Research topics of the doctorate

PhD Scholarship Title Combining integrative polymer modeling and machine learning to model genome reorganization in cancer cells
Research group link https://sbp.physics.unitn.it
Contacts Luca Tubiana: luca.tubiana [at] unitn.it
Synthetic description of the activity and expected research outcome Chromatin behaves like a viscoelastic polymer. Its biophysical properties guide the 3D genome folding and has been recently linked to alteration of genomic functions in human diseases. This has opened the possibility to study the physical properties of chromatin through High Performance Computing (HPC) simulations to understand the evolution of specific diseases and how healthy cells sometimes mutate into tumors. This interdisciplinary project leverages high-quality, multilevel data on chromosome organization in healthy, tumorigenic, and metastatic breast cancer cells to build advanced computational models of chromatin reorganization in breast cancer. The first part of the project will use machine learning approaches to identify regions of chromosomes that show possible local reorganizations. The second part of the project will focus on these regions, building and simulating data-driven polymer physics models to characterize the evolution of their physical properties with the progression of breast cancer. The project is a collaboration between the Statistical and Biological Physics group of the University of Trento, the laboratory of Chromatin Biology and Epigenetics of the university of Trento, and the statistical Physics of Complex and Biological Physics group of the University of Padova.
Ideal candidate (skills and competencies): The ideal candidate has a master’s in physics/quantitative biology/chemistry/material science, or a related background. S/He shows a passion for interdisciplinary topics, particularly biophysics and complex systems, and has demonstrated strong coding skills and the ability to translate physics/math/biology concepts into code. Knowledge of Python, C, or Julia is a plus. Curiosity, independence, and the ability to communicate and work in a team are highly appreciated.

PhD Scholarship Title Exciton dynamics from first-principles [Funded by: Progetto CN1 – HPC – SPOKE 7 Codice progetto CN_00000013 CUP E63C22000970007]
Research group link https://mattheory.physics.unitn.it/
Contacts pierluigi.cudazzo [at] unitn.it
Synthetic description of the activity and expected research outcome Among the emerging fields of condensed−matter physics is "excitonics". It aims at the realization of devices operating with excitons instead of electrons, with a great potential to achieve a breakthrough in optoelectronics. An exciton is an excited state of matter consisting of a bound electron−hole pair that is generated by photon absorption and represents the crucial intermediate for energy transduction and nano-scale light control. To achieve this ambitious goal the exciton must be controlled and manipulated during its formation. The aim of this proposal is the development of theoretical tools for the description of exciton dynamics. In particular, the problem of exciton dynamics will be addressed using a rate equation for excitons where the coupling with other degrees of freedom (such as lattice vibrations) responsible for exciton thermalization will be taken into account through an effective exciton potential that will be approximated. In this way we will be able to investigate exciton dynamics and simulate basic out-of-equilibrium spectroscopies such as transient absorption and time resolved photoluminescence. The basic questions we want to answer to are: What are the physical mechanisms governing exciton relaxation and decoherence processes? How are they related to the electronic structure of materials? How can materials be engineered in order to tune exciton lifetime and decoherence length and to control exciton flux? The proposal will impact chemistry, physics, energy and material engineering. Indeed, from one side the developed theoretical tool will give access to new physical phenomena that have never been investigated using full ab-initio methods, from the other side it will allow the design of new materials and compounds for excitonic technology.
Ideal candidate (skills and competencies): Basic knowledge of condensed matter physics and many body Green’s function theory; Programming skills: Fortran, Python, Unix.

PhD Scholarship Title Plasma-assisted hydrogen production from biomethane and biogas
Research group link https://greendealtrento.eu/ https://molecular.physics.unitn.it/
Contacts Luca Matteo Martini (luca.martini.1 [at] unitn.it).
Synthetic description of the activity and expected research outcome When powered by renewable energy sources, plasma-assisted thermal decomposition of biomethane/biogas is a green process that can be considered an economical route to produce CO2-free hydrogen. The project aims to design and develop a microwave plasma reactor to assist the thermal cracking of methane and the CO2 dry reforming process. In addition, the candidate will define the analytical methodology to detect and quantify the products at the exit of the plasma and thermal reactors. The Ph.D. student will characterize the process to understand and optimize the production mechanisms of H2. This Ph.D. will be part of the H2@TN project (https://greendealtrento.eu/).
Ideal candidate (skills and competencies): We are looking for a talented and motivated student with a background in experimental physics or chemical physics. Experience in the field of non-thermal plasma processing will be a plus. She/he should have a strong attitude to teamwork and problem-solving.

PhD Scholarship Title Quantum Monte Carlo approaches in Fock space [Funded by: Progetto CN1 – HPC – SPOKE 7 Codice progetto CN_00000013 CUP E63C22000970007]
Research group link https://webapps.unitn.it/du/it/Persona/PER0016084/Pubblicazioni
Contacts Alessandro Roggero a.roggero [at] unitn.it
Synthetic description of the activity and expected research outcome Among the emerging fields of condensed−matter physics is "excitonics". It aims at the realization of devices operating with excitons instead of electrons, with a great potential to achieve a breakthrough in optoelectronics. An exciton is an excited state of matter consisting of a bound electron−hole pair that is generated by photon absorption and represents the crucial intermediate for energy transduction and nano-scale light control. To achieve this ambitious goal the exciton must be controlled and manipulated during its formation. The aim of this proposal is the development of theoretical tools for the description of exciton dynamics. In particular, the problem of exciton dynamics will be addressed using a rate equation for excitons where the coupling with other degrees of freedom (such as lattice vibrations) responsible for exciton thermalization will be taken into account through an effective exciton potential that will be approximated. In this way we will be able to investigate exciton dynamics and simulate basic out-of-equilibrium spectroscopies such as transient absorption and time resolved photoluminescence. The basic questions we want to answer to are: What are the physical mechanisms governing exciton relaxation and decoherence processes? How are they related to the electronic structure of materials? How can materials be engineered in order to tune exciton lifetime and decoherence length and to control exciton flux? The proposal will impact chemistry, physics, energy and material engineering. Indeed, from one side the developed theoretical tool will give access to new physical phenomena that have never been investigated using full ab-initio methods, from the other side it will allow the design of new materials and compounds for excitonic technology.
Ideal candidate (skills and competencies): Basic knowledge of condensed matter physics and many body Green’s function theory; Programming skills: Fortran, Python, Unix.

PhD Scholarship Title Sustainable materials for Solar Fuels Production [Progetto INEST– SPOKE 3 Codice Progetto ECS00000043 CUP E63C22001030007]
Research group link https://www.physics.unitn.it/en/104/idea-hydrogen-energy-environment
Contacts Michele Orlandi – michele.orlandi [at] unit.it
Synthetic description of the activity and expected research outcome Sunlight-driven redox reactions at solid-liquid interfaces are at the hearth of potentially transformative energy research: from energy accumulation into the chemical bonds of clean fuels like H2, to the photosynthesis of value-added products, such as fuels or pharmaceuticals, from CO2. A key challenge for materials physics is to provide a novel generation of materials which are highly efficient but also industrially scalable and environmentally compatible. In this framework, the PhD student will synthesize and investigate sustainable functional materials based on C, N and transition metals, aiming to define design guidelines for the field.
Ideal candidate (skills and competencies): Experimental Physics, Solid state physics, Materials Physics and Chemistry, Nanomaterials, General and Inorganic Chemistry, Electrochemistry.

PhD Scholarship Title Multiscale modeling of Ultra high Dose Rate electron beams radiobiological response
Research group link https://sites.google.com/unitn.it/bimergroup https://www.nano.cnr.it/researcher-profile/valentina-tozzini/
Contacts emanuele.scifoni [at] unitn.it valentina.tozzini [at] nano.cnr.it
Synthetic description of the activity and expected research outcome Growing experimental evidence shows that radiotherapy delivered at high dose rates with specific modalities is able to spare normal tissue, maintaining therapeutic efficacy, the “FLASH effect”. However, the clinical exploitation is limited by the poor comprehension of the underpinning molecular mechanism. The recently commissioned Centro Pisano for FLASH Radiotherapy (CPFR) offers a low energy electrons beamline with unprecedented flexibility in terms of dose delivery parameters, allowing systematic investigation of different conditions to the onset of the FLASH effect. Such experimental efforts, must be complemented by dedicated biophysical modeling investigations for interpreting the results and putting them in a clear mechanistic picture. The aim of this PhD is the development of a multiscale modeling framework to analyze the alternative pathways considered as potential drivers of the FLASH effect as a function of the type (electron, proton, photons, ions) and conditions (dose rates, oxygenation, pH, medium composition) of irradiations, by following the formation, diffusion and reaction of radicals and the DNA damage formation and evolution. The student will be based in Trento but will schedule several periods in Pisa to perform the molecular dynamics part in Pisa team. Intense exchanges with the CPFR are foreseen during these periods. In Trento a collaboration with the local group of Computational Biophysics is envisaged. Visits to GSI Biophysics dept (Darmstadt) will be scheduled to develop tools in the TRAXCHEM code in connection with the main developer Michael Kraemer, long-lasting collaborator of the TIFPA team.
Ideal candidate (skills and competencies): Good programming skills Knowledge and previous experience in biomedical physics Previous experience and interest in biophysical modeling

PhD Scholarship Title 2D materials for hydrogen splitting
Research group link https://mattheory.physics.unitn.it/
Contacts m.calandrabuonaura [at] unitn.it
Synthetic description of the activity and expected research outcome The candidate will investigate 2D materials for hydrogen splitting. In particular, by using density functional theory and manybody perturbation theory techniques he/she will investigate the structural electronic and optical properties (excitons and exciton dispersions) of several g-CxNy materials from monolayer to bulk. Most important he/she will try to address the potential of these materials for water splitting.
Ideal candidate (skills and competencies): Good knowledge of quantum mechanics and solid state physics, Experience in manybody perturbation theory. Computational condensed matter physics profile.

PhD Scholarship Title Innovative materials for hydrogen splitting
Research group link https://mattheory.physics.unitn.it/
Contacts m.calandrabuonaura [at] unitn.it
Synthetic description of the activity and expected research outcome The understanding of technologically relevant materials for water splitting and hydrogen production requires a deep understanding of their optical and excitonic properties. The candidate will develop a first-principles based theoretical approach to describe the capability of materials to be used for whater splitting. A computational screening of many materials will be performed and the optical properties of the best candidates will be studied in details. The electronic excitations spectrum will be studied by using density functional theory and advanced manybody techniques based on the GW and the Bethe Salpeter equation.
Ideal candidate (skills and competencies): Good knowledge of quantum mechanics and solid state physics, Experience in manybody perturbation theory. Computational condensed physics profile.

PhD Scholarship Title Electron-phonon interaction in photoexcited materials
Research group link https://mattheory.physics.unitn.it/
Contacts m.calandrabuonaura [at] unitn.it
Synthetic description of the activity and expected research outcome The electron-phonon coupling is at the origin of many important phenomena in physics such as electric transport, the lifetime of phonons or superconductivity. The electron-phonon interaction is also responsible for the thermalization of photoexcited carriers in semiconductors. However, calculations of the electron-phonon coupling are expensive and some kind of interpolation must be introduced. The goal of the present thesis is to improve existing interpolation techniques by using topological concepts such as Berry phases or Wannier functions. These theoretical and computational developments will then be used to explain the ultrafast thermalization of photoexcited carriers in semiconductors or phenomena such as ultrafast magnetization and demagnetization.
Ideal candidate (skills and competencies): Excellent knowledge of quantum mechanics and solid state physics. Experience in development of first principles codes will be considered a plus.

PhD Scholarship Title Discovering light-induced phases by first-principles material design
Research group link https://mattheory.physics.unitn.it/
Contacts m.calandrabuonaura [at] unitn.it
Synthetic description of the activity and expected research outcome Ultrafast pulses can be used to pump a substantial number of electrons in the conduction band of insulators. These photo-excited carriers termalize in an electron-hole plasma after some tenths of femtoseconds and can couple to the lattice. The large occupation of antibonding states can trigger phase trunsitions that occur ultrafast via a non-thermal path. However, given a material, little is known on the phase transitions and broken symmetry states that can be stabilized by ultrafast excitations. The goal of the thesis is to design new photoexcited phases of materials by using the techniques developed by G. Marini and M. Calandra, Phys. Rev. B 104, 144103 and developing new computational schemes.
Ideal candidate (skills and competencies): Excellent knowledge of quantum mechanics and solid state physics. Experience in development of first principles codes will be considered a plus.

PhD Scholarship Title Neuromorphic Photonics and its applications
Research group link http://nanolab.physics.unitn.it/
Contacts prof. Lorenzo Pavesi
Synthetic description of the activity and expected research outcome The research is about the design, testing and modeling of photonic integrated neural network for time series analysis and optical communication data equalization at more than 10 Gbps. The PhD student will characterize the device by using state of the art photonic components and will demonstrate the working principle of the same. The neural networks will be based on linear and nonlinear photonic components such as microring resonator and optical semiconductor amplifiers.
Ideal candidate (skills and competencies): Previous experience in integrated photonics testing and modeling. Competences in modeling and computer programming (python programming, FEM and FDTD) are appreciated.

PhD Scholarship Title Non-Conventional Approaches to the Many-Body Nuclear Problem
Contacts Francesco Pederiva (francesco.pederiva [at] unitn.it) – Alessandro Lovato (lovato [at] anl.gov)
Synthetic description of the activity and expected research outcome This Ph.D. fellowship is open under a collaboration between the University of Trento and Argonne National Laboratories (ANL), in the USA. The student is expected to spend a substantial amount of time at ANL (pending admissibility) as part of her/his Ph.D. curriculum. The scope of the project is to develop Artificial-Neural-Network (ANN) wave functions that are amenable to describe atomic nuclei with high accuracy. To better monitor the progress of such a novel approach, we organize the project into three different work-packages, each terminating with its own milestones.
Year 1: Code Development. In this initial phase, the student should get acquainted with an existing Monte Carlo code with ANN wave functions in the Fock space. This will occur through progressively solving several problems of increasing difficulty, up to a point in which the code is ready for production of original work.
Year 2: Structure of nuclei up 16O and neutron matter. We will employ realistic nuclear Hamiltonians expressed in both the harmonic-oscillator and plane-wave basis to compute the structure of nuclei up to 16O and the equation of state of infinite neutron matter. To validate our results, we will carry out benchmark calculations with existing no-core shell model codes wherever possible. Comparisons with lattice and configuration-interaction quantum Monte Carlo approaches will also corroborate the accuracy of our results.
Year 3: Electron and neutrino interactions. Having validated the structure calculations, we will compute quantities relevant for electron and neutrino interactions with nuclei, such as electroweak transitions and response functions. As with the latter, we will explore using the time-dependent variational Monte Carlo algorithm to gain access to real-time dynamics of the nuclear many-body system.
Ideal candidate (skills and competencies): The ideal candidate has some background in quantum many-body theory and possibly in related computational methods. Ample time will be devoted to guiding the student towards a deep understanding of the methods and of the computational techniques involved in the project.

PhD Scholarship Title Quantum simulation of strongly-correlated and chaotic quantum systems
Research group link https://hauke-group.physics.unitn.it/
Contacts Prof. Philipp Hauke (University of Trento)
Synthetic description of the activity and expected research outcome Though often described by deceivingly simple microscopic interactions, quantum many-body systems host a manifold of intriguing emerging phenomena that appear due to strong correlations and the spread of information between many particles. These can result in exotic ground state phases without any classical analog as well as complex out-of-equilibrium phenomena. Today, many fundamental questions of strongly-correlated systems remain unsolved because generically it is intractably hard to solve their evolution equations on classical computers. However, the pristine control over quantum hardware such as ultracold atoms has now handed us an alternative way, that of solving quantum many-body systems “by experiment”. In this approach, one reproduces the microscopic evolution equations of a quantum many-body system in a device that is itself governed by quantum mechanics, as first envisioned by R. Feynman in 1982 and what is now becoming reality under the name of quantum simulation. The aim of this PhD project is to push the abilities of quantum simulation to the next level. Prime targets will be AMO implementations of systems with disorder and long-range interactions, in order to probe emerging phenomena such as chaos, scrambling of quantum information, and thermalization of closed quantum systems. The candidate will use analytical and numerical state-of-the-art methods to derive effective models and benchmark proposed implementations. The project will be performed in collaboration with leading experimental groups from AMO as well as with theorists from various fields.
Ideal candidate (skills and competencies): The ideal candidate has a strong background in quantum mechanics and quantum many-body physics, in particular in topics such as atomic physics, quantum optics, quantum information, quantum computing, and condensed matter. Furthermore, strong analytical and computational skills are required. He/she should have a high interest in cross-disciplinary research questions and in collaborating with theorists and experimentalists.

PhD Scholarship Title 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 [at] unitn.it ); Francesco Pederiva for theoretical Physics (Francesco.Pederiva [at] unitn.it) Chiara La Tessa for applied and medical physics (chiara.latessa [at] unitn.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

Topic: Quantum many-body physics
Research group link: https://bec.science.unitn.it/BEC/0_Home.html
Contacts: Giacomo Lamporesi giacomo.lamporesi [at] ino.cnr.it
Synthetic description of the activity and expected research outcome: The candidate will be involved in one of the cutting-edge research directions that are active at the Pitaevskii BEC Center. Ultracold atomic gases offer a flexible platform to address open problems in fundamental physics such as many-body properties in quantum gases, transport phenomena, quantum simulation of fundamental interactions and gauge fields. In particular, the PhD student will be involved in the study and characterization of magnetic and topological phenomena emerging in superfluid mixtures. Depending on the candidate interests, the research could focus on experimental or theoretical aspects of the problem, anyway in strong synergy with all the researchers facing it. Other systems where many-body physics is theoretically explored at the BEC Center include photonic systems, quantum fluids of light, solid-state quantum devices as superconducting circuits, quantum nanoconductors, optomechanical systems and hybrid nanostructures. Another possible topic is the theoretical study of the solid-state quantum devices as superconducting circuits, quantum nanoconductors, optomechanical systems and hybrid nanostructures.
Ideal candidate (skills and competencies): Interest and motivation in studying fundamental properties of matter at ultracold temperatures. Knowledge of python language would be welcome.

Topic: New concepts of search for antimatter in space
Research group link: https://www.physics.unitn.it/en/237/astro-particle-physics
Contacts: Prof. Roberto Iuppa roberto.iuppa [at] unitn.it
Synthetic description of the activity and expected research outcome: The PhD project aims at studying a new experimental technique to directly and effectively measure cosmic antiparticles (antinuclei, positrons) from 1 GeV to 30 TeV, extending the reach of state-of-the-art experiments and improving their sensitivity in already explored rigidity regions. The candidate will work in close contact with the AMS-02 collaboration and his/her work will regard both data analysis and Monte Carlo simulation as well as participating to hardware development efforts towards future projects, based on the ALADiNO and the LAMP proposals.
Ideal candidate (skills and competencies): Competence on programming and data analysis (eg. C++, root)

Topic: Development of DL algorithms for online (on-board) event reconstruction for space experiments
Research group link: https://www.physics.unitn.it/en/237/astro-particle-physics
Contacts: Prof. Roberto Iuppa roberto.iuppa [at] unitn.it Francesco Follega PhD francesco.follega [at] unitn.it
Synthetic description of the activity and expected research outcome: Description: Particle/astroparticle physics detectors in space are equipped with trigger systems to ensure the acquisition of events of high scientific interest. These systems, designed to be reliable and fast, rely on of coincidences/anticoincidences between signals from sub-detectors and therefore have limited selection possibilities. A reconstruction of real-time events represents a point of interest for the development of detectors that are highly accepting and have expected acquisition rates of hundreds of kHz or even at MHz. One possible solution is to use artificial intelligence algorithms (Deep Neural Networks) implemented on FPGA devices, which are on board many space experiments. Neural networks represent a possibility to perform an online L1 reconstruction by combining signals acquired from various subdetectors (tracking, PID, stiffness/energy reconstruction) and have computational advantages once implemented directly on FPGAs. An online reconstruction could provide an increase in the acquisition rate of selected events and a compression in the information transferred to the ground [1]. Ref: [1] "A Survey of FPGA-based Neural Network Inference Accelerators" https://doi.org/10.1145/3289185
Ideal candidate (skills and competencies): Competence on programming, deep lerning and data analysis (eg. C++, root…..)

Topic: Adhesive-less and solderless aluminum bonding onto kapton for space applications
Research group link: https://www.physics.unitn.it/en/237/astro-particle-physics
Contacts: Prof. Roberto Iuppa roberto.iuppa [at] unitn.it D. Novel novel [at] fbk.eu
Synthetic description of the activity and expected research outcome: The PhD project aims at developing of space-compliant adhesive-less and solderless bonding of the flex aluminum leads onto Al chip pads without forming an intermetallic compound, targeted to silicon strip detectors (SSD) and Monolithic Active Pixel Sensor (MAPS), sensors being both planned to be used in future particle and astroparticle applications. The technology could spill over to satellite scientific payloads, whose state-of-the-art still employ copper metals and thus could be further improved with the outcomes of this project.
Ideal candidate (skills and competencies): Experimental skills, micro electronics, instrumentation, integration of space palyloads, laboratory tests and measurements.

Topic: Study of Lithosphere-Magnetosphere interaction with network of space borne e ground based instruments
Research group link: https://www.physics.unitn.it/en/237/astro-particle-physics
Contacts: Prof. Roberto Battiston roberto.battiston [at] unitn.it Coralie Neubuser PhD coralie.neubuser [at] cern.ch
Synthetic description of the activity and expected research outcome: CSES is a multipayload detector launched in 2018 aboard CSES-02 (China Seismo-Electromagnetic Satellite). A second, identical satellite will be launched at the end of 2023 providing the first satellite constellation able to measure, simultaneously low energy particles, plasma, electromagnetic fields at altitudes around 600 km. Together with data from ground based instrument network, these data will allow the modelling of the interaction between the lithosphere and the magnetosphere, in particular to address effects due to rapid ground motions (e.g. earthquake, volcanic explosions, tsunamis) [1] Ref: [1] Magnetospheric–Ionospheric–Lithospheric Coupling Model. 1: Observations during the 5 August 2018 Bayan Earthquake, Remote Sens. 2020, 12, 3299; doi:10.
Ideal candidate (skills and competencies): Competence on programming, monte carlo simulation and data analysis (eg. C++, root …)

Topic: Reconstruction and data analysis with HEPD-02: electrons and low-energy cosmic rays.
Research group link: https://www.physics.unitn.it/en/237/astro-particle-physics
Contacts: Prof. Roberto Iuppa roberto.iuppa [at] unitn.it Francesco Follega PhD francesco.follega [at] unitn.it
Synthetic description of the activity and expected research outcome: HEPD-02 is a charged particle detector that will be launched in late 2023 aboard CSES-02 (China Seismo-Electromagnetic Satellite). It is optimized for the measurement of charged particle fluxes: electrons at (3-100 MeV) and protons (30-200 MeV), with good capabilities to identify heavier nuclei. Its main scientific goals are to monitor particles trapped in the geomagnetic field (also SAA) and to study transient phenomena related to ground-based seismic events, study solar activity, and measure low-energy cosmic rays. HEPD-02 is capable of reconstructing energy, nature and direction of arrival of the incident particle. The candidate's work will involve developing algorithms for reconstructing the data using Deep Learning techniques and then analyzing the reconstructed data. Differential fluxes in energy for electrons, protons and heavy nuclei will be determined and used for comparison and improvement of cosmic ray propagation models in the heliosphere [1]. Ref: [1] M J Boschini, Della S Torre, M Gervasi, La G Vacca and P G Rancoita. Forecasting of cosmic rays intensities with HelMod Model. Advances in Space Research in press, Available online February 1, 2022():, 2022.doi 10.1016/j.asr.2022.01.031 - Preprint.
Ideal candidate (skills and competencies): Competence on programming and data analysis (eg. C++, root)

Topic: Fractal geometries in the solar system
Research group link: https://www.physics.unitn.it/en/237/astro-particle-physics
Contacts: Prof. Leonardo Ricci Leonardo.Ricci [at] unitn.it Alessio Perinelli PhD alessio.perinelli [at] unitn.it
Synthetic description of the activity and expected research outcome: Saturn's rings are almost "flat": they have a thickness of about 10 meters, while they extend up to 280'000 km in the radial direction, exhibiting a complex structure with fine-grained modulation of density that bears a striking resemblance with the attractor set of chaotic dynamical systems (e.g. the Lorenz or Roessler systems). Indeed, it was proposed that Saturn's rings are a fractal set, and the related fractal dimension was estimated by processing several images from the Cassini spacecraft, yielding an estimated dimension of about 1.7. However, a thorough account of this property is lacking: a more sophisticated analysis, for example by considering the local density of the rings within a multifractal framework, is desirable. Moreover, a theoretical account of this fractality is still elusive. The research will tackle these issues, by first of all applying advanced techniques of fractal analysis.
Ideal candidate (skills and competencies): Competence on programming, modelling, Monte Carlo simulation, and data analysis (eg. C++, root)

Topic: Solar chaotic dynamics
Research group link: https://www.physics.unitn.it/en/237/astro-particle-physics
Contacts: Prof. Leonardo Ricci Leonardo.Ricci [at] unitn.it Alessio Perinelli PhD alessio.perinelli [at] unitn.it
Synthetic description of the activity and expected research outcome: The mechanism responsible for the quasi-periodic oscillating behavior in the number of sunspots is still not fully understood. Low-dimensional chaos has been proposed as a possible source of the observed irregularity, suggesting that sunspot variability has a deterministic origin - and is thus predictable. Interestingly, low-dimensional chaos was claimed to be present also in light curves recorded from variable stars and predicted by stellar hydrodynamic models. The search for chaotic modulation in the sunspot number time series has been so far inconclusive. Indeed, due to the limitedness of the available datasets, application of standard nonlinear analytical techniques is not straightforward and data-driven modelization of the phenomenon is called for. The research will focus on the development and applications of advanced techniques, bridging between information theory and nonlinear time series analysis, to extract information on the underlying dynamics generating a signal, with the specific aim of analyzing solar (and, possibly, stellar) data. The topic is expected to have a fallout in the framework of space weather.
Ideal candidate (skills and competencies): Competence on programming, modelling, Monte Carlo simulation, and data analysis (eg. C++, root)

Topic: Development of a particle spectrometer for a CubeSat mission
Research group link: https://www.physics.unitn.it/en/237/astro-particle-physics https://arxiv.org/abs/2212.12351
Contacts: francesco.nozzoli [at] unitn.it
Synthetic description of the activity and expected research outcome: Time-resolved measurements of differential fluxes of low energy charged particles, trapped in the magnetosphere, are interesting for Space Weather characterization and to study the coupling between the lithosphere and magnetosphere, allowing the investigation of the possible correlations between seismic events and particle precipitations from Van Allen Belts. The PhD candidate will join the UniTN-INFN-FBK group that will develop a compact (10x10x10cm3) particle spectrometer, the “Low Energy Module” (LEM). The LEM must be able to perform time-resolved measurements of energy, direction, and composition of low energy charged particles down to 0.1 MeV kinetic energy. The particle identification capability of the LEM will rely on the ∆E−E technique performed by thin silicon detectors. To fulfill the size and mass requirements of a CubeSat mission, the direction measurement is based on the “active collimation” of the detected particle. Such a detector will be launched in space as one of the payloads of the NIMBUS satellite of the planned NuSES space mission and will be considered as a stand-alone CubeSat for future space missions.
Ideal candidate (skills and competencies): The ideal candidate should possess problem solving skills and interest in experimental particle physics techniques and electronics. Knowledge of C++ or Python programming languages.

Topic: Measurement of antiproton production cross section in p-He collisions with the AMBER experiment at CERN
Research group link: https://www.tifpa.infn.it/projects/ams-02/ https://www.physics.unitn.it/en/237/astro-particle-physics https://nqf-m2.web.cern.ch
Contacts: Prof. Paolo Zuccon paolo.zuccon [at] unitn.it
Synthetic description of the activity and expected research outcome: Cosmic Rays are a powerful tool for the investigation of exotic physics/astrophysics in space. As an example, an excess of antiprotons in cosmic rays might be a signature of Dark Matter annihilation in our galaxy, however some antiprotons are present in the cosmic ray flux since they are produced by collisions of primary protons and p/He nuclei with the Inter Stellar Medium. The AMS magnetic spectrometer measured the antiproton spectrum in the cosmic rays up to 525 GeV energy. To search for a Dark Matter contribution one must compare the AMS measurement with the predictions of the secondary antiproton background. However the current knowledge of the antiproton production cross section in the p-p and p-He collisions, put an uncertainty on the background estimation that is larger than AMS measurements one. The AMBER experiment at the CERN Super Proton Synchrotron will accurately measure the p-p and p-He inelastic cross sections for antiproton production. Therefore AMBER will provide a fundamental ingredient for the search of Dark Matter annihilation the galaxy. The student will be involved in the data analysis of the AMBER experiment, data collected in 2023 and in the future measurement campaigns.
Ideal candidate (skills and competencies): The ideal candidate should possess problem solving skills and should be available to spend some period at CERN. Knowledge of C++ or Python programming language.

Topic: Beam Modulation devices for conformal FLASH proton therapy
Research group link: https://sites.google.com/unitn.it/bimergroup/
Contacts: Francesco Tommasino (francesco.tommasino [at] unitn.it) Emanuele Scifoni (emanuele.scifoni [at] tifpa.infn.it)
Synthetic description of the activity and expected research outcome: FLASH radiotherapy consists in a new and promising approach for cancer treatment, based on the experimental observation that extremely reduced irradiation time (i.e. order of 100 ms) results into sparing of normal tissue toxicity and same effectiveness on tumor cells compared to conventional irradiation, which take place on a longer time scale (i.e. tens of seconds to a few minutes). The radiobiological mechanisms behind the FLASH effect are not fully understood, and extensive research is ongoing also aiming at the clinical translation of this innovative approach. Thinking to clinical applications, protons currently appear as the ideal candidate to set-up treatments at ultra-high dose rate, thus exploiting the FLASH effect. However, there is the need to implement robust treatment, able to exploit to full potential of the protons’ depth-dose curve (i.e. the Bragg peak). This project will be dedicated to the study of 3D range modulators that, combining with the delivery of a single layer of high energy protons, would result in conformal treatments, exploiting at the same time the advantages of the FLASH effect. The research project will include both optimization and implementation of 3D RM geometries into dedicated software, including Monte Carlo codes, and experimental validation of the proposed approach. The PhD student will be also involved in the characterization of the newly realized experimental FLASH beamline in Trento.
Ideal candidate (skills and competencies): The ideal candidate has a good knowledge of radiation-matter interaction, and a basic knowledge of radiation biophysics and medical physics. The candidate should preferentially have experience with coding and Monte Carlo software.

Topic: Mathematical and artificial intelligence modelling of radiation-induced biological damage
Research group link: https://sites.google.com/unitn.it/bimergroup/home?authuser=0
Contacts: Francesco Giuseppe Cordoni / Emanuele Scifoni francesco.cordoni [at] unitn.it, scifoni [at] infn.it
Synthetic description of the activity and expected research outcome: Over the past decades, radiotherapy (RT) has demonstrated remarkable efficacy in curing cancer. The rationale for using hadrons in cancer treatment is based on their unique energy loss mechanisms, which offer significant biological benefits over photons, including enhanced tumor control and reduced damage to healthy tissues. Despite the potential superiority of hadrons in theory, additional research is crucial to fully incorporate this treatment modality into clinical practice. One of the primary obstacles to the widespread use of hadrons is the difficulty of accurately estimating the biological effect caused by the specific radiation. Over the years several mechanism-based mathematical models have been developed to understand and predict the effect of a given radiation on biological tissue. Further, more recently, modern Machine and Deep Learning (MDL) algorithms have been proposed to tackle the same problem. Despite the collective efforts of the scientific community, there is currently no universally accepted superior model for predicting the biological effect of radiation. The absence of a reliable and all-encompassing model poses a significant obstacle to fully leveraging particle therapy, including the use of heavier ions like oxygen to treat radio-resistant tumors, and the adoption of multi-ion therapy, which is now technically feasible. The project aims to develop a hybrid model to predict the biological effect of radiation, merging standard mathematical approaches with modern artificial intelligence based models. The resulting model will have the interpretability and physically grounded foundation of mathematical models and the extreme flexibility and accuracy of modern MDL models. The model will be based on the advanced physical description of the radiation field, using microdosimetry and/or nanodosimetry, and will explore the relative importance of different raduation quality descriptors. An optional experimental verification part could be added upon the availability of the facility. The project will be carried out in the BiMeR team, between TIFPA-INFN, UniTN, and APSS proton therapy center.
Ideal candidate (skills and competencies): - Knowledge of Radiation biophysics - Good programming skills - Interest in Modeling and Simulation of physical processes - Willingness to work in a multi-disciplinary and international team

Topic: Study of the physicochemical processes of formation of molecular compounds containing H and N from reactions of energetic ions and/or in electrical discharges
Research group link: https://molecular.physics.unitn.it/
Contacts: Prof. Daniela Ascenzi daniela.ascenzi [at] unitn.it Prof. Luca Matteo Martini luca.martini.1 [at] unitn.it
Synthetic description of the activity and expected research outcome: The PhD project aims at performing "ground-based" experimental and simulation works for the understanding and validation of data from the JUNO and JUICE missions on Jupiter and its moons (e.g., data on the composition of Jupiter's troposphere from Juno's JIRAM spectrometer, data from the exospheres of icy moons from Juice's MAJIS). Recent observations of the Jovian atmosphere reveal unexpected complexity, with implications for its dynamics [D. Grassi&al. MNRAS 503, 4892-4907 (2021); Guillot&al J.Geophys.Res. 125, e2020JE006404, 2020 ]. Understanding Jupiter's atmospheric dynamics also has important implications for developing theories about the evolution of exoplanets with gaseous atmospheres, such as the "hot Jupiters" that will be among the targets of ESA's Atmospheric Remote-sensing IR exoplanet Large-survey (ARIEL) mission. Laboratory experiments will make use of plasmas and electric discharges as proxies to simulate the physicochemical processes triggered in planetary atmospheres and will allow, for example, investigation of the formation/destruction mechanisms of molecules and ions (e.g. NH3, NH4+ , NH4HS). In addition, the possibility of studying collisions between multiply charged ions (e.g., O++, S++) and molecules will allow modeling the processes of generation and erosion of the exospheres of Jupiter's moons by energetic particles (space weathering) [C. Plainaki et al. ApJ 940:186, 2022].
Ideal candidate (skills and competencies): Master (or equivalent degree) in physics, physical chemistry or astrophysics and a strong focus on laboratory work. Any experience in one of the following fields: mass spectrometry, plasma physics, vacuum technology, gas handling techniques, data analysis and modelling (e.g. Labview programming , phyton)

Topic: Computational strategies to investigate protein conformational changes
Research group link: https://sbp.physics.unitn.it/
Contacts: Prof. Gianluca Lattanzi
Synthetic description of the activity and expected research outcome: The successful candidate is expected to apply molecular dynamics simulations to investigate globular proteins, transmembrane proteins and proteins anchored to membrane bilayers. The chosen systems often present two or more resolved (or putative) structures: molecular dynamics simulations will be employed to explore and characterize the structures corresponding to these local minima, while enhanced sampling techniques will provide insights into the possible pathways for the required conformational changes. Coarse grained models will be also employed, whenever possible, and their validity will be assessed through comparison with all-atoms simulations. The candidate will collaborate with all the members of the Statistical and Biological Physics research group to explore the possibility of applications of the on-site developed multiscale approaches. The candidate is also expected to interact directly with experimental collaborators, with the aim to provide a molecular rationale for the biological mechanisms of the chosen systems.
Ideal candidate (skills and competencies): Good knowledge of statistical physics and computer programming. Ability to work in group and at the interface between different disciplines. Good communication skills.

Topic: Enhanced microcanonical conformational sampling of biomolecules via nonequilibrium simulation strategies
Research group link: https://sbp.physics.unitn.it/raffaello-potestio/
Contacts: raffaello.potestio [at] unitn.it
Synthetic description of the activity and expected research outcome: The objective of the proposed activity is the development and application of a novel and efficient enhanced sampling strategy to explore the conformational space of a molecular system based on the Wang-Landau (WL) method [1,2]. The latter is well-established and has been applied in various contexts, however at present it is particularly difficult to apply to systems described by continuous variables. Our aim is to overcome the current limitations thanks to an innovative strategy [3] that integrates molecular dynamics and Monte Carlo sampling in order to generalise the WL approach. The novel approach will be employed to study the conformational space of proteins and other biomolecules (e.g. RNA enzymes), with particular interest in phase transitions and native state characterization. [1] F. Wang, D. Landau, Determining the density of states for classical statistical models: a random walk algorithm to produce a flat histogram. Phys. Rev. E 64(5), 056101 (2001) [2] R. Menichetti, M. Giulini, R. Potestio, A journey through mapping space: characterising the statistical and metric properties of reduced representations of macromolecules. EPJB 94:204 (2021) [3] M. Vallicella, Investigation of complex systems via Wang-Landau sampling from lattice models to the continuum. Master thesis in Physics, supervisor R. Potestio (2022)
Ideal candidate (skills and competencies): - Background in physics, chemistry, mathematics, engineering - Excellent programming skills (unix os, C/C++, python, matlab, tensorflow)

Topic: Dark matter and dark energy in the era of precision multi-messenger cosmology and cosmic tensions
Research group link: https://www.sunnyvagnozzi.com/ https://webapps.unitn.it/du/en/Persona/PER0059261/
Contacts: Sunny Vagnozzi (sunny.vagnozzi [at] unitn.it)
Synthetic description of the activity and expected research outcome: Our understanding of dark matter (DM) and dark energy (DE), making up 95% of the energy of the Universe but whose nature is currently unknown, will be revolutionized over the next decade by precision cosmological observations. This project will develop the tools to fully exploit, on the theory and/or data sides, the wealth of upcoming (multi-messenger) cosmological information. We will study prospects for testing realistic DM/DE models, particularly using large-scale structure (LSS) data. Growing tensions among different probes (such as the H0 and S8 tensions) are hinting to the breakdown of the current concordance model, and we will study the possibility of such tensions shedding light on the microphysical nature of DM and DE, constructing models which may solve these tensions. We will study cross-correlations between different probes, including gravitational waves, as a way to shed light on DM and DE, and test gravity. Based on the student's interests, this project offers significant flexibility in terms of focusing more on theoretical or data analysis aspects, or extending the research scope. Throughout the project, the student will have the possibility of collaborating with a wide network of researchers worldwide (see https://www.sunnyvagnozzi.com/en/publications).
Ideal candidate (skills and competencies): The ideal candidate has a strong background in cosmology. Advanced knowledge of General Relativity, QFT, and particle physics is also very welcome. Depending on the student’s inclination, this project is very flexible and can require either or both analytical and numerical skills, in varying proportions. For more computationally-oriented students, excellent computational skills, ideally the ability to program in Python and at least a low-level language (e.g. C/C++/Fortran), are highly recommended. Familiarity with cosmological codes such as CAMB, CLASS, CosmoMC, MontePython, and Cobaya, is welcome. Some experience with statistics is an additional asset. More generally, we are looking for a passionate, independent, and self-driven student with strong interests in cosmology and tests of fundamental physics using observations collected around the Universe, and a strong work ethics. The student must be able to work independently and as part of a team. For the latter, good organization and communication skills are essential.

Topic: Black holes as windows onto fundamental physics
Research group link: https://www.sunnyvagnozzi.com/ https://webapps.unitn.it/du/en/Persona/PER0059261/
Contacts: Sunny Vagnozzi (sunny.vagnozzi [at] unitn.it)
Synthetic description of the activity and expected research outcome: Over the past decades, black holes (BHs) have gone from being speculative objects to having their observational effects witnessed on a regular basis and on a wide range of scales. This project will push forward the use of BHs as laboratories to test fundamental physics at extreme scales, and will be devoted to studying a wide range of BH-related aspects, with the goal of determining to what extent we can use these objects to test our theories of gravity and more generally fundamental physics frameworks. Examples of aspects we will investigate include BH shadows, quasi-normal modes, orbits of surrounding stars, quasi-periodic oscillations, and the interplay between BHs and ultra-light particles through superradiance. Twisted light around rotating BHs offers a novel window onto fundamental physics which we will study. All these observables will be used to discriminate between BHs in different theories of gravity, and BH mimickers such as wormholes and naked singularities, whose signatures we will seek in existing data. Emphasis will be placed on connecting theory and observations, using the latter to test frameworks which otherwise cannot be probed on Earth, including potential solutions to the BH information paradox. Throughout the project, the student will have the possibility of collaborating with a wide network of researchers worldwide (see https://www.sunnyvagnozzi.com/en/publications).
Ideal candidate (skills and competencies): The ideal candidate has a strong background in General Relativity. Knowledge of QFT and particle physics is also welcome. Depending on the student’s inclination, this project is flexible and can require either or both analytical and numerical skills, in varying proportions. Being comfortable with manipulation of tensors and complex calculations is a must. Knowledge of software such as Mathematica (or Maple) is highly recommended, and familiarity with packages such as xAct (or GRTensor) is welcome, as is knowledge of other specific packages used in BH physics. More generally, we are looking for a passionate, independent, and self-driven student with strong interests in gravitation and tests of fundamental physics using BHs, and a strong work ethics. The student must be able to work independently and as part of a team. For the latter, good organization and communication skills are essential.

Topic: Analog Models of Gravity with Quantum Fluids of Light and/or Atoms
Research group link: https://iacopo.carusotto.physics.unitn.it/ https://bec.science.unitn.it
Contacts: dr. Iacopo Carusotto iacopo.carusotto [at] unitn.it
Synthetic description of the activity and expected research outcome: The research activity will consist in a study of analog models of gravity based on quantum fluids of ultracold atoms and/or quantum fluids of light. The work will be mostly theoretical, but the PhD candidate will be actively involved in the on-going collaborations with experimental groups in Trento and at other major international institutions. The candidate will investigate quantum optical phenomena in curved space-times such as Hawking emission from black hole horizons, superradiance from rotating massive bodies, cosmological particle creation, and will explore new effects. A special attention will be given to interdisciplinary exchanges of ideas between gravity, condensed matter physics, optics and astrophysics. Ref.: https://arxiv.org/abs/2212.07337 (to appear on CRAS) https://arxiv.org/abs/2207.00311 https://arxiv.org/abs/2110.14452 (to appear on PRL)
Ideal candidate (skills and competencies): Strong proficiency in basic electromagnetism and quantum mechanics. Good knowledge of quantum optics and/or quantum field theory and/or many-body physics and/or general relativity.

Topic: Topological and non-Euclidean models with arrays of coaxial cables
Research group link: https://iacopo.carusotto.physics.unitn.it/ https://bec.science.unitn.it https://nse.physics.unitn.it
Contacts: dr. Iacopo Carusotto iacopo.carusotto [at] unitn.it prof. Leonardo Ricci leonardo.ricci [at] unitn.it
Synthetic description of the activity and expected research outcome: The candidate will be involved in a combined theoretical-experimental effort under the joint supervision of prof. Ricci and dr. Carusotto. The goal is to design, build, and finally electronically characterize arrays of coaxial cables as microwave realization of celebrated lattice models that are of interest for topological condensed matter physics (SSH lattices, honeycomb or brick-wall lattices, spin-Hall models) and/or for quantum mechanics in hyperbolic spaces (heptagonal honeycomb). In addition to its intrinsic and conceptual interest, such an experimental realization is a preliminary step towards the realization of integrated devices including superconducting qubits, so to realize novel platforms for quantum simulation of strongly correlated states of matter and for quantum computing. Ref. https://journals.aps.org/rmp/abstract/10.1103/RevModPhys.91.015006 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-019-1348-3
Ideal candidate (skills and competencies): Strong proficiency in basic electromagnetism and wave mechanics. Good knowledge of optics and/or condensed matter physics.

Topic: Strongly correlated quantum fluids of light
Research group link: https://iacopo.carusotto.physics.unitn.it/ https://bec.science.unitn.it
Contacts: dr. Iacopo Carusotto iacopo.carusotto [at] unitn.it
Synthetic description of the activity and expected research outcome: The research will consist of a theoretical study of quantum fluids of light. The work will be mostly theoretical, but will be carried out in close collaboration with experimental colleagues at major international institutions. The candidate will investigate strongly correlated fluids of many interacting photons in photonic devices with exceptionally strong optical nonlinearities so that photons behave as impenetrable particles. He/she will investigate quantum phase transitions such as the Mott-superfluid transition in many cavity arrays or fractional quantum Hall fluids with topological order in the presence of synthetic gauge fields. While the research will have mostly fundamental character, potential applications to topological quantum computing schemes will be also addressed. Refs: https://journals.aps.org/rmp/abstract/10.1103/RevModPhys.85.299 https://www.nature.com/articles/s42254-022-00464-0 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41567-020-0815-y
Ideal candidate (skills and competencies): Strong proficiency in basic electromagnetism and quantum mechanics. Good knowledge of quantum optics and/or condensed matter theory and/or many-body physics.

Topic: Detailed microphysics in binary neutron star mergers and core-collapse supernovae
Research group link: https://relnucas.physics.unitn.it
Contacts: Albino Perego (albino.perego [at] unitn.it)
Synthetic description of the activity and expected research outcome: With the advent of gravitational wave detectors and in combination with neutrino detectors and telescopes, multimessenger astrophysics is now a blooming field at the forefront of research. High-energy, relativistic events, like the merger of compact objects or the explosion of a massive star, are among its primary targets. In our group at the University of Trento we focus on the theoretical modeling and interpretation of multimessenger signals from these kind of events. In particular, in this PhD project we would like to implement detailed neutrino rates and nuclear physics inside our numerical models to achieve a much high level of accuracy and robustness in our predictions and interpretation. In particular, our goal will be to study the sensitivity of many observables (e.g. gravitational waves, nucleosynthesis yields, electromagnetic emission) on the level of accuracy of the input physics.
Ideal candidate (skills and competencies): The ideal candidates is a motivated and dynamic students who is willing to broaden and widen her/his competences, both in terms of physics and of computer science. Collaborative and team-working oriented aptitudes are also relevant skills. The student is expected to have a solid theoretical background, possibly including General Relativity and Particle Physics. Moreover, basics knowledge about high-energy astrophysics and gravitational waves astrophysics is welcome. Good computing skills and aptitude are very much welcome.

Topic: R-process and kilonova modelling: modelling new transients in multimessenger astrophysics
Research group link: https://relnucas.physics.unitn.it
Contacts: Albino Perego (albino.perego [at] unitn.it)
Synthetic description of the activity and expected research outcome: The detection of gravitational waves and electromagnetic radiation from compact binary mergers has opened the era of multimessenger astrophysics. One of the most relevant discoveries of the past decade was the first unambiguous detection of a kilonova: a new class of electromagnetic transients associated with compact binary mergers and powered by the radioactive decay of freshly synthesized radioactive heavy elements produced through the so called rprocess nucleosynthesis. The goal of this project is to model kilonovae starting from the outcome of Numerical Relativity simulations, considering detailed rprocess nucleosynthesis, and including all the relevant kilonova physics to produce synthetic observables (e.g. yeilds, light curves and spectral) and providing templates to be compared with present and future observations.
Ideal candidate (skills and competencies): The ideal candidates is a motivated and dynamic students who is willing to and broaden and widen her/his competences, both in terms of physics and of computer science. Collaborative and team-working oriented aptitudes are also relevant skills. The student is expected to have a solid theoretical background, possibly including General Relativity and Particle Physics. Moreover, basics knowledge about high-energy astrophysics and gravitational waves astrophysics is welcome. Good computing skills and aptitude are also welcome.

Topic: Experimental technique for optical losses compensation in Advanced Gravitational wave detectors
Research group link: https://www.physics.unitn.it/en/node/78
Contacts: Antonio Perreca (antonio.perreca [at] unitn.it)
Synthetic description of the activity and expected research outcome: One of the highest scientific moments of the last century was touched when the LIGO interferometer detected the first gravitational wave signal on September 14th, 2015. The LIGO-Virgo collaboration announced this astonishing result in the following February 2016, opening a new way to look at the universe. Since the first detection, more than 90 events have been detected, including signals originated from binary black holes, binary neutron stars and Neutron Star-Black Hole mergers. The LIGO/Virgo/KAGRA Scientific Collaboration is implementing new techniques to increase the sensitivity of the current and the next generation of gravitational wave detectors. The higher is the sensitivity and the further can be the origin of the detected signals, leading to a higher rate of detection and to a deeper knowledge of the universe. The limitations of the new upgrades are due to the optical losses, namely losses due to mode-matching between optical cavities. Conventional beam-profiling techniques measure mode-matching with limited precision. To scale down the limitations due to the optical losses sensing systems and adaptive optics are required. The first are used to measure the losses and the second to reduce the losses correcting the laser beam parameters. Moreover, the techniques will also be explored in the future Einstein Telescope (ET) experiment. The Virgo-ET Gravitational wave group at the University of Trento will develop new techniques to sense and correct mode matching in optical cavities. The candidate will be part of the LIGO/Virgo/KAGRA and ET collaborations. He will be responsible for developing a system able to correct optical losses due to the mode matching in optical cavities. He will learn to design and realize a table-top experiment, dealing with optics, electronics and software for optical simulations. The system will be implemented in the Advanced Virgo detector. The candidate will also be involved actively in the commissioning activities on the Virgo detector and activities for Einstein Telescope.
Ideal candidate (skills and competencies): The ideal candidate is curious in experimental methods, physics measurements and gravitation with a good dose of critical thinking. Good computing skills are welcome. Background on optics will be useful, but it can also be built along the project. Collaborative and team-working aptitudes are relevant skills.

Topic: Experimental technique for sensing optical losses in Advanced Gravitational wave detectors
Research group link: https://www.physics.unitn.it/en/node/78
Contacts: Antonio Perreca (antonio.perreca [at] unitn.it)
Synthetic description of the activity and expected research outcome: One of the highest scientific moments of the last century was touched when the LIGO interferometer detected the first gravitational wave signal on September 14th, 2015. The LIGO-Virgo collaboration announced this astonishing result in the following February 2016, opening a new way to look at the universe. Since the first detection, more than 90 events have been detected, including signals originated from binary black holes, binary neutron stars and Neutron Star-Black Hole mergers. The LIGO/Virgo/KAGRA Scientific Collaboration is implementing new techniques to increase the sensitivity of the current and the next generation of gravitational wave detectors. The higher is the sensitivity and the further can be the origin of the detected signals, leading to a higher rate of detection and to a deeper knowledge of the universe. The limitations of the new upgrades are due to the optical losses, namely losses due to mode-matching between optical cavities. Conventional beam-profiling techniques measure mode-matching with limited precision. To scale down the limitations due to the optical losses sensing systems and adaptive optics are required. The first are used to measure the losses and the second to reduce the losses correcting the laser beam parameters. Moreover, the techniques will also be explored in the future Einstein Telescope (ET) experiment. The Virgo-ET Gravitational wave group at the University of Trento will develop new techniques to sense and correct mode matching in optical cavities. The candidate will be part of the LIGO/Virgo/KAGRA and ET collaborations. He will be responsible for developing a system able to sense the optical mode matching in an optical cavity with the use of a Mode Converter Telescope. He will learn to design and realize a table-top experiment, dealing with optics, electronics, control systems and software for optical simulations. The system will be implemented in the Advanced Virgo detector. The candidate will also be involved actively in the commissioning activities on the Virgo detector site and activities for Einstein Telescope.
Ideal candidate (skills and competencies): The ideal candidate is curious in experimental methods, physics measurements and gravitation with a good dose of critical thinking. Good computing skills are welcome. Background on optics will be useful, but it can also be built along the project. Collaborative and team-working aptitudes are relevant skills.

Topic: Gravitational Wave Transients: detection and interpretation using minimal assumptions
Research group link: https://www.physics.unitn.it/en/node/78
Contacts: Giovanni Prodi (giovanniandrea.prodi [at] unitn.it)
Synthetic description of the activity and expected research outcome: The exploration of the gravitational wave sky is rapidly evolving thanks to the current observations by the LIGO and Virgo detectors. About 90 confirmed detections of gravitational wave transients have already disclosed many properties of binaries made of astrophysical compact objects and enabled new tests of General Relativity. Nevertheless, we are just grasping the tip of the achievable science. The upcoming LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA gravitational wave survey, starting on May 24 2023 and lasting 20 months, will provide to the PhD a unique opportunity to participate to new discoveries. The goals of this project are twofold: provide a visible personal contribution to the identification of a new set of gravitational wave transients in data from the upcoming survey and further upgrade the methods for the measurement of the signal properties and for the interpretation of the source. The work will be based on state-of-the-art methods for gravitational wave burst investigations using minimal assumptions, coherentWaveBurst. Our very general methodological approach is particularly efficient to enable discoveries of new source classes as well as to probe their fundamental nature. This data analysis activity will be integrated in the LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA collaborations, a very stimulating worldwide community.
Ideal candidate (skills and competencies): The ideal candidate is curious in data analysis methods, physics measurements and gravitation with a good dose of critical thinking. Good computing skills and knowledge of statistics are welcome. Theoretical background on General Relativity and astrophysics will be useful, but they can also be built along the project. Collaborative and team-working aptitudes are relevant skills.

Topic: Integrated squeezed vacuum source for measurements beyond the quantum limit
Research group link: https://www.physics.unitn.it/en/node/78
Contacts: Matteo Leonardi (matteo.leonardi.1 [at] unitn.it)
Synthetic description of the activity and expected research outcome: At almost eight years after the first direct detection of gravitational waves performed by the LIGO-Virgo collaboration, the gravitational waves coming from the merger of more than 90 stellar systems have been detected. This number is bound to increase drastically in the upcoming months after the start of the next observation phase in which the LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA collaboration’s detectors will probe the universe with unrivaled sensitivities. Despite their impressive precision, gravitational wave detectors are still noise-limited detectors which means that gravitational wave observations can be claimed only as coincident signals appearing in multiple detectors simultaneously. One of the main noises which limits our sensitivity in probing the space-time fabric of our universe and stops us from unveiling the true nature of gravity comes from the quantum nature of light. Indeed, the noise arising from the quantum vacuum fluctuation of the electromagnetic field are a major threat for the future of gravitational wave astronomy. A solution to limit the impact of the quantum noise was proposed and implemented in the most recent observing run and it is the use of squeezed state of light. Such artificial states are produced exploiting non-linear optical materials to build correlations between phase and amplitude noises and redistribute such noises within the different quadratures of the state. Sadly, the production of squeezed states is extremely challenging, which greatly limits their use. The candidate will work on the realization of an integrated squeezed light source which will make the use of squeezing techniques widely available not only for the gravitational waves related fields, but also for other application such as quantum computing and quantum cryptography.
Ideal candidate (skills and competencies): The ideal candidate is student with good critical thinking and good team-working skills. Optics skills as well as simulation skills and knowledge of finite element modelization softwares are welcome.

Topic: Low frequency vibrations in glasses as key factors limiting the sensitivity of gravitational wave interferometers
Research group link: GS and SDSC
Contacts: Matteo Leonardi (matteo.leonardi.1 [at] unitn.it) Giacomo Baldi (giacomo.baldi [at] unitn.it)
Synthetic description of the activity and expected research outcome: Structural glasses are often considered as archetypes of out-of-equilibrium materials. The low temperature thermal properties of amorphous solids are heavily affected by the presence of both disorder and “defects”, phenomenologically described as two-level states, whose microscopic origin has remained mysterious [1]. This affects the atomic dynamics in such a way that excitations in structural glasses include tunneling between two-level states, thermally activated relaxations, and harmonic phonon-like vibrations [2]. Recent improvement in numerical simulations have evidenced the presence of quasi-localized vibrational modes besides the extended phonon-like excitations [3] but the experimental confirmation of this finding is lacking and is extremely challenging. Aim of the project is to probe the low-frequency vibrations and the sound propagation in structural glasses in previously unexplored frequency regions, exploiting recent improvements in experimental methods. Specifically, we will exploit recent beamlines developed at large scale facilities, including 4-th generation synchrotron sources (such as the recently upgraded ESRF synchrotron in Grenoble) and free electron lasers. The experimental work will be complemented by light spectroscopy measurements carried out in Trento. The work will be focused on the vibrational properties of a selection of amorphous solids, obtained exploiting different preparation protocols, both in bulk and as thin films. Thin films of amorphous materials are a key ingredient for the coatings of mirrors used in gravitational wave interferometers, such as Advanced LIGO (aLIGO) and Advanced Virgo (AdV). The low frequency vibrations of the coating, which are usually addressed as coating thermal noise or coating Brownian noise, are, at present, the mayor source of noise limiting the ultimate sensitivity of those instruments in the most sensitive part of the detection spectrum. Also, in the design of the future third generation gravitational wave detectors, the comprehension of the physics behind such noises is of paramount importance. References: [1] W. A. Phillips, Reports Prog. Phys. 50, 1657 (1987). [2] G. Baldi et al., Vibrational dynamics of non-crystalline solids, arXiv:2011.10415. [3] Mizuno et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 114, E9767 (2017); L. Angelani et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 115, 8700 (2018); D. Richard et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 125, 085502 (2020) ; S. Bonfanti et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 125, 085501 (2020).
Ideal candidate (skills and competencies): The successful candidate is expected to have a strong interest in condensed matter physics or materials science and should be able to work in an independent way carrying out an intense experimental program at national and international large-scale facilities as well as in our laboratories in Trento. Interest in developing high-level software (e.g., MatLab, Python, etc.) and designing new experimental setups as well as good teamwork capabilities would also be appreciated.

Topic: Photocatalytic remediation of contaminated waters: materials design, synthesis and field testing.
Research group link: https://www.physics.unitn.it/en/104/idea-hydrogen-energy-environment
Contacts: Antonio Miotello, antonio.miotello [at] unitn.it, 0461281637
Synthetic description of the activity and expected research outcome: Water contamination by organic pollutants is one of the most serious environmental concerns today but also one that can be tackled by photocatalysis. The PhD student will: (1) design photocatalytic materials matching thermodynamics, optics and catalytic properties with application requirements; (2) synthesize them by using the most appropriate combination of physical and chemical methods; (3) design and implement a lab-scale system to evaluate the efficiency of the photocatalysis process under simulated or concentrated sunlight; (4) optimize and bring to proof-of-concept level a process for water decontamination from selected pollutants. The PhD student will be an integral part of the IdEA laboratory, a well-equipped multidisciplinary research group boasting decades of experience in the field.
Ideal candidate (skills and competencies): Experimental Physics, Solid state physics, Materials Physics and Chemistry, Nanomaterials, General and Inorganic Chemistry.

Topic: Civic scientific literacy, public engagement with science and socially significant topics from the physics education and communication perspective
Research group link: https://lcsfunitn.wordpress.com/
Contacts: pasquale.onorato [at] unitn.it, stefano.oss [at] unitn.it
Synthetic description of the activity and expected research outcome: The civic scientific literacy refers to the level and kinds of information that a citizen needs to know in order to follow current and emerging public policy issues. It is meaningful to do in-depth research from a Physics Education perspective on the “citizenship” especially because the core outcome of Science Education is to prepare scientifically literate students and responsible future citizens. Applicants should work in 1) exploring and developing conceptual paths and experimental approaches to various branches of physics research (classical and modern physics, science of terrestrial atmosphere, science visualization methods with Augmented Reality support ... ) in an educational and communicative framework to support a more robust and grounded vision of contemporary and socially relevant topics 2) examining the relationship of the science literacy and citizenship concepts and investigating how people’s attitudes to the environment and socio-environmental behaviours correlate with the civic scientific literacy -qualified rate 3) designing and implementing. proposals for the integration of a citizen science project into the secondary education curriculum
Ideal candidate (skills and competencies): Applicants should have or expect to obtain a Master degree (or equivalent) in Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry, Engineering, Materials Science or a related subject. A specific training in science education or experience in high school education will be welcome.

Topic: The role of laboratory in improving physics teaching: learning goals, learning environments and new technologies in the (post) pandemic School and University
Research group link: https://lcsfunitn.wordpress.com/
Contacts: pasquale.onorato [at] unitn.it, stefano.oss [at] unitn.it
Synthetic description of the activity and expected research outcome: The laboratory is an essential part of the physics curriculum both in high school and introductory courses at university because physics is inherently an experimental science. Requests for reform to instructional labs mean many instructors are facing the formidable mission of identifying goals for their introductory lab courses. Some years ago the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) released a set of recommendations for learning goals for the lab to support lab redevelopment. These suggestions have to be updated and contextualized in the situation of the Italian high schools. Starting from the previous researches, which include also the recent studies about the introduction of the experimental activities conducted remotely and about the impact of public health restrictions on teaching methods, applicants should work in 1. providing resources and ideas to the community of physics instructors, detailing what instructors did, what was effective and what students can learn in physics laboratory courses also in the context of distance teaching and learning 2. developing a set of common context-related goals for laboratory instruction that can serve as a guide to those responsible for designing and evaluating high school physics laboratory programs 3. designing multimedia for teaching and learning physics both integrating multimedia in the curriculum and investigating the role played by new technologies mainly in teaching physics in Laboratories
Ideal candidate (skills and competencies): Applicants should have or expect to obtain a Master degree (or equivalent) in Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry, Engineering, Materials Science or a related subject. A specific training in science education or experience in high school education will be welcome.

Topic: Addressing physical problems with information-theoretical methods
Research group link: https://nse.physics.unitn.it/
Contacts: Leonardo Ricci, leonardo.ricci [at] unitn.it
Synthetic description of the activity and expected research outcome: Addressing physical problems with information-theoretical – i.e. entropy-based – methods is a thriving field. Entropy-based methods provide a complementary approach to more conventional and established analytical techniques. The final goal is to apply these methods to complex systems ranging from neuroscience to climatology. The candidate is expected to achieve or deeply expand many skills (see below) that can help her/him to further pursue research.
Ideal candidate (skills and competencies): Competencies in statistics, statistical physics, and signal and system analysis. Good knowledge of math. Ability to program in C++. An interest in electronics is also welcome.

Topic: Low frequency vibrations in glasses as key factors limiting the sensitivity of gravitational wave interferometers
Research group link: GS and SDSC
Contacts: Matteo Leonardi (matteo.leonardi.1 [at] unitn.it) Giacomo Baldi (giacomo.baldi [at] unitn.it)
Synthetic description of the activity and expected research outcome: Structural glasses are often considered as archetypes of out-of-equilibrium materials. The low temperature thermal properties of amorphous solids are heavily affected by the presence of both disorder and “defects”, phenomenologically described as two-level states, whose microscopic origin has remained mysterious [1]. This affects the atomic dynamics in such a way that excitations in structural glasses include tunneling between two-level states, thermally activated relaxations, and harmonic phonon-like vibrations [2]. Recent improvement in numerical simulations have evidenced the presence of quasi-localized vibrational modes besides the extended phonon-like excitations [3] but the experimental confirmation of this finding is lacking and is extremely challenging. Aim of the project is to probe the low-frequency vibrations and the sound propagation in structural glasses in previously unexplored frequency regions, exploiting recent improvements in experimental methods. Specifically, we will exploit recent beamlines developed at large scale facilities, including 4-th generation synchrotron sources (such as the recently upgraded ESRF synchrotron in Grenoble) and free electron lasers. The experimental work will be complemented by light spectroscopy measurements carried out in Trento. The work will be focused on the vibrational properties of a selection of amorphous solids, obtained exploiting different preparation protocols, both in bulk and as thin films. Thin films of amorphous materials are a key ingredient for the coatings of mirrors used in gravitational wave interferometers, such as Advanced LIGO (aLIGO) and Advanced Virgo (AdV). The low frequency vibrations of the coating, which are usually addressed as coating thermal noise or coating Brownian noise, are, at present, the mayor source of noise limiting the ultimate sensitivity of those instruments in the most sensitive part of the detection spectrum. Also, in the design of the future third generation gravitational wave detectors, the comprehension of the physics behind such noises is of paramount importance. References: [1] W. A. Phillips, Reports Prog. Phys. 50, 1657 (1987). [2] G. Baldi et al., Vibrational dynamics of non-crystalline solids, arXiv:2011.10415. [3] Mizuno et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 114, E9767 (2017); L. Angelani et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 115, 8700 (2018); D. Richard et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 125, 085502 (2020) ; S. Bonfanti et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 125, 085501 (2020).
Ideal candidate (skills and competencies): The successful candidate is expected to have a strong interest in condensed matter physics or materials science and should be able to work in an independent way carrying out an intense experimental program at national and international large-scale facilities as well as in our laboratories in Trento. Interest in developing high-level software (e.g., MatLab, Python, etc.) and designing new experimental setups as well as good teamwork capabilities would also be appreciated.

Topic: Relaxation dynamics of amorphous phase change materials
Research group link: SDSC - https://complexsystems.physics.unitn.it/
Contacts: Giacomo Baldi (giacomo.baldi [at] unitn.it)
Synthetic description of the activity and expected research outcome: In the last years, phase-change non-volatile memory devices have risen important attention for technological applications [1]. They are made by phase-change materials (PCMs), a class of functional materials that are reversibly and rapidly switched between amorphous and crystalline states by electrical pulses in a short timescale of a few nanoseconds. While their crystalline state has been largely investigated, little is still known on the properties of their amorphous state due to the intrinsic difficulties related to the study of materials far from the thermodynamic equilibrium with both numerical simulations and experiments. Several studies have identified the existence of some remarkable anomalous behaviours in the amorphous state (like physical aging, secondary relaxation processes and dynamical transitions), which may play an important role in determining their switching kinetics [2,3]. The comprehension of the glassy state is therefore extremely important for both technological applications and fundamental science. Aim of the project is the investigation of the relaxation dynamics of a class of amorphous chalcogenides that behave as PCM with a fast transition between the amorphous and the crystalline states. The experimental work will be conducted both at large scale facilities (Synchrotron radiation sources and free electron lasers) and in our labs. The work in Trento will be devoted to the development of a spectrometer for photo correlation spectroscopy in the infrared, to probe the structural relaxation of samples that are typically opaque in the visible range. References • [1] S. Wei, P. Lucas, and C. A. Angell, MRS Bull. 44, 691 (2019). • [2] J. Y. Raty et al. Nat. Commun. 6, 7467 (2015). • [3] N. Amini et al. Mat. Sc. Semic. Process. 135,106094 (2021).
The successful candidate is expected to have a strong interest in condensed matter physics or materials science and should be able to work in an independent way carrying out an intense experimental program at national and international large-scale facilities as well as in our laboratories in Trento. Interest in developing high-level software (e.g., MatLab, Python, etc.) and designing new experimental setups would also be appreciated.