria verification of the level of knowledge of the English language.

Candidates obtaining a score below 21/30 in the interview will be automatically

excluded from the final ranking list.

Interviews will take place at Sant’Anna School for Advanced Studies, in the city of
Pisa.
In special cases and subject to the Evaluation Committee’s approval, the
interview may be taken online using the software and platforms certified by the
School. In this case, candidates must select a preference on the application form
and attach a copy of an identity document, which must include a clear photograph.
The ID/Passport used in the online application form must be shown before the
video conference starts for identification purposes. Candidates should confirm full
availability to take the interview at any time during the interview scheduled day.
In the event of any failure or connectivity issues, the Committee may decide to
postpone the interview to a different slot of time of the interview scheduled day.

The minimum score for inclusion in the final ranking list is 70/100.

If any position remains available, it could be re-assigned to other curricula, according

to the ranking list order.

[email protected]
Contacts
+39 050 88 2191/2654

25
 PHD IN EMERGING DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES
REQUIRED SKILLS FOR ADMISSION

Skills required for the Cyber-Physical Systems curricula:

Basic Calculus
Fundamentals of Physics
Fundamentals of Computer Programming
Computer Architectures
Fundamentals of Digital Circuits
Fundamentals of System Theory
Operating Systems

Skills required for the Telecommunication Networks and Photonic Technologies curricula:
A Profile – Optical Communication systems B Profile – Optical Networks
and photonic devices (check 4 out 7) (check 4 out of 7)
Advanced Calculus Advanced Calculus
Fundamentals of Physics Fundamentals of Physics
Digital Communication Theory Digital Communication Theory
Fundamentals of Optical Communications Fundamentals of Optical Communications
Fundamentals of Optoelectronics Computer Networks
Electromagnetic Fields Fundamentals of Computer Science
Fundamentals of Computer Programming Fundamentals of Computer Programming

Skills required for the Mechanical Intelligence and Robotics curricula:

Common requirements:
Elements of Algebra and Analysis
Elements of Physics
Elements of Computer Programming

At least 3 from:
Fundamentals of Robotics
Automation and control
Fundamentals of Applied Mechanics
Computer architectures
Electronics/Mechatronics/Optoelectronics
Fundamentals of Fluid Mechanics
Fundamentals of Machine Design
Measurement and Data Analysis
Aerospace Propulsion Systems
Fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence
Signal theory
Thermodynamics
Optics/Photonics

26
 Factsheet no. 7

PhD in Health Science Technology and Management

https://www.santannapisa.it/en/training/phd-health-science-technology-and-management

Prof. Milena Vainieri

Ph.D. Coordinator
e-mail: [email protected]

Language English

Duration 3 years

This doctoral program embodies multidisciplinary aims and interests that are typical
of the training requirements within health systems. By integrating expertise from both
internal and external sources, including the Classes of Social and Experimental
Sciences at Scuola Sant'Anna, it serves as both a response to tangible demands and
a catalyst for a comprehensive training and research initiative. Grounded on the
principles of the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion and aligned with the
Sustainable Development Goals outlined in the United Nations Agenda 2030, the
program sets out to cultivate a cohort of researchers and professionals with
Academic interdisciplinary competencies.
Objectives
The overarching goal of this program is to equip individuals with the capacity to
generate new knowledge through adept skills and research projects focused on the
identification, examination, analysis, and evaluation of organizational and
technological solutions. These solutions are intended to address the evolving needs
and challenges encountered by contemporary healthcare systems, both under
routine circumstances and during emergencies, with the ultimate aim of delivering
superior care and services to all members of society.

no. 6 positions with a scholarship, funded by the Sant’Anna School including the
one from the Department of Excellence L’EMbeDS.
Available
Positions The number of positions fully-funded may be increased if additional funding becomes
available, including resources deriving from specific agreements and the Ministry of
University and Research.

Selection Application deadline: May 15, 2025 at 5 p.m. (Italian time)

Calendar List of admitted to interview: starting form June 13, 2025.
Ranking List: by July 15, 2025.
Schedule of interviews will be available on the page:
(https://www.santannapisa.it/en/training/call-for-application-phd-health-
science-2025-26)
Interviews will be held in-person in Pisa or remotely, using the Microsoft
Teams/WebEx platform. Please, check the page periodically for updates.

The annual budget for each student includes:

• a scholarship of € 16,243.00, inclusive of social security charges borne by
Scholarship and the recipient:
contributions • a supplement to the scholarship for housing contribution of € 2,200/year
inclusive of social security charges borne by the recipient.
The scholarship and the housing contribution supplement are paid in postponed
monthly installments.
Additional Mandatory documents (in addition to those listed in Art. 3 of the Call for Applications):
information and
documentation to

27
be attached to the 1. A statement from the candidate reporting the average grade of their master's or
online application single-cycle degree, indicating the maximum and minimum grade of the degree
program.

Additional optional documents:

1. Maximum three letters of reference from scholars or professors in the field

introducing the candidate based on evidence of direct knowledge. Candidates
are required to add the name, surname, and institutional e-mail address of the
Professors in the application process. Professors will receive a link where they
can directly upload the reference letters. Letters can be uploaded until three days
after the deadline.

Evaluation of research project - maximum score 25

The research program must be focused on a theme inherent to the thematic areas of
the PhD in Health Science, Technology, and Management.
It should be a three-year research project containing details of:
• The title of the research;
• The scientific premises and relevant bibliography;
• The aim and expected results of the research project;
• The experimental design and data analysis methods;
• The timeline of the project;
• The specific role of the candidate;
The candidate's research project will be assessed in terms of:
- Knowledge and correct application of theories and relevant literature;
- Coherence, feasibility, and robustness of the proposed research approaches
and methods;
- Originality and innovation of research;
- Clarity of presentation;
- Relevance to the research lines to the Institutes of the Sant’Anna School of
Advanced Studies;
Evaluation - Relevance to the research topics of the scholarships.
Criteria Candidates obtaining a score of at least 17/25 in the evaluation of the research project
will be accepted for interview.
The research project will be considered for evaluation purposes only. Once enrolled
the Ph.D. student will have to select a specific research topic together with the
supervisor.
Candidates are not required to be present during the assessment of the research
project

Assessment of qualifications - maximum score 25

The Selection Committee will assess the CV of studies, and any other scientific
qualifications submitted.
Candidates obtaining a score of at least 17/25 in the assessment of qualifications
phase will be accepted for interview.
Candidates are not required to be present during the assessment of qualifications.

Interview – maximum score 50

The interview will consist of a general discussion about the qualifications submitted
and the research project presented, as well as an oral test to verify the knowledge of
English.

28
 Candidates obtaining a score below 36/50 in the interview will be excluded from the
final ranking list.
The interview may take place through a video conference through the School’s
platforms. In this case, the identity document used in the online application form must
be shown at the beginning of the interview for proper identification of the candidate.
The minimum score for inclusion in the final ranking list is 70/100.

[email protected]
Contacts
+39 050 882651

29
 Factsheet no. 8

PhD in Human Rights, Global Politics and Sustainability:

Legal and Philosophical Perspectives

https://www.santannapisa.it/it/training/phd-human-rights-and-global-politics

Prof. Mariagrazia Alabrese

Ph.D. Coordinator
e-mail: [email protected]

Language English

Duration 3 years

The Ph.D. program in Human Rights, Global Politics, and Sustainability: Legal and
Philosophical Perspectives is positioned at the crossroads of legal and political
sciences, spanning four key research areas:
1. Agricultural, Food, and Environmental Law
2. European Studies
Academic 3. International Law
Objectives 4. Political Philosophy
The program is designed to equip candidates with a diverse and comprehensive
educational and research experience, Candidates undergo training to navigate the
academic research landscapes at both national and international levels, positioning
them to assume qualified roles in national and international organizations and
agencies. An integral aspect of the program is its commitment to disciplinary
pluralism, viewed as a fundamental and qualifying objective.

n. 5 positions with a scholarship funded by Sant’Anna School of Advanced

Available Positions Studies (2 positions reserved for candidates who obtained their qualification at a
non-Italian University)

Calendar of the Application deadline: May 15, 2025 at 5 p.m. (Italian time)
selection List of admitted to interview: starting from June 13, 2025.
Ranking List: by July 15, 2025.
Schedule of interviews will be available on the page:
https://www.santannapisa.it/it/training/call-application-phd-human-rights-25-
26
Interviews will be held remotely, using the Microsoft Teams/WebEx platform.
Please, check the page periodically for updates.
The annual budget for each student includes:
• a scholarship of € 16,243.00, inclusive of social security charges borne by
the recipient:
Scholarship and
• a supplement to the scholarship for housing contribution of € 2,200/year
contributions
inclusive of social security charges borne by the recipient.
The scholarship and the housing contribution supplement are paid in postponed
monthly installments.
Please refer to Article n. 3 of the Call for Applications for all mandatory
documents.
Optional documents (recommended):
Additional non-
1. Copy of any other qualifications or publications that the candidate deems
compulsory
relevant to the programme.
documentation to
2. Academic letters of reference (maximum 3): Candidates are required to
be attached to the
include in the application process the name, surname, and institutional e-mail
online application
address of the Professors they have requested to write the letters of reference.
Professors will receive a link to directly upload the letters. The submission
deadline for letters is three days after the application deadline.

30
 3. Copy of their MSc degree thesis or an abstract of the thesis with cover.
Candidates who have not obtained their qualification yet should attach a copy
of the final draft of their degree thesis or an abstract of it.

Pre-selection
Eligibility for the competition is determined by the examining board considering the
overall quality of the research project and its consistency with the research lines
carried out by the faculty members.
The research project, written exclusively in English of no more than 3000 words
excluding bibliography, will include:
• the title of the research; scientific premises and relevant bibliography;
• purpose and expectations of the research (research question, etc.);
• research methodologies;
• description of the interdisciplinary nature of the research (taking into
consideration the disciplines involved in the Programme);
• word count.

The pre-selection assessment takes into account the main research area and the
complementary research area specified by applicants.

Applicants are strongly recommended:

1) to visit the research profiles of the faculty members to get an insight into the
research currently being conducted;
2) to specify carefully the main and the complementary research areas involved in
their project.
Evaluation Criteria
Evaluation of qualifications and research projects - maximum score that can
be awarded 70/100
For candidates who have passed the pre-selection, the Examination Committee
evaluates the CV, academic background, research project, and any other scientific
qualifications submitted, assigning a score out of seventy. The research project is
assessed in terms of quality, interdisciplinarity, and relevance to the research lines
of the faculty members. Only candidates scoring at least 49/70 in this evaluation
will be invited to the interview.

Interview - a maximum score that can be awarded 30/100

The interview will involve a discussion on the submitted qualifications and the
proposed research topics, conducted in English via video conference. Before the
interview, the candidate must display the identity document used in the online
application for verification. It is in any case the candidate’s responsibility to make
sure that the required hardware (PC, webcam) and software are available and that
there is a reliable internet connection.

Candidates scoring below 21/30 in the interview will be excluded from the list of
eligible candidates.
The minimum score for inclusion in the final ranking list is 70/100.

[email protected]
Contacts
+39 050 882681

31
 Factsheet No. 9
Ph.D. in Management: Innovation, Sustainability, and Healthcare

https://www.santannapisa.it/it/formazione/phd-management-innovation

Prof. Fabio Iraldo

Ph.D. Coordinator
e-mail: [email protected]
Prof. Tiberio Daddi
Vice-Coordinator
e-mail: [email protected]
Language English

Duration 3 years

The course provides an in-depth exploration of key management topics, together

with essential teachings for conducting research in the social sciences, particularly
in the areas of Innovation, Healthcare, and Sustainability. Ph.D. students will acquire
the methodological foundations necessary to analyse and evaluate both the main
internal processes of organizations and strategic and operational integration at the
Academic system level, with a particular focus on performance evaluation and management,
Objectives strategic dynamics, and development factors, including those related to the local
context. The training path also aims to enhance opportunities for dialogue and joint
research across the School's various disciplines, primarily in the Economics sector,
secondly within the Social Sciences Class, and lastly with different sectors of the
Experimental Sciences Class. These opportunities for dialogue are sought both in
the educational offerings and in the definition of students’ research projects.

N. 6 positions with scholarship, of which:

• 5 funded by the Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies, including 1

Available reserved for candidates holding a Ph.D. admission qualification obtained
positions from a foreign university;

• 1 funded by the Department of Excellence EMbeBEDS.

Calendar of the Application deadline: May 15, 2025 at 5 p.m. (Italian time)
selection List of admitted to interview: starting from June 13, 2025.
Ranking List: by July 15, 2025.
Schedule of interviews will be available on the page:
https://www.santannapisa.it/en/training/call-application-phd-management-
innovation-2025-26
Interviews will be held in-person in Pisa or remotely, using the Microsoft
Teams/WebEx platform. Please, check the page periodically for updates.
The annual budget for each student includes:
• a scholarship of € 16,243.00, inclusive of social security charges borne by
the recipient:
Scholarship and • a supplement to the scholarship for housing contribution of € 2,200/year
contributions inclusive of social security charges borne by the recipient.
The scholarship and the housing contribution supplement are paid in postponed
monthly installments.
Mandatory documents (in addition to those specified in Article 3 of the call for
Further applications):
Information and - Abstract of the thesis, if required by the candidate’s university regulations, or
Documents to an equivalent document.
Attach to the
Optional documents:

32
Online Application - A maximum of three reference letters from scholars or professors in the
subject who recommend the candidate based on direct knowledge (optional).
Candidates can provide the names, surnames, and institutional email
addresses of the referees in the application form. Referees will receive a link
to upload the reference letter directly, within three days of the deadline for
the call.

- A copy of any other relevant title or publication the candidate deems pertinent
to the course, including typed works.

The selection process will include the evaluation of the research proposal
submitted by the candidate (in English or Italian), the evaluation of the submitted
qualifications, and the results of an interview.
The committee will assign a score (from 1 to 100).

• Evaluation of qualifications: Maximum score 20

The committee will assess the curriculum and any scientific qualifications
presented. After the evaluation, the committee will provide a summary
judgment and assign a score out of 20.
Candidates who score at least 14/20 in the qualifications evaluation will be
admitted to the research project evaluation.
Candidates do not need to be present for the qualifications evaluation.

• Evaluation of the research proposal: Maximum score 40

The research proposal should focus on a topic related to the Ph.D. areas of
management, namely:
o Collaborative, open, and regenerative innovation management,
technology transfer, management of purpose-driven organizations,
social impact evaluation, and the impact of big data on innovation
processes and company performance.
o Healthcare management, performance evaluation, user perception
assessment, decision-making models, and personnel management
in the healthcare and social-health sectors.
o Sustainability management, decarbonization, biodiversity, and/or
Evaluation Criteria circular economy.
The proposal must cover a three-year period and include details such as:
a. research title;
b. scientific background and literature references relating to the theories and
approaches the research intends to adopt;
c. general purpose, objectives, and questions that guide the research;
d. experimental methodologies and data analysis techniques to be used;
e. a concise development plan, outlining the main steps.
The research proposal will be evaluated based on:
• Knowledge and correct application of relevant theories and literature;
• Consistency, feasibility, and robustness of the proposed research
approaches and methods;
• Originality and innovation of the research;
• Clarity of presentation;
• Relevance to the research lines of the Institute of Management at the
Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies.
At the end of the evaluation, the committee will provide a summary judgment and
assign a score out of 40.
Candidates who score at least 28/40 in the research proposal evaluation will be
admitted to the interview.

• Interview: Maximum score 40

The interview will include a general discussion on the presented
qualifications and research proposal, as well as an oral test to assess
English language proficiency.

33
 Candidates who score below 28/40 in the interview will be excluded from
the final ranking.

The minimum score to be included in the final ranking is 70/100.

[email protected]
Contatcts
+39 050 882649

34
 Factsheet no. 10

PhD Programme in Translational Medicine

https://www.santannapisa.it/en/training/phd-translational-medicine

Prof. Vincenzo Lionetti

Ph.D. Coordinator
e-mail: [email protected]
Language English/Italian

Duration 3 years

The overall aim of the Ph.D. programme in 'Translational Medicine' is to educate and
train graduate students from different academic backgrounds who are highly
motivated to pursue a career in experimental biomedicine and/or clinical research.
Particular emphasis is placed on approaching timely problems and attendant
mechanisms by interdisciplinary means, with the ultimate goal of translating the
results of laboratory, experimental, and clinical research into innovative and more
Academic effective diagnostic tools and therapeutic strategies. Teaching activities take place
Objectives over three years and are aimed at developing the skills required for conducting
research in the bio-medical field. From the first year of the course, Ph.D. students
develop their research projects in a multidisciplinary environment, with the
opportunity to share their ideas with people from very different, but often
complementary, scientific backgrounds. Direct access to high-quality research
facilities is guaranteed by numerous ongoing agreements with the best research
institutes in Italy and abroad.

No. 6 positions with a scholarship of which:

• No. 5 funded by Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies;
Available • No. 1 scholarship funded by the Fondazione Pisana per la Scienza ONLUS,
Positions reserved for candidates submitting a research project on the topic "Detection
and characterization of biomarkers associated with oncological or
cardiovascular diseases."

Calendar of the Application deadline: May 15, 2025 at 5 p.m. (Italian time)
selection List of admitted to interview: starting from June 13, 2025.
Ranking List: by July 15, 2025.
Schedule of interviews will be available on the page:
https://www.santannapisa.it/en/training/call-for-application-phd-translational-
medicine-2025-26

Interviews will be held in-person in Pisa or remotely, using the Microsoft

Teams/WebEx platform. Please, check the page periodically for updates.

The annual budget for each student includes:

• a scholarship of € 16,243.00, inclusive of social security charges borne by
Scholarship and the recipient:
contributions • a supplement to the scholarship for housing contribution of € 2,200/year
inclusive of social security charges borne by the recipient.
The scholarship and the housing contribution supplement are paid in postponed
monthly installments.
Mandatory documents (in addition to those listed in Art. 3 of the Call for Applications):
Additional
1. Candidates who obtained their degree in Italy are required to indicate the
documentation to
arithmetic mean of the marks obtained during the course, also highlighting honours.
be attached to the
2. Candidates who obtained their degree abroad are required to indicate, where
online application
appropriate, the minimum and maximum scores for the qualification itself as well as

35
 the arithmetic mean of the marks obtained in individual exams, highlighting the
minimum and maximum score achievable.

The Curriculum Vitae et Studiorum and the research project (max 5000 words), as
required by the Call, must be preferably written using the models available at the
Ph.D. web page (Annex 1 and Annex 2).

Optional documents:
1. Copy of any other certification or publication that the candidate deems relevant to
the programme
Assessment of qualifications – maximum score 70
The Selection Committee will assess the Curriculum Vitae et Studiorum and any
relevant qualification submitted. The candidate’s research plan will be assessed in
terms of quality, feasibility, and relevance to the lines of research indicated on the
Ph.D. programme in the Web page presentation. On completing the assessment, the
Committee will express a concise evaluation and assign a score out of seventy.
Candidates with a score of at least 49/70 will be accepted for interview.
Candidates are not required to be present through the assessment of qualifications.
Interview –maximum score 30
Evaluation Criteria During the interview with the Selection Committee, candidates will present their CVs
and the research project in a short PowerPoint presentation. The interview aims to
evaluate the research vocation and the candidate's ability to propose an innovative,
coherent, and autonomous research program.
Candidates obtaining a score below 21/30 in the interview will be excluded from
selection.
The interview can be conducted as a video conference. In this case, the document
of identification provided when registering online must be presented before starting
the interview to confirm the identity of the candidate.
The minimum score for inclusion in the final ranking list is 70/100.

[email protected]
Contacts
+39 050 882604

36