Research Scope Title Abstract Keywords Proponent Contact

Research Area

Scope Title Abstract Keywords Proponent Contact email

Astrophysics and Cosmology

Theoretical Numerical simulations of binary neutron star mergers

The first multimessenger observation of a binary neutron star (BNS) merger in 2017 marked a major milestone in the investigation of these extreme astrophysical events. Among numerous results, it confirmed that they can power short gamma-ray bursts (SGRBs) and produce a large amount of heavy elements via r-process nucleosynthesis. However, many open questions remain on the post-merger dynamics and the physical origin of the observed firework of electromagnetic signals. The PhD student will study such a system via state-of-the-art magnetohydrodynamic simulations in general relativity using (and further developing) our new numerical code "Spritz". The goal will consist in a first systematic investigation including simultaneously strong magnetic fields and neutrino radiation. Special attention will be devoted to understand the conditions for launching a SGRB jet and/or to improve our interpretation of radioactively-powered "kilonovae" associated with heavy element nucleosynthesis.

binary neutron star, gamma-ray burst, gravitational waves, kilonova, general relativity, numerical relativity, MHD

Ciolfi Riccardo [email protected]


Theoretical Relativistic jets from binary neutron star mergers and short gamma-ray bursts

The first gravitational wave detection of a binary neutron star (BNS) merger in coincidence with a short gamma-ray burst (SGRB) in 2017 proved the long-standing hypothesis connecting the two phenomena, implying that BNS merger remnants can launch powerful jets. However, numerical simulations describing the early jet breakout and its following evolution have remained so far disconnected from those describing the merger process itself, making it impossible to infer properties of the original merging system from the observed signatures of the escaping jet. Our group was recently able to combine the two types of simulations, building a first end-to-end description. Exploiting this unique ability, the PhD student will investigate, via special relativistic magnetohydrodynamic simulations, how the properties of the original system affect the ultimate jet observables. The results will offer a framework to interpret the prompt and afterglow emission of past and upcoming SGRB events.

binary neutron star, gamma-ray burst, relativistic jets, gravitational waves, kilonova, numerical relativity, MHD

Ciolfi Riccardo [email protected]


Theoretical Relativistic effects in galaxy surveys

Relativistic effects in galaxy surveys

Maps of the Universe based on galaxy redshifts are distorted by several relativistic effects on very large scales. In addition, in a wide-angle survey, peculiar-velocity effects are not accurately described by the Kaiser limit at very large scales. The aim of this project is to measure the impact of redshift-space distortions by using several galaxy statistics which will be measured in future surveys like Euclid, SKA and SphereX.

Wide-angle galaxy survey, relativistic effects

Bertacca, Daniele [email protected]

Research Area



Theoretical, Data Analysis

Probing Inflation and primordial gravitational waves

Inflation is the standard paradigm to understand how the structures we see in the Universe formed from tiny density fluctuations (of quantum mechanical origin) in the early universe. Primordial gravitational waves (PGW) from inflation are the target of future Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) experiments, like the JAXA-led LiteBIRD satellite to be launched in the late 2020s. The PhD project will explore both new theoretical predictions and new observational windows probing different aspects of inflation and PGW ranging from CMB to much smaller scales not tested so far (e.g. those probed by CMB spectral distortions, primordial black-hole abundances, and future interferometers). Examples of specific issues that can be investigated also include primordial non-Gaussianity, the quantum nature of inflationary perturbations (e.g. the quantum-to-classical transition through decoherence phenomena), statistical characterization of the stochastic gravitational wave background from inflation.

Early Universe, Inflation, inflationary stochastic gravitational wave background, quantum primordial fluctuations, Cosmic Microwave Background anisotropies, LiteBIRD satellite

Bartolo Nicola [email protected]



Testing the late time acceleration of the universe

The present acceleration of the Universe is indeed one of the fundamental questions modern cosmology is facing. One possible explanation might be a modification of Einstein gravity on the largest cosmological scales. The thesis project aims at developing both from the theoretical and the observational point of view proper tools to investigate such possibility. Particular attention will be devoted to a multi-messenger and multi-wavelength approach, combining observational constraints from a variety of future surveys, including Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) experiments, Large-Scale Structure (LSS) Surveys, such as Euclid and SKA, and gravitational wave observatories like LISA and ET and possible cross-correlations signatures (like, e.g. the cross-correlation arising between CMB anisotropies and LSS). Possible connections to some of the recent tensions between different observations, pointing to a possible revision of the standard cosmological model, will also be investigated

Dark energy and modified gravity models, observational constraints on the late time acceleration of the Universe, CMB-LSS cross-correlation

Bartolo Nicola [email protected]


Theoretical Neutrinos in Cosmology A variety of cosmological observations, from Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) Anisotropies to Large-Scale Structure (LSS) galaxy surveys, have proven to be crucial in constraining various properties of neutrinos, and represent a complementary probe to other astrophysical and terrestrial laboratory measurements. The goal of this Thesis project is to investigate various cosmological aspects of neutrino physics, including some that have been poorly explored so far. Connections among neutrinos anomalies, self-interactions and possibly the cosmological tensions on the Hubble parameter measurements from Cosmic Microwave Background data vs low redshift data could be investigated as well. The Project will be carried out in collaboration with researchers at SISSA (Trieste) and at University of Ferarra.

neutrinos, cosmology Bartolo Nicola [email protected]

Research Area



Theoretical Primordial black holes cosmology

Primordial Black Holes (PBHs) emerged recently as a viable candidate for the dark matter. Studying them can inform us not only on the nature of dark matter, but also on the physics acting during the early stages of the Universe.The scope of this PhD is to improve the understanding of PBHs formation mechanism, merger rate, mass range and observational signatures, and what this can tell us about fundamental physics, gravity and dark matter.During the course of the PhD, we will study constraints on inflationary models coming from PBH studies, the PBH as dark matter model, and if PBHs can be the seeds of the supermassive black holes we see at the center of many galaxies.

cosmology, primordial black holes, dark matter, early universe

Raccanelli, Alvise [email protected]


Theoretical Modeling the Large-Scale Structure of the Universe for future cosmological surveys

The mathematical modeling of the Large-Scale Structure (LSS) of the Universe and in particular of galaxy clustering is currently based on series of approximations that were valid for past surveys, but it will need to be updated for future precise observations.The aim of this PhD is to employ advanced mathematical modeling to fully develop a recently proposed formalism that allows the calculation of unequal-time correlations.During this project we will investigate the effects (and constraints) of different models of gravity and dark energy on wide angular and long radial galaxy correlations. Moreover, we will use modern perturbation theory techniques to model gravitational dynamics on non-linear scales.Such modeling will be of great importance for future cosmological surveys such as the SKA and the NASA missions SPHEREx, Roman and ATLAS-probe; the student will be able to join the science team of at least two of such experiments.

cosmology, large-scale structure, galaxy clustering, gravity, dark energy, cosmological surveys



Data Analysis Mining Cosmology with Euclid

Present and future cosmological data analysis requires modern advanced statistical and computational techniques to address long standing fundamental physics problems like neutrino model and the nature of dark energy. Relying on the huge amount of data coming from the Euclid satellite and the expertise of the INFN group on cosmological data analysis, ranging from instrument, high performance computing and statistics, is possible to challenge the present theoretical cosmological model and aiming to find answers to the fundamental questions of the origin of our Universe, its structures, and the nature of dark matter and dark energy.

cosmology, dark energy, galaxy survey, data analysis, big data, statistics, high performance computing

Renzi Alessandro, Sirignano Chiara, Dusini Stefano, Stanco Luca

[email protected]

Research Area



Data Analysis The Euclid space mission: from ground testing to satellite launch and data taking

Euclid is an ESA space mission devoted to the study of the Large Scale Structures of the Universe. The Euclid payload consists of a 1.2 m telescope equipped with two instruments: the Visual Imager and the Near-Infrared Spectro-Photometer (NISP). NISP hosts a focal plane of 16 low-noise NIR detectors. The launch of the satellite is expected in 2022, the data taking will last six years. Padova group is involved in several activities related to the NISP instrument ground testing and commissioning. Collected images will be the only possible reference before flight operation. The PhD activity will be focused on the evaluation of instrumental and data processing efficiencies and systematics. Such features are poorly known at the moment, it is essential to take them into account in the complete Euclid simulations to evaluate their impact on cosmological parameters determination. NISP infrared sensors are widely used in galaxy surveys, experience acquired will be valuable for future missions.

Near Infrared detectors, Spectroscopy, Dark energy, Dark matter, Image data analysis, Simulation

Chiara Sirignano, Alessandro Renzi, Stefano Dusini, Luca Stanco

[email protected]


Theoretical Characterisation of the SGWB of cosmological and astrophysical origin with ground and space-based interferometers (Einstein Telescope, LISA)

The direct detections by the LIGO-Virgo collaboration of Gravitational Waves (GWs) have officially opened a new era for cosmology and astrophysics. The next milestone will be the detection of the stochastic gravitational wave backgrounds (SGWB), by future space-based (LISA) and ground-based (Einstein Telescope) detectors. There are two main sources of GW: an astrophysical one coming from unresolved astrophysical compact objects, and a cosmological one coming from early universe mechanisms like inflation, preheating, phase transition, cosmic strings, etc. The characterization of the SGWB signals will be important to distinguish the two contributions and to give information on the early universe and physical properties of astrophysical objects. In this PhD project we want to develop theoretical and numerical tools to characterise such backgrounds for the LISA and Einstein Telescope collaborations. A particular focus will be given to anisotropies, non-Gaussianity and polarisation of GWs.

Gravitational Waves, LISA, Einstein Telescope

Ricciardone, Angelo

[email protected]


Theoretical Cross-correlation among cosmological probes

The level of accuracy of present and future cosmological experiments has allowed to start to cross-correlate different probes and related data-sets, like Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) and Large-Scale Structure (LSS). Besides astrophysical and cosmological information that can be extracted from the auto and cross-correlations among such probes, it has been shown recently that the cross-correlation is important also to take control of systematics. In this PhD project we want to explore the information that can be extracted considering cross-correlations among Stochastic Backgrounds of Gravitational Waves of Astrophysical and Cosmological origin, CMB and LSS.

Gravitational Waves, cross correlation, Cosmic Microwave Background, Large-Scale Structure

Riccciardone, Angelo

[email protected]

Research Area




Gravitational Wave mergers as tracers of Large Scale Structures

The aim of this project is to study spatial clustering properties of Gravitational Wave (GW) merger events on cosmological scales. GW mergers trace the underlying Dark Matter (DM) distribution. Therefore their spatial 2-point correlation function and their power spectrum carry information on cosmological parameters. Of course, a sufficient number of GW events is needed to achieve enough statistics. This will be reached with 2nd and 3rd generation detectors. Besides constraining cosmology, it is also interesting to study the GW power spectrum as a tool to extract merger clustering bias parameters, which provide insight into the physical nature of the merger themselves. A part of the project will consist in modelling the 2-point function and merger bias, using state-of-the-art hydrodinamical simulations. This will be followed by the generation of realistic mock GW datasets, and by the implementation of merger power spectrum and parameter estimation pipelines for future surveys.

Cosmology, Large Scale Structure, Gravitational Waves

Liguori, Michele [email protected]


Data Analysis Cosmology beyond Gaussianity

The goal of this project is to develop methods for modeling and estimation of cosmological non-Gaussianity (NG). Emphasis will be given on the development and implementation of statistical estimation pipelines of higher order correlation functions, which will be applied to the galaxy distribution field or to CMB secondary anisotropies (e.g., Sunyaev Zel'dovich effect, CMB lensing). Such pipelines will be applied to realistic mock datasets, in combination with likelihood free inference techniques for cosmological parameter estimation. The main scientific goals are the following: - Test the Physics of Inflation via primordial NG studies of galaxy surveys.- Test deviations from the standard cosmological model (e.g. interacting dark energy, massive neutrinos), as well as study structure formation and growth via gravitational NG signatures in the cosmological Large Scale Structure.

Cosmology, statistical methods, non-Gaussianity

Liguori, Michele [email protected]

Astrophysics and Cosmology, Multimessenger Astroparticle

Hardware & detector

Laser-cavity mode-matching sensing and control in gravitational wave detectors

Improving the sensitivity of modern gravitational wave interferometric detectors requires employing special "squeezed" states of the quantum vacuum. This technique is extremely vulnerable to optical losses, currently dominated by the imperfect match between the laser beam's spatial profile and the optical cavities that constitutes these complex instruments.The project aims at developing innovative sensors and actuators to address the problem. Relevant topics include laser optics, thermo- and electro-optical systems, control systems, electronics and simulations.Several related experimental projects are available with the possibility of a direct impact and application to large scale GW detectors.

Virgo, LIGO, Einstein Telescope, gravitational-waves, laser optic

Giacomo Ciani [email protected]

Research Area



Data Analysis, Hardware & detector

Mitigation of laser stray ight in gravitational wave interferometers

The astonishing sensitivity of modern gravitational wave detectors is still higher than their design performance. One of the strongest suspects is stray light, i.e. light that leaves the laser beam for a variety of reasons (imperfect anti-reflection coatings; surface roughness; presence of dust contamination), and later recombines with the main optical path carrying with it extra phase noise acquired because of reflection off of vibrating surfaces.Tracking down and modeling possible sources of stray light and their impact on the interferometer's performance is a complex and still largely unresolved problem, but also a crucial step for improving the sensitivity of current detectors. This project aims at tackling organically the various aspects of the issue, including experimental characterization of scattering surfaces, simulation of scattered light distribution, prediction of coupling paths, estimation of noise at the output of the detector and development of mitigation strategies.

Virgo, LIGO, Gravitational-wave, simulation, laser optic

Giacomo Ciani [email protected]


Theoretical Scalar-induced gravitational-wave background

It has been shown (Matarrese, Pantano & Saez 1993) that gravitational waves are unavoidably produced by the non-linear evolution of cosmological scalar (e.g. density) perturbations. This mechanism has been shown to imply an important contribution to the stochastic gravitational-wave background in several scenarios, such as e.g. that involving Primordial Black-Holes. Aim of this PhD thesis project is to explore the theoretical and observational aspects of such secondary waves, including their non-Gaussian statistics.

Gravitational waves, non-linear dynamics, non-Gaussian statistics

Matarrese Sabino [email protected]


Theoretical, computational

Unraveling the formation channels of binary compact objects

The first direct detection of gravitational waves in 2015 marked the dawn of gravitational-wave astrophysics. Several dozens of binary compact object mergers have been observed after the first detection, mostly binary black holes. Such observations pave the ground to address one of the key questions of contemporary astrophysics: what are the formation channels of binary black holes and neutron stars? The student will develop numerical and semi-analytic models to address this question, by studying the formation of binary compact objects from stellar dynamics, stellar astrophysics and cosmology. The models will be compared against gravitational-wave data thanks to hierarchical Bayesian analysis. The final goal is to explore the main scientific cases of next-generation ground based gravitational wave detectors. The student will work in the ERC-funded group DEMOBLACK and will collaborate with the Einstein Telescope Observation Science Board.

black holes, neutron stars, gravitational waves, stellar evolution, numerical simulations, dynamics

Mapelli, Michela [email protected]


Theoretical Gravitational waves and Large Scale Structure

Some of the most important progresses in cosmology in the next decade will come from gravitational waves(GWs) and observations of the Large-Scale Structure(LSS) of the Universe. The cross correlation of the two is an innovative observable that has been recently proposed and will enable novel tests of the model for gravity, dark energy, and the presence of primordial black holes.The aim of this PhD is to fully develop the GWxLSS correlation and model the effects on it from different cosmological models, including deviations from General Relativity and the cosmological constant.The student will be able to join GWxLSS dedicated working groups within the SKA, Euclid and ATLAS-probe missions.

cosmology, gravitational waves, primordial black holes, gravity, large-scale structure


Research Area



Data Analysis Astrophysics and cosmology with gamma-ray blazar observations

Blazars are jetted-AGNs with a jet pointing at small angles towards the observer and whose emission spans the entire electromagnetic spectrum. At the highest energies, in the very-high-energy gamma-ray domain, Imaging Atmospheric Cherenkov telescope observations have opened a new window for the study of the physics processes at work in AGN jets and for cosmological studies on the extragalactic background light and the intergalactic magnetic field. One of these telescopes is MAGIC, located in the Canary island of La Palma. The PhD work will focus on MAGIC data analysis and interpretation. In particular the candidate will coordinate the observation and MAGIC data analysis in a multi-wavelength/multi-messenger context and in connection with future observatories (e.g. CTA) and also take a data-taking shift at the MAGIC site. With the collected data, the candidate will choose the focus of the thesis (blazar modeling or cosmological studies).

blazar, agn, black hole, multimessenger, data taking, data analysis, modeling, interpretation, observational cosmology, gamma rays

Prandini, Elisa [email protected]

Astrophysics and Cosmology, Multimessenger Astroparticle, Particle Physics

Data Analysis, Hardware & detector, Computer science

Deep Learning Approach to Hybrid Calorimetry

Differentiable programming and probabilistic programming techniques allow to explore new solutions to the problem of precisely measuring the interaction of radiation with matter, by e.g. combining tracking and calorimetry into a hybrid detector and finding innovative, entirely new design solutions to the maximization of experimental resolution and to the geometry of apparata. In this work we will explore those solutions for applications to future colliders as well as astrophysics experiments. This work will be performed within the MODE collaboration, in cooperation with researchers in physics and computer science from CERN, New York University, Oxford University, Univ. Clermond Auvergne, Univ. Cath. de Louvain, Univ. Liege, and HSE Moscow.

deep learning, artificial intelligence, machine learning, particle physics, calorimetry, particle detection, astrophysics, optimization, differentiable programming

Dorigo Tommaso [email protected]

Astrophysics and Cosmology, Multimessenger Astroparticle, Particle Physics


Experimental Astroparticle Physics with MAGIC and CTA

PhD thesis work opportunity in within our experimental astroparticle physics group. The primary focus will be the analysis of LST (Large Size Telescope of CTA) data, analysis of joint data taken by LST and the MAGIC telescopes. The work might include the development of advanced analysis techniques with machine learning methods, or some hardware work in a new concept of photodetector for Cherenkov telescopes called Advanced Camera. The final aim is to public the first science results with the new CTA telescope prototype.

The candidates will be followed by experienced scientist and post docs in our group and introduced as active members of the collaborations of MAGIC and LST

The PhD thesis will include "On Site" work in Canary Islands for the commissioning and data taking with the LST and MAGIC telescopes

for more information on the experiments, detailed scientific topics, below the links

LST:https://www.cta-observatory.org/project/technology/lst/

MAGIChttps://magic.mpp.mpg.de/

Astroparticle Physics, Gamma ray astronomy, Multimessenger Astrophysics, Dark Matter

Mariotti Mosè [email protected]

Research Area


Astrophysics and Cosmology, Multimessenger Astroparticle, Particle Physics, Physics of Matter, Quantum Science and Technologies, Other topics

Data Analysis, Hardware & detector, Quantum based sensors

Experimental Search of Axion Dark Matter

Rotational curves of galaxies, large scale structure of the Universe, and angular fluctuations of the CMB, show that the composition of a significant fraction of the gravitating matter in our Universe is not known. This dark matter issue is one of the big problems in modern physics.The QUaerere AXions (QUAX) experiment is a direct search for galactic dark matter in the form of axion or axion like particles. A detector, called haloscope, is being built at Legnaro National Laboratories of INFN. It employs hybrid and dielectric microwave cavities operated in multi-Tesla magnetic fields, coupled to quantum-limited receivers. The QUAX experiment is seeking for Ph D students who wants to join a small group of researchers in their hunt for elusive particles: we promise lots of fun for those who like spending time in the laboratory building, testing and running state of the art apparatuses of novel design. Sure, data analysis experts will be also welcomed.

Dark Matter, Axions, Quantum Based Sensors, MilliKelvin Cryogenics, Superconducting Electronics, Microwave cavities

Giovanni Carugno

[email protected]

Astrophysics and Cosmology, Multimessenger Astroparticle, Particle Physics, Theory of Fundamental Interactions

Theoretical On the particle identity of dark matter

The observational evidence for dark matter, which is found to be five times more abundant than ordinary matter, leaves no doubt for the need for physics beyond the standard model. This thesis project will provide new particle candidates for dark matter and investigate the associated phenomenological implications. The analysis will be twofold: exploit the possible mechanisms for dark matter genesis in the early universe, and provide rigorous predictions for experimental rates expected in dark matter searches today both in our laboratories and in the sky. Furthermore, part of this project will be to study also other signals associated with the dark matter model, such as the presence of dark radiation and the production of gravitational waves in the early universe.

Dark Matter, Physics Beyond the Standard Model, AstroParticle Physics, Early Universe

D'Eramo, Francesco

[email protected]

Astrophysics and Cosmology, Multimessenger Astroparticle, Physics of Matter

Hardware & detector

Thermal Noise out of equilibrium in Gravitational Wave interferometers

Thermal noise (TN) represents one of the main limiting noise sources for many modern high precision experiments. At thermodynamic equilibrium it is a fully understood phenomenon. Indeed, the vast majority of TN projections in high sensitivity experiments are made under the assumption of thermodynamic equilibrium, even though this is often not justified. A typical case is that of Gravitational Wave interferometers, where futures designs (as Einstein Telescope) foresee increased non-equilibrium conditions. Following and extending previous work, the student will design and perform table-top experiments both at room and cryogenic temperatures to reach an understanding of the TN out of equilibrium.

thermal noise, gravitational wave detector, gravitational wave interferometer, non equilibrium, high sensitivity, nonequilibrium fluctuation theory

Conti, Livia [email protected]

Astrophysics and Cosmology, Nuclear Physics

Experiment and Data Collection and Analysis (ANL(USA) and LNL(I))

Neutron capture cross sections and the origin of the Solar System

The project aims to contribute to the study of the role of Supernova and/or massive Asymptotic Giant Branch (AGB) stars in the origin of the Solar System. Nuclear capture reactions on important branching points of s-process nucleosynthesis (as 85Kr) will be used to characterise in temperature and in neutron flux the AGB star. The experiments will be performed using radioactive and stable ion beams at the Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Chicago (USA) and at the INFN-Laboratori Nazionali di Legnaro (LNL) and will benefit from the unique performances of the HELIOS spectrometer (ANL) and the AGATA gamma ray detector (LNL). An experiment is already approved at ANL. The PhD student will take care of data collection at ANL and LNL as well as of the data reduction and of the interpretation. The expected results could be a cornerstone in the scientific context of the multi-messenger astronomy benchmarking a new method in the determination of capture cross sections of astrophysical interest.

Capture cross sections, s-process nucleosynthesis, nuclear astrophysics, nuclear physics, gamma ray spectroscopy

de Angelis, Giacomo

[email protected]

Research Area


Astrophysics and Cosmology, Nuclear Physics


Explosive Nuclear Astrophysics using the Radioactive Beams from the ISOLDE (CERN) facility

Recent massive-star and supernova activity in Earth’s vicinity may be traced by radionuclides with half-lives of up to 100 million years. Supernova explosion(s) may have triggered at least a partial extinction of life on Earth, called the Pliocene marine megafauna extinction. The discovery of the presence 60Fe on deep marine sediments was claimed as a signature of such explosion(s) in the vicinity of the Earth. Proper characterization of the event(s) still needs fundamental Nuclear Physics ingredients and in particular the neutron capture cross section on 59Fe is needed to correlate the amount of 60Fe found on Earth with the relevant astrophysical parameters of the explosion.The measurement of such cross section will take advantage of the radioactive ion beam facilities in ISOLDE, CERN, and will exploit a state-of-the-art detection system based on superconducting solenoid spectrometer.[Recchia, Caciolli, Broggini, De Angelis, Lenzi, Mengoni, Soramel]

Nuclear, Astrophysics, Universe

Recchia Francesco, Caciolli Antonio, Broggini Carlo, De Angelis Giacomo, Lenzi Silvia, Mengoni Daniele, Soramel Francesca

[email protected]

Astrophysics and Cosmology, Nuclear Physics, Physics of Matter

Numerical simulations, Experimental techniques of isotopes injection

Numerical and technological approaches to the optimization of isotopes' injection and consequent ionization in the magnetized plasma of the Pandora project.

In the past, experimental and theoretical efforts have been dedicated to investigate possible scenarios which can influence nuclear decays rates. It has been predicted that sizeable variations in the decay properties can be observed in highly ionized nuclides. A totally new and challenging approach is the basic idea of the PANDORA project, whose aim is the construction of a magnetic plasma trap and use it to measure nuclear β-decay rates as a function of the charge state distribution of the in plasma ions. Scope of the proposed project is, on one hand the improvement of an already developed numerical code for the determination of the plasma energy and density spatial distributions. On the other hand, the definition of the possible injection techniques of radioactive isotope in the magnetic trap, on the basis of those already applied to ion sources producing stable beams. The work will be completed with the necessary theoretical background in plasma physics and nuclear decays.

Beta Decay, Magnetized Plasmas, Isotopes injection

Galatà Alessio [email protected]

Astrophysics and Cosmology, Particle Physics

Data Analysis, Big Data

Virtualizing High-Energy Astrophysics Space Missions

In the foreseeable future within this decade, no new high-energy mission is scheduled to be launched. Thus, we take advantage of currently flying missions to combine their independent observations with dedicated multiplexing techniques. The resulting virtual new mission will be more sensitive than each mission alone allowing to tackle unresolved science topics related to fundamental physics (e.g. Dark Matter candidates) and to astrophysics (e.g. supermassive black holes as particle accelerators, cosmic ray propagation in the Milky Way galaxy).In this project the PhD candidates will build upon currently flying missions of NASA and ESA. This will be the groundwork for a more general technology to be applied to future missions. Candidates will work on actual observations modifying software, writing new software, and handling large amount of data. Ideal PhD candidates have previous experience with Python or C. These are typical skills at master-degree level in Physics or Astronomy.

high-energy space missions, high-energy observations, particle acceleration and propagation

Bottacini Eugenio [email protected]

Research Area


Astrophysics and Cosmology, Physics of Matter, Theory of Fundamental Interactions

Theoretical Non-linear Electrodynamics and Gravity: Implications and Applications in Cosmology and Condensed Matter

This project aims at the study of topical problems in Cosmology and Condensed Matter Theory (CMT) using, as a unifying framework (but not restricted to), a new non-linear modification of Maxwell electrodynamics (ModMax) combined with General Relativity and its modern modifications. ModMax is a unique self-interacting electrodynamics that preserves all the symmetries of Maxwell's theory, in particular electric-magnetic duality and conformal symmetry. Models of non-linear electrodynamics have applications in the wide range of theoretical physics, so the variety of problems which can be studied is very vast. The interdisciplinary of the project relies on gravity/CMT holography, a modern methodology which uses gravitational structures (e.g. black holes) for the description of strongly correlated CM systems. This offers to the PhD students an excellent opportunity to collaborate with theoretical groups of Padua working in different but intertwining areas of research.

Electrodynamics, duality, conformal symmetry, (modfied) gravity, cosmology, condensed matter theory (CMT), gravity/CMT correspondence

Sorokin Dmitri [email protected]

Astrophysics and Cosmology, Theory of Complex Systems


Reconstruction of the initial conditions of the Universe by optimal mass transportation and the search for primordial non-Gaussianity

Inspired by the pioneering work by Peebles in 1989, various algorithms have been proposed to trace galaxy and dark matter orbits back in time, hence reconstructing the initial conditions of the Universe. Reconstruction techniques might also allow to lift the degeneracy between dynamical non-Gaussianity induced by gravitational non-linearity and non-Gaussianity in the initial conditions. Aim of this PhD thesis project is to elaborate on the MAK algorithm (Frisch, Matarrese, Mohayaee & Sobolevski 2002), based on solving the Monge-Ampère equation for a suitable potential, accounting for the effect of large-scale modes on clustering. One of the goals of this project is to apply such reconstruction techniques to mock galaxy catalogs, in view of applications to future galaxy surveys, such as that obtained by the ESA Euclid mission. In collaboration with researchers at IAP (La Sorbonne Univ., Paris), Dip. Fisica, Univ. RomaTre and LAM (Marseille).

Large-scale structure of the Universe, Mass transportation, non-Gaussian statistics

Matarrese Sabino [email protected]

Multimessenger Astroparticle, Nuclear Physics, Particle Physics, Other topics

Hardware & detector

Advanced pixel sensors development for Medical and Space applications

Instruments onboard spacecrafts require extreme performances in terms of reliability, radiation hardness, and power consumption. The same happens for proton Computed Tomography (pCT) scanners, the forefront of 3D body imaging for cancer treatment. To meet these challenges, the ARCADIA project is developing a family of technological demonstrator Integrated Circuits (IC) pixel sensors embodying extremely innovative design solutions.The successful PhD candidate will participate to the sensors development and testing, focusing (but not being limited) on electronic digital design (HDL), 3D simulations, architecture verification, and prototypes testing (including radiation hardness). She/he will also follow the sensors implementation into a prototype pCT scanner. This position offers the opportunity to apply creative thinking and problem-solving on an almost daily basis, within a R&D collaboration including Torino, Bologna and Trento teams, as well as international and industrial partners.

medical imaging, space detectors, pixel sensors, integrated circuits, radiation hardness

Giubilato, Piero [email protected]

Research Area


Multimessenger Astroparticle, Particle Physics

Data Analysis, Hardware & detector, Machine Learning

Resolving the neutrino mass hierarchy problem with the JUNO experiment

Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory (JUNO) is a multi-purpose neutrino experiment located in South China. With 20 ktons of highly transparent liquid scintillator contained in an acrylic sphere surrounded by about 18000 20" PMTs and 25000 3" PMTs, JUNO will providing an energy resolution better than 3% at 1 MeV. JUNO is expected to be able to resolve the neutrino mass hierarchy and make a significant impact on other neutrino physics topics. The JUNO Padova research group is responsible for the design and development of the large PMT readout electronics. To verify the electronics performances, a setup with 48 PMTs reading out the light coming from a 20 liter liquid scintillator detector has been assembled and is operational at the Legnaro INFN National Laboratories. On the physics analysis side, the Padova group has developed and is working on Machine Learning inspired networks as a possible alternative to standard selection methods for the reconstruction of physics observables.

neutrino mass hierarchy, large liquid scintillator neutrino detectors, machine learning methods

Garfagnini Alberto

[email protected]

Multimessenger Astroparticle, Physics of Matter

Hardware & detector

Advanced materials for gravitational waves detectors

Gravitational wave (GW) detectors have opened a new window for the exploration of the Universe, being capable of detecting the incredibly tiny effects produced by the passage of GWs produced by different cosmologic sources.The extreme sensitivity of GW interferometers relies on specially designed materials that possessing several requirements including high optical quality, low thermal noise, the capability to work in cryogenic conditions and a set of other structural and thermal properties.The VIRGO group in Padova takes advantage of an interdisciplinary approach combining material science, optics and gravitational wave science to develop new and better performing materials capable of fulfilling the extremely high requirements of this cutting-edge application. Topics include (but are not limited to) coatings fabrication and characterization, measurement of ultra-low optical absorption in cryogenic conditions, thermal noise physics.

Gravitational Waves, Coatings, Thermal Noise, Interferometer

Marco Bazzan [email protected]

Nuclear Physics Data Analysis, Hardware & detector

Indirect Methods for Nuclear Astrophysics

The recent concurrent observation of gravitational waves has marked the beginning of a new era in nuclear astrophysics. These observations identified neutron star mergers as viable sites for synthesis of heavy elements through rapid neutron captures (r-process). In addition, constraining slow neutron capture nucleosynthesis (s-process) has a pivotal role in understanding the r-process. Exotic beams can be used to study these processes and in 2022-2023 the SPES project, here in Padova-Legnaro will start (https://web.infn.it/spes/). Due to the extreme low intensity these processes can be studied only with indirect methods. These have been developed and tested with high success in the last decades. A list of example includes the Trojan Horse method, ANC, and surrogate reactions. Our department is working on applying these methods on reactions of interest for nuclear astrophysics in LNL and in other facilities worldwide. The candidate will work together with experts in the field and with the most advanced experimental apparata.

nuclear astrophysics, indirect method, stellar nucleosynthesis, r-process, s-process, gamma-ray spectroscopy, charged particle detection

A. Caciolli, D. Mengoni, M. Mazzocco and F. Recchia

[email protected]

Research Area


Nuclear Physics Theoretical Molecular approaches to cluster states in light nuclei

Cluster states in light nuclei are one of the open questions in low-energy nuclear structure.How do they arise and how do they connect to shell model and collective model configurations? What is the role played by discrete symmetries in spectroscopy? How does this reflect into reaction observables?We want to study these issues theoretically, by proposing models for nuclear structure and reactions that incorporate molecular - quantum chemistry inspired- theories for clusterization.

nuclear structure, cluster states, symmetry

Fortunato, Lorenzo

[email protected]

Nuclear Physics Data Analysis, Hardware & detector, Data taking

Heavy Ion Fusion Hindrance and its relation with the Pauli Exclusion Principle

This project consists in the measurements and interpretations of heavy-ion fusion cross sections at very low energies, where the hindrance effect shows up, i.e. an increase of the slope of the excitation function, not reproduced by coupled-channels calculations. The origin of hindrance is a matter of debate in the community. Experimentally, it is recognized by a maximum of the astrophysical S-factor with decreasing energy.It has been recently suggested that the Pauli Principle may reduce tunneling probability inside the Coulomb barrier, thus producing hindrance. Instead, when a system has many transfer channels with positive Q value, the availability of several states following transfer, effectively counterbalances the Pauli repulsion.The onset of hindrance is “pushed” down to very low energies, and it is an experimental challenge to reach that threshold. In such cases the link between reaction dynamics and nuclear structure is strong, due to transfer of entangled nucleon pairs.

Heavy ion reactions, Nuclear Astrophysics

Montagnoli Giovanna

[email protected]


Thermonuclear reaction studies for nuclear astrophysics in underground at LUNA

LUNA (Laboratory for Underground Nuclear Astrophysics) is a nuclear astrophysics experiment studying nuclear reactions that produce energy and synthesize elements in stars. Thanks to its peculiar position deep under the Gran Sasso mountain, LUNA operates in extremely low background conditions and can study those processes very close to stellar energies. This has placed LUNA in a worldwide leading position in the field for more than 25 years, as demonstrated by a recent publication in Nature. Starting in 2022, an exciting new phase will start at LUNA with the installation of a 3.5MV accelerator allowing to study stellar helium and carbon burning.In the next three years new experiments will be performed at the two LUNA accelerators, offering interesting opportunities for PhD students who want to participate in this fascinating field of research. For more information about LUNA: http://npgroup.pd.infn.it/luna/index.html

underground physics, gamma-ray spectroscopy, nuclear astrophysics, physics with accelerators, stellar nucleosynthesis

Caciolli, Antonio [email protected]

Research Area



Developing a multi-sampling ionization chamber for studies on heavy-ion fusion and astrophysics using the exotic beams of the SPES facility

This project is based on the development and construction of a multi-sampling ionization chamber (IC) with a segmented anode, so to perform fusion studies using the very exotic beams of SPES facility of LNL, having low intensity (10^3-10^4 pps).The IC will work as an active target detector measuring energy losses of the beam ions and of the fusion-evaporation residues (ER) produced in the interaction of the beam with the nuclei of the filling gas. Being segmented, the IC will also allow to distinguish the ER from the beam and will determine the reaction position. Since the beam energy decreases moving forward in the IC, fusion cross sections will be measured simultaneously at several energies in a single run.Otherwise, the chamber is a conventional transverse-field detector equipped with a Frisch grid, and will be a very versatile device, and will be placed at zero degree with respect to the beam, as a substantial upgrade of the set up in use at LNL for experiments with stable beams.

Gas detectors, Nuclear reactions, Exotic beams

Montagnoli Giovanna

[email protected]

Nuclear Physics Data collection at ANL(USA) and Data Analysis

Reflection Asymmetric shapes in Atomic Nuclei

Nuclei with equal numbers of protons (Z) and neutrons (N) and N≈Z≈34-56 show the largest octupole correlations in the whole Segrè chart. Octupole correlations are generated by the interaction between orbitals of opposite parity which differ by three units of angular momentum. At N≈Z≈56 the electromagnetic matrix element B(E3; 3- → 0+) for 114Xe of 77(27) W.u. is the largest measured so far. Such anomalously high strength is interpreted as due to coherent contribution of protons and neutrons to the octupole collectivity. This is a completely new mechanism presently unexplained by nuclear theories. The work aims to verify such expectation at N=Z=34 in 64Ge. An experiment combining the state-of-the-art gamma detector with tracking capabilities Gretina with the Fragment Mass Analyser is already approved at the Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) in Chicago (USA). The PhD student will take care of the data collection at ANL as well as of the data reduction and interpretation of the results.

Pear Shaped Nuclei, Gamma ray spectroscopy, Nuclear structure.

de Angelis Giacomo

[email protected]

Nuclear Physics Data Analysis, Hardware & detector, Simulation

Active Target-Time Projection Chambers for low energy nuclear reactions with exotic beams.

An Active Target is a Time Projection Chamber (TPC) in which the gas is used, at the same time, for the detection and tracking of the ions as well as the target for the nuclear reaction. This gives great advantages in terms of luminosity and allows to exploit very low intensity beams. This technology will be applied for the study of low energy nuclear reactions with the most exotic (and less intense) radioactive ion beams. A detector of this type is being developed at the Legnaro National Laboratories, in view of the re-accelerated beams provided by the SPES facility. The research project will include:-development of tracking recognition algorithms, also using artificial intelligence-simulation of the detector response-development of new physics for SPES-study and realization of detector upgrades-joining the ACTAR TPC international collaboration for experiemtns at the GANIL, RIKEN, TRIUMF and CERN-ISOLDE facilities.The work will be carried on within the INFN-NUCLEX collaboration.

Low energy nuclear ophysics. Direct Reactions. Active target. LNL. SPES

Marchi, Tommaso

[email protected]

Research Area



Experimental searches on the X-boson anomaly in low energy nuclear reactions

A research group at ATOMKI has recently reported the observation of anomalies in the electron-positron angular correlation distribution for pairs emitted by Internal Pair Creation (IPC) in light nuclei. 8Be and 4He have been selectively populated through particle resonance and their decay has shown an unexpected extra yield of pairs with large relative angles. The anomaly has been interpreted as the signature of an unknown massive particle (mx~17 MeV), possible mediator of a new fundamental force. To-date, conventional explanations using nuclear physics models failed in reproducing the anomaly. On the other hand, several theories beyond the Standard Model have provided hints for the existence of the massive vector boson, namely the X-boson.The PhD project will contribute to the ongoing efforts at INFN-LNL for providing an independent replica of the experiment, aiming at a better characterization of the observed anomaly.The work will be carried on within the INFN-NUCLEX collaboration.

X-boson. 8Be anomaly. Internal Pair Creation

Marchi, Tommaso

[email protected]


Non-statistical emission and clustering fusion-evaporation reactions with the GARFIELD array.

Nuclear clustering is a debated topic in Nuclear Physics. Given the intrinsically quantum nature of the atomic nucleus, the naïve presence of particle agglomerates forming molecular-like structures is clearly reductive. Nevertheless there is evidence of cluster formation in nuclear matter. The aim of this research project is to study deviations from the pure statistical decay of hot compound nuclei. By studying 18O-induced reactions at 10-20 AMeV, we plan to investigate if the pronounced alpha emission previously observed, persists in systems with two or three neutrons in excess. The experimental work is carried on at the Legnaro National Laboratories using the GARFIELD array. Complementary work can be done with the INDRA-FAZIA array at GANIL laboratory.Besides the data analysis, the PhD project will include detector-related developments, GEANT4 simulations and the participation to new experiments.The work will be carried on within the INFN-NUCLEX collaboration.

Fusion-evaporation. Clustering. Heavy-ion reactions. LNL.

Cicerchia, Magda [email protected]


Nuclear structure and clustering studies by particle spectroscopy in low-energy nuclear reactions with the high resolution OSCAR array

We propose a study of the cluster structure of light nuclei (both self- and non-self-conjugate cases) by performing high resolution studies of nuclear reactions at the AN2000, CN and Tandem accelerators at Legnaro National Laboratories (INFN-LNL). We will use a modern and ultra-compact hodoscope array of silicon detectors, OSCAR, that will allow to reconstruct the energy and identify the nature of light reaction ejectiles with excellent performances. The use of advanced particle-particle correlation techniques, often used also in the high-energy physics context, will allow to extract fundamental patterns to unveil the presence of alpha-cluster phenomena in nuclei. We propose also to use artificial intelligence techniques to perform smart analyses of the data collected in the experimental campaigns.The work will be carried on in collaboration with INFN-Sezione di Catania, INFN-LNL and Università di Sassari within the INFN-NUCLEX collaboration.

Particle Spectroscopy. Clustering. Low-energy nuclear reactions. OSCAR. LNL

Cinausero, Marco [email protected]

Research Area



Machine learning algorithms applied to gamma-ray tracking in the array AGATA

Thanks to the reconstruction of the gamma-ray trajectory inside the germanium crystals, the AGATA array has achieved unprecedented performances in terms of sensitivity. To reconstruct their trajectory inside the crystals, all the interaction positions of the gamma-ray within the crystals need to be determined. Inside the segmented crystals of AGATA, those positions can be determined studying the shape of the signals. Existing algorithms can determine the positions with a precision of about 5 mm. However, as they rely on the comparison of digitized signals to large databases, they are time-consuming and a limiting factor for in-beam experiments. New approaches using machine learning algorithms are under development. Taking advantage of the presence of AGATA at the Legnaro National Laboratories and the computing resources from the CloudVeneto, the PhD student will take a leading role in the development and test of the new algorithms.

gamma-spectroscopy Goasduff, Alain [email protected]

Nuclear Physics Data Analysis, Data comparison with theoretical models

Understanding the structure of exotic nuclei with gamma-ray spectroscopy.

Exotic nuclei, i.e. nuclei with an excess or deficiency of neutrons with respect to stability, are key to understanding the forces that bind nuclei together. The electromagnetic probe provides the most unambiguous observables to describe nuclear structure. One of the best examples is the electromagnetic decay lifetime of excited stated in exotic nuclei, which can be directly compared with theoretical predictions from different models (shell model, mean-field, ab-initio methods). The arrival of the AGATA gamma-ray array at Legnaro Laboratories in 2021 will provide the possibility of performing cutting-edge lifetime measurements in exotic nuclei, detecting lifetimes from fs to ns, that will help to understand phenomena like shape coexistence or shell evolution far from stability. The AGATA array is the result of a European collaboration and it represents the world state of the art in gamma-ray spectroscopy. It will stay at Legnaro for a physics campaign of several years.

gamma-ray spectroscopy, nuclear structure, exotic nuclei

Gottardo Andrea [email protected]

Nuclear Physics Data Analysis, Hardware & detector, Theoretical interpretation of the experimental data

Evolution of magic numbers using the gamma tracking array AGATA

Doubly-magic nuclei, with closed neutron and proton shells, are the cornerstones of our understanding of atomic nuclei. However, it has been discovered that magic proton or neutron numbers are not constants and can change in exotic nuclei. Multi-nucleon transfer reactions are ideal tools to populated neutron-rich nuclei in excited states, so that their structure can be studied by gamma-ray spectroscopy. From late 2021, the Legnaro National Laboratories will host a unique setup to perform such reaction and study exotic nuclei. The AGATA gamma-ray tracking array will be combined with the PRISMA mass spectrometer, enabling an event-by-event identification of the reaction products. The aim of the project is to populate very neutron-rich nuclei, that will be compared with theoretical models. The new data will allow us to understand what are the nuclear correlations driving the change of magic numbers in exotic nuclei.

Gamma spectroscopy, nuclear structure

Valiente Dobon, Jose Javier

[email protected]

Research Area


Nuclear Physics Data Analysis, experiments of gamma-ray spectroscopy

Nuclear structure of proton-rich nuclei towards the proton drip-line

The study of the nuclear structure of proton-rich nuclei at the limit of stability is one of the current frontiers in Nuclear Physics. At this limit of nuclear binding very interesting features appear: weakly-bound protons may extend their wave-function well beyond the nuclear radius creating a “halo”. They offer the unique opportunity to understand the role of the strong proton-neutron interaction. The nuclear structure of these radioactive nuclei is studied by means of gamma-ray spectroscopy using large arrays of germanium detectors. The local group performs such experiments at LNL and at the best accelerator facilities around the world. The PhD student will work in a lively research group together with experts in the field (S. Lenzi, D. Mengoni, F. Recchia). He/she will be involved in the realization of experiments, the data analysis and the theoretical interpretation of the results.

nuclear structure, gamma-ray spectroscopy, shell-model, radioactive beams, nuclear symmetries

Lenzi, Silvia Monica

[email protected]


Machine learning for the analysis of Nuclear Physics experiments

Probability theory and statistical methods play a central role in science. Methods of supervised learning, statistical data analysis and deep learning are techniques nowadays in use for the analysis of nuclear physics experiments.

These methods will be used to study Isospin symmetry in mirror nuclei far from stability to answers to some fundamental problems in nuclear physics, such as the role of proton-neutron pairing or the isospin symmetry of the nuclear interaction. In particular, the data will be exploited to search for isospin-symmetry breaking effects and changes of nuclear radii along the yrast states.

The experimental setup will consist of the GRETINA gamma-ray tracking array at the Argonne National Laboratory (USA). A fully-connected neural network model will be developed to improve upon the recoil event selection. Such methods have been demonstrated to greatly improve the selectivity of reaction channels.

[Lenzi, Mengoni, Recchia]

Machine Learning, Nuclear, Data, Data Science

Recchia Francesco, Lenzi Silvia, Mengoni Daniele

[email protected]

Nuclear Physics, Other topics


Neutron applications in applied nuclear physics.

This study aims at significantly improving current neutron applications involved in different areas, like homeland security and nuclear decommissioning and dismantling (D&D) operations. This study will address key challenges and associated technological limits currently experienced in all considered fields.The study will be part of different European projects (H2020) with partners coming from research European institutions, leader European companies and end-users.In-field tests, together with simulation and laboratory tests will be part of the project.

neutron, applied physics, neutron detector, particle discrimination

Moretto Sandra [email protected]

Research Area



Data Analysis Monte-Carlo modelling and simulations in support of the studies of new radiopharmaceuticals in the ISOLPHARM project

The ISOLPHARM collaboration has the aim of producing a set of innovative, high specific activity, carrier-free radioisotopes for pharmaceuticals therapy exploiting the ISOL technique at SPES. The success of a particular radiopharmaceutical cancer treatment relies on an accurate assessment of the tissue response and toxicity. Since biological effects are mediated by the absorbed dose, which is defined as the energy absorbed per unit mass of tissue, internal dosimetry is of fundamental importance because it allows for the maximization of the therapeutic effect while minimizing the radiation burden to other organs. The goal of the proposed project is to develop a Monte Carlo based approach that, coupled with standard imaging techniques (like PET/CT), will allow to precisely understand the results of the forthcoming and future in-vitro and in-vivo tests foreseen in the ISOLPHARM experiment, necessary to assess the usability of the new radiopharmaceuticals produced at SPES.

ISOLPHARM, innovative radiopharmaceuticals, SPES, GEANT4,

Lunardon Marcello

[email protected]



Direct reactions with second-generation SPES radioactive beams.

During 2009-2011 at LNL, AGATA was the first gamma-ray tracking array to be operational worldwide. AGATA, presently at GANIL, Caen - France, is expected to be installed at LNL during the second half of 2021. At that time, it will be able to take advantage of the available stable beams and future radioactive ISOL beams. A mechanical configuration has been identified which allows using AGATA both with the magnetic spectrometer, and at zero degrees, with state-of-the-art complementary instrumentation for particle detectors like GRIT, either for nuclear physics or astrophysics subjects.

The local group in Padova, together with LNL, is deeply involved in both the science programme and detector development.

The PhD candidate will work together with experts on the new physics opportunities, which are being opened up as AGATA evolves towards a more efficient configuration, as well as with in the development of cutting-edge experimental setups.

spectrometer, gamma, radioactive beams, semiconductor

Mengoni Daniele [email protected]

Nuclear Physics, Particle Physics


Search for the neutrinoless double-beta decay of Ge76 with LEGEND-200

The neutrinoless double-beta decay is a major research topic in particle physics.If discovered it will allow to obtain a large scientific crop: discovery of the totallepton violation, discovery of the Majorana nature of neutrino, a neutrino mass limit and much other.The search will be carried out using the data collected by the new LEGEND-200 experiment at the Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso (Italy).

neutrino physics, physics beyond the standard model, germanium detectors, liquid argon scintillation, data analysis, monte carlo simulation

Brugnera Riccardo

[email protected]

Research Area



Hardware & detector

Advanced monolithic sensors for High Energy Physics applications

The ALICE collaboration is developing the most advanced High Energy Physics tracking and timing detector ever, the so-called ITS3, foreseen to be installed around 2025 at the CERN Large Hadron Collider (LHC). The ITS3 will extensively use IC sensors in an extremely compact detector addressing both particles tracking, in the innermost region, and particle identification, through time-of-flight measurement in the outermost layers.The successful PhD candidate will work on the sensors development, focusing (but not being limited) on electronic design, 3D simulations, architecture benchmarking, and prototypes characterisation (including radiation hardness). She/he will participate to the overall development of the timing layer detector, where the sensors will be employed. Candidates will enjoy creative thinking and problem-solving on an almost daily basis, within a large R&D collaboration including many Italian and International teams, with opportunities to work at CERN and other labs.

Monolithic Pixel Sensors, Nuclear Physics, Particle Physics, Particle Detectors

Giubilato, Piero [email protected]


Data Analysis Probing the Quark-Gluon Plasma with heavy quarks with the ALICE experiment at the LHC

The ALICE experiment is dedicated to the study of the quark-gluon plasma (QGP), a state of matter that characterised the Early Universe in its first microseconds, and that is reproduced in collisions of Pb nuclei at the LHC. Charm and beauty particles are key probes for understanding the microscopic interactions of the QGP and how hadrons are formed out of quarks in such medium. From 2022 an upgraded version of the apparatus will allow to drastically improve the measurements of these particles. The Padua team has covered a leading role in this field since the beginning of the ALICE activities.

The PhD student will contribute to the development of the software analysis tools for measuring charm and beauty particles, also implementing machine-learning classification techniques. She/He will analyse the data collected in 2022 in proton-proton and Pb-Pb collisions and will have the opportunity to spend some time at CERN, as well as to present her/his work to international conferences.

quark, gluon, CERN, machine learning, QCD, hadronisation

Rossi, Andrea [email protected]


Data Analysis, simulation studies

Development of strange-baryon tracking and of new machine-learning-based vertexing techniques for heavy-flavour measurements with ALICE at the LHC

Recently, the ALICE experiment has done breakthrough measurements in the study of the quark-to-hadron transition in proton-proton and Pb-Pb collisions at the LHC. New measurements of heavy-quark baryons are among the main goals of the proposals of an upgrade of the Inner Tracking System for year 2025 and of a new experiment, a follow-up of ALICE, for 2030. The PhD student will develop new analysis techniques aimed at tracking, for the first time with silicon detectors, short-living strange baryons like the Omega, and exploring alternative vertexing algorithms to reconstruct decay chains of doubly charmed baryons. State-of-the art machine-learning classification algorithms will be employed. The student will also explore the applicability of quantum computing to HEP analyses. The work will be complemented by a standard measurement of data that will be collected in 2022. She/He will have the opportunity to spend some time at CERN and to present her/his work to international conferences.

LHC, quark, gluon, QGP, heavy-flavour, machine learning, quantum computing

Rossi, Andrea [email protected]

Research Area


Other topics History of physics

History of Physics and Scientific Instruments between the 17th and 20th century

Topics related to the developments of physics, in particular in the 19th and 20th century. For instance, some possible topics are: history of the notion of space and time; history of classical and quantum field theories; relation between physics and society; history of scientific instrument collections in connection with the Museum of the history of physics of Padua University; philosophy of physics.

history of physics, scientific instrument collections, philosophy of physics

Peruzzi Giulio [email protected]

Other topics Data Analysis, Hardware & detector, technological trasfer

Microdosimetry for the quality assurance of radiation quality in proton radiotherapy

A miniaturized TEPC has been developed in Legnaro National Laboratories (LNL) of the Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN) of Italy. The active area of this counter is 150 times smaller than the commercial FWT LET-1/2, having an internal diameter of 0.9 mm only, this allowing to cope with the high intensity of clinical particle beams. This mini-TEPC is a research prototype that does not meet the requirements for ease of use necessary for application in clinical practice. Optimization of the overall measuring setup, included front-end electronics, control and data acquisition system, will be performed. The uncertainty budget has to be evaluated, through Monte Carlo methods and through direct experimental measurements in the real clinical environment.

medical physics, hadron therapy, microdosimetry, life science

Conte Valeria [email protected]

Other topics Data Analysis, Hardware & detector, physics for medicine

Microdosimetry for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT)

Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) is an experimental form of binary radiotherapy, based on thermal neutron irradiation of the tumour previously enriched with 10B. The thermal neutron capture reaction 10B(n,α) 7Li produces two high LET particles that lose all their energy inside the cell.Tissue-equivalent proportional counters (TEPC), made of materials having elemental composition very similar to that of biological tissue, can measure with high accuracy the stochastics of energy deposition within simulated subcellular structures. Loading the TEPC cathode shells with different 10B concentration ranging from 0 to 100 ppm, microdosimetry allows a precise quantification of the different dose components (gamma, neutron and BNC). The aim of this phd project is to design, develop and characterise a double TEPC with two sensors, one loaded with 10B and the other without.For the evaluation of different dose components look [L. De Nardo, et al., Radiat Prot Dos., 110, 579-586, 2004].

BNCT, hadron therapy, microdosimetry, dosimetry

Conte Valeria [email protected]

Particle Physics Data Analysis Unsupervised Learning for New Physics Searches at the LHC

Searches for new physics phenomena in high-energy particle collisions are typically performed by the LHC experiments by considering a new physics model in guiding the data selection and information extraction procedures. In so doing, theoretical models can be excluded effectively; yet the large parameter space of potential new physics signatures remains largely unexplored. A model-independent approach is proposed to fill that gap, to perform a search in CMS data based on novel unsupervised learning algorithms that may detect anomalous regions of the parameter space.

machine learning, unsupervised learning, model independent searches, new physics, particle physics, collider physics


Research Area


Particle Physics Data Analysis Inference-aware dimensionality reduction for precise Higgs boson measurements

Collider physics measurements rely on a massive reduction of the measurement of millions of electronic signals into few, or even a single, variable capable of characterizing the originating collision as belonging to a process of interest, or to measure some physical quantity. This dimensionality reduction loses much of the relevant information, because it is performed without directly optimizing the quantity of interest - the smallest uncertainty on the final measurement. Using the INFERNO deep learning technique this information loss can be minimized. We propose to use it to improve the measurement of systematics-ridden Higgs boson properties with Run 2 CMS data.

machine learning, differentiable programming, higgs boson, collider physics, particle physics, statistical inference, optimization


Particle Physics Theoretical Understanding the Higgs sector

The upcoming HL-LHC phase will shed light on the Higgs boson sector with unprecedented precision. Its goal is to find possible deviations of the Standard Model (SM) predictions, shedding light on some of the unsolved puzzles in our understanding of the fundamental building blocks of nature. The PhD project will contribute to this effort by providing theoretical calculations for Higgs physics. Two potential directions are: 1.) precision predictions of Higgs processes within the SM. This direction will require to learn the state-of-the-art techniques in precision physics and to contribute to the development of new methods. 2.) This direction will explore how beyond-the-SM deviations in Higgs physics can be probed at the LHC in either model-independent parameterisation (effective field theory) or for explicit models. Depending on the interest of the PhD student the approach can be either exploring indirect probes (precision physics) or the usage of machine-learning techniques.

theoretical particle physics, Higgs boson, precision physics, effective field theory, beyond-the-Standard Model

Gröber Ramona [email protected]

Particle Physics Data Analysis, Hardware & detector

Electron reconstruction in MuOnE

The muon g-2 experiment at FNAL pushed the mismatch between the theoretical prediction and the measurement of the muon anomalous magnetic moment at 4.2 standard deviations. The MUONE collaboration aims at a measurement of the differential muon-electron elastic scattering at few-tens-per-million precision to reduce the error on the theoretical prediction of g-2, which is now under severe scrutiny. The apparatus will consist of forty tracking stations, followed by an electromagnetic calorimeter measuring the energy of the electron scattered by the 150 GeV muon beam. Electron pre-showering in the tracking stations makes the measurement of the energy a challenging task, to be solved by combining the hit information in the tracker with the shower pattern in the calorimeter exploiting machine learning techniques on simulated data. Meanwhile the student will also take part to the construction of the calorimeter and test beam data analysis.

g-2, MuOnE, machine-learning, QED test, high precision

Simonetto Franco [email protected]

Research Area


Particle Physics Data Analysis Physics with partial B0 reconstruction at Belle2

Partial reconstruction of the decay B0→D*ℓν by BABAR at the b-factory PEPII has provided by far the world largest sample of B0 mesons, about five million events which have been used for measurements of B0 lifetime, mixing, CP-asymmetry, etc. We want to apply and extend the use of this technique in Belle2 at Super-KEK, possibly selecting a final sample of half a billion B0. Besides measurements of the above mentioned parameters with unprecedented precision, this would allow a complete characterization of the time evolution of the B0 wave function, allowing studies of T-violation, entanglement and decoherence. Partial reconstruction tags the B0 using only two tracks, the lepton and the soft pion from D* decay: a breakthrough improvement can be achieved by developing an algorithm assigning the other particles in the event to the partially reconstructed B0 or to the other meson, exploiting their kinematic correlation with the lepton with supervised deep-learning techniques.

CP violation, entanglement, machine learning, Belle2


Particle Physics Data Analysis, Hardware & detector

The electromagnetic calorimeter for the MUonE experiment

The experimental value of the muon g-2 factor differs by more than 4 standard deviations from the theoretical estimation, pointing to a possible problem in the Standard Model. The main contribution of the error of the theoretical value comes from the hadronic corrections, which are hardly calculated. The MUonE collaboration aims at measuring experimentally such contribution, through the measurement of the differential cross section for the electron-muon elastic scattering with 10^-5 precision at the SPS accelerator at CERN.The Padova group is mainly involved in the project, development, and construction of the electromagnetic calorimeter, composed by scintillating PbWO4 crystals.The student will take part to all phases of the calorimeter development, from laboratory test to calibration with electron beams. She/he will be involved in the setup of MUonE apparatus, which includes Si tracker modules for the tracking of electrons and muons, in the data taking, and in the analysis.

muon g-2, precision physics, beyond standard model, calorimetry, electromagnetic calorimeter, electronics, hardware, experiment, scintillating crystals

Conti Enrico [email protected]

Particle Physics Data Analysis Search for CP violation in B-antiB mixing using inclusive dilepton events

The Belle II Experiment at the KEK laboratory in Tsukuba (Japan) has recently started its physics program, which includes the precision study of phenomena breaking the matter-antimatter symmetry (CP violation).The phenomenon of CP-violation in the B-antiB oscillation, which the Standard Model predicts to be one order of magnitude below the current experimental limits, is yet to beobserved. A search for this elusive effect through the measurement of the semileptonic asymmetry A_SL is proposed, making use of a large sample of events in which both B mesons decay semileptonically. The study of the proper decay time-difference and the inclusion of high purity control samples can increase the precision of the measurement, which is expected to dominate the World Average on the CP-violating parameter in the time scale of this Thesis. Utilizing the same analysis framework, several spin-off measurements (on quantum entanglement, T-symmetry violation, etc...) can be also carried out.

Belle II experiment, CP violation, BBbar oscillation, time-dependent analysis

Gaz, Alessandro [email protected]

Research Area


Particle Physics Data Analysis Time dependent CP violation on penguin dominated modes at Belle II

CP violation in B sector has been precisely measured in BaBar and Belle using tree-dominated diagrams. The precise measurement of the CP violation parameters in modes dominated with penguin diagrams are very sensitive to new physics effect in the hadronic loop. Belle II is collecting a large dataset of B meson at SuperKEKB collider at KEK, Tsukuba, Japan, with a improved detector with respect its predecessor Belle. Different final CP eigenstates can be used, including, but not limited to, the most abundant B->eta' K. The measurement can be achieved via a time dependent CP violation analysis, and requires a precise understanding and modelling of the vertex and time resolution, flavour tagger algorithm, selection of rare B final states, complex fit, and an excellent knowledge of detector performances in general, using control channels and signal side bands. The time-span of the proposed PhD thesis can lead to a world leading measurement for some of the channels.

CP violation, Belle II, penguin decay, time dependent analysis

Lacaprara, Stefano

[email protected]

Particle Physics Data Analysis Flavor Physics at CMS Albeit designed to search for new particles , the CMS experiment at the LHC has strong potential for Flavor Physics, a very interesting field due to the many tensions between the measurements and the expectations of heavy hadrons properties. CMS has collected about ten billion events with at least one hadron containing a b-quark, allowing many fundamental measurements, among which the dilepton asymmetry, spy of the violation of the matter-antimatter (CP) symmetry induced by b-mesons mixing, for which there are controversial measurements. Data analysis in Flavor Physics involves deep understanding of several detector features (vertex reconstruction, tracking, muon reconstruction) and the use of state-of-the art analysis tools (minimization, deep machine learning, background subtraction,confidence level calculations, etc.) The student will also contribute to the design of the trigger for the 2023 run of LHC. She/he is expected to spend about half of her/his time at CERN.

CMS, LHC, CP violation, Flavor, asymmetry, machine learning


Particle Physics Data Analysis Search for new physics at CMS

The CMS experiment at the LHC has collected a large statistics of proton-proton collisions at 13 TeV in the past few years. These data are a gold mine for the search for new heavy particles that can be produced in the collisions. The high center of mass energy and the large statistics, in addition to the sophisticated analysis techniques, now allow to extend significantly the search for these new phenomena. In particular, the particles predicted by new physics models that could explain some of the currently observed experimental discrepancies. Data analysis for BSM searches involves deep understanding of the detector reconstruction and calibration, the use of state-of-the art analysis tools including machine learning techniques and statistical tools. The work could include a collaboration with theorists concerning model description or interpretations. She/he is expected to spend about half of her/his time at CERN.

CMS, LHC, BSM, Dark Matter, machine learning

Azzi Patrizia [email protected]

Research Area


Particle Physics Data Analysis Study of VBS di-boson production at CMS and EFT interpretation

The process of scattering of two vector bosons (VBS) is one of the fundamental tests of the Standard Model. It allows access to the non-abelian gauge structure of the electroweak interactions via the quartic gauge coupling (QGC). To improve the knowledge of this process, the large statistics collected by CMS during Run2 allows to perform new measurements, in final states that are rare or suffer from huge backgrounds. Moreover, if new physics is present at a scale sufficiently high and far from the electroweak one, we can express it in terms of effective operators that modify the SM Lagrangian. This work would evaluate the sensitivity of the quartic gauge coupling to anomalous contributions (aQGC) from Dim-6 operators for the first time. This work will involve use of state-of-the-art analysis and statistical techniques, and a deep understanding of the EFT framework. This work might include collaboration with theorists. The student is expected to spend about half of the time at CERN.

CMS, LHC, SM, BSM, EFT, VBS, Machine learning

Azzi Patrizia [email protected]

Particle Physics, Quantum Science and Technologies

Hardware & detector

Quantum Sensing for Dark Matter

The ability to prepare and readout quantum systems, developed in the field of quantum information science, is opening new opportunities for probing dark matter (DM). At very light masses (< eV), DM candidates are wave-like and can interact coherently. The QCD axion is a well-motivated example in this category, and axion-like particles (ALPs), dark photons are also noteworthy targets. In experiments where the DM can produce electromagnetic signals, as is the case in haloscope detectors, the typical DM-induced power is on the order of 10^{−23} W in frequency ranges of 1-20 GHz. The ability to count photons is thus essential for probing the axion and dark photon parameter spaces. The proposed research activity aims to enhancing the sensitivity of experiments, such as the INFN experiment QUAX, by detecting the microwave photons generated by ultralight dark matter with an itinerant microwave photon detector based on a superconducting transmon qubit.

Braggio Caterina [email protected]

Physics of Matter Theoretical Disorder and interaction effects on topological superconductors

We plan to analyze how stable a topological phase is under the combined effects of disorder and interactions, which are inevitable at the surface of a real material. One may recover the properties of the disordered system by referring to specific classes of the Altland-Zirnbauer ”tenfold way” classification of disordered systems, and eventually to nontrivial topological invariants. An effective mechanism to reduce the effect of loss of coherence of the edge modes due to a possible coupling to a thermal bath, therefore strengthening their stability, is believed to consist in a combination of moderate disorder and of electronic interaction. On the other hand, at least in one case, a topological superconductor has been shown to be unstable in the presence of both disorder and short-ranged interactions. The interplay between disorder and interaction can, therefore, produce unexpected results, while the role of the interaction range is not at all investigated yet.

Dell'Anna Luca [email protected]

Research Area


Physics of Matter Experimental Control of drop motion on engineered surfaces

Motion control of drops on solid surfaces has broad technological implications including microfluidics. This project deals with engineering novel smart surfaces on lithium niobate crystals which, when exposed to laser light, produce virtual electrodes that can be easily reconfigured with a spatial light modulator. Its more ambitious goal is to actuate drops deposited by using only light spots whose location and starting must be properly analyzed. Starting from water drops, other liquid solutions can be investigated, including liquid crystals and complex fluids. In order to reduce the surface pinning, the crystals are covered with a lubricant infused surface. The motion of drops on such hybrid surfaces is analyzed by means of video cameras at high resolution. The resulting dynamics is obtained by processing these videos offline with custom made programs.In this PhD the student will learn microfabrication, microfluidics, complex fluids, optical techniques and data imaging.

Microfluidics, droplet microfluidics, wetting, biomimetic surfaces, engineered surfaces, lithium niobate, laser beams, liquid crystals, complex fluids, optical techniques, data imaging.

Mistura, Giampaolo

[email protected]

Physics of Matter Experimental Physics and data analysis

Opto-microfluidic platforms in lithium niobate crystals for optical sensing and tailoring of light driven and light induced effects.

The research activity will concern the realization, characterization and modelling of opto-microfluidic platforms in lithium niobate crystals and similar materials for optical sensing, optical manipulation and sorting of micron-scale targets dispersed in microfluidic channels including the deep investigation of light driven and induced phenomena. The combination of integrated optics and microfluidics to provide multifunctional platform acting as Lab-on-Chip systems and new detection approaches are tailored for bio and chemical applications.

Optical sensing, opto-microfluidics, integrated optics, multifunctional platforms

Sada Cinzia [email protected]

Physics of Matter Experimental investigation

Laser Processing of Semiconductors

Laser Processing (LP) has proven a great potential to improve the electrical, structural and optical properties of semiconductor materials. In fact, the extremely fast dynamics of surface heating, melting and recrystallization in the nanosecond regime allows to synthesize shallow layers with properties not accessible with conventional equilibrium thermal processes. The PhD student will use the new laboratory for Laser Processing at DFA to study the modifications induced by LP on a variety of semiconductors. Materials will include hyperdoping of Ge, Si, and study of the new class of 2D semiconductors (TMD, Graphene), which will be investigated in the framework of the H2020 EU project ASCENTPlus thanks to their interest for novel FET nanoelectronic devices. Characterizations will include structural, morphological, optical and electrical properties and compared to results obtained with the Harvard LA simulation code.

semiconductors, laser annealing, hyperdoping, Germanium, TMD

Napolitani, Enrico [email protected]

Research Area


Physics of Matter Experimental Nanostructures for solar energy conversion

The research activity is on the development of new nanostructured materials capable to efficiently convert, in ambient condition, solar energy into energy stored in interatomic bonds and released on-demand. Absorbing a relevant fraction of the sunlight, transition metal oxides (TMOs) nanostructures are very promising and, if suitably engineered down to the nanoscale, can have the electronic energy band structure suitable to initiate this process in water when illuminated by solar light, producing hydrogen to be used as a fuel. The mechanisms occurring in these nanomaterials during solar energy conversion are at present only partially understood. The proposed research will investigate the formation processes of composite TMO nanostructures and the strategies for the optimization of their electronic energy levels for an efficient conversion of the solar energy. A relevant part of the work is based on synchrotron radiation experiments.C. Maurizio et al., Appl. Surf. Sci., 439 (2018) 876.

nanostructures, solar energy conversion, synchrotron radiation

Maurizio Chiara [email protected]

Physics of Matter, Other topics

Experimental Droplet-based microfluidics for biomedical studies and cancer diagnostic applications

Microfluidics deals with the manipulation of small amounts of fluids (pL-nL ranges), through channels of tens to hundreds microns of size. Droplet microfluidics is a branch of microfluidics, in which immiscible fluids flowing along channel networks produce emulsion of droplets of one phase dispersed in the other. Notably, droplets result highly monodispersed, the production rate can reach several kHz and every droplet is independent of the others. For that, droplet microfluidics has attracted a lot of attention for various biological applications, such as: single-cell encapsulation, DNA/RNA and protein analysis. This PhD project is aimed to develop a droplet microfluidics device devoted to cancer diagnosis by liquid biopsy: body fluids are screened looking for specific biomarkers (cells, DNA, exosomes) that are released from cancer cells, giving information on the tumor. In this PhD, the student will acquire competences on microfabrication, microfluidics and molecular biology.

Droplet microfluidics, high-throughput, liquid biopsy, DNA, RNA, cells, biological applications, exosomes

Ferraro, Davide [email protected]

Physics of Matter, Quantum Science and Technologies, Theory of Complex Systems

Theoretical Theoretical studies of macroscopic quantum phenomena with Bose-Einstein condensates, superconductors, and laser light.

This research activity is devoted to the study of quantum phenomena which involve the coherent dynamics and thermodynamics of a large number of macroscopic particles. The particles can be atoms, or electronic Cooper pairs, or photons. The effect of decoherence and dissipation on macroscopic quantum tunneling and macroscopic quantum entanglement are the main topics of investigation. More generally, the research activity analyzes several properties of out-of-equilibrium quantum field theory at finite temperature by using different theoretical methods: canonical quantization, path integral, functional integration, and stochastic quantitation.

Bose-Einstein condensation, BEC, superconductivity, laser, entanglment, tunneling, dissipation, decoherence, path integral, quantum, macroscopic, field theory

Salasnich, Luca [email protected]

Physics of Matter, Theory of Complex Systems


Machine learning and proteins

To advance our knowledge about protein folding dynamics, this project plans to use and develop modern machine learning methods. The benefits are a better understanding of correlations in amino acid sequences and an improvement in coarse grained models of proteins. These models could then be tested with simulations to check their ability to fold correctly and to gather information on the folding dynamics. For the PhD student the outcome of this route will include a set of skills in machine learning, simulation techniques, biophysics, statistical mechanics and information theory.

protein folding, machine learning, statistical mechanics

Enzo Orlandini [email protected]

Research Area


Theory of Complex Systems


Statistical mechanics models for species coexistence incorporating thermodynamic constraints

Species coexistence with very few resources is commonly observed. However, there is no theoretical satisfactory explanation. Indeed a famous theorem, the competition exclusion principle (CEP), shows that, under very general and plausible hypothesis, the number of coexisting species, at stationarity, cannot be greater than the number of resources.Many possible loopholes have been proposed to explain the discrepancy between the theoretical prediction and empirical observations, but none of them has been proved to solve the problem.A new direction is to investigate the role of a trade-off, due to thermodynamics constraints, between two regimes in the growth rate together with environmental heterogeneities (spatial and temporal). Coexistence is sought in a non-stationary/spatial heterogeneous regime, where the CEP is not applicable.

Complex systems, stochastic processes, ecology, species coexistence

Maritan Amos [email protected]

Theory of Fundamental Interactions

Theoretical Testing swampland conjectures

The Swampland program aims to distinguish effective theories which can be completed into quantum gravity in the ultraviolet from those which cannot. Various conjectures realize this program, with varying confidence degree. This project aims at testing some of these conjectures in the context of supergravity (candidate effective theories of string theory) and possibly to extract consequences for cosmology and particle physics.

String Theory, String Phenomenology, Supergravity

Gianguido Dall'Agata

[email protected]


Theoretical AdS black holes One of the biggest issues in quantum gravity is understanding the microscopic origin of the black hole entropy. In recent years we made a huge leap forward in understanding and constructing candidate microstates for asymptotically flat black holes. We know much less for black holes in the case of spacetimes with negative cosmological constant, despite having a much better grasp at computing them using the gauge/gravity correspondence. This project aims at filling this gap, by constructing multicenter black hole solutions and then extend this to candidate microstates.

Black holes, Microstates, quantum gravity


[email protected]


Theoretical Geometry of string compactifications and quantum corrections

One of the biggest challenges in string theory is to understand the nature of the vacuum. There are a huge number of possible ways to obtain effective 4 dimensional theory starting from string theory. This project aims at getting a better understanding of these reductions, by exploring the relation between the features of the effective theories and the properties of the (non) geometric spaces on which one reduces the theory. This will be done at both the classical and quantum level, also using modern tools like exceptional geometry.

Compactifications, Exceptional geometry, quantum corrections


[email protected]



Data science and string theory

This project aims at using modern data science techniques to explore various aspects of supergravity and ultimately of string theory. Machine learning and more in general data science techniques can speed up various type of computations needed to understand the properties of string vacua and string effective theories by quickly finding many approximate solutions and especially by identifying patterns or heuristics that can be used to solve the problem more efficiently as compared to the standard solution techniques. The ultimate goal would be to “machine learning” quantum gravity properties that have to be shared by all consistent effective theories.

Data science, string theory


[email protected]

Research Area



Theoretical Black hole microstates via the AdS/CFT correspondence

There has been a lot of progress recently in counting the microstates of supersymmetric black holes in Anti de Sitter space using the vantage point of the AdS/CFT correspondence. The thesis project will explore various aspects of this topic. In particular, we will: 1) construct new black hole solutions, 2) study the higher derivative corrections to known solutions, 3) define a suitable supersymmetric near-horizon limit allowing to better understand the variational problem leading to the entropy, 4) characterize the black hole microstates directly in string theory, and 5) attack the study of the non-supersymmetric case.

black holes, string theory, supergravity, AdS/CFT correspondence

Cassani, Davide [email protected]


Theoretical String compactifications, effective field theories and the hallmarks of quantum gravity

The history of physics is a continuous tension towards unification. One of the latest achievements is string theory, which can consistently combine general relativity with quantum mechanics in a unified description of all particles and interactions. The project will focus on the study of the effective field theories (EFTs) of various string theory models, aiming to better understand the universal physical and mathematical properties characterising them and investigate their possible phenomenological implications. To this end, the student will encounter and explore various related aspects of theoretical physics, string theory and mathematics: from EFT techniques to algebraic geometry, from black hole physics to supergravity, from conformal field theories to holography.

string theory, quantum gravity, string compactifications, string phenomenology, supergravity, holography

Martucci, Luca [email protected]


Theoretical Exact results in supersymmetric gauge theories and holography

The research project aims at exploring different new aspects of supersymmetric gauge theories on curved manifolds and their holographic duals. The technique of supersymmetric localization and the constraints from anomaly matching will play a central role. The interplay with the construction of supergravity solutions will stimulate progress both on the field theory and on the gravity side of the holographic correspondence.

supersymmetric gauge theories, localization, anomalies, string theory

Cassani, Davide [email protected]


Theoretical Symmetries in string theory and quantum field theory via algebra and modularity

Quantum field theory and string theory is the arena of fruitful interplay between theoretical physics and mathematics: abstract mathematical constructions have been successfully applied to conformal field theory, gauge theories, black hole physics, quantum gravity; vice versa, physics has led to the development of brand new areas of mathematics (mirror symmetry, vertex algebras,...).

Recently, new chapters in this successful history have been uncovered: infinite dimensional algebras of symmetries have emerged in low dimensional string models; the same Lie algebras have tantalizing connections with the microscopic description of black holes; the theories of mock and quantum modular forms have been applied to conformal field theory and topological QFTs; Topological modular forms are conjectured to classify deformation invariant observables in 2-dim supersymmetric QFTs.

The aim of this PhD project is to investigate these lines of research and develop new ideas in this area.

string theory, quantum field theory, conformal field theory

Volpato, Roberto [email protected]

Research Area


Particle Physics Data Analysis Search of new light vector boson Z' in rare B-meson multiple muon decays

New vector bosons are predicted in several models of new physics.The Z' boson predicted by the Lμ−Lτ symmetry can arise for examplefrom the muon or neutrino emission of the B -> D μ ν̄ decay.Search for B -> D μ ν̄ -> D μ ν̄ Z' -> μ μ μ + X rare decayscan be performed into multiple muon events.The search will be performed with the current Belle II statistic, thesimulation study will be performed for the Lμ−Lτ symmetryestimating the experiment sensitivity with the integrated luminosity of 50 ab-1.

Belle II, Dark matter, B physics

Torassa Ezio [email protected]



Polymer physics, criticality, and microscopic foundation to anomalous diffusion processes

Increasingly reported in soft-matter experiments, anomalous diffusion isa phenomenon which, in spite of the availability of a number ofmesoscopic approaches, presently lacks microscopic justifications.Recently, our group argued that polymer dynamics in the presence of apolymerization/depolymerization reaction offers a natural underpinningto Brownian yet non Gaussian diffusion, and novel developmentshighlight the role of criticality in triggering the anomaly.

Benefiting on major results in queuing theory, the research proposalaims at the development of exact techniques to describe the anomalousdynamics of the center of mass of a linear, polymerizingpolymer. Through path integral approaches, the characteristic functionpotentially handles the relevant correlation moments. The emergingreach structure candidates the resultant stochastic process to solveopen problems in interdisciplinary perspectives, like, e.g., the oneof financial markets' dynamics.

Anomalous diffusion, Criticality, Polymer physics, Interdisciplinary topics i

Baldovin Fulvio [email protected]

Particle Physics, Theory of Fundamental Interactions

Theoretical Theoretical aspects of light dark sectors

Light and weakly coupled forms of new physics are motivated by several open issues of the Standard Model (SM) and are currently the subject of a vast experimental program at the low-energy frontier of particle physics. This thesis deals with theoretical aspects of light dark sectors, among which axions and dark photons are most prominent examples. Following a bottom-up approach, the first goal is to formulate the most general effective field theory of a light dark sector that is weakly coupled to the SM and study its radiative stability under the “attraction” of the SM. This will allow to identify “technically natural” regions of parameter space in the (coupling, mass) plane that might be of experimental interest. In a second part, we will follow instead a top-down approach and investigate high-energy mechanisms in order to structurally populate light dark sectors.

Axions, dark photons, light dark sectors

Di Luzio, Luca [email protected]

Research Area


Physics of Matter, Other topics

Experimental Study of a fuel-driven DNA biosensor by single-molecule experiments with optical tweezers

Recently, optical tweezers (OT) have emerged as a powerful tool to investigate the biophysical world, thanks to their capability of manipulating one molecule at a time. OT have the great merit to have bridged the gap between physics and biology and nowadays they represent a multidisciplinary technique, which combines experiments on biomolecules with the fundamental principles of biophysics, chemistry and statistical physics. In our group, we are using OT to investigate the folding mechanism of proteins, the entropic/enthalpic response of DNA molecules under tension and the allosteric regulation in DNA-based systems. In particular, the proposed PhD project aims to study at the single-molecule level the allosteric mechanisms occurring in an energy-dissipating biosensor made by a fuel-driven DNA receptor, by performing force spectroscopy experiments with OT. During the PhD, the student will acquire competences on optical manipulation, biophysics and molecular biochemistry.

optical tweezers, biophysics, fuel-driven DNA sensor

Annamaria Zaltron

[email protected]



Dark Matter Experimental Searches with High Energy Astroparticle Data

The Universe is a place rich of extreme environments, in which particles are accelerated to astonishing energies, that could never be achieved at Earth. This happens for example in the vicinities of black holes or compact objects. High energy radiation (gamma rays) always accompany the charged particles (often called cosmic rays in this context). This neutral radiation can reach the Earth and be tracked back to the point of origin, thus allowing to investigate the astronomical targets in details. This fact allows to investigate several modern fundamental physics with gamma-rays from space: the microscopic nature of dark matter, expected to annihilate in astronomical targets, possible delay accumulated by high energy photons during their travel (Lorentz Invariance Violation), or the nature of Axion-like particles. We can constrain these scenarios using real data from telescopes such as MAGIC, CTA, HAWC and SWGO, combining theoretical knowledge and data analysis abilities.

dark matter, fundamental physics, lorentz invariance, axion like particles

Michele Doro [email protected]

Theory of Complex Systems

Theoretical Nonequilibrium physics in biology and swarming active systems

Physical approaches for describing systems out of thermodynamicequilibrium have been increasingly applied to living systems, whichoften exhibit phenomena not found in those traditionally studied inphysics. Indeed, recently developed concepts in dynamical systems likelandscape and flux theory, together with active hydrodynamics, haveproven to provide useful theoretical basis to observed biologicalbehavior.

This project aims at studying possible ways for generalizing resultsand techniques in statistical mechanics to paradigmaticbiologically-motivated problems characterized by (nonequilibrium)order transition (swarming, flocking,...). Specific focus will begiven to the possibility of generalizing pressure equations and to theassociated issue of useful work harnessing from active matter.

Nonequilibrium statistical mechanics, biological and active matter, swarming behavior

Baldovin Fulvio [email protected]

Research Area


Theory of Fundamental Interactions, Other topics

Theoretical Exact results for the holographic correspondence

Exactly-solvable models are among the cornerstones of theoretical physics since its very inception. These special theories might only describe a simplified version of nature, yet they unfailingly reveal fundamental insights that can guide our physical intuition for decades to come. This project aims at developing a new exact approach to comprehensively investigate a remarkable conjecture where experiments or even simulations can hardly help us: the holographic correspondence. This is most precisely formulated in string theory as Maldacena's duality between supersymmetric strings on anti-de Sitter space (AdS) and certain conformal field theories (CFTs) in one dimension less. AdS/CFT underpins much of our understanding of the quantum properties of gravity and of strongly-coupled CFTs. Still, after over two decades of study, only few regimes of AdS/CFT are quantitatively understood even in the simplest, most symmetric cases. We aim to overcome this limitation.

QFT, CFT, integrable models, AdS/CFT, string theory

Sfondrini, Alessandro

[email protected]


Theoretical T-Tbar deformations and the space of 2-d QFTs

The laws describing the most fundamental features of the natural world are based on the paradigm of Quantum Field Theory (QFT), along with gravitation. Our understanding of QFT is mostly limited to conformal field theories (CFTs) and renormalization group (RG) flows connecting CFT's. Recently a class of exactly-solvable perturbations known as "T-Tbar deformations" was discovered, breaking this this paradigm. In particular, these theories are non-local at short distances, yet remarkably well-behaved (at least in two spacetime dimensions). Intriguingly, the properties of these deformations appear to be naturally related to quantum gravity and string theory, though many open questions remain. We aim to answer some of this questions, especially those related to taming the non-local nature of the novel class of deformed theories which can be defined from the T-Tbar flow.

QFT, two-dimensions, integrable models, deformations

Sfondrini, Alessandro

[email protected]

Physics of Matter Experimental, optics

The optical response of two-dimensional crystals

Two-dimensional (2D) materials are attracting tremendous scientific and technological interest. They are single-layer atomic crystals with remarkable mechanical, electronic and optical properties absent in their bulk counterparts. These single-layer atomic crystals are stable under ambient conditions, exhibit high crystal quality, and they appear continuous on a macroscopic scale. They have diverse electronic properties, ranging from insulating hexagonal BN and semiconducting transition-metal dichalcogenides, to semi-metallic graphene. The properties of these crystals are widely tunable, owing to the materials’ atomic thickness. They can be integrated into devices, or stacked layer-by-layer to form heterostructures with new functionalities. Our laboratory studies the optical properties and the applications of 2D material, combining linear and non-linear optical characterization techniques and theoretical analysis.

2D materials, optical properties, optics, photonics, optoelectronics.

Merano Michele [email protected]

Research Area



Data Analysis High energy neutrino astrophysics with the IceCube neutrino telescope

IceCube is the largest operating instrument for the study of astrophysical neutrinos with energy above few hundred GeV. It has recently proved the existence of astrophysical neutrinos in the TeV-PeV energy range. The astrophysical sites producing these neutrinos are to date unknown. Thanks to IceCube’s capabilities to observe the entire sky around-the-clock, it is possible to alert the community for follow-up observations of potential neutrino outbursts. This thesis project aims at improving the existing framework to analyse IceCube data in realtime for better efficiency of the neutrino alerts and broader energy coverage. The candidate will acquire competences in the fields of neutrino astronomy and multi-messenger astrophysics, get acquainted with advanced computing algorithms and software (including machine learning techniques) and high-standards data analysis techniques (based on maximum likelihood methods) in a lively and international scientific environment.

astroparticle physics: multi-messenger, cosmic neutrino; methods: data analysis

Elisa Bernardini [email protected]



Cotranslational folding dynamics for proteins with entangled topologies

The folding of proteins into well-defined three-dimensional native configurations is a fundamental task in molecular biology. "In vivo", protein folding begins during translation, while proteins are being synthesized at the ribosome. Recently, specific patterns were detected in connection with the presence of topologically entangled motifs in protein native states, at both the sequence and the structure level. In this research activity, numerical simulations of cotranslational folding dynamics within coarse-grained models will be used to investigate whether the constraints on a successful folding outcome, imposed by the presence of the ribosome, could explain the selection of the observed entanglement-related patterns.

protein folding, topological entanglement, coarse-grained models, numerical simulations

Trovato, Antonio [email protected]



Protein phase separation into disordered condensates: a statistical mechanics approach

Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) is a classic subject in polymer physics. Evidence has been mounting in the last decade that protein LLPS underlies the formation of disordered biomolecular condensates in living cells. The detailed understanding of their biological function is currently the focus of a major effort in cell biology. A further liquid-to-solid transition is possibly connected to neuro-degenerative disorders and may be triggered by pathogenic mutants. Non-equilibrium active processes are also known to drive non trivial spatio-temporal organization patterns in bio-molecular condensates. The goal of this research activity is to predict which proteins can undergo LLPS in physiological conditions in living cells, and the corresponding phase behavior, based on theoretical tools (mean field analytical models, numerical simulations within coarse-grained models, bio-informatic predictors) and on the knowledge of the amino-acid sequence alone.

Liquid-liquid phase separation, proteins, numerical simulations, coarse-grained models


Research Area




A stochastic framework for bacterial communication systems

Quorum Sensing is a general communication system used by many bacteria. It is based on the production and diffusion in the environment of signal molecules whose concentration is sensed by the cells themselves. In this way a group of cells can switch on a novel collective behavior in a coordinate manner, when the concentration of signal molecules exceeds a threshold value. Social Amoebae cells use Quorum Sensing to activate a multicellular aggregation process under environmental stress conditions. However, it was recently shown that some Amoebae cells (loners) do not join the multicellular aggregate. In this research activity, simple theoretical models, based on the stochasticity of the activation process at the single cell level, will be considered with the aim of reproducing the fluctuations in the loner density observed experimentally. Ecological dynamic models will also be considered to evaluate the evolutionary role of loners in shaping the social behaviour of Amoebae cells.

Quorum Sensing, stochastic process, diffusion, social behaviour


Physics of Matter, Quantum Science and Technologies

Experimental , Modeling

Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) with high-dimensional orbital angular momentum (OAM) structured light.

Three emerging fields are revolutionizing today’s optics: structured light, quantum communication and Meta Lenses (ML). Special light beams fostered disrupting applications, from high-resolution microscopy to high-capacity telecommunications, providing an enlarged state space where even-unexploited degrees of freedom, such as OAM, can be combined. This proved to be extremely beneficial for QKD, a quantum protocol for the inherently-secure communication of secret keys, where HD has been demonstrated to increase the information rate and the robustness to errors and eavesdropping. The implementation into a real scenario still requires the realization of innovative optics, and silicon MLs revealed themselves as the best candidates to fill this gap, realizing the merging between lens design and semiconductor manufacturing. The student will be involved in the development and test of a prototypal link for HD QKD based on MS for the manipulation of the modal bases in the HD Hilbert space.

optics, quantum optics, meta surfaces, quantum communication, nano fabrication, optics model.

Filippo Romanato [email protected]

Physics of Matter, Quantum Science and Technologies

Experimental Optical networking for quantum key distribution (QKD) and quantum communications.

With the rise of the Internet, the importance of cryptog¬raphy is growing daily. Unfortunately, the security of con¬ventional methods is based on computational assump-tions. In contrast, QKD assures unconditional security based on physical laws. Our group is striving to fill the gap between theory and practice in the field of high-dimensional QKD by combining strong classical signals with weak quantum ones, both in fibers and free space. In view of a future quantum network resilient to attacks and empowered by quantum computation, the interface between quantum computers (QC) and quantum links is still missing. The thesis deals with the possibility to experimentally collect entangled photons generated by single-photon sources and, in a second step, directly from a QC. The information stored in several quantum bits will be collected and analyzed. The collection strategies will be optimized to develop the most efficient nanoptics and layout for quantum data transmission and management.

criptography, optics, quantum optics, meta surfaces, quantum communication, nano fabrication, optics model.

Filippo Romanato [email protected]

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