Chemistry

Unife

Anna Baldisserotto

Alessandra Boschi

Stefano Caramori

Stefano Carli

Martina Catani

Alberto Cavazzini

Antonella Ciancetta

Gaia Colombo

Rita Cortesi

Alessandro Dalpiaz

Elisabetta Esposito

Flavio Antonio Franchina

Remo Guerrini

Jusef Hassoun

Stefano Manfredini

Nicola Marchetti

Simone Meloni

Claudio Nastruzzi

Mirco Natali

Delia Preti

Daniele Ragno

Maurizio Remelli

Romeo Romagnoli

Claudio Trapella

Silvia Vertuani

Other University

Elzbieta Gumienna-Kontecka

Marcin Stepien 

The PhD program in Chemical Sciences is open to Italian and foreign graduates holding a Master's degree or equivalent qualification. The course lasts three years and is organized into two curricula:

1. Chemical Sciences
2. Pharmaceutical and Food Sciences.

In addition to intensive experimental activity, the PhD student's research training path includes participation in specially designed teaching courses, thematic seminars, and interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary, and transdisciplinary training activities. PhD students are supervised by a supervisor, possibly assisted by one or more co-supervisors, who advises and follows the PhD student in carrying out research activities and defining a personalized training path. At the end of the PhD program, students will have a high level of scientific qualification that will enable them to design, organize, and independently manage research activities and to describe and present research results in a manner that is adequate to national and international standards.

The main objective of the PhD program in Chemical Sciences is to train highly qualified researchers with advanced knowledge and technical-scientific skills in the various fields of chemical, pharmaceutical, and food sciences in line with the principles of sustainable development. The offer of training paths designed specifically for PhD students on scientifically relevant and current topics, combined with research in international and interdisciplinary projects, aims to stimulate students to think in a multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary perspective, of problem-solving and to train them for lifelong learning. The goal is for the student to be able to adapt their knowledge and skills during the doctoral program and acquire a maturity and awareness such as to direct them towards a future career that can meet their expectations and, at the same time, allow them to fully exploit their potential. The course aims to improve the PhD student's ability to present the products of research, both in the form of scientific articles and reports and in the public presentation of results at conferences and workshops. At the same time, one of the objectives of the course is for the PhD student to also acquire teaching experience through the delivery of frontal teaching in undergraduate and graduate courses. To this end, the PhD student can carry out tutoring activities, seminars, and can hold contracts (free of charge) to support teaching for a total commitment that does not negatively impact their research activities and in line with university regulations. The PhD student will also carry out third mission activities within the framework of initiatives organized by the affiliated Departments with the aim of further promoting the PhD student's autonomy through the dissemination of research and/or innovation programs and their impact on the territory.

The PhDs who graduate from the PhD program in Chemical Sciences possess the skills necessary to carry out, coordinate, and direct research activities in the chemical, pharmaceutical, and food fields, both at the academic and industrial level. They are in fact characterized by a high level of qualification, experience, and ability to design and independently conduct scientific research in technologically advanced sectors of chemistry and pharmaceuticals. Their profiles combine an excellent knowledge of basic disciplines and a set of specific technical/methodological skills. Furthermore, they have communication skills and the ability to work towards a common goal as part of a group. The specific and transversal skills acquired in terms of critical thinking, writing and document management, data analysis, chemical safety, make PhD students flexible and adaptable to various employment opportunities. These characteristics allow them to access positions of responsibility and leadership in public research institutions, including the university career, and private, national and international, in the world of the chemical, pharmaceutical, and food industry, with the possibility of operating in various sectors such as Research and Development (R&D), production, quality control, patenting, and management of regulatory affairs. The path to entering the job market can begin with a training period and lead to positions with responsibility for developing and conducting projects, attracting funding, and managing research groups in public or private institutions. The chemical-pharmaceutical industry, of small, medium, and large dimensions, is among the main employers of PhDs in Chemical Sciences. More recently, interesting career opportunities have been opening up in the biotech, plastics, and energy industries. Possible roles include the development of active principles, formulation, research and clinical testing, optimization of new production processes, management of regulatory affairs and product and process safety, business development, and patenting. Holding a PhD is an essential requirement for an academic career, both in Italy and abroad. It allows access, through a public competition, to positions as a fixed-term researcher, including entry into the tenure-track path to access the position of Associate Professor. Furthermore, the title allows participation in national funding calls as Principal Investigator (PI). The periodic consultation (annual) of the Stakeholders (internal and external) identified by the PhD program allows the skills provided to PhD students to be kept up-to-date and consistent with the demands of the labor market and, at the same time, to promote interventions aimed at guaranteeing the quality and continuous updating of the training and research offer.

In financial terms, the activities of the PhD student are guaranteed by the research budget provided by law for each student (in an amount equal to 10% of the scholarship amount), to which resources can be added that can be found from specific university calls for proposals that PhD students can participate in (for example, the "5×1000" call) and/or integration from the supervisor's own funds. Furthermore, the University Institute of Advanced Studies IUSS – Ferrara 1391 activates calls for mobility dedicated to PhD students every year. Although the PhD student can independently manage their research budget for conference registrations, publication expenses, purchase of consumables, software, technical equipment, etc., it is the responsibility of the supervisor and the PhD College to monitor the correct use of the fund.

In the programming of training activities, the College considers it of fundamental importance to encourage the autonomy of the PhD student by stimulating participation in third mission activities planned by the Departments and by organizing an annual PhD Symposium in June, during which PhD students can share their knowledge and show their research also to representatives of the regional and national production world, thus putting into practice the skills acquired. The PhD program also promotes the teaching of the values of research integrity, understood as adherence to the set of principles and ethical values necessary for responsible conduct in carrying out research and in all related activities, including the production and dissemination of scientific knowledge. As regards research products, the PhD College encourages the participation of the PhD student as a co-author in at least one scientific publication and to present the results of their research in at least one national or international conference in oral or poster communications (ordinary minimum requirement). At the same time, the College is committed to spreading awareness among PhD students about the importance of maintaining confidentiality in relation to intellectual property rights, especially when such rights and information are shared with external parties.

Access to the PhD program is through the passing of a specific selection test, the modalities of which are consistent with the training objectives of the PhD program and with the cultural and professional profiles at the output. The PhD College programs orientation activities in the last year of the Degree Courses in Chemical Sciences, Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Technologies (CTF) and Pharmacy at the University of Ferrara to encourage internal participation in the selection call; the call is also advertised on the course website (https://www.unife.it/studenti/dottorato/it/corsi/riforma/chimica) in Italian and English for external students.

In order to be admitted to the following year, the PhD student, in addition to having demonstrated the acquisition of credits by completing an annual summary sheet prepared by the IUSS and duly verified by the Coordinator, is required to illustrate to the PhD College their research activity through an oral presentation of approximately 15-20 minutes, followed by a question and answer session of 10-15 minutes, aimed at verifying knowledge of the scientific topics addressed, the candidate's commitment, and results worthy of merit. At the end of the third year, in order to be admitted to the final exam, the PhD student must write a doctoral thesis in English reporting, in a homogeneous and coherent manner, the description of the research activities carried out, as well as the results achieved during the research training path. The thesis is evaluated by internationally renowned experts who may request integrations or corrections (peer review process). Once the thesis has been approved, the award of the PhD in Chemical Sciences takes place through an oral presentation of the results to a commission of experts.

The PhD program in Chemical Sciences is organized into two curricula: 1) Chemical Sciences and 2) Pharmaceutical and Food Sciences.

The research topics developed within the Chemical Sciences curriculum include activities relating to various sectors of chemistry, including:

• inorganic chemistry (synthesis of metal complexes for medical applications; synthesis of semiconductors and new materials for solar energy conversion; study of redox properties and the electronic structure of molecular systems, extended solids and surfaces through quantum-mechanical calculations and electrochemical and spectroscopic experimental methods; photocatalysis and development of photoelectrochemical solar cells);
• physical chemistry (synthesis and characterization of crystalline and amorphous composites for technological applications; development of new materials for energy storage and conversion systems in the context of sustainable energy transition);
• analytical chemistry (development of sustainable methods for the purification of biopharmaceuticals through chromatographic techniques, also in continuous mode; development of advanced chromatographic methods for the separation of analytes from complex mixtures; study of emerging contaminants and development of remediation methodologies; fundamental studies of molecular recognition and metal-protein systems or metal complexes used as drugs; characterization of microporous and nanostructured materials);
• organic chemistry (design of sustainable synthesis processes catalyzed in batch and continuous flow mode; synthesis of high value-added molecules for fine chemicals from waste materials; use of CO2; synthesis of chiral molecules with biological activity);
• industrial chemistry (development and characterization of polymeric materials; valorization of biomass in industrial processes).

The research topics developed within the Pharmaceutical and Food Sciences curriculum include activities relating to various sectors of chemistry, including:

• pharmaceutical chemistry (design, synthesis, and characterization of potentially therapeutic molecules targeting biological targets of pathologies);
• cosmeceutical chemistry (synthesis or extraction with eco-compatible solvents of bioactive natural molecules or useful as ingredients/vehicles in cosmetics; recovery from plant sources and biomass of cosmeceutical ingredients; new approaches to formulation and qualitative-quantitative analysis of cosmetics; analysis and evaluation of raw materials, cosmetic formulations, and finished products);
• pharmaceutical technology (design, formulation, characterization of: a) solid forms and drug delivery systems for oral, nasal-inhalation, and loco-regional use; b) cosmetics and topical medical devices; c) micro/nanocarriers for non-invasive administration and targeting of drugs/prodrugs towards cells/organs; cellular/tissue models of physiological barriers; studies of pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and safety of vectors);
• food chemistry (characterization of functional, organoleptic, and bioactive components in food matrices; valorization of agro-food products of the territory in terms of quality, safety, traceability, and protection of productions);
• nutraceutical chemistry (synthesis of molecules and application of green extraction methods for the recovery of high-value compounds from agro-food by-products for ingredient or nutraceutical purposes; identification of molecular/biomolecular markers as indicators of raw material processing; study of the bioavailability of nutritional and functional components of food).

The PhD program in Chemical Sciences provides training and research activities (including third mission activities). The student must acquire 180 credits for these activities over three years (60 credits per year). Training activities are specific and transversal; the latter include multi-, inter-, and transdisciplinary aspects and are defined by the PhD College together with the University Institute of Advanced Studies IUSS – Ferrara 1391. Research activities involve the development of a theme consistent with the PhD program in Chemical Sciences, under the guidance of a supervisor assigned by the PhD College, who may be assisted by one or more co-supervisors, even from the business world. The identification of the supervisor by the College is carried out in a coherent manner with the research activities carried out by the PhD student, ensuring an adequate distribution of the supervisory role among the members of the College. In the case of industrial doctorates, the affiliation of the supervisor or a co-supervisor to the College is required to guarantee the successful integration of the PhD student into the training and research path organized by the PhD program. In order to offer adequate support, the supervision activity is typically limited to a limited number of PhD students. In this perspective and to promote the realization of international collaborations, the PhD program favors the co-supervision of doctoral theses in which the PhD student carries out their research activity under the joint responsibility of the two supervisors assigned by the College and the host university.

The academic and professional training activities for which credits are recognized are as follows:

• supplementary teaching activities within degree courses with the presence and guidance of the supervisor: 1 CFU every 4 hours up to a maximum of 40 hours.
• authorized teaching and methodological tutoring activities: 1 CFU every 4 hours up to a maximum of 40 hours.
• periods of detachment at companies and Public Administrations for the performance of training and research activities: 5 CFU per month up to a maximum of 12 months over the entire course. In the specific case of supplementary teaching, it is the College that decides on the assignment of this type of activity to the PhD student, which is typically carried out starting from the middle of the second year, or in a period in which the PhD student has already acquired the necessary skills to play such a significant role.

Research activities are related to work on the research project, participation in conferences and seminars as speakers or listeners, periods of mobility abroad, and publications. The following credits are assigned for research activities:

• research activity linked to the doctoral thesis and certified by the supervisor in the annual report: 1st and 2nd year up to 30 CFU; 3rd year not less than 30 CFU (one credit corresponds to twenty-five hours of work). The composition of the research CFU linked to the development of the thesis project is proposed by the PhD student in agreement with the supervisor and must be reported in the PhD student's annual report, where the activities carried out and the results achieved are detailed.
• participation in conferences and seminars as a listener: 1 CFU per day (6 hours)
• participation in conferences and seminars as a speaker: 3 CFU
• periods of mobility abroad: 5 CFU per month of stay up to a maximum of 12 months over the entire course
• Publications: poster presentation at conferences, 1 CFU; on a scientific journal, 2 CFU; on a scientific journal ranked in the respective first quartile (Q1), 3 CFU; contribution to a volume with ISBN, 2 CFU.

See the activities

The elements of internationalization of the PhD program in Chemical Sciences are articulated on several levels. The first and simplest involves all PhD students, since the course requires that students, generally from the second year of training, spend one or more periods of research at foreign Institutions or Research Centers, for a duration generally between 3 and 6 months (even non-consecutive), during which they can not only acquire internationally recognized training, improve their language skills and learn different cultures, but also test themselves in a completely new environment with different scientific references. Agreements for mobility are directly taken between the PhD student's supervisor and the contact person at the international site chosen for the internship, based on the supervisor's knowledge and contacts and/or on proposals from the PhD student. Furthermore, depending on the characteristics of the internship (duration and foreign country), these experiences can allow the activation of co-supervisions and the obtaining of the Doctor Europaeus degree. Thanks to the financial support of the IUSS, with dedicated mobility calls for PhD students, it has been possible over the years to consolidate this good practice, which is considered fundamental for the growth of the PhD student to the point of making it mandatory in the training path for a minimum period of 3 months.

In 2017, an agreement was activated with the University of Wroclaw in Poland for a "Joint International PhD Programme in Chemical Sciences", an agreement that was recently renewed until 2027. The agreement provides that each of the two sites allocates a PhD scholarship each year to a student who carries out a research project in collaboration between the two universities, supervised by a supervisor from the university of origin and a co-supervisor from the other university. The course is normally three years, but can be extended by one year, and requires PhD students to work for at least six months of the project at the foreign site, as PhD students of both universities. At the end of the course, the thesis is written in English, subjected to the review of external reviewers and defended before an International Commission. Each of the two universities confers the title of PhD. The Joint Program certainly represents a more structured level of internationalization compared to the period abroad provided for PhD students that the PhD program not only intends to maintain but also, if possible, to strengthen by including other partner institutions. As a preliminary phase to the drafting of Joint Program agreements, it will also be possible to implement co-supervision agreements for individual PhD students, during which the details of a more structured agreement between the PhD programs of the two institutions can be deepened.

Relations with the production world are considered indispensable for various reasons, including, first of all, the possibility of comparing the training and research activities carried out within the PhD program with the demands of the labor market and the needs of society. These relationships are also fundamental to allow PhD students involved in collaborations with external bodies to independently apply the knowledge acquired through the development of innovation and technology transfer processes. Over the years, the contacts of the PhD program with companies and public and private institutions operating in the chemical, pharmaceutical, and food sectors have been constant, as demonstrated by the considerable number of scholarships financed by external bodies. The Internal and External Stakeholders of the PhD program in Chemical Sciences have recently been defined (December 2023). The former are represented by the Coordinators of the Master's Degree Courses in Chemical Sciences and Chemical and Pharmaceutical Technologies of the University of Ferrara, second-level courses that precede and are preparatory to admission to the PhD program in Chemical Sciences (third-level training). External Stakeholders are constituted by a representation of internationally renowned researchers and representatives of the world of work, and in particular by managers of two important companies in the chemical-pharmaceutical sector (Fresenius Kabi iPSUM and Fidia Farmaceutici), a member of the Board of Directors of the Interprovincial Order of Chemists and Physicists of Emilia-Romagna, a representative of ARPAE Emilia-Romagna and a renowned professor from the University of Córdoba (Spain). The PhD program has planned the consultation of Stakeholders annually (the last consultation took place in October 2024), considering it the most effective tool for a constant connection with the world of work and research, for the evaluation of the course's progress and its development potential, to develop proposals for defining and designing the training offer and learning objectives so that they are consistent with the professional and occupational opportunities that the course aims to achieve. Similarly, constant contact with External Stakeholders can favor possible internships for PhD students at public and private research institutions and companies. The analysis of the training and research path is also carried out through the ongoing monitoring of the opinion of PhD students in meetings specifically organized by the Coordinator on a six-monthly basis and through a survey conducted through the administration of an online questionnaire addressed to first and second-year PhD students.

Equipment and/or Laboratories

Laboratories with instrumentation for research in: separation sciences (multi-dimensional liquid and gas chromatography systems and hyphenated, continuous chromatography, atomic spectroscopy, plasma mass); molecular synthesis and characterization (NMR, FT-IR, XRD, SEM, AFM/STM, automated synthesis platforms); pharmaceutical formulation; studies in the photochemical and electrochemical field (optical spectroscopy, electrochemical stations); high-performance computing center.

Library Holdings

The course uses the university library system. Services include catalog and book lending, study rooms, multimedia rooms, journal rooms, consultation of online databases and electronic journals. The Chemical and Biomedical Library has about 26,000 volumes, of which 3,000, including manuals and monographs, are in the thematic areas of interest (Chemistry).

The Library has about 1,500 periodicals; a total of about 33,000 annual volumes. The University subscribes to online journals in various thematic areas from the following publishers: American Chemical Society, BlackwellWiley, Elsevier, Kluwer-Springer, Nature Publishing Group, Science. The journals fully cover the following areas: Chemistry, Analytical chemistry, Crystallography, General Inorganic chemistry, Organic chemistry, Physical and theoretical chemistry, Experimental pharmacology.

E-resources

• SciFinder (CAS databases)
• PubMed (including MedLine)
• BioMed Central
• Google Scholar
• UNI Standards
• Scopus
• ISI Web of Knowledge (Thomson Reuters)
• Espacenet
• JSTOR
• Software for scientific applications (MATLAB);
• Databases: Cambridge Structural Database, Inorganic Crystal Structure Database, Powder Data File, NIST of PA, gas reactions and pKa; thermodynamic parameters of drug-receptor binding.
• Molecular modeling: Gaussian emulations (ab-initio and DFT QM calculations); VASP, CPMD, Quantum-Espresso; LAMMPS, DL_POLY, Amber 20, ACEMD3; MOE, OpenEye, Rosetta; PLUMED; CrystalMaker, CrystalDiffract, SingleCrystal, VESTA, VMD

Individual workstations with PCs connected to the network in suitable and safety-compliant locations. Access to databases is guaranteed by remote workstations with VPN. For computational doctoral projects: 1 cluster 512 core AMD Epyc and 80 TB of storage; 3 advanced workstations for hybrid computing on AMD Threadripper processors (3970X-32 core, 3960X-24 core) with GPGPU accelerators (GeForce RTX 3090 - 10496 cores and 24GB RAM - and GeForce RTX 3070 - 5888 cores and 8GB)