PhD Course (D.M.226/2021)
Space Science and Technology - SST - National Doctoral Programme

COURSE SUMMARY
The National Doctorate in Space Science and Technology aims to train young experts in the fields of science, engineering, technology, and international relations in the space sector, providing them with the knowledge, skills, and competencies needed in the research areas of interest to the participating universities and research institutions.
The subjects related to space activities are many, enabling the participating institutions to share lessons, educational materials, laboratories, and internship opportunities. This approach ensures high-quality and excellence, and gives the participants the opportunity to build a strong network of relationships and to train a wide range of experts with different areas of expertise.
Doctoral candidates are encouraged to adopt an exploratory approach to the research topics, while the course aims to transfer scientifically significant and high-quality results to practical and applied contexts. The goal here is to strengthen the connection between basic and applied research, particularly in addressing society's priority environmental issues, which call for the development of innovative technologies, methods, and solutions.
The course in brief
OVERVIEW
The programme is structured into the following seven tracks:
- Observation of the Universe
- Earth and the Sun-Earth System
- Planetary sciences
- Astrobiology, life sciences, and space medicine
- Sensors and space instrumentation
- Engineering and satellite platform technologies
- Space economics, law, and diplomacy
Detailed descriptions of each curriculum are available on the programmes's website.
During the first two years, PhD candidates participate in advanced remote courses and conduct research on their dissertation topics over the three-year period at the institution that awarded their scholarship. This is combined with study periods at other institutions in Italy (minimum six months) and abroad (minimum six months), in accordance with a research plan agreed upon with the supervisor and approved by the academic board. The research activity must result in an original and innovative thesis.
BIOS-06/A - Physiology
BIOS-07/A – Biochemistry
CEAR-01/B - Hydrology and Hydraulic and Maritime Structures
CEAR-06/A - Structural Mechanics
GEOS-01/A - Mineralogy
GEOS-02/B - Stratigraphic Geology and Sedimentology
GEOS-02/C - Geochemistry and Volcanology
GEOS-03/A - Physical Geography and Geomorphology
GEOS-04/A - Solid Earth Geophysics
GIUR-01/A - Private Law
GSPS-04/B - History of International Relations
ICHI-01/B - Fundamentals of Chemical Engineering
IIND-01/D - Aerospace Structures and Design
IIND-02/A - Applied Mechanics
IINF-01/A - Electronics
IINF-02/A - Electromagnetic Fields
IINF-03/A - Telecommunications
IINF-05/A - Information Processing Systems
IMAT-01/A - Materials Science and Technology
IMIS-01/A - Mechanical and Thermal Measurements
MATH-03/A - Mathematical Analysis
MATH-04/A - Mathematical Physics
PHYS-01/A -Experimental Physics of Fundamental Interactions and Applications
PHYS-02/A - Theoretical Physics of Fundamental Interactions, Models, Mathematical Methods, and Applications
PHYS-03/A - Experimental Physics of Matter and Applications
PHYS-04/A - Theoretical Physics of Matter, Models, Mathematical Methods, and Applications
PHYS-05/A - Astrophysics, Cosmology, and Space Science
PHYS-05/B - Physics of the Earth System, Planets, Space, and Climate
PSIC-01/A - General Psychology
PSIC-01/B - Psychobiology and Physiological Psychology
To apply for the PhD programme, you must have:
- a specialist or master's degree or a degree issued under the previous regulations;
- a second-level diploma awarded by higher-education institutions for the fine arts, music and dance (AFAM, Alta Formazione Artistica e Musicale);
- an equivalent academic qualification obtained abroad (master's degree) that allows admission to the PhD program in the education system or in the country of issue and that is considered suitable by the selection committee for the sole purpose of accessing the course.
Students who plan to graduate by 31 October 2024 are also eligible.
Update of 20 June 2025
For this doctoral course the following are available:
- 35 positions covered by topic-specific scholarships;
- 2 positions without scholarship;
- 4 positions reserved to applicants who are granted scholarships by foreign countries (Curricula 2, 3, 6).
For information on topic-specific places see the details available on the webpage.
Students selected by dedicated committees as part of specific international mobility programs involving the University of Trento are also eligible for admission.
The admission call indicates:
- admission requirements;
- deadlines;
- admission procedure;
- details of the funded positions;
- availability of scholarships.
APPLY
The selection procedure is entirely online.
Consult the call to get all the information needed to register.
Complete the online form by 4:00pm (Italian time) on 16 July 2025.
DOCUMENTS
Will be published here.



