Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, Pisa, Italy is currently seeking applications through public competition for 6 positions supported by scholarships for the Academic Year 2011-2012 to participate in the three-year International Doctoral Program in Agrobiodiversity from eligible candidates around the world particularly from developing countries.
The Ph.D. Program in Agrobiodiversity is aimed at the enhancement of human resource capacities in the use and management of genetic variation in agricultural and natural systems, in order to improve the sustainability of agricultural systems and the conservation of genetic resources for the well-being of present and future generations.
About the Program
The PhD program is aimed to enhance human resource capacities to study and conserve plant genetic resources and to utilize and manage biodiversity in agricultural systems as to improve their sustainability for the well-being of present and future generations.
Curricula
The Program is structured into two curricula:
– Curriculum A – Plant genetic resources;
– Curriculum B – Functional biodiversity in agroecosystems.
Research Areas
Research areas include the analysis of:
- genetic variation in single genes and entire genomes of agricultural and forestry plants and their wild relatives;
- mechanisms that control the variability in genes and/or groups of genes, as those involved in resistance to pathogens and/or pests and tolerance to environmental stresses;
- role of functional biodiversity, including interactions between pests/pathogens/weeds and domesticated/volunteer/wild plants, to support agroecosystem resistance, resilience and stability;
- role of functional biodiversity at genes/species/habitat levels to support agroecosystem services, (e.g. crop yield, produce quality, crop protection, soil quality) and multifunctional land use.
- Physiology of plant adaptation to the environment.
Eligibility
- The selection is open to University graduates from any country. Candidates from Developing Countries are particularly welcome.
- Applicants, with no restriction on nationality, must hold a Master of Science (M.Sc.) degree or equivalent title in Experimental Sciences, at an Italian or foreign university and must be younger than 35 years (date of birth after October 10, 1976).
- The suitability of foreign degrees will be assessed by the Examination Committee solely for the purpose of the Competition
Scholarship Provisions
PhD students with grants will receive a monthly allowance including additional costs and national health contributions (INPS Gestione separata) as to the norms regarding Doctoral Scholarships granted by Italian Universities.
The gross amount of the scholarship is 16.165,49 € per year, and its net amount is € 12,500.00; all inclusive (e.g.: travel costs to/from Italy to student’s Country and living allowance).
The School provides all doctoral students an accident insurance during the three-year program.
Last date for submission of online applications is October 10, 2011.
Hardcopy of the application along with the required documents must reach Scuola Superiore by October 19, 2011.
For more information, visit this link.
