Opportunities
PhD POSITION: CALL FOR CANDIDATES
The PhysioEthology research group of the University of Milan is seeking an excellent candidate (national or international) for a fully funded PhD program. The topic of the PhD is the “assessment of age-related changes in the physiology and behaviour of domestic animals”, supervisor Dr Federica Pirrone.
State of the art and aims of the project
The scientific literature suggests that relatively narrow age differences can produce significant changes in the physiological responses as well as in the brain, and its associated sensory, motor, and cognitive functions throughout the lifespan. What underlies such changes? Answering this question will help improve the quality of life and welfare of animals. We aim to identify and characterise the neurobiology of age-specific behavioural patterns using an integrative approach, ranging from behavioural and cognitive testing to physiology and biochemistry.
We are seeking a PhD student to join the highly international, collaborative, and interdisciplinary PhysioEthology research group (https://sites.unimi.it/animalphysioetho/) and investigate the neurobiological processes and brain functions underlying age-specific behaviours through laboratory and/or field research. We are interested in both small (e.g., cats, dogs) and large (e.g., pigs, horses) domestic animals and we particularly encourage applicants who wish to understand the physiological and cognitive correlates of age-specific behavioural patterns in animals. We welcome candidates from the veterinary medicine, ethology, biology or biotechnology backgrounds. It is essential that candidates are motivated to understand neurobiological phenomena and are willing to learn behavioural coding, cognitive testing and statistical data analysis. The successful candidate will be involved in extensive behavioural and cognitive assessment, as well as biological sampling and quantitative data analysis, according to their qualification.
The Department is sited in a new and vibrant campus just outside of Milano city.
Specific requirements of applicants for the admission to doctoral programmes
- Second cycle degree (master-level) awarded by an acknowledged (Italian or foreign) university.
- English language proficiency at least at Level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Funding
- Scholarships are granted, in accordance with and by the methods established by existing regulations, in line with the ranking posted online on the postgraduate admission raking page and consists of an annual gross sum of €16350.00 + tuition fees (exempt from IRPEF income tax)
- For each student, a research period of at least 3 months in a foreign research Institution is required. In this frame time, a 50% salary increase will we applied
- A limited amount of funding is available for lab consumables and travel (conferences, field work, etc.) but the PhD candidate will be encouraged to apply for additional funding (with Dr Pirrone’s support)
Application
The deadline for application is no later than 2 pm on 1st September 2021.
If you would like to join a multidisciplinary and friendly group with strong research interests, send your application at the following link:
Please check the call for applicants for full information about the Doctoral Research Programmes at the University of Milan academic year intake 2021/2022, including requirements for applicants, application procedure, funding, costs, accessibility, and other relevant information.
