PhD graduates in Social Sciences can pursue a wide range of career paths thanks to a highly qualified profile and advanced skills developed throughout their training. On the one hand, there are academic career opportunities in Italy and abroad, following accreditation and recruitment pathways within universities and research institutions. These are further supported by well-established experiences such as Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) fellowships, international co-supervision arrangements, and scientific collaborations, including those within the European ARQUS network.

On the other hand, the PhD also offers numerous extra-academic opportunities. These include public and private research centers within foundations, banks, local authorities, public bodies, and professional associations. Research and communication departments within private companies also represent attractive career paths, where the analytical skills of PhD holders enable them to address cultural, organizational, and technological changes in the productive sector. Publishing and media, including newspapers, journals, and television broadcasters, constitute further areas in which these profiles can contribute to the in-depth analysis of social and cultural issues and to multimedia communication. The potential of the ‘third sector’ should also be emphasized. This includes social cooperatives, non-profit organizations, and associations engaged not only in social policies but also in cultural and environmental issues.

The curriculum in Sociology prepares doctoral candidates for academic and research careers in social sciences, facilitating their integration into universities, research centers, and public and private institutes. At the same time, the skills acquired allow access to strategic roles in urban planning, public policy evaluation, social and cultural project design, and community needs analysis. Training activities and specific modules are designed to align with these opportunities, offering doctoral candidates targeted and market-relevant preparation.

The curriculum in Applied Psychology develops advanced competencies for academic and research careers in social, work, and clinical psychology, with opportunities for placement in national and international contexts. In addition, there are extra-university career opportunities: PhD holders may work in healthcare and social care settings, focusing on the design of preventive and therapeutic interventions, effectiveness evaluation, and psychological support for individuals, groups, and communities. Private companies and complex organizations also represent a further career outlet, thanks to skills related to organizational well-being, human resource selection and management, performance evaluation, and skills development. Courses in psychometrics, quantitative methodology, advanced data analysis, and evidence-based design are central to preparing doctoral candidates for these contexts, providing rigorous and up-to-date tools to address the challenges of applied work.