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Scholarship A:
Numerical general relativity for high energy astrophysics
Contacts: Prof. Olindo Zanotti olindo.zanotti@unitn.it and Prof. Michael Dumbser michael.dumbser@unitn.it
Synthetic description of the activity and expected research outcome: The research activity to be carried out this PhD fellowship concerns the development of new numerical methods for the approximate solution of the Einstein field equations in complex astrophysical systems that include matter, electromagnetic fields, and neutrino transport. The candidate will be inserted in an existing long-range research program where a successful first order hyperbolic formulation of the Einstein field equations has already been provided and tested, but that is prone to further improvements on the mathematical, physical and computational side. Binary astrophysical systems of black holes/neutron stars will be the natural target of this program, with various additional physical processes that might be included, such as accretion discs and relativistic jets. To this scope, nuclear matter equations of state, dissipative effects in general relativistic fluids, magnetohydrodynamics (MHD), both, ideal and/or resistive, neutrino transport will become a necessary complement to the computational infrastructure. The planned research activity has a strong focus towards the development of new high order accurate numerical schemes for general relativity, preferably the recent class of Discontinuous Galerkin (DG) finite elements, for their recognized properties in resolving tiny details of nonlinear dynamical systems. The research will also consider novel compatible space discretizations of hyperbolic systems of partial differential equations with applications to the Einstein field equations.
Ideal candidate (skills and competencies): The ideal candidate should have a very good background in classical general relativity, with particular interests in its formal mathematical aspects, as well as skills in tensorial calculus. In addition, strong skills in scientific computing are required, with preference for candidates that are already familiar with programming languages and numerical methods in general relativity. Moreover, the candidate should be interested in multi messenger high energy astrophysics (gravitational waves, non-thermal radiation, neutrino emission), especially black holes and neutron stars in binary systems. Finally, the candidate must be ready to interact positively with a dynamic research environment in applied mathematics
Scholarship B-C
Quantum fields simulation with superfluid mixtures
Research group link: https://bec.science.unitn.it/Exp
Contacts: Gabriele Ferrari, gabriele.ferrari@unitn.it
Synthetic description of the activity and expected research outcome: Ultracold atomic gases offer a flexible platform to address open problems in fundamental physics such as quantum many-body physics, transport phenomena, quantum simulation of fundamental interactions and gauge fields. The project focuses on the experimental study of coherently-coupled superfluid mixtures to simulate the effects of quantum vacuum fluctuations or thermal fluctuations in field theories.
Ideal candidate (skills and competencies): The ideal candidate should posses good knowledge of quantum mechanics, statistical physics, atomic physics with applications to data analysis and experimental research. The PhD student will work in the experimental group within the interdisciplinary environment of the BEC Center (http://bec.science.unitn.it), where research both on theory and experiments is done covering a wide range of themes.
Previous experinece in the realization and alignment of optical setups is appreciated.
Scholarship D:
Memristive photonic quantum reservoir computing
Research group link: Nanoscience laboratory http://nanolab.physics.unitn.it/
Contacts: Stefano Azzini (stefano.azzini@unitn.it) and Lorenzo Pavesi (lorenzo.pavesi@unitn.it)
Synthetic description of the activity and expected research outcome: This project pioneers memristive photonic quantum hardware for next-generation information processing. By harnessing quantum dynamics and intrinsic memory effects, it aims to develop and benchmark integrated quantum reservoirs based on coupled photonic memristors, enabling scalable and hardware-efficient quantum and hybrid classical-quantum neural architectures at the convergence of quantum science, AI and integrated photonics.
Ideal candidate (skills and competencies): Knowledge of quantum photonics and integrated photonics. Previous experience with measuring integrated photonic chip is appreaciated
Scholarship E:
Nuclear Processes and Advanced Materials for Next-Generation Reactor Technologies
Research group link: https://www.ectstar.eu
Contacts: Simone Taioli - European Centre for Theoretical Studies in Nuclear Physics and Related Areas (ECT*), Fondazione Bruno Kessler, Strada delle Tabarelle, 286 - 38123 Trento (Italy)
Synthetic description of the activity and expected research outcome: This PhD project integrates advanced materials modelling and theoretical nuclear physics to support next-generation nuclear energy systems, with a particular focus on Small Modular Reactors and spent nuclear fuel management. The research will examine radiation- and high-temperature-resistant high-entropy alloys using ab initio, many-body, and Monte Carlo methods, complemented by simulations of beta-decay chains relevant to post-fission energy release. Neural networks and other machine learning techniques will accelerate the discovery of radiation-resistant materials, predict material degradation under irradiation, and assist in designing advanced alloys for next-generation reactors. The project aims to address open challenges in materials physics and nuclear theory, contributing to the understanding and design of novel materials for extreme environments and to improved modelling of nuclear processes. Expected outcomes include validated computational tools, new insights into the properties of advanced structural materials, and theoretical results relevant to safe, sustainable nuclear energy and nuclear waste management, in line with European and Italian strategic research priorities.
Ideal candidate (skills and competencies): The ideal candidate should have a strong background in condensed matter physics, materials science, or a closely related field, with solid knowledge of quantum mechanics (partial wave expansion method) and statistical mechanics (Monte Carlo method). Experience in computational physics and programming (e.g. Python, C/C++ or similar), as well as familiarity with electronic structure methods such as density functional theory or many-body techniques, will be considered an asset. The candidate should demonstrate strong analytical skills, motivation to work at the interface of materials modelling and nuclear theory, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively in an international research environment.
Scholarship F:
Spatially Fractionated Proton Therapy: Biophysical Optimization of proton minibeams
Research group link: https://sites.google.com/unitn.it/bimergroup/
Contacts Emanuele Scifoni emanuele.scifoni@tifpa.infn.it and Francesco Tommasino mailto:francesco.tommasino@unitn.it
Synthetic description of the activity and expected research outcome: Recent experimental evidence demonstrated that proton beams focused through specific collimation in a grid of beamlets result in a reduction of damaging effects to normal tissues. The present project will aim at developing a novel approach for including the peculiar biophysical effect verified in spatially fractionated treatments with protons, into a specific treatment planning approach accounting for the differential response of normal tissues and tumor targets at a specific location inside an irradiated patient, thus exploiting to the full this new irradiation modality.
Ideal candidate (skills and competencies): Radiation Biophysics and/or Medical Physics expertise. Basic knowledge of Particle physics interaction. Interest for mathematical modeling and simulation, scientific programming.
Scholarship G:
A multi-disciplinary approach to plastic pollution: developing physical-chemical-biological tools to trace micro and nanoplastic fate and ecological impacts
Research group link: https://www.physics.unitn.it/845/chimica-bioorganica https://www.muse.it/en/home/research-and-collections/climate-and-ecology/
Contacts: Claudio Gioia (claudio.gioia@unitn.it) and Valeria Lencioni (Valeria.Lencioni@muse.it)
Synthetic description of the activity and expected research outcome: Micro- and nanoplastic characterization, as well as the study of their environmental impact and distribution, is a relatively new field expected to become a major environmental challenge in the next decade. While several physicochemical methods exist for microplastics, nanoplastics remain largely understudied, particularly regarding their biological effects on wildlife. This PhD project aims to address this gap by integrating physical, chemical and biological approaches to develop reference methods for assessing the presence and fate of MNPs and their impact on aquatic life (insects). The protocol is designed to be scalable and adaptable to vertebrates, specifically birds, to evaluate the bioaccumulation and systemic effects of plastic debris through the trophic chain.
Ideal candidate (skills and competencies): Surface chemical modification of micro and nanoparticles, Knowledge concerning polymer chemistry, Raman Spectroscopy, ecotoxicology (indoor experiments and biochemical assays).
Scholarship H:
Electroweak Matrix Elements in Medium-Light Nuclei from Neural Quantum States
Contacts: Prof. Francesco Pederiva (francesco.pederiva@unitn.it) ; Dr. Simone Taioli (taioli@ectstar.eu) and Prof. Ubirajara van Kolck (vankolck@ectstar.eu)
Synthetic description of the activity and expected research outcome: Neural networks are known to be universal approximants for any function in an arbitrary number of variables. This property has been exploited in recent years in conjunction with Variational Monte Carlo methods and efficient optimization techniques to obtain excellent representations of the ground state of many-body quantum systems. Such wavefunctions are known as neural quantum states (NQS). Application of NQS to the study of medium-light nuclei provided very accurate energies and estimates of other observables. Among them it is possible to compute matrix elements to be used in the study of electroweak processes, as for instance beta decay, both in the hadronic and in the leptonic sectors. The Ph.D. student will become an expert in the use of such techniques, providing results that will be exploited in the analysis of experimental data and in view of applications in astrophysical contexts and in the search of physics beyond the Standard Model.
Ideal candidate (skills and competencies): The ideal candidate has a sound background in quantum mechanics at M.Sc. level, and an inclination towards the use of numerical techniques. Programming skills in C, C++ or Python will be of great help.
Scholarship I:
Development of superconducting circuits for quantum sensing
Research group link https://sites.google.com/fbk.eu/federica-mantegazzini/research
Contacts: Federica Mantegazzini f.mantegazzini@unitn.it
Synthetic description of the activity and expected research outcome: Superconducting quantum circuits have emerged as a premier platform for microwave quantum optics and advanced quantum sensing. By exploring novel parameter regimes and tailoring circuit architectures, it is possible to investigate complex many-body physics and generate highly entangled microwave states. This PhD project focuses on the development of specialized superconducting circuits, including nonlinear waveguides and cavity arrays, designed to engineer exotic quantum states and probe emergent phenomena. The scope of work encompasses the full experimental cycle: from initial design and simulation to cleanroom microfabrication and experiments at cryogenic temperatures.
Ideal candidate (skills and competencies): Good knowledge of solid-state physics, quantum optics physics and/or physics of superconductivity. Proficiency in Python coding.
Interest in cryogenics and hands-on experimental activities.
Scholarship J-K:
Particle, astroparticle, nuclear, theoretical physics, related technologies and applications, including medical Physics
Contacts: For further information on the possible research topics see www.infn.it or contact Rita Dolesi for experimental Physics ( Rita.Dolesi@unitn.it ); Francesco Pederiva for theoretical Physics ( Francesco.Pederiva@unitn.it )
Emanuele Scifoni ( mailto:emanuele.scifoni@tifpa.infn.it ) and Francesco Tommasino for applied and medical physics (francesco.tommasino@tifpa.infn.it)
Synthetic description of the activity and expected research outcome: The thesis topics will be selected within the many areas of forefront research pursued at Trento Institute for Fundamental Physics and Applications (TIFPA) of INFN. Current main activities include:
1) experimental particle and astroparticle Physics,
2) experimental gravitation both earth and space based,
3) gravitational wave astronomy,
4) antimatter related experiments,
5) R&D on particle and radiation detectors and other solid state quantum micro devices,
6) computational Physics and AstroPhysics,
7) theory of fundamental interactions,
8) theoretical cosmology,
9) medical physics applied to therapy with high energy charged particles.