Can alternative courses be followed to replace the courses envisaged by the PhD?
Yes, it is possible, but the request to replace scheduled courses must be sent in advance to the coordinator and is subject to approval by the college. Obviously, it will be necessary to demonstrate that the alternative courses are functional to the didactic-scientific path of the PhD student.
Can I also follow lessons provided in the context of master's degrees to replace the courses envisaged by the PhD?
Yes, it is possible. Obviously, it will be necessary to demonstrate that the lessons have not been attended previously, they are functional to the didactic-scientific path of the PhD student, and the positive opinion of the PhD teaching board must be requested by contacting the coordinator. On the other hand, it is forbidden to attend the PhD at the same time of any other university course (degree, specialistic degree, master's degree, single-cycle master's degree, specialization, master's course, PhD).
Is it possible to participate in congresses/summer schools/meetings during the PhD period?
Sure. The college particularly supports the participation of doctoral students in congresses and conferences to present the results of their research.
Can PhD students carry out tutoring and supplementary teaching activities?
Yes, it is a part of the training course, subject to authorization from the teaching staff, within the limit of forty hours for each academic year; there will be no increase in the scholarship amount.
Can PhD students carry out paid activities?
The Academic Board decides if to authorize the PhD to carry out paid activities, verifying their compatibility with the successful performance of the training activities (teaching and research) relating to the PhD path. In particular, for PhD students with a scholarship, the paid activities must be only limited to those referable to the acquisition of skills related to the educational field of the PhD.
Is it obligatory to participate in the English courses provided by the CLA?
No, but since the PhD in Biotechnology is entirely in English, it is strongly recommended especially if you do not have an adequate knowledge of the English language that allows you to carry out the PhD (minimum B1). In fact, it is necessary to produce a certification issued by a certified body which demonstrates the acquisition of the aforementioned level.
Is it possible to spend a period abroad during the PhD course?
Of course, the PhD board strongly advises students to spend a research period of at least six months and a minimum of three months abroad.
Can I go abroad for a research period during the first year of the PhD?
Up to the 37th cycle, it was only possible from the second year when funds become available. Starting from the 38th cycle, funds are already available at the first and it is therefore possible to use them for missions abroad. However, the first year is mainly intended for the acquisition of teaching credits and to approach the research project.
How do I request authorization to go on a mission?
Before going on mission (see INFO filling in MOD_ mission) it is necessary to request authorization from the PhD coordinator and fill in the corresponding mission authorization request form of the Department of Biology - form and instructions can be downloaded from here (MOD_mission authorization) and must be completed before leaving (at least 7 days before the departure date, excluding holidays; emails sent after this limit will not be taken into consideration) to: dottorato.biotecnologie@unina.it, and cc. to nicola.maio@unina.it, for the signature of the coordinator; NB the form must be sent in MS word format. The following must always be indicated in the subject of each email: Surname, PhD and Cycle. The Mission funds advance form (MOD_mission expenses advance) must be completed ONLY if an advance payment is requested, before departure. The refund takes place only after finishing the mission. For missions without refund, the authorization of the coordinator for insurance coverage is still required, in this case send the relative form (MOD_authorization of mission without reimbursement).
How do I get reimbursed for a mission?
Upon returning from the mission, the refund form must be completed (MOD_refund for ITALY mission for Italy and MOD_refund for FOREIGN mission for abroad) and sent to: dottorato.biotecnologie@unina.it, and in Cc to: nicomaio@unina .it, to be signed by the Coordinator; NB the form must be sent in MS word format. After signing, the PhD student will receive the pdf of the signed form: he/she will have to print it and bring it with the original expense receipts to Mrs. Parrella at the Department of Biology (parrella@unina.it, +39 081679229, MSA/Ed.7/-1F0 )
What can be refunded when on a mission?
Everything that can be documented through receipts and/or invoices is reimbursable, obviously for expenses related to the mission (travel, food, accommodation).
How can I get the 50% increase in the doctoral scholarship while I'm abroad?
At least one month before leaving, you must send the coordinator: (i) the authorization request - downloadable from here (MOD_stage abroad) - and (ii) the letter of invitation on headed paper of the host institution, signed by the foreign guest, certifying the period of stay (dd/mm/yyyy start and end). Once the coordinator's authorization has been received, the authorization to carry out the mission must be sent in the manner described above. Subsequently, when you are abroad, you must send a monthly email to the Doctoral Office (dottric@unina.it) and, in Cc, to the Secretariat of the Doctorate in Biotechnology (dottorato.biotecnologie@unina.it), with a declaration of the foreign tutor certifying that the PhD student regularly attended the laboratory in that month.
How do I order consumables to be used for research activities?
o After verifying the availability of their funds (the PhD student must fill in, and keep, a simple summary table of all the expenses made with the residual funds available - downloadable table here (form03) - it must be sent to the Secretariat of the PhD in Biotechnology dottorato.biotecnologie@unina.it, and, in Cc to: nicola.maio@unina.it; an email with the pre-orders and related attachments, completed in all their parts - the forms and instructions can be downloaded here (Istruzioni_compilazione_PREBUONO, form04, form05, Table-Funds-PhD). The Secretariat, after the coordinator's signature, will send them to the administrative office for purchases (ordini.biologia@unina.it). The PhD student will then take care to follow up directly with the same office of the Department of Biology the entire purchase process.
Is it possible to have refund for small expenses related to research activities?
Yes, it is possible to refund receipts relating to consumables of the same type up to €40.00. For reimbursement, the relative form must be completed (MOD_reimbursement of small expenses) and sent to: dottorato.biotecnologie@unina.it, and, in Cc. to: nicola.maio@unina.it; for the Coordinator's signature. After signing, the PhD student will receive the pdf of the signed form and will have to print it and bring it with the (original) expense receipts to Mrs. Parrella at the Department of Biology (parrella@unina.it, +39 081679229, MSA/Ed.7 /-1F0)
In addition to consumables and missions in Italy and abroad, what can the available funds be used for ? and what cannot be purchased?
The funds can be used to pay for the publication costs of scientific articles while they are NOT usable for equipment, including computers.
What should I do if I have to carry out experiments in laboratories that are not part of the University of Naples 'Federico II' (CNR, Stazione Zoologica, etc.)?
Doctoral students are insured against workplace accidents even in laboratories that are not owned by the University, but must be authorized by the coordinator. Before going to external laboratories, PhD students must send the form - that can be downloaded from here (MOD_request for off-site work authorization) to the coordinator marco.moracci@unina.it and, in Cc, to dottorato.biotecnologie@unina.it and wait for the returned signed form.
I'm paid with a PON grant, are there any other rules I have to follow?
Yes, PhD with PON scholarships have different rights and duties from PhD paid with University scholarships. The information can be found in the document that can be downloaded here (Guida_dottorati_PON_2022).
Does the PhD student have other official duties?
By day 5 of the following months: January, March, May, July, September, November, a certificate of attendance must be presented - form downloadable here (form06) - signed by the TUTOR and sent to the Secretariat of the Doctorate in Biotechnology (dottorato.biotecnologie@unina.it ).
What are the requirements to apply for the title of Dr Europaeus?
The PhD student must fulfil the following requirements:
- to have spent at least 3 months during the PhD in a European country other than Italy.
- to have the thesis work positively evaluated by at least two reviewers appointed by the teaching board and belonging to universities of two European Union countries other than Italy;
- to defend PhD thesis to at least one member belonging to a European university other than Italy;
- to discuss the thesis in an official European language different from Italian.
In which format should citations of publications made during the PhD be sent?
When the citation is available in its complete form (including volume and pages), it should be sent to notomista@unina.it using the excel file that can be downloaded here (form07). The file contains detailed instructions on the format to be used.
How should I prepare the PhD thesis? Where could I find a format or some examples?
The instructions for the preparation of the thesis, the format and some examples can be downloaded here (form08).
How many hours of educational activities should I do?
PhD candidate shall be required to take part in a total of one hundred and twenty (120) hours, throughout the PhD cycle, of educational activities contemplated under its study plan. Each PhD candidate shall earn no fewer than forty (40) hours in Courses activated within the Doctorate or Courses activated by other Doctorates and considered useful for the training of the students of this Doctorate.
Download the “Study plan” to be filled in by the PhD candidate and sent to the coordinator.
Download the “Course certificate of attendance” to be filled in by the PhD candidate and signed by the teacher/speaker.
