• Nuclear and subnuclear physics
• Astrophysics
• Condensed matter physics 
• Theoretical physics
• Medical physics and biophysics
   

The PhD is a fundamental step in the training of a researcher and research work is at the heart of this training. This occurs primarily through the integration of the PhD student into research groups where they learn the approach, techniques, methods and the use of advanced equipment necessary for frontier scientific research. For this purpose, appropriate meetings with the heads of research institutions in the area, our primary partners and stakeholders in the research developed in the PhD program, are being planned.

The training project offers PhD students a comprehensive and detailed overview of the latest developments in theoretical and experimental research in the fields of Physics explored at the University of Trieste in collaboration with research institutions in the area. The educational offer ranges from Nuclear and Particle Physics to Space and Astroparticle Physics, from Theoretical and Experimental Condensed Matter Physics to Theoretical Physics in the fields of Quantum Mechanics fundamentals, quantum information and Field Theory; from Astrophysics and Cosmology to imaging techniques in Medical Physics. Special attention is given to the development of experimental methods, theoretical issues and data analysis techniques. This training project is reflected both in the wide range of educational offers from which PhD students can identify their educational path and in the research opportunities offered through support and collaboration with research institutions.

The wide variety of research offers and active collaborations in the area makes the PhD in Physics located in Trieste an important opportunity for the start-up of joint supervision with students from other foreign universities.

The training project of the PhD Programme in Physics aims to provide PhD students with the necessary skills to address their research activities in active fields at the University of Trieste in collaboration with research institutions in the area. At the beginning of the training path, according to university regulations, PhD students are required to select a subset of courses from all those offered in order to reach a total of at least 8 CFU. PhD students are required to take the exams provided by the training path within the first year of the PhD Programme. By the end of the second year, they are also required to participate in two doctoral schools to deepen and extend the training provided at the university. The courses offered by the PhD are taught by University professors or researchers affiliated with the Academic Board coming from research institutions. The several research institutions in Trieste also offer PhD students the opportunity to participate in seminar cycles or specific workshops on the topics of their research. PhD students are invited to attend seminars offered by the Department and research institutions, but there is also the intention to implement a seminar program primarily dedicated to PhD students. This aims to revive in this cycle the tradition of "Journal Clubs" organized by PhD students from different areas. Training is then completed and further extended through participation in cross-disciplinary courses offered by the University for a total of at least 4 CFU. Such courses provide skills currently necessary in the world of research such as designing scientific research programs or communicating science.

Research activities at universities, research centers and industrial institutions, both national and international, are common paths for graduates. Teaching positions at universities and secondary schools are also common career options. Employment opportunities in public and private sectors that require high scientific expertise are also available. The employment data of graduates are extremely positive, with high percentages of employment related to the obtained title, as indicated by the reports annually transmitted to the Evaluation Unit. The PhD Programme in Physics has been monitoring the employment situation of its graduates for many years after obtaining the degree in order to verify the ability of PhD students to secure post-doc positions at prestigious Italian and foreign institutions, universities, and laboratories. This indirect information is considered as a highly significant tool for evaluating the quality of doctoral research preparation. The main employment positions highlighted are: Italian universities, foreign universities, research in private or public prestigious institutions in Italy or abroad, secondary school teachers, financial analysts, programmers, statisticians in insurance companies, etc.