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The PhD program 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 PhD in Industrial Engineering is designed to offer rigorous and multidisciplinary training, combining advanced theory with practical application. The program relies on a highly qualified faculty and state-of-the-art infrastructure, including research laboratories and centers of excellence. Doctoral candidates have the opportunity to collaborate with research institutes, industry partners, and international organizations, promoting knowledge exchange and technological transfer.

The program encourages an entrepreneurial and innovative mindset, fostering the development of cutting-edge solutions and the creation of new business opportunities in industrial engineering. In addition, the PhD supports the development of professional and transferable skills, including project management, communication skills, and the ability to work in multidisciplinary teams.

Through a high-quality educational path, the PhD in Industrial Engineering seeks to contribute significantly to technological and scientific progress in the industrial sector, promoting sustainable growth and training highly qualified experts capable of addressing global and local challenges with creativity and competence.

Course Objectives

The PhD program aims to train highly qualified professionals capable of assuming responsible and coordinating roles (a) in technical areas of the manufacturing and process industries, (b) in advanced service sectors, and (c) in public and private research centers.

Specific Objectives

I) Advanced Research.
To promote original and innovative research in key areas of industrial engineering. Each curriculum 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) Excellence in Education.
To offer rigorous and in-depth training, combining advanced theory with practical application, preparing doctoral candidates to become leaders and innovators in industrial and academic sectors.

III) Professional Development.
To support the development of professional and transversal skills, including project management, communication, and teamwork in multidisciplinary environments.

IV) Collaboration and Networking.
To foster collaborations with research institutes, industries, and international organizations, promoting knowledge exchange and technological transfer.

V) Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
To encourage an entrepreneurial approach among doctoral candidates, fostering the development of innovative solutions and new business opportunities in industrial engineering.

The PhD program aims to contribute significantly to technological and scientific progress in the industrial sector, promoting academic excellence and sustainable growth through the training of highly qualified experts capable of addressing global and local challenges with creativity and competence.

Moreover, the involvement of leading industrial partners who fund numerous positions is intended to enhance technological transfer through the development of projects carried out in close collaboration with companies, encouraging the recruitment of highly innovative PhD graduates by Italian enterprises. In this way, the knowledge developed within the University can produce valuable outcomes not only at the scientific level but also at the industrial level, improving the competitiveness of companies that participate in the projects and hire the PhD graduates.

Educational Activities

Within the PhD Program in Industrial Engineering, the heterogeneity of training paths allows doctoral candidates to engage with a broad spectrum of competencies, stimulating the convergence and integration of numerous academic disciplines into highly innovative and interdisciplinary projects. The educational offering, consisting of more than 25 courses, is characterized by strong multidisciplinarity—a direct outcome of the wide variety of research topics developed by nearly one hundred members of the Academic Board.

In this sense, the program enables the creation of new research paths within the various research groups: the influence of different backgrounds fosters new ideas and the development of new fields of knowledge with a strong multidisciplinary character. Collaboration with doctoral candidates from previous cohorts also supports the establishment of effective and efficient working methods.

Research Areas

The program is structured into five distinct curricula, each designed to cover a key sector of industrial engineering:

- Electrical Engineering: focuses on developing advanced technologies for electrical systems and machines, addressing themes such as electromagnetic compatibility, sustainable mobility, simulation of electrical phenomena, power systems design, energy storage, electromagnetic device design, control systems, and renewable energy.

- Energy Engineering: aims to develop solutions for sustainable energy production, management, and distribution. Topics include renewable energy, energy efficiency, fluid machinery for power generation, energy sustainability in buildings, and energy management.

- Chemical and Environmental Engineering: dedicated to innovation in industrial chemistry and environmental management. Research areas include sustainable chemical process design, pharmaceutical process design, polymer recycling, life cycle assessment, water management, and air pollution.

- Materials Engineering: focuses on the study and development of new materials and related production technologies. Key topics include advanced materials, nanotechnology, materials characterization, and innovative manufacturing processes.

- Mechanical Engineering: centered on the design and optimization of mechanical systems and manufacturing processes. Topics include applied mechanics, robotics, industrial automation, manufacturing, and computer-aided design.

Professional Profile

Graduates of the PhD program in Industrial Engineering acquire advanced and multidisciplinary skills that make them highly competitive in the job market. Career opportunities are diverse and span multiple sectors, thanks to the specialized training offered in the five curricula: Electrical Engineering, Energy Engineering, Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Materials Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering.

In academia, PhD graduates are well-prepared for careers as university researchers and lecturers, contributing to scientific progress through innovative research and the training of future generations of engineers. Universities and research institutes, both national and international, provide significant opportunities, including postdoctoral positions and faculty roles.

The technical and analytical competencies developed during the PhD also open doors to research and development (R&D) roles in high-tech industries. Companies operating in manufacturing, automation, robotics, electronics, energy, advanced materials, and industrial chemistry are constantly seeking experts capable of innovating and improving production processes. PhD graduates are qualified for leadership positions such as R&D directors, senior engineers, technology consultants, and project managers, contributing to technological innovation and operational efficiency.

In the industrial sector, graduates can take on strategic roles in management and consulting. Positions such as production managers, process engineers, systems analysts, and engineering management consultants are common among PhD holders in Industrial Engineering. These professionals can optimize production processes, improve product quality, reduce operational costs, and implement sustainable solutions.

Public sector institutions and governmental organizations also offer opportunities, particularly for those interested in contributing to technological and environmental policy and regulation. Positions in government agencies, standards bodies, and international organizations allow graduates to influence legislation and public policies related to energy, environment, transportation, and infrastructure.

The global focus on sustainability and energy transition has also generated strong demand for experts in environmental and energy topics. PhD graduates may find employment in companies operating in renewable energy, waste management, water treatment, and environmental consulting. Roles such as sustainability specialists, energy consultants, and green project managers combine technical skills with a strong commitment to environmental responsibility.

Finally, many PhD graduates pursue entrepreneurship, founding start-ups and innovative companies that develop new technologies and products. The entrepreneurial approach encouraged during the PhD provides candidates with the necessary tools to turn innovative ideas into commercial ventures, contributing to economic growth and technological development.

In summary, the PhD program in Industrial Engineering offers graduates a wide range of professional opportunities in academic, industrial, public, and entrepreneurial fields, positioning them as key players in the global technological and industrial landscape.

  Curriculum

• Chemical and Environmental Engineering
• Energy Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Materials Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering

  Other information

• Calls and Admissions
• The International PhD guide
• Administrative Informations