Closing Date: 23 September 2005

The University of Trento announces the 21st cycle of the DoctorateSchool in Materials Engineering in co-operation with the University ofHavana (Cuba).

Length: three years

Areas of research (curricula):
        A) Materials and Structural Mechanics
        B) Design, Preservation and Control of Structures

Scientific Areas:
ING-IND/21        Metallurgy
ING-IND/22        Materials Science and Technology
ING-IND/23        Applied Physical Chemistry
ING-IND/25        Chemical Plants
ING-IND/14        Machine Design
ING-IND/34        Industrial Bioengineering
FIS/03               Material Physics
MAT/07             Mathematical physics
GEO/02             Stratigraphic and Sedimentological Geology

Coordinator:
prof. Paolo Scardi - phone: 0461 882417 - e-mail: paolo.scardi@ing.unitn.it

Official languages: Italian and English

Selection for 12 PhD positions in the PhD Programme is announced. 6 positions will be assigned grants.
Grants are financed as follows:
5 grants    University of Trento (Italy)
1 grant    National Consortium of Materials Science andTechnology (INSTM), concerning the topic "Production of solid oxidecomponents for fuel cells"

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 selection. Any increase in the number of availableplaces resulting from an increase of grants will be communicatedthrough the official notice board of the University of Trento andposted on the website:http://www.unitn.it/ricerca/dottorati_form_av/ciclo_21/bandi.htm

ART. 2 -ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Applications for PhD positions are accepted from candidates, regardlessof sex, age and nationality, who have an "laurea specialisticaitaliana", according to Ministerial Decree no. 509 of 3.11.1999 asamended, a university degree of the previous regulations in force, orequivalent degree qualification obtained abroad.
Applicants who have a foreign qualification that has not beenofficially recognized as equivalent to an Italian degree should submita request for equivalence to be recognized in their application for theselection.
In this case it is necessary to attach the following documents:
-    degree certificate or degree self-certification(according to Presidential Decree no. 445 of 28.12.2000 concerning EUcitizens);
-    translation into English of the degree certificatewith exams and grades obtained and furthermore signed by the applicantto enable the Doctorate School Committee to declare its equivalence,for the sole purpose of being admitted to the selection of the PhDProgramme.
After their admission to the School, successful non EU applicants whohave a foreign qualification must present the degree certificate withexams and grades obtained, translated and certified by the ItalianEmbassy in the country of the university that issued the degree, andthe Declaration of value ("Dichiarazione di valore") not later than thedate set for the enrolment in the Doctorate School.
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 be able topresent the relevant degree certificate, or a declaration that thedegree has been conferred (according to Presidential Decree no. 445 of28.12.2000, applicable only to citizens of the European Union), by thedate of the examination.

Art. 3 - THE PhD PROGRAM
The syllabus provides for activities differentiated during thethree-year course, with greater attendance of classes during the firstand second year.
On the whole, the activity adds up to 180 credits, 120 of which attributed to research  and 60 to educational activities.
Research credits are awarded by completing the dissertation, whereas classroom credits can be obtained by attending:
-    courses of the Manifesto of Studies (http://www.ing.unitn.it/dimti/);
-    courses taken at other institutions;
-    schools, workshops and seminars held by the PhD Programme or by other institutions.
Such activities must be certified, based on actual attendance and achievement of specific educational objectives.
The purpose of the classroom work is to provide students with anadvanced background on the main topics of materials science andtechnology, placing emphasis on engineering expertise which is thebasis of a PhD in Materials Engineering. All in all, the target of thePhD Programme is to produce professionals with a solid qualification inengineering, to apply to research or technology, working in researchcentres as well as in companies.
One of the aims of the PhD Programme is that students achieve acomplete maturity and autonomy in planning, programming, developing andreporting their research activity.
For advancement to the second and third year, students are asked totake an exam, in the form of a seminar on the research topics relatedto the dissertation. The seminar is public, and is held in front of acommission composed of at least two members appointed by the DoctorateSchool Committee, and the tutor. The final judgement of the commissionwill be based on the presentation, quality and advancement of theresearch work, as well as ability of the student in answering toquestions posed by the commission and by the audience. Formal admissionto the following year is granted by the Doctorate School Committee,which is asked to discuss and approve (if need be) the report presentedby the commission.
To be admitted to the following year, students should achieve at least2/3 of the credits provided for their curriculum, unless the DoctorateSchool Committee allows an exception (for example, to allow the studentto conduct extended research activity abroad).
Denial of admission to the following year implies the exclusion from the PhD Programme and forfeiture the grant.
Within the third year students should take an exam, similar to the examfor admission to the second and third year, which qualifies him or herto sit the final examination.

Art. 4 - APPLICATION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SELECTION
Application should be made using the application form attached to this announcement.
The application, including a photocopy of the candidate's identity cardor passport, must arrive at the University of Trento by the 23rd ofSeptember 2005 in one of the following ways:
-    by hand to the University of Trento - UfficioDottorati di Ricerca, Via Inama 5 - 38100 Trento (TN), from 10:00 am to12:00 a.m., Monday to Friday;
-    by mail to the following address: "MagnificoRettore dell'Università degli Studi di Trento - via Belenzani 12 -38100 Trento (TN), ITALY" (please, write "PhD Programme in MaterialsEngineering" on the envelope);
-    by fax to the following number: +39 0461 882191.

The applicant should ensure that the address given for correspondenceand the telephone number are correct and that any changes are reportedas soon as possible to the University of Trento - Ufficio Dottorati diRicerca. The University of Trento does not accept responsibility formistakes made by post offices.
Applications arriving after the 23rd of September 2005 will not be considered, even if sent before this date.

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.

Applications should include:
-    a photocopy of the applicant's identity card or passport;
-    degree certificate or degree self-certification(according to Presidential Decree no. 445 of 28.12.2000 concerning EUcitizens) with a list of the examinations passed successfully and thescores obtained in each examination (except for candidates who have notyet obtained the degree certificate when they present the applicationas outlined in Art. 2 of the announcement).
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 scoresobtained, signed under their own responsibility, so as to allow theDoctoral School Committee e to declare the equivalence, valid for theonly purpose of participating in the selection.
-    curriculum studiorum;
-    any certificates proving the knowledge of the English language;
-    any other qualifications useful for assessment ofthe applicant (dissertations, scientific publications, workspublishing).

If, pursuant to submission of their application, applicants have to addfurther information, it must reach the University offices by the 23rdof September 2005. The applicant's name, the Doctorate School he or sheis applying for and the subject ("integrazione domanda") must beclearly written on the 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.
Any time, candidates not fulfilling the requirements requested, can beleft out the selection for the School of Doctoral Studies.

Closing Date: 23 September 2005

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

[Contributor: Lianita Prawindarti]