GRAN SASSO SCIENCE INSTITUTE PHD PROGRAMMES – CALL FOR

APPLICATIONS 2025 (AY 2025/2026)

The Gran Sasso Science Institute (GSSI), based in L’Aquila, Italy, offers post-graduate training to
obtain “Philosophiae Doctor” (Ph.D.) degrees in the following fields:

● Astroparticle Physics:
- 12 scholarships;
- 1 scholarship funded under the Grant Agreement n. 101137080 “Astrocent Plus - Particle
Astrophysics Science and Technology Centre, for the following profile: This initiative focuses on
enhancing a network of doctoral schools, including GSSI, AstroCent+ (Warsaw, Poland), and
Université Paris Cité (Paris, France), by promoting outstanding research that drives technological
innovation. The selected candidate will be involved in the DarkSide program, which aims to
explore dark matter using novel light detection technologies. The selected candidate will have the
opportunity to spend one year abroad at the AstroCent institute in Warsaw.

The research and Ph.D. in physics at the GSSI is focused on astroparticle physics. Astroparticle
physics is an interdisciplinary and young research field, grown at the intersection of particle physics,
nuclear physics, astrophysics and cosmology. It addresses some of the most pressing and
fundamental questions in science today: the origin and the evolution of our universe, the nature of
dark matter and dark energy, the study of neutrinos and of the ultimate constituents of matter, the
search for gravitational waves, the investigation and explanation of the cosmic rays.

Within the Ph.D. Programme in Astroparticle Physics, it is possible to apply both for GSSI
scholarships and for the scholarships funded under Astrocent Plus project, by submitting different
applications.

● Mathematics in Natural, Social and Life Sciences:

- 1 scholarship funded under the Grant Agreement n. 101039657 (Call: ERC-2021-STG) project
“CARDIOTRIALS -CARDIac simulations to run in-silicO clinical TRIALS. The candidates
willing to apply are required to work on the following research project: “CARDIOTRIALS -
CARDIac simulations to run in-silicO clinical TRIALS”. The project aims at building a virtual
model of the human heart based on the fluid-structure-electrophysiology interaction, which will
be exploited to study numerically pathologies and assess the efficacy of cardiac devices, accounting
for the statistical variability of the population. The project comprises the study of fluid dynamics
phenomena and the application of numerical mathematics and high performance computing.”

GSSI Gran Sasso Science Institute

Viale Francesco Crispi, 7 - 67100 L'Aquila, Italia - www.gssi.it Tel. +39 0862 4280262 email: [email protected]
 - 1 scholarship funded under the project “Holes in the heart: a fluid dynamics approach to atrial
septal defects” - PRIN 2022 (CUP: D53C24004090001). The candidates willing to apply are
required to work on the following research project: The project aims to investigate numerically the
effects on the hemodynamics of congenital heart conditions impacting the inter-atrial septum. The
project is multidisciplinary, connecting engineering with medicine, and it aims at advancing the
employment of computational methods in the clinical practice. The candidate should have strong
expertise in numerical or experimental fluid dynamics.”

Within the Ph.D. course in Mathematics in Natural, Social and Life Sciences, a priority has been
established on mathematical modeling, both towards the traditional areas of application, such as
Physics or Engineering, and towards emerging issues in Biology and Social Sciences. An emphasis
will be given also to: partial differential equations and their applications, in particular mathematical
models in fluid dynamics and in the study of nonlinear waves; statistical mechanics, hydrodynamic
limits and derivation of effective equations in classical and quantum mechanics, phase transitions,
disordered systems; methods of statistical physics in data science; numerical linear algebra and its
applications, numerical methods for differential equations, high-performance computational
techniques; network analysis problems; continuum mechanics, fluid dynamics models for
cardiovascular circulation, computational fluid dynamics; mathematical models in biology and
social sciences.
It is possible to apply both for the scholarships funded under CardiOTrials and PRIN 2022
projects, by submitting different applications.

● Computer Science:

- 12 scholarships.

The Ph.D. Programme in Computer Science of the GSSI aims to provide students with the main
results, theories, techniques and methodologies regarding algorithms, models, languages, software
and services to cope successfully with the challenges of the present and future Information and
Communication Technology.

● Regional Science and Economic Geography:

- 12 scholarships.

The Ph.D. program in “Regional Science and Economic Geography” is a cutting-edge and
interdisciplinary program designed to explore the intricate relationship between space and socio-
economic phenomena, by employing mixed methods and interdisciplinary approaches. This Ph.D.
program equips students with the skills to offer evidence-based policy recommendations, rooted in
robust empirical findings and established causal relationships, and fosters research in economic
and/or human geography. It aims to address the challenges posed by globalization, urbanization,
climate change, and development by fostering a deeper understanding of these processes. We
GSSI Gran Sasso Science Institute
Viale Francesco Crispi, 7 - 67100 L'Aquila, Italia - www.gssi.it Tel. +39 0862 4280262 email: [email protected]
 welcome students with different backgrounds, including (but not limited to) applied economics,
economic and/or human geography, or sociology, who share an interest in these issues.

The Ph.D. Programmes will be activated after approval by the MUR (Italian Ministry of
University and Research).

Official language of the Ph.D. Programmes: English.

Activities and Duration

The Ph.D. Programmes last four years. Nevertheless, it is possible to be awarded the Ph.D. degree
after the completion of the third year.
The Academic Year will start on November 1st 2025.

Scholarships
GSSI awards scholarships until the dissertation defense and for a maximum of four years. The yearly
gross amount of the scholarship is € 16.243,00. An additional 50% on a monthly basis may be
awarded for research periods abroad if approved by the GSSI.

Facilities and benefits

● all Ph.D. students normally benefit from free accommodation at the guest house during the first year,
in case of particular organizational needs by GSSI, or particular, motivated and authorized needs by
the students, they will benefit, in substitution of the accommodation, from a financial substitute of
350,00 Euros gross/month; starting from the second year, all Ph.D. students are provided with a
financial substitute of 350,00 Euros gross/month (the contribution will be paid upon the
presentation of a rental agreement in L’Aquila or, in case of mandatory stays required from the Ph.D.
Programme, according to the relevant agreements);
● all Ph.D. students will have free luncheon vouchers ( 1 for each working day, except school closures,
missions, and other situations contemplated by the GSSI rules);
● all Ph.D. students will have tuition fees waived;
● all Ph.D. students will be covered by insurance against any accident and/or injury that may occur
while carrying out their Ph.D. activities;
● all Ph.D. students are entitled to a contribution of up to 1.200,00 euro (net) for the purchase of a
laptop for study and research purposes. The contribution will be paid upon the presentation of the
fiscal receipt headed to the applicant.

GSSI Gran Sasso Science Institute

Viale Francesco Crispi, 7 - 67100 L'Aquila, Italia - www.gssi.it Tel. +39 0862 4280262 email: [email protected]
 Requirements

English knowledge is compulsory.

Applications are open to candidates in possession of one of the following degrees:

● “Laurea Magistrale” or “Laurea Specialistica” or a four or five years degree.
● a foreign University degree (minimum legal duration of the University course: four years). The
eligibility of foreign degrees is assessed by the Selection Committee.
Applicants obtaining their degree by no later than October 31, 2025 may apply (both Italian or
foreign degree according to the previous description). Applicants will have to send a copy of their
degree certificate at [email protected] within November 20, 2025 (for Italian degrees a “self
declaration” can also be accepted).

Application
Applicants must fill out the online application form (www.gssi.it/phd) where it is possible to find
all the necessary information for the submission, and attach the required documents by:

• May 23rd 2025, 3 pm (Italian time zone) for the PhD Course in Regional Science and Economic
Geography;

• May 30th 2025, 3 pm (Italian time zone) for the PhD Courses in Astroparticle Physics, Computer
Science;

• August 29th 2025, 3 pm (Italian time zone) for CardiOTrials project and PRIN project within the
PhD Course in Mathematics in Natural, Social and Life Sciences.

No other application method will be accepted.

Candidates willing to apply for more than one position need to submit different applications. It is
necessary to fill-in and upload all the required documents independently for each submission.

Data and documents entered into the application form are the sole responsibility of the applicant. In
the event of false declarations, the applicant will be excluded from the selection procedure.
In order to successfully submit the application form, applicants must insert all the data/information
and upload the attachments as listed below. We strongly recommend applicants to review the inserted
information and uploaded attachments before submitting the application. No changes are allowed
to submitted data. Erroneous data and/or attachments will be

evaluated as they are submitted.

GSSI Gran Sasso Science Institute
Viale Francesco Crispi, 7 - 67100 L'Aquila, Italia - www.gssi.it Tel. +39 0862 4280262 email: [email protected]
 Please note that applicants are responsible for ensuring that their completed application arrives on
time. Applicants are strongly advised to submit their application well in advance of the deadline in
order to avoid last-minute congestion in the online application procedure.

Candidates should upload the following documents in pdf format:

● a valid id document, signed and dated;

● curriculum vitae et studiorum;
● a final degree certificate (for EU citizens or NON EU citizens residing in Italy: a copy of the
certificate or a self-declaration declaring the possession of a degree indicating: conferral date, issuing
University and final grade; for other applicants: certificate declaring the possession of a degree
indicating: conferral date, issuing University and final grade). For applicants who expect to complete
their degree by October 31 2025: certificate or self-declaration (only for EU citizens and NON EU
citizens residing in Italy) indicating the single examinations taken and grades obtained. If the official
document released by the University is not available in Italian or English, candidates should also
attach a translation of the document under their responsibility;
● academic transcript or diploma supplement (the academic transcript is an official document released
by the University detailing the courses/classes taken or subjects studied and related grades).

In addition, candidates are required to upload additional documents or give additional information
depending on the Ph.D. Programme chosen:

● Astroparticle Physics:
o motivational letter describing research interests and reasons for having chosen to apply to the GSSI
Ph.D.;
o extended abstract of the Master’s Degree thesis (max 2000 words).

● Mathematics in Natural, Social and Life Sciences - CardiOTrials project and PRIN 2022
Project:
o A synthetic report of the core courses followed on the topics below:
Partial Differential Equations
Probability/Stochastic Processes
Functional Analysis
Numerical Analysis
Physics/Continuum Mechanics/Fluid Dynamics

For each course in this area, students should provide a short syllabus (no more than 10 lines)
containing main textbooks, name of the instructors and possibly the link to the courses’ home page.

GSSI Gran Sasso Science Institute

Viale Francesco Crispi, 7 - 67100 L'Aquila, Italia - www.gssi.it Tel. +39 0862 4280262 email: [email protected]
● Computer Science:
o motivational letter describing expertise and main research interests, a research project indicating the
main subjects the candidate would like to approach during the Ph.D. Programme, the reasons for
having chosen GSSI for Ph.D. studies.

● Regional Science and Economic Geography:

o motivational letter, structured as follows: i) acquired expertise; ii) main research fields of interest;
iii) prospected research project to develop during the Ph.D. Programme; iv) reasons for having
chosen to apply to the GSSI for a Ph.D. Programme in Regional Science and Economic Geography;
o extended abstract of the Master’s Degree thesis or of thesis of the last obtained title (max 2000
words);
o GRE scores (Verbal and Quantitative) are preferred but optional (please include them in the
application package).

Applicants can provide the names and contact information of up to two referees. The information
provided by the applicants in the online form will be used to send the referees an email with a link
to a page where they can upload the reference letter: referees should submit the reference letters in
English or Italian through the online application system within:

• May 30th 2025 for the PhD Course in Regional Science and Economic Geography;
• June 6th 2025 for the PhD Courses in Astroparticle Physics, Computer Science;
• September 2nd for the PhD Course in Mathematics in Natural, Social and Life Sciences
No reference letter uploaded by the candidates will be admitted. The reference letters are not
mandatory.

In the event that any of the documents downloaded during the application procedure do not
correspond to those submitted during the enrolment, due to deliberate false declaration, the applicant
will automatically forfeit his/her place in the Programme.

Selection Procedure
Candidates will be evaluated by the Selection Committee on the basis of their academic background,
skills and scientific value. The Selection Committee will also assess the relevance of any publication,
the suitability of the candidates’ CV, the reference letters and any additional special qualification,
educational activities and/or participation in research groups or projects.
The selection procedure will be carried out in two phases:

● assessment of all the applications admitted through the online procedure, ending with the
publication on the GSSI website of the shortlist of candidates admitted to the interview.
● interview: once shortlisted, the applicants will be required to participate in a comprehensive in-
person or remote interview in English, in order to assess their aptitude for research in the curriculum
for which they have applied, as well as their English proficiency.
GSSI Gran Sasso Science Institute
Viale Francesco Crispi, 7 - 67100 L'Aquila, Italia - www.gssi.it Tel. +39 0862 4280262 email: [email protected]
It is possible to choose a method of interviewing. Please note that GSSI reserves the right to hold
the interviews only through video conference in case of particular organizational needs.

The shortlist and the interviews will be organized according to the following schedule:

Ph.D. Programme Shortlist Interviews

Astroparticle Physics, Within June 27th July 7th to 11th

including Astrocent Plus
Project

Mathematics in Natural, Within September 8 September 15 to 19

Social and Life Sciences -
CardOTtrials project e
PRIN Project
Computer Science Within June 27th July 1st to 31st

Regional Science and Within June 5th June 12th to 13th

Economic
Geography

The list of the candidates admitted to the interview will be published on GSSI website (www.gssi.it).
The admitted candidates will soon be informed about the calendar of the interviews.

Admission
The general ranking lists and evaluation results will be published on the GSSI website: www.gssi.it.
The list will indicate the names of the admitted applicants to the different Ph.D. Programmes.
In the event of forfeiture or exclusion of a candidate within 45 days from the date of beginning of
the Programme, the candidate shall be replaced by the next eligible candidate according to the
ranking.
The admitted candidates are required to be at GSSI by the date communicated by the Ph.D.
Secretariat. No shows, without adequate justification, will result in the exclusion of the candidate
from the Ph.D. Programme.
The admitted candidates are subject to the Ph.D. Courses Regulation, Code of Conduct and Code
Ethics of the GSSI.

Contact and info:

www.gssi.it; [email protected]; +39 08624280431

GSSI Gran Sasso Science Institute

Viale Francesco Crispi, 7 - 67100 L'Aquila, Italia - www.gssi.it Tel. +39 0862 4280262 email: [email protected]
 Disclaimer
Please be advised that this is a mere extract of the D.R. 67/2025. In case of doubt, the Italian version
is the official document and shall prevail.

L’Aquila, March 11 2025

GSSI Gran Sasso Science Institute

Viale Francesco Crispi, 7 - 67100 L'Aquila, Italia - www.gssi.it Tel. +39 0862 4280262 email: [email protected]