Applications are now being accepted for the  2018/19 PhD Programs at the IMT School for Advanced Studies Lucca (www.imtlucca.it), one of the six Schools of Excellence in Italy and one of the highest rated graduate schools in Europe according to the most recent U-Multirank survey.  Highly motivated candidates from all disciplines are invited to apply for one of the 36 fully-funded scholarships within two doctoral Programs that integrate scientific competences of economics, engineering, computer science, neuroscience and behavioral psychology, physics, applied mathematics, statistics, history and sciences of cultural heritage.

One of the four field-specific tracks is Cognitive, Computational and Social Neurosciences, which is under the “Cognitive and Cultural Systems” PhD Program. This research-based, multidisciplinary doctorate program focuses on cognitive, computational and social neurosciences. Students will attend multiple courses, including fundamentals in cognitive psychology, behavioral and social neuroscience, forensic psychopathology, neuropsychology, psychophysiology, neural basis of perception, neural basis of consciousness, philosophy of science, critical thinking, structural and functional neuroimaging, and basic/advanced methods for data analysis. In particular, the program is designed to train researchers who will contribute to knowledge in areas such as sensation and perception; sleep and consciousness; motor system and action; neuroplasticity and learning; language and concept representation; emotion and motivation; social psychology; decision-making processes; neuroethics; philosophy and neuroscience in moral reasoning; forensic psychology and psychopathology. During their doctoral studies, students are encouraged to carry out their research with the School’s Research Units.

Courses are led by world-renowned researchers and provide students with all the theoretical skills and advanced tools required for rigorously tackling a multitude of analysis, design and management problems within the broad framework of systems analysis in economic, social, scientific, technological and cultural domains. Specialized faculty and staff create a network that provides key guidance and support throughout the PhD Program. Working closely with faculty, both in the classroom and in the development of research, students reach the highest levels of scholarly achievement. IMT School PhD graduates will be able to use the skills they acquired during their studies to recognize and resolve complex problems, to choose the most appropriate method or instrument to utilize when approaching these problems, even in disciplines outside of their primary field of research. 

All students are based in the recently restored San Francesco complex, a fully integrated Campus in the historical center of the beautiful Tuscan city of Lucca. The Campus includes renewed residential facilities, an on-site canteen, study and living rooms, a state-of-the-art library and outdoor recreational spaces, which foster a unique cultural, professional and social environment for our doctoral program. Eligible students, in addition to free room and board, will also receive a research scholarship which amounts to approximately €15,300/year. Additional funding for further research stages, including scholarships to cover an eventual fourth year to complete the PhD thesis, can be assigned on a competitive basis.