Industrial engineering
Covering the entire area of Industrial Engineering with its five Curricula, the Course aims to train a diversified and complete range of high-level scientific and engineering skills
Deepening
The PhD course in Industrial Engineering aims to train high-level researchers capable of addressing and solving complex problems in the field of industrial engineering through the acquisition and application of advanced knowledge, innovative methodologies and multidisciplinary skills.
The Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering is designed to provide a rigorous and multidisciplinary education, combining advanced theory and practical application. The syllabus makes use of a highly qualified lecturer staff and state-of-the-art infrastructure, including research laboratories and centers of excellence. PhD students have the opportunity to collaborate with research institutes, industries and international organizations, fostering knowledge exchange and technology transfer.
The syllabus encourages an entrepreneurial and innovative approach, stimulating the development of cutting-edge solutions and the creation of new business opportunities in the field of industrial engineering. In addition, the PhD supports the development of doctoral students' professional and soft skills, including project management, communication skills, and the ability to work in multidisciplinary teams.
Through an educational path of excellence, the PhD in Industrial Engineering aspires to contribute significantly to the technological and scientific progress of the industrial sector, promoting sustainable growth and training highly qualified experts able to face global and local challenges with creativity and competence.
Course objectives
The PhD course aims to train highly qualified professionals able to operate with roles of responsibility and coordination (a) in mainly technical functional areas of the manufacturing and process industry, (b) in the advanced tertiary sector and (c) in public and private research centers.
Specific objectives:
I) Advanced Search. To promote original and innovative research in key areas of industrial engineering. Each course track is designed to address specific challenges:
- Electrical Engineering: development of advanced technologies for electrical systems and electronics.
- Energy Engineering: solutions for the sustainable production, management and distribution of energy.
- Chemical and Environmental Engineering: innovations in industrial chemistry and environmental management.
- Materials Engineering: study and development of new materials and production technologies.
- Mechanical Engineering: Design and optimization of mechanical systems and production processes.
II) Training of Excellence. To offer rigorous and in-depth training, combining advanced theory and practical application, to prepare PhD students to become leaders and innovators in industry and academia.
III) Professional development. To support the development of doctoral students' professional and transversal skills, including project management, communication skills and the ability to work in multidisciplinary teams.
IV) Collaboration and Networking. To facilitate collaborations with research institutes, industries and international organizations to foster knowledge exchange and technology transfer.
V) Innovation and Entrepreneurship. To encourage an entrepreneurial approach among PhD students, stimulating the development of innovative solutions and the creation of new business opportunities in the field of industrial engineering.
The PhD syllabus aspires to contribute significantly to the technological and scientific progress of the industrial sector, promoting academic excellence and sustainable growth through the training of highly qualified experts, able to face global and local challenges with creativity and expertise.
In addition, the presence of high-level corporate partners who contribute to the financing of numerous positions aims to aim at a more effective technology transfer thanks to the development of projects in close collaboration with the company and encouraging the hiring in Italian companies of talents trained in this way for innovation. In this way, the knowledge developed in the University can bear fruit not only at a scientific level but also at an industrial level, aiming to improve the competitiveness of the companies that participate in the projects and hire PhDs.
Educational activities
As part of the PhD Course in Industrial Engineering, the heterogeneity of the training courses means that PhD students can deal with wide-ranging skills, stimulating the convergence and integration of a wide range of academic disciplines in highly innovative and interdisciplinary projects. The degree courses, divided into over 25 courses, is also characterized by great multidisciplinarity, an element that derives directly from the great variety of research topics developed by the approximately one hundred members of the Teaching Board.
In this sense, the Course therefore allows to activate ever new research paths within the various research groups: the influence of different paths can allow the birth of new ideas and the development of new strands of knowledge, with a strong multi-disciplinary character. The collaboration with PhD students from previous cycles also allows the establishment of an effective and efficient working method.
Research lines
The syllabus is structured into five distinct curricula, each designed to cover a key area of industrial engineering:
- Electrical Engineering: this course track focuses on the development of advanced technologies for electrical systems and electrical machines, addressing issues such as electromagnetic compatibility, sustainable mobility, simulation of electrical phenomena, design of power systems, energy storage, design of electromagnetic devices, control systems and renewable energy.
- Energy Engineering: the course track aims to find solutions for the sustainable production, management and distribution of energy. Topics covered include renewable energy, energy efficiency, fluid machines, energy production, energy sustainability in buildings, energy management.
- Chemical and Environmental Engineering: the course is dedicated to innovation in industrial chemistry and environmental management. Research areas include sustainable chemical process design, pharmaceutical process design, polymer material recycling, life cycle assessment, water management and air pollution.
- Materials Engineering: the Materials Engineering course track deals with the study and development of new materials and associated manufacturing technologies. Key topics include advanced materials, nanotechnology, material characterisation and innovative manufacturing processes.
- Mechanical Engineering: this track focuses on the design and optimization of mechanical systems and manufacturing processes. The topics covered include applied mechanics, robotics, industrial automation, manufacturing, computer-aided design.
Professional profile
PhDs who complete the PhD syllabus in Industrial Engineering acquire advanced and multidisciplinary skills that make them highly competitive in the job market. Employment opportunities are varied and range from different sectors, thanks to specialized training in the five curricula offered: Electrical Engineering, Energy Engineering, Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Materials Engineering and Mechanical Engineering.
In academia, PhDs are prepared to pursue careers as researchers and academics, contributing to scientific progress through conducting innovative research and training future generations of engineers. Universities and research institutes, both national and international, represent an important destination for future PhDs, who can obtain post-PhD or lecturer positions.
The technical and analytical skills developed during the PhD also open doors to research and development (R&D) roles in high-tech industries. Companies in the manufacturing, automation, robotics, electronics, energy, advanced materials and industrial chemistry sectors are constantly looking for experts who can innovate and improve production processes. The training of PhDs prepares for leadership positions such as R&D directors, senior engineers, technology consultants, and project managers, contributing to technological innovation and improving operational efficiency.
In the industrial field, the skills acquired allow graduates to hold strategic roles in management and consulting.
Positions such as production managers, process engineers, system analysts, and management engineering consultants are common among PhDs in Industrial Engineering. These professionals are able to optimize production processes, improve product quality, reduce operating costs, and implement sustainable solutions.
The public sector and government organizations offer additional opportunities, especially for those PhDs interested in contributing to technology and environmental policy and regulation. Positions in government agencies, standards bodies, and international bodies allow you to influence legislation and public policies in the fields of energy, environment, transport and infrastructure.
In addition, the growing global focus on sustainability and the energy transition has created a high demand for environmental and energy experts. PhDs can find employment in companies operating in the renewable energy sector,
in waste management, water treatment and environmental consultancy. Roles such as sustainability specialists, energy consultants, and green project managers are examples of career opportunities that combine technical expertise with a strong focus on environmental responsibility.
Finally, many PhDs choose the path of entrepreneurship, founding start-ups and innovative companies that develop new technologies and products. The entrepreneurial approach encouraged during the PhD provides the necessary tools to turn innovative ideas into business realities, contributing to economic growth and technological development.
In summary, the PhD syllabus in Industrial Engineering offers graduates a wide range of professional opportunities in academia, industry, public and business, making them protagonists in the global technological and industrial landscape.
Curriculum
- Chemical and Environmental Engineering
- Energy Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Materials Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
Contacts
Industrial engineering
DEPARTMENT DI INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING (dII)
Via Gradenigo - N. 6a, 35131 Padua
Andrea Ghiotti (Coordinator)
andrea.ghiotti@unipd.it