PhD in
With this PhD programme we train young researchers in the field of sustainable use of resources in the production systems of energy, of buildings, in energy final utilisation, in the development of products and in manufacturing.
The admissions process aims at selecting candidates with an outstanding academic profile, a strong interest in the topics dealt with and the ambition to develop a career in scientific research, either in academia or for private or public organisations.
The 3-year programme includes training to strengthen specific skills and gain knowledge about the efficient and sustainable use of resources and energy in households and buildings, power generation, manufacturing processes, transport and agriculture. Besides training, students will design a 3-year research project under the supervision of a team of lecturers and researchers aiming at exploring the field and providing an original contribution to science in the fields related to the PhD programme, such as energy production from renewable sources, thermophysics of buildings, biofuels and bioenergy, energy storage, environmental and industrial fluid mechanics, clean mobility and powertrains.
Given the interdisciplinary nature of the research carried out in the Faculty of Science and Technology, we welcome prospective candidates from various academic backgrounds. The ideal candidates are Engineering graduates, but the programme is also suitable for Architecture, Physics, Maths and Chemistry graduates.
Through these training activities, a PhD candidate can develop the skills to design, organise and manage highly innovative basic and applied research projects. At the same time, students will also develop methodological rigour, the ability to interpret and disseminate results, the skills to deepen and develop their knowledge independently and the ability to work in a group in an interdisciplinary context.
The Scientific Committee includes internationally renowned scientists from Italian and foreign Universities. The international research training and the skills developed during the doctoral programme will help PhD candidates meeting their career aspirations, both inside and outside research institutions.
Duration of the programme: 3 years
Courses will be taught in English (occasionally, some courses will be taught in Italian and German
Places available: 13 with scholarship + 3 without scholarship
Campus: Bozen-Bolzano
Tuition fees: € 180 per year
The core topics of the PhD programme are:
A specific focus is laid on the peculiar contexts of the Alpine territory of South Tyrol, but also its integration in the international context.
The admitted candidates will design a study plan with their supervisor in order to define the purpose of their research project and the necessary steps to implement it, after compiling a comprehensive literature review. Candidates will then have to regularly verify and, if necessary, update, their research and study plan, taking into account the development of the project itself and the latest developments in their field of research. During the course, particularly during the first year, candidates will regularly attend classes specifically designed for postgraduate students and also technical workshops and specialised lectures by researchers and specialists in the chosen disciplines.
The doctoral programme is divided into four stages which end after 6, 12, 24 and 36 months, respectively. In stage 1, the candidate defines the research area, the specific topic, the research question and the methodology. In stage 2, in the second half of the first academic year, candidates will gain all the required skills and knowledge to carry on their research project and start their investigations. In stage 3, which indicatively starts with the second year, candidates are expected to apply the approaches and the acquired methodologies and skills in order to tackle their research questions and disseminate the early results by presenting them at national and international conferences. In the fourth and last stage, in the third year, candidates will have to collate the results of their research project and write a paper in an International peer-reviewed Journal and their doctoral thesis.
During the three years of the PhD programme, candidates are required to commit full-time to the PhD and the programme will include both working on the research project and learning activities. Students are also required to carry out part of their research in another University or Research Centre abroad, for at least three months and up to a year. This is an extremely valuable opportunity for a PhD candidate to study specific aspects of their research in depth under direct supervision of world experts in their chosen research topic. It's also an opportunity to carry out research in highly stimulating and competitive contexts, while exchanging ideas with other scholars and establishing an early network of colleagues in the world of research.
The Faculty of Science and Technology has established partnerships with many universities and research centres in Italy and abroad.
Within academia, our university has long-established partnerships with the following institutions:
Other partners include research centres in the public and private sector. Among these, some are linked to the territory of South Tyrol, like Eurac and the Fraunhofer Italia Research.
PhD Programme Coordinator: Prof. Michele Larcher (photo)
Student Representative in the Lecturer's Committee: Pietro Postacchini
Living in South Tyrol, Housing, Scholarships and more
Application procedure, Visa, Residence permit and more
You can find key information to apply and gain admission to this PhD Programme. For detailed information browse the general and specific calls below.
In order to gain admission to the PhD programme, you will need to have obtained 300 ECTS credit points (master degree) and have some relevant academic experience in the field of the programme. You will also have to demonstrate competence in the English language during the interview.
Application deadline: by 15 June 2023, 12:00 midday (GTM +2:00)
Admission interviews: 29 and 30 June 2023 (via MS Teams according to one’s availability - if not otherwise communicated)
Publication of ranking lists: by 14 July 2023
Applicants with grant: starting from 14 July 2023 until 27 July 2023;
Applicants without grant: starting from 27 July 2023 until 04 August 2023.
Enrolment: Starting from 27 July 2023 until 31 October 2023, 12:00 midday (CEST)
Application deadline: by 18 July 2023, 12:00 midday (GTM +2:00)
Admission interviews: 20 July 2023
Publication of ranking lists: by 7 August 2023
Applicants with grant: starting from 7 August 2023 until 23 August 2023;
Applicants without grant: starting from 24 August 2023 until 31 August 2023.
Enrolment: Starting from 24 August 2023 until 31 October 2023, 12:00 midday (CEST)
Total positions: 16
Positions with university grants: 4
Positions MD 118/2023 under PNRR: 4
Positions without grant: 2
Positions MD 117/2023 under PNRR: 5
Positions without grant: 1
At this link you can find a list of potential research projects and their corresponding proposed supervisors.
All citizen, regardless of sex, age and nationality may apply to be admitted to a PhD programme:
All applicants are eligible for selection, subject to verification of self-certified statements pursuant to Presidential Decree no. 445/2000 and subsequent amendments and additions. In the event of a false declaration, the university may order at any time, by order of the Rector, the exclusion of applicants from the selection process or from the PhD programme, without prejudice to the criminal liability arising therefrom.
Candidates with degrees obtained abroad that have not already been declared equivalent to an Italian degree.
On the basis of the documentation produced, the selection committee will declare the foreign qualification equivalent to a Master's degree, solely for the purposes of participation in this competition. Candidates with a foreign qualification will be admitted to the selection process with reservations and will be excluded from the PhD programme if it turns out, after verification, that the qualification does not comply with the requirements of this call for applications and therefore does not permit enrolment in the PhD programme.
The official language of the PhD programme is English. Therefore applicants must have very good knowledge of English.
The proficiency in English will also be assessed during the interviews.
Applications to the selection procedure can be submitted from the date of the announcement of the public competition.
Each application is subject to a payment for administrative expenses (30 €). This registration fee cannot be reimbursed under any circumstances.
In order to apply, you need to follow these steps:
Completing the application online is the only way to submit the application. Applications will not be considered if:
It is necessary to upload the required documentation for each PhD programme chosen in the portal. A traffic light system indicates complete/incomplete documentation (missing documents will be marked in red).
Only documents uploaded by the deadline will be evaluated. It is advisable to apply online well in advance and to check the portal regularly to take note of any notes concerning missing and/or incorrect documents.
After the deadline, it will no longer be possible to complete/correct incomplete applications.
The University is not liable if the portal is overcharged, due to the net or to the software itself.
To apply to the PhD programme, applicants must include the documentation listed below. Incomplete applications will be excluded from the competition.
Attention: text exceeding the maximum allowed length (if clearly indicated for a document) will not be taken into account! Please respect the format/length indicated.
Diploma supplement or the Master degree diploma together with the transcript of records of all passed exams (=certificate with exams list of Master degree):
Additional documents to be attached for the assessment of the preferential criteria, if available:
Selection of candidates and criteria for assessing test and / or qualifications:
The preferable requisites for admission to the PhD program are related to an appropriate educational, cultural, or working background within the research themes of the PhD program. Degrees in engineering and architecture are preferable.
The evaluation of candidates for admission will consider:
Candidates will be invited to an interview during which the profile of the candidates will be assessed on its quality and its correspondence with the research areas of the PhD programme.
During the interview, the knowledge of the English language will be also assessed.
The selection process consists of three stages:
The following scores will be awarded:
The final score is the sum of the previous points, with a maximum of 30, and will be used to define the priority list and the access to the grants. The lowest score to be admitted in the rank-list is 18/30.
The ranking list will be published here.
Fees amount to € 180
In order to confirm your study place, you need to log on to the application portal and pay the tuition fees (€ 180) which includes the provincial tax for the right to study of € 164 and a revenue stamp of € 16. by one of the methods indicated on the portal by the deadline indicated above.
If you do not respect this deadline, you will automatically lose your study place. If, by paying the instalment you have confirmed the study place, there will be no refund of the tuition fees unless you are a non-EU applicant resident abroad and you do not receive the necessary documents from the Italian authorities in your country.
Application deadline: by 15 June 2023, 12:00 midday (CEST)
CALL GENERAL PART (PDF): EN – IT – DE
CALL SPECIFIC PART (PDF): EN – IT – DE
Application deadline: by 18 July 2023, 12:00 midday (CEST)
CALL GENERAL PART (PDF): EN – IT – DE
CALL SPECIFIC PART (PDF): EN – IT – DE
Contact us by phone at +39 0471 012800 or send us an e-mail: phd@unibz.it