PhD in Astrophysics

• Stellar populations in the Local Group
• Populations, chemistry and dynamics of stellar clusters
• Stellar and chemical evolution of galaxies
• Formation and evolution of galaxies and AGN
• Radioastronomy
• High energy astrophysics
• Astronomical technology
• Galactic dynamics
• Galaxy Clusters, Large-scale structure of the Universe, Cosmology

Appointed by RD n. 709/2023 Prot n. 149534 on Jun 02, 2023

This PhD course aims at training young researchers to carry out independent research activities in different fields of astronomy and astrophysics (stellar and extragalactic astrophysics, cosmology, technological and computer applications in astrophysics). In general, our PhD students are expected to become familiar with scientific methods that could potentially be used also in frameworks not necessarily related to astrophysics, like for instance for training managerial staff in private/public organizations which treats complex systems and in the field of outreach and dissemination of science.

Fundamental research (both theoretical/modeling and experimental/observational), focused on: Stellar Clusters (their formation and evolution, populations, chemistry and dynamics of stellar clusters); Galaxies (single objects, galaxies with AGN, dynamics and formation, galaxies in groups and clusters); Cosmology (models, large scale structure, cosmic microwave background radiation). Applied research, related to the development of numerical codes and/or astrophysical instrumentation in different wavebands, ranging from radio to X- and gamma-rays. The activity can include the acquisition of data at the main national and international facilities (INAF, ESO, ESA, EVN, NRAO, etc.) and the preparation of proposals for observations with ground-based and space telescopes or for supercomputers. The research activity requires the development and/or usage of numerical codes to model and analyze the data, the extensive usage of databases, and the bibliographic research. Each year PhD students are required to attend 2-3 cycles of seminars  specifically organized for them dealing with topics of great relevance in astrophysics and cosmology (see the web page  https://phd.unibo.it/astrophysics/en/teaching/accademic-year-2020-2021)

The main goal of the PhD course is the training of the students in the most modern areas of the astrophysical research, both theoretical/modeling and experimental/observational. According to the specific subject of the thesis, the students, thanks to their immediate inclusion in the research groups, develop their capabilities to acquire and analyse observational data obtained using the best international instruments in the different bands (optical, millimetric, radio, X-rays, very high-energy) and/or to develop numerical codes or models and/or astrophysical technologies. Fundamental part of the training is to write scientific papers and reports, to publicly present the results, to write applications for computational or observational time. Moreover the PhD students develop the necessary knowledge about the national and international system for financial support to the research. Finally, thanks to the internal courses and seminars, and the attendance to National and international schools, the PhD students extend their general culture in fundamental Astrophysics and Physics. PhD students are also involved in the design and implementation of public engagement, outreach and dissemination methodologies for science.

PhD students participate actively to research projects of international value, often in the context of extended international collaborations. Almost all the observational activity is based on the most advanced ground-based and space instrumentation, the access to which is guaranteed by the direct participation of INAF, by the italian presence in european organizations for astronomy (ESO, ESA) and by specific international agreements (LBT, EVN, ASTRONET, etc). The research activity for PhD theses are acknowledged by different international institutions (like NRAO and EVN). All the internal activities (courses, seminars, reports, etc.) are given in english, as well the written final dissertation. Foreign researchers are regularly members of the defense committee. Long visits (3-6 months) to foreign scientific institutions are recommended: to this goal a dedicate grant (Marco Polo Program) is reserved for PhD students. Moreover theses in the framework of international joint supervision (cotutela) or for european degrees are strongly supported. The attendance to international meetings (with presentation of results) are strongly encouraged. Several Ph candidates come from foreign countries. The participation of foreign candidates to the selection process is facilitated by the use of videoconference (i.e. skype)

Thesis written in english, talks at (national/international) meetings, publication of the results extracted from the thesis (at least two by three years after the defense) on international refereed journals or at least one patent request; reports on possible technological and/or computational applications.