PhD in Statistical Sciences

• Statistical methods
• Economic statistics and econometrics
• Biostatistics
• Demography and social statistics.

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

Confirmed for Call for further PhD Positions
Rectoral Decree n. 1066/2023 Prot. n. 0226313 of 04/08/2023

* The following shall take part in the work of the Examination Board as expert members for positions linked to specific research topics - second Call:

• Barbara Bordini - Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli

* The following shall take part in the work of the Examination Board as expert members for positions linked to specific research topics - first Call:

• Andrea Ranzi - ARPAE - Agenzia prevenzione ambiente energia Emilia-Romagna
• Elena Toschi - Istituto Superiore di Sanità

The course aims to train highly qualified statisticians capable of using the most modern statistical techniques for scientific research. The qualification of doctoral students can find realisation in one of the following areas: Statistical methodology, Biostatistics, Demography and social sciences, Economic statistics and econometrics.

The first year includes a common block of advanced courses on basic disciplines. In addition, various specialized courses on applicative or theoretical aspects of Statistics are planned, as well as activities aimed at enhancing transferrable skills. The goal is to define a training path that allows, on the one hand, to adequately integrate statistical skills and, on the other, to acquire autonomy in research. The research activity to be carried out in the second and third year is the fundamental part of the training project, which ends with the drafting of a thesis containing original contributions.

During the first year the PhD students attend courses and seminars purposely organized for them. Specifically, the first three months are devoted to the study of mathematics and probability: the PhD students take courses of Mathematics, Probability and Stochastic processes. After that, they follow a long course of Statistics which is divided in modules taught by the members of the PhD board. From the second year, the PhD students start their research work for the thesis. The Course encourages all PhD students to join the various research groups active in the Department and to carry out their research also at highly qualified foreign institutions, exploiting the Department's scientific collaboration networks.

The tools that doctoral students use in their studies are typical of any methodological or applied research in statistics: deep literature research, problem specification, data collection, analytical development of methods and models, data analysis, computer programming. In particular, according to the different research areas, they will collect data from experiments (including clinical trials), build statistical models, simulate their performances, specify and estimate economic and econometric models. The goal is to give the PhD students a sound mathematical background, a mastery of advanced methods in probability and statistics, the ability to organize research in an independent way coherently with the peculiarities of the different research domains. By the end of their PhD program the PhD students will be able to organize research projects and do research work in economic areas where the use of statistics plays a relevant role.

The PhD Program in Statistics develops in 3 years and training activities require attending courses with a final assessment, the participation in Statistics Seminars and the preparation of a Dissertation with original contributions in Statistics. All PhD activities are consistent with the aims of the program.
During the first year, PhD students follow advance courses in probability theory, stochastic processes, statistical inference, bayesian methods, asymptotic theory, special functions, multivariate analysis, graphical models, time series analysis and econometrics. They also follow the statistics seminars, which include meeting with the speakers and meetings aimed at building european projects and increasing the international aspects of their research.

The dissertation is the most difficult and challenging experience of the PhD program. It should show the candidate's ability to develop an original and valuable research topic. It may be written in Italian or English and the candidate can write it while visiting another Italian or Foreign research institution. The study program is individually tailored, although the courses of the first year are compulsory. The PhD Academic Board assigns a supervisor to each candidate. Other researchers from the Department of Statistical Sciences or other Departments and research institutions can be joint supervisors. During the third year students will complete their thesis and present reports of their progress in a series of meetings with the PhD Academic Board.

The PhD Program in Statistics has signed:

• a framework agreement (at University level) with the National University of Rosario (Argentina)
• a collaborative Doctoral Partnership Agreement with the Joint Research Center of the European Commission
• a cotutelle agreement with Macquarie University in Sydney and CMCRC (Capital Markets Cooperative Research Centre) for the sponsorship of PhD positions.

The PhD Program has scientific relations with several Universities all over the world. The PhD students are encouraged to spend a research period abroad while working on their thesis. Every other week the Department of Statistical Sciences hosts seminars from foreign professors; they use to meet the PhD students and discuss their research advances. The members of the Department coordinate many Erasmus exchanges; professors from the partner Universities often visit the Department and teach short courses within the PhD program. Although it is not compulsory for our PhD students to spend a period abroad, almost all of the PhD students spend some months (generally six months) in European or Extra-Europe prestigious Universities.
The PhD courses are delivered in English, thus promoting the admission of foreign PhD students.

The main result of the PhD student's research is the thesis which is developed during the second and third year. The main results are published in journals or books, and are presented at national and international specialistic conferences. Often software development goes side by side with theoretical development. The produced software is made available to the research community.