The PhD Program in Computer, Language and Data Science for Social Innovation (CLDS4SI) is designed to provide advanced training across the core areas of Computer and Language Sciences, with particular emphasis on Data Science applications and on comparative language analysis. Supported by a highly qualified, multidisciplinary PhD program board, an extensive network of national and international collaborations, long-standing partnerships with research centers and industry, and the participation in a large number of funded research projects, the program aims to train highly qualified researchers and professionals by combining solid theoretical and technical expertise with complementary soft skills.
The program covers both theoretical and practical aspects, including (i) core technologies and methods in computer science, (ii) formal and historical approaches to the study of human language, and (iii) state-of-the-art and emerging application domains, while fostering cross-disciplinary synergies between scientific and social fields.
Among the core computer science technologies, the program emphasizes distributed and parallel systems (including high-performance computing and embedded systems, Internet of Things and edge/cloud computing, complex systems modeling), scalable data science and data-centric AI, and cybersecurity.
Concerning natural language science, the novelty of this doctoral program lies in the integration of theoretical linguistics with computer science. The program focuses on the comparative and formal analysis of natural language syntax, with particular emphasis on phylogenetic modeling and the measurement of language relatedness. By developing mathematical and computational models of the phylogenetic and formal structure of human language syntax, the program provides an integrated framework for analyzing the structure and evolution of human languages.
The relevant application domains are numerous and strongly rooted in the digital transformation in social areas (recommendation systems, sharing economy, social contagion and viral marketing, human-machine interaction, business ethics, natural language modeling, business analytics, digital preparedness) and technological areas (Industry 4.0, Autonomic computing for collective self-adaptive systems, Autonomous Systems and Connected Shared Mobility, clinical medicine).
The training program, updated annually and advertised on the course webpage, combines specialized courses and seminars, summer schools, and active involvement in research activities. The aim is to foster scientific outcomes, the participation in international conferences, as well as research stays and internships at external institutions abroad. These experiences enable students to consolidate their scientific profile, refine their research methodology, and build a network of scientific contacts that will support their post-doctoral careers.
OBJECTIVES
The objective of the PhD program in CLDS4SI is to train highly specialized researchers and professionals in the core areas of computer and data science, as well as in the study of human language structures and relations, including their applications across diverse domains.
The program is designed to support the development of differentiated profiles over the course of the three-year doctoral paths. These range from experts in the foundational and enabling technologies of computer and data science (e.g., optimization of complex algorithms, scalable software solutions, to name a few) to researchers capable of integrating theoretical and technological advances in linguistics and computer science for the comparative investigation of natural language, to specialists able to apply these competences in real-world contexts (e.g., large-scale data analysis in economic, medical or scientific domains, and the use of advanced techniques in areas like the Internet of Things or Cybersecurity).
The PhD program board is composed of a team of expert researchers in the areas covered by the PhD Course in CLDS4SI, and is supported by an international Advisory Board. Members of the PhD program board provide individual supervision to each PhD candidate. Their expert guidance supports the acquisition of advanced research methods and the development of innovative research projects, through a structured path that includes an introduction to academic research, engagement with national and international research institutions and companies, and the design of a personalized research plan. The presentation of research outcomes in international venues is encouraged, enabling candidates to engage with the scientific community and fostering their professional and intellectual growth.
PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
The research program emphasizes the application of research, while maintaining a strong methodological and scientific foundation. By the end of the PhD program, this solid training enables candidates to conduct independent research, produce original and relevant results and actively contribute to the international research community.
On the other hand, the strong interdisciplinary nature of the proposed program, together with its emphasis on technological transfer to industrial partners and organizations operating in the social sector, provide graduates with a wide range of professional opportunities, including:
a) academic career, or a research career in public or private institutions;
b) roles as experts in the development of research programs of the European Union (EU) of within public and private institutions;
c) managerial careers in companies operating in computer science or computer engineering, as well as leadership roles in service companies and professional consulting;
d) a career as teachers or administrators in secondary education.