PhD Students' Mobility

By its nature, research in Physics is characterized by a high degree of internationalization, and the vast majority of the Department of Physics' activities are carried out in collaboration with international universities and/or research centers. Consequently, throughout their training, Physics PhD students are naturally led to carry out research periods at other institutions in Italy or abroad.

As a general rule, the Academic Board has established that all PhD students must undertake at least one experience involving contact with the international scientific community during the three-year program. This may include a research internship with a foreign research group, participation in an international conference, or attendance at an international scientific school.

Regarding research periods abroad, students of the PhD program in Physics have the opportunity to join the numerous collaborations already active within the Department's research framework.

In addition to natural mobility towards Research Institutes and Agencies, the PhD program has also significantly increased mobility towards companies with innovative technological content. In the context of PhD programs linked to the PON 2014–2020 projects, it is explicitly required that students spend a research period at a company (typically at least six months), with the optional possibility of an additional period at a foreign research institute.

Considering only PhD students from the 27th to the 35th cycles (excluding the 34th, for which the last two years coincided with the pandemic), approximately 55% of the students spent a period of one month or more abroad. For stays longer than 3 months, the percentage drops to 41%, while long periods exceeding one year account for about 10%. During the same period, four PhD students completed their thesis under a co-tutelle agreement with a foreign university.

Mobility Procedure

The PhD student, in agreement with their supervisor, plans a mobility period and its scientific justification. The proposal must be submitted to the Coordinator using the appropriate form, duly signed by the fund manager if the funds used are not those of the PhD program. The Coordinator is responsible for forwarding the authorization to the administration.

At the end of the mobility period, once back at their home institution, the PhD student must complete and submit to the administration the appropriate form for the reimbursement of expenses incurred during the mission.

The forms for requesting mobility authorization (both for missions in Italy and abroad) and for the request for reimbursement of expenses incurred, namely:

• Request for Mobility Authorization

• Request for Mobility Expenses Reimbursement

are available at this link