Applications are now open for the Autumn School of Optical Microscopy, a training initiative organized by the Interdepartmental Centre for Advanced Microscopy (CIMA) and the Department of Life Sciences (DSV) of the University of Trieste, within the framework of the Interreg VI-A Italy–Slovenia project ALL-MICRO, for which the University is lead partner through the DSV.

The Autumn School will take place from 15 to 17 October 2025 and will offer three days of in-depth training on the latest innovations in the field of optical microscopy.

Fifteen PhD students will be selected from within the Interreg VI-A Italy–Slovenia Programme Area, which includes 10 NUTS3-level territorial units:

Italy: the former provinces of Udine, Pordenone, Gorizia and Trieste (Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia) and the Province of Venice (Region of Veneto);
Slovenia: the statistical regions of Primorsko-notranjska, Osrednjeslovenska, Gorenjska, Obalno-kraška and Goriška.

Participants will have the opportunity to work in the CIMA laboratories (via Fleming 31/A and 31/B), using advanced equipment such as super-resolution (SIM) and multiphoton microscopes. The programme includes 5-minute “snap talks” and a scientific poster session that will remain on display throughout the event. Dedicated networking opportunities with other PhD students and early-career postdocs will also be provided.

All activities will be conducted in English due to the high technical content. Final reports will be drafted in both Italian and Slovenian.

To apply, candidates must complete the Application Form and send it to ALL-MICRO@units.it or agnes.thalhammer@units.it.

The application deadline is 24 August 2025. Selected participants will be notified by the first week of September, following the selection process, which will be completed by 31 August 2025.

The initiative is co-funded by the project ALL-MICRO – Advanced Light Microscopy Crossborder Network, supported by the Interreg VI-A Italy–Slovenia 2021–2027 Programme.

Programme