PhD graduates in Cognitive Science generally find employment in theoretical and applied research in each of the fields that make up cognitive science (neuroscience, linguistics, artificial intelligence, philosophy and psychology), as well as in rehabilitation and healthcare, and in the field of “cognitive artefact” technology, i.e. all those devices that aim to enhance human cognitive abilities. The aforementioned areas of research are among the most promising in today's landscape. AI, bioengineering and robotics, to name just a few areas that are widely recognised by society, offer genuine job opportunities. The field of cognitive rehabilitation is already well developed and is likely to grow even more in the future as social awareness of disabilities and methods of treating them increases. Finally, the use of “cognitive artefact” technologies is proving to be one of the high-tech sectors most capable of guaranteeing employment: the construction of ontologies for the web, the simulation of market behaviour and the design of ergonomic artefacts are just a few examples. In addition, the doctoral programme in Cognitive Science offered here prepares professionals in digital interfaces for the private and public sectors, with theoretical and practical skills in relation to social contexts, as well as cultural heritage and local resources.
In particular, PhD graduates (DR) who have completed the Philosophies of Language and Mind, Psychology and Evolutionary Sciences programme will be able to find employment in the following areas:
1) Academic/University: DR graduates can find employment in advanced academic research at universities, research centres and postgraduate institutes in the scientific-disciplinary fields of cognitive sciences.
2) Public and private organisations and bodies: PhD graduates may find employment as senior officials in universities, research and local institutions and private organisations, in sectors that require skills similar to those acquired during their PhD studies.
3) Communication and consulting: PhD graduates may find employment in the fields of effective communication, scientific communication and dissemination, and consulting in the corporate and professional spheres and for the definition of personnel development policies and strategies.
4) Professional profiles in the field of technology: PhD graduates may find employment in the field of digital technologies, particularly in the areas of artificial intelligence and natural language processing.
5) Institutions in the field of health and wellbeing: in rehabilitation centres and facilities specialising in cognitive disorders, in education departments, counselling centres, support groups and wellbeing organisations.
PhD graduates who have completed the curriculum Social, territorial, media and performing arts theories and technologies will be able to find employment in the following areas:
1) Academic/University: PhD graduates can find employment in advanced academic research at universities, research centres and postgraduate institutes in the scientific-disciplinary fields of cognitive sciences.
2) Digital transition in public administration.
3) Creative industry: production of audiovisual content, development of software for the media sector or within companies producing artistic and cultural content.
4) Government and non-profit organisations: DRs can work as consultants or researchers within non-profit or government organisations, for example studying the effectiveness of public policies or the mental barriers that prevent community members from participating in social programmes.
5) Local institutions: DRs can perform consulting or project management tasks for local authorities that intend to act on sentiment analysis and specific aspects (geographical, sociological, socio-cognitive, etc.) to improve the socio-economic conditions of local communities.