Programme

The PhD programme in General Medical and Services Sciences at the University of Bologna aims to train young researchers with biological, technological and methodological skills, including epidemiological and statistical competencies, and with research experience that enables them, at the end of the programme, to independently conduct interdisciplinary research activities at universities, the National Health Service, public and private research organisations, and national and international institutions.
The educational objectives are pursued through a broad framework integrating multiple specialised fields and methodological approaches, tailored to each doctoral candidate’s background and research context. The programme is organised around the following research themes:
1. Ultrasonology in human medicine.
2. Public health and occupational medicine.
3. Maternal, child and developmental age medicine.
4. Pathophysiology of sexual development.
5. Oncohepatology.
6. Medical statistics.
7. Oncological genetics.
8. Clinical pharmacology.
9. Biomedical and legal sciences.
The programme is grounded in the integration of medical, biological and health sciences and is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to health and well-being, maternal and child health, and equity.
Training objectives are achieved through supervision by tutors and faculty members and through seminars and cross-cutting courses shared across research areas. Training activities include clinical and translational research methods, molecular biology, forensic and environmental toxicology, pharmacology and personalised medicine, with a focus on study protocol development (statistical analysis plans and sample size determination) as well as on systematic reviews and meta-analysis. In line with the emerging European Health Data Space, the programme also promotes competencies related to the use and interpretation of national and international healthcare databases.
Doctoral candidates are expected to participate annually in national or international conferences, with the aim of presenting research outputs as posters or oral communications, and may undertake research periods at external national and international institutions. The programme fosters transversal skills such as advanced English proficiency, the use of data analysis software, scientific writing, and the preparation of research funding applications.
At the end of each year, doctoral candidates present the progress of their research project; discussions with the doctoral board and tutors support critical thinking and planning skills and allow ongoing monitoring of the training pathway. Final assessment is based on: (1) autonomy in planning the research project; (2) implementation using appropriate methods, including collaboration with other research groups when needed; (3) analysis and discussion of findings aimed at publication in international journals and/or dissemination at national and international scientific conferences.

Career opportunities for PhD graduates in General Medical and Services Sciences are diverse and depend on the candidate’s educational background (medical and health sciences, biological sciences, biostatistics/epidemiology), and—when applicable—on any medical specialisation obtained.
In academic and research settings, the PhD degree represents a key qualification for access to research and teaching positions at universities and research centres, and for participation in national and international competitive projects. For medical graduates, the PhD degree in addition to specialist training is also valued in public recruitment procedures and may strengthen the overall professional profile.
Research and development activities may also be carried out in:
• Scientific Institutes for Research, Hospitalisation and Healthcare (IRCCS) and national/international academic research centres.
• Public and private research organisations, including those operating in the pharmaceutical, biotechnological, biomedical and diagnostic fields.
• Settings focused on evidence-based assessment and healthcare planning.
Within healthcare services, the PhD pathway may support access to roles requiring advanced skills in clinical research, epidemiology, data analysis, and evaluation of effectiveness and appropriateness of interventions, including positions contributing to clinical governance, monitoring of healthcare activities, and health policy planning at local or regional level.
Among extra-academic outlets, the programme also highlights opportunities within national healthcare institutions and regulatory/evaluative contexts (e.g., the Italian National Institute of Health, the Italian Medicines Agency, the Italian National Agency for Regional Health Services), as well as foundations and research institutes working on health services research and real-world evidence (e.g., Fondazione ReS, Ricerca e Salute). Graduates may also contribute to research support offices, scientific secretariats, ethics committee coordination units, and the management of funded research projects.

The PhD programme, which is interdisciplinary in nature, has the overall objective of providing doctoral candidates with advanced theoretical scientific knowledge and project-related skills enabling them to organise and manage research activities within the programme’s fields. The training pathway aims to strengthen awareness of researchers’ responsibilities, knowledge of research ethics and professional conduct, as well as organisational, statistical and data analysis skills that support the independent development of research projects in medical sciences and service sciences.
This objective is complemented by the ability to produce original research and disseminate findings within the international scientific community through peer-reviewed publications and presentations at national and international scientific events.
Expected competencies also include the ability to build interdisciplinary networks and partnerships at local, European and international level; to critically appraise scientific evidence and apply evidence-based approaches; familiarity with basic project management and reporting; and the ability to conduct inclusive and sustainable research that respects the rights of individuals and society.
Depending on specific research projects, the programme also promotes objectives related to statistical methods and the use of data analysis software, including epidemiological and pharmacoepidemiologic analyses, as well as laboratory-based competencies in biomedical sciences (pharmacology, genetics, toxicology) and the conduct of in vitro and in vivo studies. Training also includes regulatory and ethical aspects, including requirements to be submitted to ethics committees.