Structure of the Program

Description of the PhD@DICAM program

The PhD Program in Civil, Chemical, Environmental, and Materials Engineering (PhD@DICAM) aims to train professionals with the necessary knowledge and skills to conduct, manage, and implement high-level research activities, geared towards the development of innovative technologies, methods, and products in the fields of Civil Engineering, Chemical and Process Engineering, Environmental Engineering, and Materials and Industrial Biotechnology. PhD graduates from the program are well-prepared for careers in both the public sector (e.g., universities, research centers, public administrations, regulatory authorities) and the private sector (e.g., companies, service agencies, consulting firms, startups, etc.).

The versatility and global competitiveness of our graduates are rooted in their solid foundation in core engineering disciplines and their expertise in research development and management. The program is characterized by a strong interdisciplinary training and continuous engagement with leading research in the relevant fields.

The PhD program spans three years. PhD students undertake the development of a high-impact Research Project, typically including theoretical, experimental and/or modeling aspects, along with a structured educational program tailored to provide a comprehensive scientific and cultural foundation.

The Research Projects are assigned by the Academic Board, considering the specific research areas of the PhD program (see curriculum section for a list of specific topics) and the proposals from the candidates themselves. The progress of the research project is continuously supervised by a Tutor and periodically reviewed by the Academic Board. The Tutor, supported by a supervision team, plays a crucial educational role by guiding the PhD candidate in developing research competencies and disseminating their findings through mentorship practices specific to the thematic area of the assigned Project. The PhD students join research groups, active at both national and international levels, benefiting from extensive networks in research collaboration, partnerships with institutions and companies, and technical and scientific training. Although the international research perspective is inherent in the PhD@DICAM program, candidates are typically required to spend at least six months of their training at international laboratories or research centers abroad.

The first two years focus predominantly on structured training activities, including:

a) Specialized training activities (e.g., third-level courses developed by PhD@DICAM) on advanced topics relevant to the program topics

b) Cross-disciplinary training in academic English communication, bibliographic resource access, European project design, intellectual property, open science, and data protection.

c) Specialist seminars conducted by high-profile faculty from Italian or foreign institutions.

The trading plan of each PhD student is approved by the Academic Board, considering their previous academic background and the proposals from Tutors and students. Upon approval by the Academic Board, high-profile sectoral training initiatives (e.g., national doctoral schools, summer/winter schools, seminar series by prestigious international institutions) and first and second-level training activities aimed at completing specific competencies can be included in the training plan. Additionally, the plan for the transversal skills for PhD students of the University of Bologna provides courses aimed at enhancing the professional skills of our students (communication, research methods, data management, soft skills). For research themes developed in collaboration with external parties (e.g. industrial groups), periods of study and research within companies can be planned.

The doctoral program concludes with the preparation and defense of a final dissertation. In addition to this document, the dissemination of research outcomes is achieved through the publication of scientific articles and participation in national and international conferences.

Career opportunities

The career opportunities for graduates of this program encompass national and international positions that require the ability to coordinate, manage, and execute high-level research activities aimed at developing innovative technologies, methods, and products in the following fields:

• Civil Engineering: design, construction, maintenance, and monitoring of civil works, plants, and infrastructure.
• Chemical and Process Engineering: development, planning, design, and operational management of plants, systems, and processes, including highly innovative ones, for the chemical, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, food, biotechnological, and energy sectors.
• Environmental Engineering: design, planning, implementation, and management of works and systems for environmental and territorial control and monitoring, land and territorial protection, waste management, environmental resource management, and evaluation of environmental impacts and compatibility of plans and projects.
• Materials Engineering: development, characterization, selection, and design of materials for use in various technological fields (construction, biomedical, food, sports, cultural heritage protection, etc.).

The specific professional sector for each PhD candidate is determined by the choice of curriculum and the research project topic (see the curriculum section for specific topics).

The PhD program trains professionals in line with the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), preparing graduates to meet the innovation needs of companies, particularly in the areas of key enabling technologies, ecological transition, and sustainable infrastructure management.

PhD graduates find employment in both public entities (e.g., universities, research centers, public administrations, regulatory authorities) and private companies (enterprises, service agencies, consulting firms, startups, etc.). It is noteworthy that the employment fields achieved by our PhD graduates extend well beyond the traditional context of academia: one year after graduation, only about 45% (2022 data) of PhD graduates pursued a career in Italian or foreign universities.

Pending the formal consultation of the stakeholders of our Advisory Board, a preliminary assessment of the appreciation of the profiles formed can be drawn from ALMALAUREA surveys of PhD@DICAM graduates. The employment rate one year after graduation is very high (close to 100% one year after graduation); the first job is typically obtained within a few months after graduation (on average, 0.7 months in 2021). It is estimated that approximately 23% (2022 data) of graduates secured positions abroad (primarily in Europe or North America). The vast majority of recent PhD@DICAM graduates have obtained an employment position which they consider satisfactory, consider the PhD experience useful and marketable, and would repeat it if they could go back in time.