Italian second cycle master's degree (“Laurea Magistrale”, under D.M. 270/04 or “Laurea Specialistica”, under D.M. 509/99) or Italian degree obtained prior to D.M. 509/99 (the previous Italian regulations) or Second cycle Master's degree obtained abroad, equivalent to the above-mentioned Italian degrees and recognized as suitable for the admission to doctoral program.
Further information available in the Call.

The PhD Program in Mathematics offers numerous career opportunities, thanks to the high level of training in mathematical research and its applications provided throughout the course of study. Potential career paths and professional opportunities include research positions in both academic settings and public or private institutions, roles as science education coordinators in schools and private organizations, as well as positions in technologically advanced sectors of services and production.

Among the most common career options are:

Academic Researcher: A PhD in Mathematics is the most common path to becoming a university professor or researcher in various areas of mathematics and applied mathematics, both in Italy and abroad.

Industrial Research: Mathematical skills are in demand in many companies, particularly in the fields of technology, finance, and data management.

Data Analyst: Data analysis has become a highly sought-after field in recent years, especially in the context of artificial intelligence. A PhD in Mathematics can provide the necessary skills to work as a data analyst.

Financial Analyst: Banks and other financial institutions often hire experts in financial mathematics, who use mathematics to analyze financial risks and develop investment strategies.

Programming Manager: Programming requires a solid understanding of mathematics and computational logic. A PhD in Mathematics can prepare students to take on leadership roles in software development for complex projects.

Qualified Secondary School Teachers or Administrators, thanks to their advanced skills in mathematics and, more generally, scientific subjects.

Experts in European Union Research Program Development, including for public/private research centers capable of designing and implementing applied research and innovation projects.

Advanced skills in mathematical models and methods are also in high demand in other areas, such as insurance companies, biomedical and pharmaceutical centers, managerial positions in public and private institutions, public administration leadership, and professional consulting and service companies. In these fields, mathematics graduates may be employed to carry out high-level analysis, develop new models and mathematical methods, and contribute to solving complex problems.

As highlighted in meetings with representatives of key production and professional organizations, mathematical training offers added value compared to other STEM disciplines. Profiles capable of understanding modern scientific literature and translating it clearly and effectively for their team members are increasingly essential in companies focused on technology and innovation development. To support this important aspect, the PhD program will include appropriate consultation sessions with stakeholders involved in defining the desired professional profiles, through public events such as meetings and workshops involving all PhD students.

The aim of the training program is to develop a PhD student's ability to work as part of a team. Therefore, educational activities must also support the ability to promote an understanding of the current transformations in productive systems. Given the growing need for mathematical formalization, mathematical skills can make a decisive contribution.

The PhD Program in Mathematics has as its primary goal the training of highly qualified professionals in the field of mathematics, capable of conducting independent research and producing original and significant results. This objective is achieved through a highly specialized educational program structured over three years, aimed at developing research skills in mathematics and its potential applications.

One of the main objectives of the program is to train mathematicians who can fully exploit the potential of mathematical and statistical tools and methods to address the inherent complexity of problems posed by applied sciences and industry. Mathematics today plays a fundamental role in the development of machine learning algorithms and data analysis, which underpin intelligent systems. In particular, machine learning relies on techniques from linear algebra, functional analysis, and probability theory to develop models that can learn from data and make autonomous decisions. Additionally, graph theory and computational geometry are of great importance in the field of artificial intelligence for data representation and visualization, as well as for the development of optimization and search algorithms.

Furthermore, the PhD program aims to improve the teaching of mathematics—and, more broadly, scientific disciplines—in upper secondary schools, universities, and also in private and accredited training institutions, by promoting the dissemination of mathematical culture and the training of highly qualified teachers.

The first-year curriculum includes a series of advanced theoretical courses taught by members of the PhD Faculty Board, as well as participation in workshops and summer schools led by international scholars. These courses, which are monitored annually and updated in line with the cultural and scientific developments of the discipline, offer students the opportunity to acquire advanced knowledge in various fields of mathematics and to establish direct contact with the international scientific community. In addition, students follow customized courses under the guidance of a tutor, introducing them to the specific topics of their research. This training lays the foundation for the doctoral student’s autonomy in conceiving, designing, carrying out, and disseminating research and/or innovation projects, with the support of their tutors, the Faculty Board, and potentially internationally recognized external tutors or co-tutors.

From the second year onward, the program is structured to allow students to focus primarily on their chosen research project, once the required courses and exams have been completed. This structure enables students to deepen their knowledge and acquire advanced expertise in their area of interest, conducting high-quality research that can lead to original and impactful results. To this end, doctoral students are provided with adequate financial and infrastructural resources to carry out their research activities, through both university funds dedicated to the PhD program and research funds from their supervisors. Additionally, the PhD program encourages and allows participation in teaching and tutoring activities, as long as they remain compatible with the students' research commitments.

Great attention is given to the writing of the doctoral thesis, with annual assessments of each student’s research progress. The thesis represents the culmination of the training process, where students demonstrate that they have acquired the skills necessary to carry out independent research and produce original and relevant outcomes. In this way, the PhD in Mathematics contributes to the training of highly qualified professionals capable of successfully entering both the academic and industrial sectors.