Closing Date: 26 September 2005

The University of Trento announces the 21st cycle of the PhD Programme in Cognitive Sciences and Education.

Length: three years

Scientific Areas:
Cognitive Neuroscience
Experimental psychology (Attention, perception, decision making, language, memory, sensory processing)
Social cognition
Neuropsychology
Developmental psychology
Artificial Intelligence
Education

Dean of PhD Programme:
Professor Remo Job
phone 0039 0464 483571 - e-mail: phd.discof@form.unitn.it

Official language: Italian and English

Selection for 6 PhD positions in the PhD Programme is announced, 4positions will be assigned grants financed by the University of Trento.
The number of grant-assisted places may be increased by funds fromuniversities, public research bodies or qualified private organizationsmade available after the publication of this announcement and beforethe beginning of the assessment of candidates' qualifications. Anyincrease in the number of available places resulting from an increaseof grants will be communicated through the official notice board of theUniversity of Trento and posted on the website:http://www.unitn.it/ricerca/dottorati_form_av/ciclo_21/bandi.htm

ART. 2 -ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Applications for the PhD positions above are invited from candidates,regardless of sex, age and nationality, who have an Italian "laureaspecialistica", instituted in compliance with Ministerial Decree no.509 of 3.11.1999 as amended, a university degree of the previousItalian regulations in force, or equivalent degree qualificationobtained abroad.
Applicants who have a foreign qualification that has not beenofficially recognized as equivalent to the Italian degree should submita request for equivalence to be recognized in their application for thecompetition. In this case, candidates have to attach their degreecertificate (or degree self-certification according to PresidentialDecree no. 445 of 28.12.2000 concerning EU citizens) to theirapplication and a translation in English of their degree certificateand examinations and grades obtained, signed under their ownresponsibility, so as to allow the Doctorate School Committee todeclare the equivalence, valid for the only purpose of participating inthe selection.
Successful non European applicants have to present their degreecertificate with the examinations passed and grades obtained,translated and authenticated by an Italian consulate, embassy ordiplomatic representative in the country of the university that issuedthe degree and the respective declaration of equivalent value("Dichiarazione di valore") no later than the date set for enrolment inthe PhD Programme.
Applications are also invited from students who expect to completetheir degree by the date of the assessment of qualifications. In suchcases, admission will be "conditional" and the applicant must presentthe relevant degree certificate, or a declaration that the degree hasbeen conferred (in compliance with Presidential Decree no. 445 of28.12.2000, applicable only to EU citizens), by the date of theassessment of qualifications.

Art. 3 - THE PhD PROGRAMME
The research and training course focuses on Cognitive Sciences,Neurosciences and Education. Students will acquire high levelcompetencies in specific research areas and in collateral ones,encouraging the development in innovative fields, in both basic andapplied research.
The courses will be held in Italian or English.
1st Year
A tutor is appointed by the doctorate school committee to serve asgeneral counsellor for each student. The tutor helps chart a set ofcourses that fulfil the content area requirements, and othereducational opportunities (such as: seminars and conferences). Coursesheld by Doctorates will provide a solid basis and will be on:
1.    knowledge and techniques related to methodology (research methodology and statistics);
2.    in-depth analysis of basic subjects through the study of knowledge representation;
3.    acquisition of specific knowledge in cognitive science, neuroscience and education.
Students may include in their study plans courses held at thedoctorate's site as well as courses given in national and/orinternational doctorate schools, with follow-up periods off site inagreement with the Manifesto of the Doctorate School. Students can useon-line teaching/learning. Students are required to attend seminars,workshops and symposiums proposed by the Department and Laboratory ofCognitive Science.
During the first year, students ask the doctorate school committee fora thesis advisor who will assist in selecting and developing a topic ofresearch for the doctoral thesis.
Admission to the second year is based on regular attendance to theactivities of the Doctorate School and a positive end of yearevaluation. There will also be an interview on the year's work and ontest results of each course.

2nd Year
Requirements:
-    attendance to the proposed courses, in agreement with the Manifesto of the School of Doctorates
-    attendance to national and international conferences; conventions and seminars
-    all enrolled students are obliged (unless justifiedby a thesis project in the 3rd year) to spend a period of researchtraining abroad for a minimum of six months, and as a rule continuouslyand in only one place;
-    students must present their thesis project to thepublic, in a short written dissertation. The doctorate school committeeevaluates the feasibility and scientific appropriateness.
To get through to the third year, the students need to have a positiveend of year evaluation by the doctorate school committee, regularattendance to the school activities, the brief written dissertationthat forms the thesis and the advisor's grading for the activitiescarried out.

At the end of the second year or at the beginning of the third year thestudent will give a seminar on the progress of the research projectwhich will lead to the theme of the doctorate thesis.

3rd Year
The final year is completely devoted to the thesis. The thesis shallconsist of a written dissertation in which students will report theirresearch investigation, part of which can also be collaborative papers.

Art. 4 - APPLICATION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SELECTION
Applications should be made by using the application form attached to this announcement (Form A).
The end date of this application, including all the annexes required,is on 26th of September, 2005. It is to be handed in, in one of thefollowing ways:
-    hand delivered to the University of Trento -Ufficio Dottorati di Ricerca, Via Inama 5 - 38100 Trento, from 10:00 amto 12:00 a.m., Monday to Friday;
-    by mail to the following address: Magnifico Rettoredell'Università degli Studi di Trento, via Belenzani 12 - 38100 Trento(ITALY) (please, write on the envelope "Selection for PhD Programme inCognitive Sciences and Education");
-    by fax to the following number: 0039 0461 882191.

The University of Trento does not accept responsibility for mistakes made by wrong addresses or by postal delays.
Applications received after 26th September 2005 will not be considered even if posted beforehand.

According to Italian Law no. 104/92, art. 20 and to Italian Law no.68/99, art. 16, para. 1, applicants with special needs are expected toindicate explicitly in their application whether they require specialassistance or extra time during the examinations. Under LegislativeDecree 196/03, all information will be kept confidential.

The annexes must be indicated as "Annex" followed by the number which corresponds to the order given below:
Annex 1.    Photocopy of the applicant's identity card or passport.
Annex 2.    Summary of the dissertation either inItalian or in English explaining the reasons for the choice of thesubject, the research methodology and results obtained (minimum threeand maximum six pages).
Annex 3.    Curriculum Vitae et Studiorum.
Annex 4.    A short research project (maximum 2500 words), related to one of the research areas listed in Art. 6.
Annex 5.    A copy of the degree dissertation inelectronic version (preferably in PDF format) on CD-Rom. The CD-Rommust also contain Annexes 2, 3, 4 (and 6, if applicable) in electronicversion (preferably in PDF format).
The applicant may also attach:
Annex 6.    List of publications (if any).
Annex 7.    Any certificates of the English language (e.g. TOEFL, Proficiency Certificate or other).
Annex 8    Any other document or qualification demonstrating the applicant's research skills.

Two letters of recommendation in English or Italian (see attached "FormB") must be completed by experts in the PhD research areas. The lettersmust be sent directly by the referees to the following address:
Prof. Remo Job - Dean, PhD in Cognitive Sciences and Education -Dipartimento di Scienze della Cognizione e della Formazione - ViaMatteo del Ben, 5/b - 38068 Rovereto - Italy.

Applicants with a foreign qualification that has not been officiallyrecognized as equivalent to the Italian degree, have to attach atranslation in English of the degree certificate with exams and gradesobtained, signed under their own responsibility, so as to allow theDoctorate School Committee to declare the equivalence, valid for theonly purpose of participating in the selection.

If, after the submission of applications, the candidate would like toadd further information, it must be sent to the University offices by26th of September, 2005. The applicant's name, the PhD Programme he/sheis applying for and "Integrazione domanda" must be clearly written onthe envelope.
The University of Trento has the right to check, even to spot check,declarations and documents provided by the candidates, according toart. 71 and following articles of the Presidential Decree no. 445 of28.12.2000.
Candidates who do not fulfil the requirements requested, can be left out of the selection for the PhD Programme.

Closing Date: 26 September 2005

For more information and application form, see the source of this document.

[Contributor: Lianita Prawindarti]