All applicants to our Ph.D. program must have completed a five-year university curriculum (for instance, a three-year Bachelor plus a two-year Master). They are expected to demonstrate a sound background in Computer Science and/or Computational Mathematics, fluency in English and a strong motivation for research. Applicants are ranked according to their Curriculum Vitae (CV) and the result of an oral examination usually done in September. The public oral examination may also be carried out through video-conferencing tools. The 6 top ranked applicants qualify for a grant as well as a tuition fee waiver. The remaining applicants may either be admitted with no grant or not admitted at all.

The primary objectives of the PhD program are as follows:

• To consolidate core competencies in modeling, data analysis, and processing, with in-depth study of systems for efficient information management and/or numerical methods for large-scale problems;
• To enhance proficiency in advanced techniques specific to the chosen thesis project;
• To foster independence and the ability to develop innovative ideas within a structured framework, benchmarking original proposals against existing state-of-the-art solutions;
• To develop critical and analytical thinking skills, enabling candidates to interpret results and, where necessary, refine or adapt original hypotheses to achieve expected outcomes;
• To cultivate teamwork and collaborative skills, working effectively with senior researchers and supervisors, as well as with peers and interdisciplinary teams composed of researchers from diverse scientific backgrounds.

Research activities are organized across several key areas, including:

• Models for Applied Sciences: web and social network analysis, statistical models, computer graphics, image reconstruction, and modeling for monumental degradation and related restoration interventions;
• Numerical Methods: approximation of integro-differential-fractional operators; constructive approximation, spectral analysis, and calculus for matrices and operators, iterative solvers for large-scale linear (and non-linear) systems, and numerical optimization;
• Innovative Information Management Systems (IoT, Social Networks, Blockchain): supporting models and architectures, and information management processes;
• Data Analysis: machine learning, image processing, natural language processing (NLP), deep learning, and Big Data as a Service (BDaaS);
• Data Security and Privacy: models and mechanisms for selective data sharing, risk and trust management, user privacy management support models, and computing on encrypted data.

In addition to pursuing an academic career, graduates of the PhD program in Computer Science and Computational Mathematics are well-equipped for technical-managerial roles within the vast and diverse Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector. This sector, both internationally and specifically across Europe and Italy, has long reported a chronic shortage of highly specialized professionals and experts with interdisciplinary skills.
Based on the track record of related doctoral programs at the University of Insubria, graduates consistently achieve excellent professional placement across universities, research centers, financial institutions, and both national and international corporations.
Many of our alumni are currently employed at world-renowned academic and industrial research centers, including: University of Cambridge (UK), Google Research, IBM Dublin, KTH Royal Institute of Technology (Sweden), Italian Institute of Technology (IIT), National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF), and prestigious Italian universities such as the University of Pisa, Sapienza University of Rome, Tor Vergata University of Rome, and the University of Cagliari.
Furthermore, several former students have successfully founded start-ups focused on developing innovative solutions to prevent security attacks on industrial control systems.

PhD students are required to attend and successfully complete at least four doctoral-level courses during the three-year program.
These courses may be selected from the offerings at the University of Insubria or from other accredited institutions, such as other national or international universities or ational and international doctoral schools.