Mission
The aim of our PhD program is to train the next generation of leaders in molecular and statistical biophysics. Our vision is to empower students with deep expertise in key fields such as statistical mechanics, molecular dynamics, polymer physics and computation. Through this multi-disciplinary approach, we intend to provide our students with the tools necessary to understand and manipulate complex biological systems. We envision a collaborative learning community that encourages innovative thinking, rigorous scientific inquiry, and robust problem-solving skills. Our graduates will be prepared to excel in both academic and industry settings, driving innovative breakthroughs and contributing to the evolution of biophysics.
Teaching Faculty
Giovanni Bussi
Molecular and Statistical Biophysics
Ali Hassanali
ICTP
Alessandro Laio
Theoretical and Scientific Data Science
Alessandra Magistrato
CNR-Democritos
Cristian Micheletti
Molecular and Statistical Biophysics
Angelo Rosa
Molecular and Statistical Biophysics
Guido Sanguinetti
Theoretical and Scientific Data Science
Christoph Zechner
Molecular and Statistical Biophysics
About the programme
The duration of the PhD is four years. After an eight-month intensive training period with lectures on a wide spectrum of advanced topics, the students start their own research activity under the supervision of a faculty member. Research is carried out in frequent contact with the supervisor and collaborators.
In addition to attending colloquia, seminars and journal clubs within the group, PhD students also benefit from existing collaborations with a large number of international research institutes. Dedicated travel funds allow students to attend summer schools and international workshops.
During their first year, PhD students of the Molecular and Statistical Biophysics program take the courses in the table listed below. The successful completion of these courses is a prerequisite for being admitted to the second year. Specific exceptions for non-attendance can be approved by the PhD faculty in justified cases (e.g. a student has already a well-documented expertise in the topic covered by a course). In addition to the compulsory course work, students attend at least one additional course offered by another SISSA PhD program. The choice of this course is left to the student, who informs the coordinator of their choice.
| Course | Teachers | UCF | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biochemistry | Alessandra Magistrato | 5.00 | Jan – Mar |
| Molecular Biophysical Chemistry | Ali Hassanali | 3.00 | Feb – Mar |
| Polymer Physics | Angelo Rosa | 4.50 | Oct – Dec |
| Statistical Mechanics for Soft Matter Systems | Cristian Micheletti | 5.00 | Oct – Dec |
| Stochastic Processes in Biophysics | Christoph Zechner | 4.50 | Jan – Mar |
| Theoretical Foundations of Molecular Dynamics | Giovanni Bussi | 7.50 | Oct – Feb |
| Unsupervised Learning and non-Parametric methods | Alessandro Laio Alex Rodriguez | 6.33 | Mar – Apr |
For further information about the PhD programme, please contact the programme coordinator Prof. Cristian Micheletti ().
How to Apply
PhD candidates are selected twice a year on a competitive basis based on a written and oral exam and taking into consideration their CVs, undergraduate transcripts, and reference letters. Applicants should have a good background in Physics and/or Chemistry and/or Applied Mathematics and are expected to obtain their MSc (Laurea Magistrale) or equivalent degree by end of October in the respective year.
To apply to our PhD programme, please refer to the Join Us page.
Previous Exams
Examples of written entry exams from previous years are provided blow:
PhD Regulation
The PhD programme in Molecular and Statistical Biophysics is regulated by the general SISSA PhD regulations and by the didactic regulation.