The PhD

The PhD in Sciences of the Mind is promoted by the Department of Psychology of the University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli” and is characterized by the presence of a wide range of following disciplines relating to bibliometric and non-bibliometric sectors such as General Psychology, Neuropsychology and cognitive neuroscience, and Psychometrics (PSIC-01/A, PSIC-01/B, PSIC-01/C), Developmental and Educational Psychology (PSIC-02/A), Social, Work and Organizational Psychology (PSIC-03/A, PSIC-03/B), Clinical and Dynamic Psychology (PSIC-04/B), Computer Science (INFO-01/A), English and Anglo-American Languages, Literatures and Cultures (ANGL-01/C), Pedagogy and History of Pedagogy (PAED-01/A), Sociology of Political Phenomena (GSPS-07/A) and Sociology of law and deviance (GSPS-07/B). The PhD offers young researchers a training course that provides tools and methodological indications to address, in an interdisciplinary perspective, some central themes in the current study of the mind, understood as a complex system that integrates biological, cognitive and social aspects. Therefore, the PhD enhances scientific skills and planning skills in the field of psychological disciplines through training and research. Furthermore, researchers and professors of the University of Lille (France) are an integral part of the college, therefore the research PhD also has an international character.

Learning objectives

The main objective of the PhD programme in Sciences of the Mind is to train young researchers in the field of psychological sciences through the study and application of integrated scientific methodologies.
The objectives are defined in terms of Understanding and Knowledge (regarding theoretical knowledge and research methodologies), Skills (advanced techniques for designing and carrying out a research project, as well as for innovating professional practices) and Competences (critical and dialectical thinking, the synthesis of new and complex ideas, and the capacity for innovation and autonomy).
These objectives are also pursued through interactive seminars on models of the mind, in collaboration with lecturers from various disciplinary fields and with lecturers from other national and international universities, enabling the PhD student to understand the differences and similarities between the various methods of studying mental processes.

The PhD student is required to develop an original research project using appropriate methodological tools and raising new questions, dedicating themselves fully to their project and rigorously applying research methods, in order to obtain original scientific results that represent an advancement of knowledge.

Another aim of the course is to guide PhD students in identifying potential applications for their research outputs within one of their areas of professional interest, so that they are properly prepared for the demands of the workplace.

Occupational opportunities

The PhD is aimed at both advanced research training and advanced vocational training (level 8 of the European Qualifications Framework for Lifelong Learning). Ph.D. graduates will primarily be prepared to independently conduct research projects in the field of psychological sciences using experimental methodology. They will be able to access university competitions and calls for research funding, both national and international, particularly in the field of psychological disciplines. Doctors will also be qualified for employment in private (such as IRCCSs) and public research institutes with an interest in the study of the mind and brain in normal subjects and patients. Other professional outlets are research agencies aimed at assessing the psychological characteristics of users, or agencies dedicated to personnel selection for industries or companies, or those involved in human resources management. Doctors will find it easy to operate professionally because they possess a working method that is indispensable for any application in the psychological, educational and social fields.

Self-Assessment and Steering Committee

In order to monitor the progress of doctoral activities as a whole, assess the consistency of the activities carried out with the educational objectives, and improve the effectiveness, efficiency, and quality of the doctoral training process, also in relation to its employment opportunities and the integration of highly innovative professional paths, the Coordinator identifies, from among the members of each Teachers' Council of the three active cycles, the members of the Self-Assessment Commission and the Steering Committee.

The doctoral self-evaluation committee was established for cycle XXXVII, extended for cycle XXXVIII and confirmed for cycle XXXIX in the person of Professors Silvia Galdi (Chair), Stefania Cella and Sebastiano Costa and two representatives of doctoral students.

Advisory Board

Starting from the XXXIX cycle, the formation of an Advisory Board (AB) is envisaged which will assist the Teaching Board in the planning and implementation of the course as a whole and in particular will provide suggestions on the research and training activities of the PhD students.

In order to create a stable and profitable connection between the Research PhD and local, national and international companies interested in the training path of PhD students and their recruitment, an Advisory board has been established composed of: for the academic component, the Coordinator, the Director of the Department and the Director's Delegate for Job Placement; for the entrepreneurial component: by a representative of the entities (public and private); by national and international experts.

The Advisory Board meets twice a year and deals with:

- to participate in the definition of the training project taking into account the evolution of the scientific areas of reference of the PhD;

- to organize periodic meetings for the dissemination of the educational and scientific activity of the PhD in order to create contacts with local, national and international companies;

- to examine the outcome of the PhD students' company internships in order to suggest changes to the training path.

The members of the Advisory Board identified are the following:

A.A. 2024-2026

For the academic component: the Coordinator (Prof. Gabriella Santangelo); the Director of the Department (Prof. Francesca D'Olimpio); the Director's Delegate for Job Placement (Andrea Millefiorini).

For the entrepreneurial component (representatives of public and private bodies): the President of the Order of Psychologists of Campania (Dr. Armando Cozzuto); the Medical Director of the Hermitage Capodimonte Diagnosis and Treatment Institute (Dr. Costanzo Salvatore); an IFELCAMPANIA organization and management consultant (Dr. Francesco Miggiani); an international expert (Prof. Vincente Gonzàlez-Romà, Professor of Work and Organizational Psychology at the University of Valencia).

A.A. 2026-2027

For the academic component: the Coordinator (Prof. Gabriella Santangelo); the Director of the Department (Prof. Francesca D'Olimpio); the Director's Delegate for Job Placement (Andrea Millefiorini).

For the entrepreneurial component (representatives of public and private bodies): the President of the Order of Psychologists of Campania (Dr. Armando Cozzuto); the Medical Director of the Hermitage Capodimonte Diagnosis and Treatment Institute (Dr. Costanzo Salvatore); a national expert (Prof. Simona Raimo, Associate Professor, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro) and international (Prof. Vincente Gonzàlez-Romà, Professor of Work and Organizational Psychology at the University of Valencia).

PhD students' opinions

Every year, Vanvitelli University conducts a survey to gather feedback from PhD students at the end of each academic year, with the aim of gathering information on the various aspects of the research training program and the services and opportunities that accompany it.

• For the I and II year, access to the evaluation questionnaire is via the University’s institutional credentials, and complete anonymity of responses is guaranteed - Go to the teaching evaluation questionnaire
• For the III year, the end-of-course evaluation questionnaire is managed by Alma Laurea and can be accessed once the PhD student has registered, prior to the final examination - Go to the questionnaire

Results

• For the I and II year: PhD Student Opinions (SISVALDIDAT system)
• For the III year: PhD students’ opinions (AlmaLaurea)

In addition, the AlmaLaurea inter-university consortium compiles annual data on behalf of the University regarding PhD graduates’ academic trajectories and employment status after obtaining their degree.

• Employment status of PhD graduates (AlmaLaurea)