How is the training program structured?

The program consists of a set of academic activities that doctoral students must complete to earn the final degree of Doctor of Philosophy. The detailed curriculum for each Ph.D. program is approved by the Faculty Board.

Within the catalog of educational activities offered by the Ph.D. program in Physics (though Ph.D. candidates are not limited to these options), only those courses included in the study plan of at least two Ph.D. candidates will actually be offered. Courses requested by a single Ph.D. candidate can often be converted into "supervised independent study."

How long does the program last, and how is it structured ?

• The duration of the doctoral program is three years. It is not possible to request a postponement of the thesis submission (although the thesis defense may be postponed by 6 to 12 months in the cases specified below).
• At the end of each year, each doctoral student must write a detailed report on the activities carried out (annual logbook), and the Faculty Board will decide whether to admit the student to the following year or propose to the Rector that the student be excluded from the program.
• During the first two years, and particularly during the first year, doctoral students must engage in academic study, taking advanced courses and passing the corresponding exams. The courses offered for the doctoral program and the restrictions on students' course selection may vary from one cycle to another.

Are course suspensions allowed?

PhD students may request a suspension of their program for maternity, serious illness, military or civil service, or participation in TFA (teacher training programs). Suspensions lasting more than 30 days result in the suspension of the fellowship for the same period.

At the end of each academic year, the Academic Board determines whether students who were on leave have made up for the absence or whether they must defer the final exam. The deferral does not entitle the student to a scholarship beyond the regular duration of the program. If the suspension lasts one year, the student will be assigned to the following PhD cycle.

How is research activity organized?

• Doctoral students have the right to request a leave of absence from the program due to maternity leave, serious illness, military or civilian service, or to attend Active Training Internship courses. A leave of absence exceeding thirty days results in the suspension of the scholarship for the same period.
• At the end of each academic year, the Faculty Council determines whether doctoral students who have taken a leave of absence have made up for the period of absence or whether they are required to postpone their final exam. However, postponing the exam does not entitle the student to a scholarship for the entire period exceeding the duration of the program. If the suspension from the program lasts one year, the doctoral student will be enrolled in the next doctoral cohort.
• As a general rule, by the end of the first year, each doctoral student must define their own thesis research project and choose a "advisor"—that is, a faculty member or researcher from the department or from "affiliated" institutions—who can guide them in their scientific work.
• All doctoral students must, over the course of the three-year program, have at least one experience of engagement with the international scientific community, such as an internship with a research group abroad, or at least attendance at an international conference or an international scientific school.
• The results of the research conducted during the doctoral program must ultimately be presented in the doctoral dissertation, which will constitute the primary element of evaluation in the final examination.

How is the thesis defense organized?

• By the administrative deadline for the doctoral program, the Faculty Board identifies at least two evaluators for each doctoral student, selected from highly qualified faculty members—including those from foreign institutions and, in any case, external to our university—to whom copies of the dissertation will be sent.

• The evaluators—who will not be part of the examination committee—will provide a written assessment of the dissertation, either recommending that it be discussed in an ordinary session or, if they deem significant additions or corrections necessary, requesting a deferral for a period not exceeding 6 months (extraordinary session).
• In the event of a postponement proposal, the revised dissertation will be resubmitted to the evaluators within the timeframe established by the postponement, to request a new evaluation. In any case, the dissertation will be admitted for defense without the possibility of further postponements. Postponing the dissertation defense does not, under any circumstances, result in an extension of the doctoral program's duration, which remains fixed at the natural expiration of the three-year period.
• The final examination sessions will be held in two parts: the first ("regular") session, to take place approximately three months after the conclusion of the doctoral program; and the second ("special") session, reserved for those doctoral candidates whose external evaluators have recommended a postponement. For these candidates, the final examination will take place six months after the regular session.
• All deadlines related to the final exams, along with the necessary forms for registration and admission to the final exam, are available at the following link "Final Exams", clearly specifying your program track.
• DOCTOR EUROPAEUS: The Doctor Europæus certification may be issued by the University, upon resolution of the Faculty Council, when the following four conditions are met (Art. 25 of the Doctoral Regulations DR/2022/2015 dated May 16, 2022):
• a) A positive evaluation of the dissertation by at least two reviewers, appointed by the Faculty Council, who belong to universities in two EU countries other than the one in which the dissertation will be defended; the reviewers' reports shall also be attached to the minutes of the final examination;
  b) The committee must include at least one member from a university in a European country other than the one where the dissertation is defended;
  c) Part of the dissertation defense must be conducted in an official European language other than that of the country where the dissertation is defended;
  d) During the doctoral program, the student must have spent at least 3 months in a European country other than the one where the doctoral program is based. Doctoral students who meet all four of the above requirements and wish to apply may submit a request to the coordinator and the doctoral program office (cc'd) by filling out the following form.
• At the conclusion of the examination, the dissertation may be approved or rejected. The Examination Committee will issue an overall assessment of the doctoral candidate's progress, which will be graded as "sufficient," "good," or "excellent" in English.
• The Committee—in the presence of scientific results of particular significance—may also, by unanimous decision, award honors.

What are the rights and duties of a PhD student?

The main regulatory framework for the PhD in Quantum Technologies is the Regolamento d'ateneo dottorato di ricerca.

It is not permitted to be simultaneously enrolled in the PhD program and another academic degree course.

Rights and Duties (excerpt from the university regulation)

PhD students may carry out part of their activity abroad, for a total period not exceeding half the duration of the program. Periods of up to 6 months require authorization from the Coordinator (with the supervisor's approval); longer periods must be approved by the Academic Board.

During periods spent abroad, the scholarship is increased by 50% for the corresponding number of days spent on mission.

According to Law 210/1998, Art. 4 paragraph 8, PhD students may be assigned limited teaching support or integrative teaching tasks, provided these do not interfere with their research training.

PhD students may voluntarily participate in teaching support activities. These activities are unpaid and do not grant preferential access to academic positions.

The Academic Board, with the students' consent, identifies the disciplinary areas in which teaching activities may be performed. The Board then proposes suitable teaching assignments to the relevant Degree Program Committees.

The Committees define such tasks as tutoring, lab work, or seminars. The maximum amount of teaching per year is 40 hours. These activities must be certified by a Board member supervising the student, and included in the annual PhD teaching activity report.

What department rules apply for access to facilities, mobility, and network resources?

PhD Student Offices:

Currently, for doctoral students who cannot find adequate space within their respective research groups, room 0G28 is available, equipped with desks and computer workstations.

University Email Account:

Upon enrollment, doctoral students receive, through the central doctoral office's registry, a university email account with the @unina.it domain

Supplies and Stationery:

PhD students may request materials needed for their research from the department's supply office. Access is regulated by the Coordinator and must follow these general rules:

• (i) If materials are for lab activities, use the research group's fund (unless it's individual research).

• (ii) Do not request expensive items (e.g., printer cartridges) unless they are for shared PhD student facilities.

• (iii) Items must have a demonstrable and justified use for research or study.

Abuse of these resources may lead to a reduction in access to PhD funds for other uses (e.g., schools or conferences).

Missions (Schools, Conferences, Research Stays):

All missions must be authorized in advance and discussed with the coordinator. For more information on the authorization procedure, all relevant details and the handbook are available in the "Educational Activities" section.