Ther PhD

The PhD Programme in Clinical and Experimental Medical Sciences offers a research-based training programme focused on the development of interdisciplinary approaches – spanning pre-clinical to clinical sciences – and cross-sectoral approaches, incorporating expertise from both the academic and industrial sectors. In particular, it encourages collaboration between scientific disciplines (SSD) across different fields and disciplines, and the establishment of industry-based PhD programmes with research topics consistent with the National Research Plans and the National Strategy for Smart Specialisation. The programme provides all the skills necessary to carry out cutting-edge research into the pathophysiology of somatic and mental disorders with a significant impact on public health, and into the development of biotechnologies and innovative treatments in medicine and surgery.

The integration of preclinical and clinical aspects in the biomedical field and the personalisation of care are central themes common to all the programmes launched, coherently bringing together different disciplines and methodologies, with reference to subject areas falling within the various sub-areas of the ERC ‘LS-Life Sciences’ Domain, encompassing different ERC sectors within the areas ranging from LS1 to LS7.

The result of this integration is highly multidisciplinary and multisectoral research projects in emerging fields such as neuroscience, applied biomedical sciences, and personalised and regenerative medicine.

Learning objectives

The PhD programme in Clinical and Experimental Medical Sciences aims to strengthen the synergies between basic research and research applied to medicine, and to promote multidisciplinary activities that foster the integration of specialist expertise in line with a biopsychosocial approach to the prevention and treatment of complex diseases.

The programme aims to train highly qualified professionals capable of independently applying the most advanced methodologies of basic and clinical research within an interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral framework. The objective is to provide a solid theoretical and methodological grounding in the main strands of biomedical research and to foster the development of highly specialised skills which, by utilising advanced experimental methodologies alongside cutting-edge computational and statistical techniques, will enable the planning and implementation of research projects in various fields of medicine, the development of innovative diagnostic and therapeutic applications, and the transfer of knowledge to the clinical and therapeutic field in accordance with the principles of Evidence-Based Medicine.

The PhD programme is structured into different specialisations relating to Psychiatry, Child Neuropsychiatry, Nephrology, Neurology, Geriatrics and Gastroenterology.

The programme as a whole is based on the latest methodological advances in biomedical research and, to a large extent, on direct participation in research activities, guided by internationally renowned tutors and supervisors, through the direct involvement of PhD students in carrying out research programmes at the host institution or at other national or international centres.

Career opportunities

The PhD programme in Clinical and Experimental Medical Sciences addresses the growing demand for highly qualified research staff from centres operating within both public and private institutions, as well as from the pharmaceutical industry.

The PhD programme is the preferred route for training new university teaching staff in the relevant scientific and disciplinary fields. Furthermore, the training of highly qualified professionals with a multidisciplinary background and specific skills in the analysis of complex data (e.g. using artificial intelligence and machine learning methodologies), who are capable of meeting current needs in planning, monitoring, evaluation and training in the field of health, and of transferring the most up-to-date knowledge into intervention programmes in the fields of prevention, treatment and rehabilitation, could facilitate the integration of future PhD graduates into the National Health Service, in roles involving managerial responsibility or the coordination of interdisciplinary areas of applied research.

Active collaboration with local industries engaged in research has led to the award of 8 PON-RI 2014–2020 grants – 3 for Innovation and 5 for Green – in the 37th cycle, focusing on the themes of smart and sustainable industry, energy and the environment; Health, Food and Quality of Life, in line with the National Smart Specialisation Strategies and the National Research Plan, thereby strengthening the design of highly innovative PhD programmes. For the 38th and 39th cycles, several grants co-funded by companies have been established on research topics relating to innovation in both the diagnostic and therapeutic fields. This collaboration aims to train researchers capable of contributing to the development of new ideas for industry regarding the current challenges of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, opening up employment opportunities in industry – particularly in the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and, more generally, biotechnology sectors – operating within the healthcare sector (e.g., in the development of innovative and environmentally friendly biomedical equipment).

Finally, the ongoing process of national and European integration will open up new opportunities for researchers with a university education consistent with the programme’s learning objectives to join high-profile basic and clinical research environments.

Self-assessment and guidance 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 Committee and the Steering Committee.

Self-assessment and guidance committee - 41st cycle

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)