Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Biotechnology
PHD PROGRAMME
An interdisciplinary doctoral programme integrating chemical, pharmaceutical, pharmacological, food and materials sciences to address complex research challenges in health, sustainability, advanced materials, drug development and biotechnology.
PROGRAMME AT A GLANCE
Coordinator: Prof. Claudio Pettinari
Institution: University of Camerino
Proposing School: School of Pharmacy and Health Products
Programme structure: Single-university PhD programme
Duration: Three years
Curricula: Two research curricula
Current teaching offer: Academic year 2025/2026
Institution: University of Camerino
Proposing School: School of Pharmacy and Health Products
Programme structure: Single-university PhD programme
Duration: Three years
Curricula: Two research curricula
Current teaching offer: Academic year 2025/2026
PROGRAMME COMMUNITY
41 PhD candidates currently enrolled
Cycle XXXIX: 12 candidates ·
Cycle XL: 16 candidates ·
Cycle XLI: 13 candidates
Cycle XL: 16 candidates ·
Cycle XLI: 13 candidates
Data updated: August 2026 · Active cycles XXXIX–XLI
RESEARCH PROFILE
An integrated approach to chemistry, health and materials
Research projects are developed through a problem-oriented and strongly interdisciplinary approach. The programme brings together organic, inorganic, analytical, environmental, pharmaceutical and physical chemistry, pharmacology, food science, materials science, biochemistry, computational chemistry, bioinformatics and molecular microbiology.
Curricula
CURRICULUM 01
Chemical Sciences
Curriculum lead: Prof. Maura Pellei
The curriculum prepares researchers for strategic areas of public and private scientific research. Chemical problems are addressed through an interdisciplinary approach based on advanced methods in organic, inorganic, analytical, environmental, food and physical chemistry.
Research focuses on innovative synthetic and analytical methodologies, nanostructured and functional materials, energy production and storage, environmental monitoring, biologically active chemical entities and sustainable processes. Particular attention is given to environmental, social and health sustainability, circular economy and the design of advanced materials.
CURRICULUM 02
Pharmaceutical, Nutraceutical and Food Sciences
Curriculum lead: Prof. Roberta Censi
The curriculum prepares experts in the study of medicines, health products, foods, nutraceuticals and cosmetics. It integrates pharmaceutical chemistry, pharmacology, pharmaceutical technology, biology, microbiology and food science.
Research addresses drug design and synthesis, biological and pharmacological evaluation, innovative formulations and delivery systems, plants and foods supporting health and wellbeing, functional foods, dietary supplements, cosmetics and antimicrobial properties. Recycling, reuse, sustainability and circular economy are central themes throughout the curriculum.
ACADEMIC GOVERNANCE
Coordinator and PhD Programme Board
A broad national and international academic network
The programme is coordinated by Prof. Claudio Pettinari and supported by an extensive PhD Programme Board including academics from UNICAM and qualified members from universities and research institutions in Europe and the United States.
TRAINING PROGRAMME
Vertical educational activities 2025/2026
The current vertical offer combines theoretical courses, practical laboratory activities, advanced analytical methods, artificial intelligence, drug development and public engagement.
8 activities · 28 ECTS · 202 total hours
| Educational activity | Lecturers | Scientific fields | Code | ECTS | Hours | Semester | Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heterocycles in Synthesis of Natural Products | Enrico Marcantoni | CHIM/06 | DO-CPS009 | 4 | 28 | II | Pass/fail |
| Cosmetic Science and Technology | Roberta Censi | CHIM/09 | DO-CPS011 | 4 | 28 | II | Pass/fail |
| Practical Instrumental Analysis | Luciano Barboni Marco Zannotti Simone Angeloni Stefano Ferraro |
CHIM/06 CHIM/12 |
DO-CPS013 | 4 | 28 | II | Pass/fail |
| Drug Discovery and Development: From Preclinical Research to Commercialization | Roberto Ciccocioppo Fabio Del Bello |
BIO/14 CHIM/08 |
DO-CPS014 | 4 | 28 | II | Pass/fail |
| Biocomposites and Natural Fibres | Carlo Santulli | ING-IND/22 | DO-CPS017 | 4 | 28 | II | Pass/fail |
| High-throughput and Machine Learning Approaches for the Discovery of Functional Compounds | Diego Dal Ben Michele Loreti |
CHIM/08 INF/01 |
DO-CPS019 | 3 | 24 | II | Pass/fail |
| Chemistry and Public Engagement | Claudio Pettinari | CHIM/03 | New course | 3 | 24 | II | Pass/fail |
| Microscopy | Luisa De Vivo | BIO/09 | DOLHS012 | 2 | 14 | II | Pass/fail |
The table presents the complete vertical offer currently available. Individual activities are selected according to each candidate’s approved training plan. The offer will be updated at the beginning of Cycle XLII.
Transversal and professional development
The programme is complemented by training in statistics, scientific writing, languages, digital skills, research management, European project design, open science, communication, teaching methods, career development and entrepreneurship.
RESEARCH ENVIRONMENT
Scientific facilities and resources
Advanced laboratories and equipment
PhD candidates have access to advanced equipment for IR, Raman, NMR and XPS spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, microanalysis, HPLC, HPLC-MS, GC-MS and thermogravimetric analysis. Additional facilities support electrochemistry, pharmaceutical technology, biology, biochemistry and experimental medicine.
Experimental and analytical training
Training and research activities include advanced methods such as high-resolution 1D and 2D NMR, liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, ICP-MS, gas chromatography, HPLC and optical, confocal and advanced microscopy techniques.
Library and scientific databases
PhD candidates have access to the centralised UNICAM Library System and to the Chemistry Library, which holds approximately 13,000 volumes and 8,000 periodical years. Specialist resources include Reaxys, Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, Journal Citation Reports and other databases covering chemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, pharmacology and related fields.
Computational chemistry and molecular modelling
A dedicated computational chemistry and molecular modelling laboratory supports drug design, protein modelling and ligand-target interaction studies through specialised workstations and software such as Molecular Operating Environment and AutoDock.
CAREER PERSPECTIVES
Research, industry and knowledge transfer
Graduates are prepared for careers in universities, research institutions and chemical, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, nutraceutical, cosmetic, healthcare, agro-food, environmental and advanced-materials organisations. The programme also develops skills in quality control, drug discovery and development, scientific communication, teaching and research project design.
INTERNATIONAL DIMENSION
Research mobility and international experience
The programme includes a compulsory research period abroad of at least six months. PhD candidates are also encouraged to participate in international conferences, develop interdisciplinary collaborations and gain experience in academic and non-academic research environments.
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ACCREDITATION AND QUALITY
Positive ANVUR evaluation – Cycle XLII
For the academic year 2026/2027, ANVUR confirmed the accreditation of the PhD programme in Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Biotechnology.
The requirements concerning the composition and scientific qualification of the PhD Programme Board, scholarships, programme sustainability, operational and scientific facilities and the doctoral training project were considered satisfied.
The accredited training project provides an average of 75 hours of doctoral education per year for each cycle, clearly distinguished from first- and second-cycle degree teaching and closely connected with advanced research activities.
Admission and current calls
The number and type of available positions, scholarships, research topics and application deadlines are established annually by the official admission call.
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Contacts and programme support
Contact the Programme Coordinator, the curriculum leads or the ISAS Administrative Office for academic and administrative information.