Bolzano 9-13 March 2026
The school is aimed at PhD students in Astronomy, Physics and Engineering but it is open also to young post-doc and early-career researchers. The aim of the school is to contribute to their qualification by presenting a broad view of the most cutting-edge technologies used to design and develop ground-based astronomical instrumentation in the optical and radio domain.
A distinctive feature of the school is to combine complementary experiences and perspectives from research institutions as well as from the industrial sector.
It is organised by the Italian National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF) in collaboration with Italian industries involved in the development of major research infrastructures.
The school is primarily intended for students currently enrolled in any PhD program in Italy. Foreign students are also welcomed to apply, but we require them to contact us first, as the school has a limited number of participants.
The school is organised and funded by the Italian PNRR program “Strenghtening The Italian Leadership in ELT and SKA (STILES)”.
Topics
The topics presented at the school are:
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Adaptive Optics
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Controls
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Mechanical and optical manufacturing
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Photonics
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Precision Metrology
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Quantum Computing
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Antennas, Receivers and Electronics for radio telescopes
In addition to face-to-face lectures, hands-on activities are also foreseen.
A meeting with representatives of high-tech industries is also scheduled in the program.
Location and Cost
The school will be held in the premises of Microgate Srl. (Bolzano), a high-tech industry specialised in real-time control systems for telescopes and adaptive optics, as well as in other high-tech applications.
Full accommodation will be provided by the school to all participants. Support for travel expenses will also be available.
Registration and deadlines
The school participation is limited to 30 participants.
Major milestones are:
- December 1, 2025: Second announcement and opening of registrations
- January 15, 2026: Deadline for the registration.
- February 5,2026: Announcement of accepted participants
Should the applicant number exceed the available slots, the SOAC will select the participants based on their CV, with priority being given to PhD students of Italian Universities.
