Applications for the next cycle XLI are open. Details can be found in the University webpage: Italian version or English version

Deadline:  May 13, 2025 - 1 pm (CEST)

6  POSITIONS ARE AVAILABLE, STARTING ON NOVEMBER 1, 2025

1) Three open positions are financed by the University of Padova

At this web page you can find possible PhD thesis topics for the open positions. These proposed projects shall then be discussed at the oral examination, but shall not be necessarily intended as the final PhD project for enrolled students, that shall be decided, in agreement with the student who will win one of the positions, by the Board of Professors. Candidates are encouraged to contact staff members of the DFA and INAF-OAPD for discussing possible PhD thesis arguments.

2) Three positions are funded by INAF. These three INAF grants are thematic: The new frontiers of astrophysics for the exploration of the Universe.

Candidates must express their interest in participating in the selection of these scholarships by indicating them in the application.The most deserving candidate who has indicated one of these scholarships in the application will be awarded the scholarship itself.

The recipients of the three scholarships funded by INAF at a later time will have to choose one of the projects indicated in the attached file.

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The admission exam is based on the curriculum and an oral exam. The candidates are strongly suggested to use the template that is provided at this link for their CV.

In addition, they are required to submit in their application, together with the CV, a short description of a research project of their interest (max 1 page).

The research project is a page long description of a project;  therefore, independently of the topic, it should contain  the state of the art,  the goals one would like to achieve and the methodology.
Possible PhD thesis for the open positions (in the web page) could be discussed at the oral examination, but shall not be necessarily intended as the final PhD project for enrolled students, that shall be decided, in agreement with the student who will win one of the positions, by the Board of Professors.
Recommendation letters are not required.

Besides a discussion on the proposed research project, the oral exam includes a discussion on the general astronomical background.
At this web page, you can find a list of the  GENERAL CULTURAL ITEMS FOR THE ORAL EXAM

The only official and legally binding source is the original Italian announcement available at

https://www.unipd.it/dottorato/dottorati-41-ciclo

Details about the selection (ITA) - (ENG)

For further information:

Administrative office:
dott. ssa ALESSANDRA ZORZI
E-mail: alessandra.zorzi(at)unipd(dot)it - didattica.dfa(at)unipd(dot)it
Tel: 049-827.8261

Coordinator of Doctoral Course in Astronomy:
Prof. GIOVANNI CARRARO
E-mail: giovanni.carraro(at)unipd(dot)it
Tel: 049-827.8230