Annex 4 This Annex 4 has been slightly updated. Revisions are highlighted in red. NEUROSCIENCES Coordinator prof. Marco SASSOE POGNETTO Department of Neuroscience Rita Levi Montalcini PhD website http://dott-neuroscienze.campusnet.unito.it/cgi-bin/home.pl Duration: 4 years Course start date: 1 October 2017 Departments: Department of Neuroscience Rita Levi Montalcini, Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, Department of Veterinary Sciences, Department of Psychology, Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, Department of Drug Science and Technology of the University of Turin; Italian Institute of Technology. Titles of Research Projects /Research Fields The list of research projects is available on the University' website http://www.unito.it/ricerca/farericerca-unito/dottorati-di-ricerca and http://en.unito.it/research/phd/phd-programmes. The list may be updated until the day prior to the assessment of qualifications. Entry Requirements 1) All Degrees issued by Italian universities or second cycle/master's Degree. 2) International academic qualifications recognised as eligible for admission to PhD studies. Please see art. 3 of the Call. 3) Candidates, who will complete their degree programme after the publication of the Call by 31 October 2017, must see art. 2 of the Call. Admission procedure for ordinary positions (including positions reserved to applicants with international qualifications) Assessment of qualifications, research project and interview Qualifications to be uploaded in the on-line application Application form (duly signed and including identification document/passport) For international qualifications: submit on-line documentation as specified in art. 3 of this Call Research project: max 3000 word (excluding references) written in English following the scheme provided in section Further information on assessment of qualifications, project and interview. Letters of reference (max 2 letters) see art. 4 of this Call
Candidates applying under condition: certificate or self-certification (using annex 5) with transcript of records with marks, weighted average and credits relating to the Italian Laurea Triennale and Laurea Magistrale. Application fee: 50.00 for each application submitted (1,50 Euro will be charged for each payment) Application fee deadline: 24 March 2017 (mandatory deadline) Candidates who do not pay the application fee within the deadline will be excluded from the competition. Candidates with international qualifications are exempted from paying the application fee. Admission procedure for positions supported by the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT) Assessment of qualifications, research project and interview Qualifications to be uploaded in the on-line application Application form (duly signed and including identification document/passport) For international qualifications: submit on-line documentation as specified in art. 3 of this Call Research project: max 3000 word (excluding references) written in English following the scheme provided in section Further information on assessment of qualifications, project and interview. The research project should relate to one the themes within those offered by the PhD Programme, see Titles of Research Projects /Research Fields, positions supported by the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT). Letters of reference (max 2 letters) see art. 4 of this Call Candidates applying under condition: certificate or self-certification (using annex 5) with transcript of records with marks, weighted average and credits relating to the Italian Laurea Triennale and Laurea Magistrale. Application fee: 50.00 for each application submitted (1,50 Euro will be charged for each payment) Application fee deadline: 24 March 2017 (mandatory deadline) Candidates who do not pay the application fee within the deadline will be excluded from the selection. Candidates with international qualifications are exempted from paying the application fee. Calendar of entrance examinations: The calendar with information on dates and venues of entrance examinations shall be published on the websites: http://www.unito.it/ricerca/fare-ricerca-unito/dottorati-di-ricerca and http://en.unito.it/research/phd/phd-programmes starting from 10 th March 2017
Assessment criteria for ordinary positions (including positions reserved to applicants with international qualifications) Assessment of qualifications and research project: Final grade of Laurea/ second cycle degree (or weighted average of exams taken during the Laurea Triennale and Laurea Magistrale/2 nd cycle degree for candidates applying under condition). maximum score: 100 maximum score: 55 maximum score: 10 Maximum score is appointed if the highest possible final grade was achieved (in the Italian Laurea Magistrale or in an analogous foreign title). For example, the point-awarding scheme for an Italian Degree is as follows: 110L 10 punti 110 9 punti Da 107 a 109 8 punti Da 104 a 106 6 punti Da 100 a 103 4 punti =< a 99 2 punti Publications - Publication as main author on indexed journal: 2 - Publication as co-author on indexed journal: 1 point - Publication on non-indexed journal or book chapter: 0.5 - Abstracts for congresses: 0.2 up to 1 point in total Max. 5 already published publications will be assessed Other qualifications - Second/additional master degree or analogous foreign title: 1 point - Italian specialising master 1st and 2nd level degree if relevant: 1 point - Any other pertinent specialising courses: 1 point - Non-university master: 0.5 - Other qualifications: up to 0.5 Research project Letters of references signed by professors or qualified researchers (max. 2 letters ; 1.5 for each letter) maximum score: 5 maximum score: 2 maximum score: 35 maximum score: 3
Minimum threshold for admission to the interview Interview: The interview, on request of the candidate and duly authorised by the examining board, may be taken via Skype (art. 5 of the Call). Minimum threshold for passing the interview 40 Maximum score: 45 30 Further information on assessment of qualifications, project and interview: Other information are required to fill in the Application Form Annex 3, section Further information relevant to the PhD application - Honours, awards, and scholarships awarded on the basis of academic or other achievements - Previous lab or research experience (duration in months) - Periods abroad (purpose and duration in months for each) - Parental leave (duration in month) - Other relevant information Research proposal Applicants are required to submit a research proposal (in English) of no more than 3000 words (excluding references). Note that, if admitted, students will not be expected to pursue the research project as it is outlined in the proposal (though it may form the basis of their doctoral work). The submitted research proposal will be used during the application process to assess the applicant's understanding of what doing research in neuroscience entails. The proposal should normally include the following information: 1. Tentative title for the intended research. 2. Abstract: The proposal should include a concise statement of the intended research of no more than 150 words. 3. Background: The proposal should situate the project in the context of the existing literature, summarising the current state of knowledge and recent debates on the topic. 4. Research Questions: The proposal should set out the central aims and questions that will guide the research. 5. Research Methods: The proposal should outline the research methods for each specific aim, including the rationale for the choice of methods when alternatives exist. 6. Significance of the possible results: The proposal should include a brief description of the expected results, explaining why the research is important (for example, by explaining how the research builds on and adds to the current state of knowledge in the field or by setting out reasons why it is timely to research the proposed topic). 7. References: The proposal should include a short bibliography (up to 20 references) identifying the most relevant works for the topic. Instructions for reference letter Applicants will indicate the email addresses of referees on the online application form. Referees (max 2) will then upload their references online. Applicants are required to check with them that they have done so by the deadline. If references arrive late, they cannot be considered when assessing the application. Applicants are strongly advised to arrange for their referees to send their references at least 1 week before the deadline.
Interview During the interview, candidates will discuss the submitted research proposal, their qualifications and their motivation for pursuing a PhD in Neuroscience. Adequate command of spoken and written English is required for admission. Further information on the PhD course: PhD courses are taught in English. Assessment criteria for positions supported by the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT) Assessment of qualifications and research project: Final grade of Laurea/ second cycle degree (or weighted average of exams taken during the Laurea Triennale and Laurea Magistrale/2 nd cycle degree for candidates applying under condition). maximum score: 100 maximum score: 55 maximum score: 10 Maximum score is appointed if the highest possible final grade was achieved (in the Italian Laurea Magistrale or in an analogous foreign title). For example, the point-awarding scheme for an Italian Degree is as follows: 110L 10 punti 110 9 punti Da 107 a 109 8 punti Da 104 a 106 6 punti Da 100 a 103 4 punti =< a 99 2 punti Publications - Publication as main author on indexed journal: 2 - Publication as co-author on indexed journal: 1 point - Publication on non-indexed journal or book chapter: 0.5 - Abstracts for congresses: 0.2 up to 1 point in total Max. 5 already published publications will be assessed Other qualifications - Second/additional master degree or analogous foreign title: 1 point maximum score: 5 maximum score: 2
- Italian specialising master 1st and 2nd level degree if relevant: 1 point - Any other pertinent specialising courses if relevant: 1 point - Non-university master: 0.5 - Other qualifications: up to 0.5 Research project Letters of references signed by professors or qualified researchers (max. 2 letters ; 1.5 for each letter) Minimum threshold for admission to the interview Interview: The interview, on request of the candidate and duly authorised by the examining board, may be taken via Skype (art. 5 of the Call) Minimum threshold for passing the interview maximum score: 35 maximum score: 3 40 Maximum score: 45 30 Further information on assessment of qualifications, project and interview: Other information are required to fill in the Application Form Annex 3, section Further information relevant to the PhD application - Honours, awards, and scholarships awarded on the basis of academic or other achievements - Previous lab or research experience (duration in months) - Periods abroad (purpose and duration in months for each) - Parental leave (duration in month) - Other relevant information Research proposal Applicants are required to submit a research proposal (in English) of no more than 3000 words (excluding references). The research proposal should be related to one of the research projects proposed by the PhD Programme, see Titles of Research Projects/Research Fields, positions supported by the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT). The proposal should normally include the following information: 1. Tentative title for the intended research. 2. Abstract: The proposal should include a concise statement of the intended research of no more than 150 words. 3. Background: The proposal should situate the project in the context of the existing literature, summarising the current state of knowledge and recent debates on the topic. 4. Research Questions: The proposal should set out the central aims and questions that will guide the research. 5. Research Methods: The proposal should outline the research methods for each specific aim, including the rationale for the choice of methods when alternatives exist. 6. Significance of the possible results: The proposal should include a brief description of the expected results, explaining why the research is important (for example, by explaining how the research builds on and adds to the current state of knowledge in the field or by setting out reasons why it is timely to research the proposed topic).
7. References: The proposal should include a short bibliography (up to 20 references) identifying the most relevant works for the topic. Instructions for reference letter Applicants will indicate the email addresses of referees on the online application form. Referees (max 2) will then upload their references online. Applicants are required to check with them that they have done so by the deadline. If references arrive late, they cannot be considered when assessing the application. Applicants are strongly advised to arrange for their referees to send their references at least 1 week before the deadline. Interview During the interview, candidates will discuss the submitted research proposal, their qualifications and their motivation for pursuing a PhD in Neuroscience. Adequate command of spoken and written English is required for admission. Further information on the PhD course: PhD courses are taught in English. PhD students will pursue their research activity at the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT), Genova. Positions offered n. 10 positions with scholarship, of which n. 1 reserved to candidates with international qualifications of which: - 6 scholarships funded by the University - 1 scholarship funded by Compagnia di San Paolo - 3 scholarships funded by the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT). These scholarships linked to specific research projects with separate ranking list n. 3 positions without financial support n. 5 positions reserved to students selected within specific international mobility programmes or within specific agreements in which the University of Torino is involved : n. 3 MCI «Mobility Confap Italy», Brasil n. 2 CSC «China Scholarship Council» All additional scholarships and apprenticeship contracts 2016-2018 (Legislative Decree n. 81/2015 art.45), which may become available after the publication of this Call, will be announced on the University websites http://www.unito.it/ricerca/fare-ricerca-unito/dottorati-di-ricerca e http://en.unito.it/research/phd/phd-programmes.