The IMT School for Advanced Studies Lucca

The Mind, Brain, and Human Thought (MBHT) PhD program is an international doctoral program offered by the IMT School, one of Italy’s Schools of Excellence and among the highest-rated graduate schools in Europe, according to the latest U-Multirank survey.

The IMT School offers rigorous training and close supervision across the social, cognitive, behavioral, psychological, natural, and human sciences, fostering interdisciplinary approaches.

With students from all over the world, the IMT School provides a truly international environment. It has a strong track record of placing graduates in top research universities, policy-making institutions, and leading companies. English is the official language of the School.

The PhD Program in Mind, Brain, and Human Thought

The MBHT PhD program offers advanced, interdisciplinary research training on the nature and evolution of human thought, mind, and behavior. By integrating neuroscience, psychology, philosophy of science, and the history of philosophy, the program aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the human mind in its cognitive, affective, social, and cultural dimensions.

MBHT embraces two complementary perspectives. On one hand, it promotes the study of human neurophysiology and psychology, exploring the mechanisms underlying mental functions and behaviors. On the other, it examines the historical and epistemological foundations of scientific knowledge and human thought, tracing their historical development from an intercultural perspective. 

MBHT trains researchers to conduct innovative analyses of human thought, behavior, and the brain, addressing both their biological and cultural foundations through advanced interdisciplinary methodologies. Graduates will be prepared to tackle complex scientific and societal challenges, contributing to advancements in fields such as mental health, intercultural understanding, and the ethics of technology. The program aims to shape a new generation of scholars who combine scientific rigor with a historical-philosophical perspective, fostering a non-reductionist approach to the complexity of the human mind.

The MBHT program is structured into two complementary curricula:

• Neuroscience, Experimental Psychology, and Psychophysiology (NEPP)
  NEPP investigates the neural and psychological mechanisms underlying human behavior and mental faculties.

• Human Thought: Philosophy, History, and Science (HT)
  HT examines the philosophical, epistemological, and historical dimensions of knowledge, both in scientific and broader intellectual contexts.

Two research units, MoMiLab and PhiBor, contribute to the program’s academic curriculum and research initiatives. More details on their research topics and activities can be found at the following links:

MoMiLab | PhiBor

Scholarship and Funding

All PhD students receive a scholarship of €1,353.58 per month, which includes pension contributions and results in a net stipend of €1,195.48 per month for three years.

For the duration of the program, students are also provided with free on-campus housing and meals at the IMT canteen—an additional benefit valued at approximately €800 per month.

Additionally, each PhD student is allocated a total of €4,872.90 over the three-year program to support their research activities.

In addition, students receive financial support for international mobility, including participation in academic conferences, summer and winter schools, and other scholarly events.

Campus Facilities and Student Support

All students are provided with a desk and unrestricted access to the IMT campus, as detailed on the Campus Life page.

The fully accessible IMT campus is equipped with a range of amenities, including relaxation and social spaces, coffee corners, and a dedicated Turkish bath. Students also have access to a fitness area, a leisure room with entertainment options such as foosball and table tennis, PlayStation consoles, and board games, as well as kitchenettes (featuring a stove, microwave, and dishwasher) and laundry rooms.

Accommodation is included for the entire three-year program, with students staying in hotel-style shared double rooms, which are regularly serviced. Additionally, all students receive complimentary lunch and dinner every day of the year at the IMT campus canteen.

Incoming Student Profiles

The program is designed primarily for candidates with backgrounds in psychology, philosophy, neuroscience, medicine, biology, or humanities. However, given its deeply interdisciplinary nature, MBHT also welcomes applicants from fields such as physics, economics, mathematics, engineering, and computer science.

Career Prospects

Graduates of the MBHT PhD program will be highly qualified to conduct cutting-edge research on thought, behavior, and the brain, integrating biological, psychological, philosophical, and cultural perspectives.

Their expertise will prepare them for careers in academic research, including postdoctoral positions, research fellowships, and professorships at universities and research institutions—both in Italy and abroad—in fields such as psychology, neuroscience, cognitive science, philosophy of science, and the history of philosophy.

Beyond academia, the methodological and technical skills acquired in the program open career opportunities in research and development (R&D) roles within healthcare and technology companies. The program’s strong emphasis on interdisciplinary thinking and communication also equips graduates for roles in consulting, science communication, and policy development across education, culture, health, and welfare sectors. Additionally, the integration of the history of thought and philosophy into the curriculum creates pathways into cultural institutions and humanities research centers.

By combining expertise across disciplines and applying advanced research methodologies, MBHT graduates gain a competitive edge in the job market. Moreover, the interdisciplinary environment of the IMT School for Advanced Studies Lucca fosters the development of transferable skills and professional networks, further expanding career opportunities.

What MBHT Offers

• An international, vibrant, and interdisciplinary academic environment

• Comprehensive training in experimental psychology, psychophysiology, neuroscience, philosophy of science, and the history of philosophy

• Research projects focused on the human mind and its complexities

• Close supervision from expert professors and researchers

• Engagement with leading scholars visiting IMT each year

• Scholarship of €16,243.00 per year for three years

• A research budget of €4,872.90 over three years

• Free double-room accommodation for three years

• Free lunch and dinner at the IMT canteen for three years

• A desk on campus

• Financial support for international mobility

• Participation in exchange programs