Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics – ICTP

For 60 years, the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) has been a driving force behind global efforts to advance scientific expertise in the developing world.
Founded in 1964 by the late Nobel Laureate Abdus Salam and by Italian physicist Paolo Budinich, ICTP is a unique institution that explores fundamental scientific questions at the highest level, promotes active engagement with scientists in developing countries, and advances international cooperation through science.

Scientists at all stages of their careers can advance their knowledge in physics and mathematics through ICTP’s education and training programmes. ICTP’s alumni and former associates serve as professors at major universities, chairpersons of academic departments, directors of research centres and ministers of science and technology in nations throughout the developing world. Many of them have been recognized in their own countries and internationally for their contributions to science and science policy. The impact of ICTP extends well beyond the Centre’s facilities to virtually every corner of the Earth.

ICTP hosts the following laboratories:

MLab: Activities include the development of scientific instruments and methods for experimental particle physics, nuclear applications, supercomputing, and multidisciplinary experimental research including cultural heritage and optics.

SciFabLab: A workshop area for ICTP scientists, visiting researchers and local makers, offering training and tools for digital fabrication and rapid prototyping of projects in the fields of science, education and sustainable development through the use of flexible manufacturing equipment including a laser cutter, a variety of low-cost 3D printers, 3D scanners and CNC milling and cutting machines. The Municipality of Trieste supports and co-funds the SciFabLab in its efforts for the promotion of technical-scientific activities and in the yearly organisation of the Maker Faire Trieste.

Marconi Lab: Houses ICTP’s programmes on wireless communications, Internet of Things and sources of ionospheric data.

ICTP fosters international cooperation through science in a number of ways.

In addition to the annual programme of advanced workshops and conferences exploring topics at the cutting edge of physics and mathematics, attracting more than 6,000 world-leading and early career scientists from more than 150 countries every year, ICTP actively engages with some of the world’s top research institutes, via research partnerships and collaborations.

Most importantly, ICTP has a long tradition of scientific capacity building in developing countries. Over the last few decades it has supported numerous activities throughout the developing world, including training programmes, networks, and the establishment of affiliate centres. ICTP counts 4 partner institutes that bring ICTP’s unique blend of high-quality education and high-level science meetings closer to scientists everywhere. They are located in Brazil, China, Mexico and Rwanda.

ICTP offers pre-PhD programmes that help prepare talented students for doctoral studies. The Centre also offers a number of master’s and PhD degree programmes jointly with Italian and European universities.

• ICTP’s Postgraduate Diploma Programme prepares talented students from developing countries to start a postgraduate programme in some of the best universities worldwide.
• Master’s Programmes:
  – Master of Advanced Studies in Medical Physics (MMP)
  – Master in High Performance Computing (MHPC)
• PhD Programmes:

– Physics PhD Programme with the University of Trieste
– Joint ICTP/SISSA PhD Programme in Physics and Mathematics
– Joint PhD Programme in Earth Science, Fluid Dynamics, and Mathematics with the University of Trieste and OGS
– PhD Programme in Industrial and Information Engineering with the University of Trieste

• ICTP/IAEA Sandwich Training Educational Programme (STEP)
• Career Development Programmes
  – Associates Programme

• Postdoctoral Opportunities: A number opportunities are made available all year long and advertised on the ICTP website.
• Laboratory Opportunities:
  – ICTP’s Training and Research in Italian Laboratories (TRIL) programme

– ICTP-ELETTRA Users Programme

ICTP’s Housing Office provides assistance to visitors, staff and students with finding accommodation in Trieste. ICTP’s two guesthouses, the Adriatico Guesthouse and the Galileo Guesthouse, located within walking distance of the Institute’s main campus, can accommodate about 220 visitors overall.

ICTP assists visitors with travelling and VISA requests.