This document discusses opportunities for Italian graduates in chemistry, pharmacy, biology and biotechnologies to conduct research stages at European research centers. Specifically, it describes the Leonardo da Vinci UNIPHARMA-GRADUATES project which provides 50 placements of 24 weeks for Italian master's graduates at over 40 research centers in countries like Germany, UK, France, Spain and Sweden. The placement procedure and students' responsibilities are outlined. Past results show high-profile candidates, participation from many Italian universities, and a majority of female participants. Awards the program has received are also mentioned. Information on the next application deadline and other international opportunities are provided.

2. Stages di ricerca Leonardo da Vinci “UNIPHARMA-
GRADUATES” presso centri di ricerca chimici,
farmaceutici e biotecnologici europei
Luciano Saso
RIPARTIZIONE IV STUDENTI
Responsabile Scientifico dei progetti UNIPHARMA-GRADUATES
SETTORE PROGRAMMI INTERNAZIONALI
Delegato del Rettore per la Mobilità internazionale
Coordinatore Istituzionale Erasmus

3. Come procedere dopo la laurea magistrale?
• Master di 2°livello?
• Dottorato o Ph.D all’estero?
• Scuola di Specializzazione?
• Stage in Italia o all’estero?

4. Processo di Bologna (1999-)
http://www.bolognaprocess.it/
• Laurea = Bachelor
• Laurea Specialistica o Magistrale = Master’s Degree
• Dottorato = Ph.D

5. http://www.jobsoul.it/

6. European mobility programmes:
PEOPLE

7. European Mobility Programmes
• ERASMUS (1987-1995)
• SOCRATES-ERASMUS (1995-2007)
• LLP/ERASMUS (2007-….)
• ERASMUS PLACEMENT (2007-….)
• LEONARDO DA VINCI (1995-….)
• ERASMUS MUNDUS (2004-….)
• MARIE CURIE (1995-….)

8. Leonardo da Vinci Projects
“UNIPHARMA- GRADUATES
www.unipharmagraduates.it
Fifty 24-weeks placements for top Italian master’s
degree graduates in
CHEMISTRY, PHARMACY, BIOLOGY and
BIOTECHNOLOGIES
in selected chemical, pharmaceutical
and biomedical EUROPEAN research centers

9. 
Transnational partners
MORE THAN 100 PLACEMENTS
 IN OVER 40 RESEARCH CENTERS

10. Germany
• MAX-PLANCK-INSTITUTE FOR MOLECULAR
GENETICS (BERLIN)
• FRAUNHOFER (HANNOVER)
• CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH (UFZ,
LEIPZIG)
• FORSCHUNGSZENTRUM KARLSRUHE
• SANOFI-AVENTIS (FRANKFURT)

11. UK
• BABRAHAM INSTITUTE (CAMBRIDGE)
• INSTITUTE OF FOOD RESEARCH (NORWICH)
• ELI LILLY (LONDON area)
• UNILEVER PORT SUNLIGHT (LIVERPOOL)

12. France
• ECOLE NORMALE SUPERIEURE (LYON)
• INSTITUT CURIE (PARIS)
• INSTITUT COCHIN (PARIS)
• CNRS (LYON)
• INSTITUT NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE
AGRONOMIQUE (INRA, NANTES)
• SERVIER (PARIS)
• PIERRE-FABRE (CASTRES)

13. SPAIN
• CENTER FOR GENOMIC REGULATION
(BARCELONA)
• CENTRO NACIONAL DE BIOTECNOLOGIA (MADRID)
• PARC CIENTIFIC (BARCELONA)
• INSTITUTE FOR RESEARCH IN BIOMEDICINE
(BARCELONA)
• CIC BIOGUNE (BILBAO)
• NOSCIRA (MADRID)

14. SWEDEN
• KAROLINSKA INSTITUTET (STOCKHOLM)

15. The placement procedure
1. Work programmes requested in advance to the hosting
laboratories
2. Selective but well disseminated call for applications
3. Ranking of all applicants (over 300 applications in
2009)
4. 5 motivated choices requested to the top 50
candidates (who are allowed to get in touch with the
former trainees by e-mail)
5. Final decision based on the scientific and technical
skills of the candidate and his/her knowledge of
English

16. The placement procedure
Best possible match between
CVs and work programmes

17. The placement: WORK HARD…
COMPULSORY SCIENTIFIC REPORT
• Introduction
• Aim of the work
• Materials and Methods
• Results
• Discussion
• References

18. …AND PLAY HARD

19. Results
 High profile of the candidates (most of them with
degree thesis mark of 110/110)
 Participation of candidates from most Italian
universities
 High participation of women (about 80%)

20. Awards
• Shortlisted for the European Quality
in Mobility (EQIM) Award 2006 in
Graz

21. PROSSIMO BANDO UNIPHARMA-GRADUATES a
DICEMBRE
http://www.unipharmagraduates.it/
http://www.uniroma1.it/

22. ALTRE OPPORTUNITA’ IN CAMPO
INTERNAZIONALE

23. ENGLISH!
• TOEFL: http://www.ets.org/toefl
• IELTS: http://www.ielts.org/
• etc

24. ERASMUS MUNDUS:
apply for opportunities in Europe!
• http://www.erasmusmundus.it/
• http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/erasmus_mundus/fundin
g/scholarships_students_academics_en.php

25. • (Opportunities for doctoral students, post-docs
and young researchers
http://www.euraxess.it/

26. Altri siti utili
• http://www.unipharma.it/
• http://www.findaphd.com/
• http://www.nature.com/naturejobs/science/welcome
• http://www.newscientistjobs.com/jobs/default.aspx
• http://sciencecareers.sciencemag.org/

27. Acknowledgements
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS OFFICE
ERASMUS OFFICE
NATIONAL LEONARDO AGENCY

28. Thank you for your attention!
luciano.saso@uniroma1.it