Doctoral Study (PhD) in
Technological Innovation Engineering
XXXIV Cycle

Objectives of the course

The PhD Course in Technological Innovation Engineering offers advanced training to carry out research in the field of industrial engineering and technological innovation, with particular reference to Industry 4.0 technologies. It aims to develop professionals able to carry out high profile research activities in University and international research institutes, as well as in companies operating in the advanced manufacturing sector, industrial automation and IT services.

The offered courses allow us to develop a solid methodological background and multidisciplinary knowledge, acquiring advanced methodological theories and approaches, skills and abilities; analysis and modeling of problems, innovative solution techniques, knowledge of materials and advanced technologies.

• Advanced Manufacturing
• Digital Technologies for Industry 4.0.

The first curriculum offers a specific focus on Key Enabling Technologies in the industrial field, while the second one deepens the development of IT solutions in the industrial field.

The training program is structured on a three-year course comprising 180 credits, of which 30 for the basic methodological training courses, 130 for the development of the Doctoral Thesis and 20 for activities of applicative research in companies or research institutions in Italy or abroad.

Admission requirements

In order to access to the PhD, the applicant, without any limitations of age and citizenship, at the deadline of the announcement  has to hold an Italian degree (old system) or specialist degree and/or master degree (new system) as specified at the LINK, or of a similar academic qualification obtained abroad previously recognized as equivalent by the PhD Course Coordinator, after consultation with the Faculty Board or in the framework of the inter-univerity cooperation and mobilty agreements, for the sole admission to the PhD program.

Admission procedure

Admission to the PhD courses takes place through a public selection, aimed at ascertaining the candidate's aptitude for scientific research. The application must be made on time and according to the procedures indicated in the Call.
For Italian candidates, the selection consists of a written test, an oral test and the evaluation of qualifications. The written test consists of a dissertation on topics related to the PhD themes and to the various engineering disciplines related to recent technological innovations. The oral exam includes the assessment of the candidate's competences in relation to the topics covered by the doctorate, as well as the discussion of the written test. Part of the interview is held in English. For foreign candidates, the selection consists in the presentation of a research project, an oral test and the evaluation of qualifications. The research project consists in the presentation of a research proposal that the candidate would like to develop within the PhD program, related to the PhD themes and to the various engineering disciplines related to recent technological innovations. The project must be presented according to the appropriate template.. The oral exam includes the assessment of the candidate's competences in relation to the topics covered by the doctorate, as well as the discussion of the research project. The oral exam is held in English and can be eventually carried out at distance.

Curricula

• Advanced Manufacturing
  The curriculum in Advanced Manufacturing has a focus on the use of Key Enabling Technologies (KETs) for the innovation of industrial products. Specific topics include advanced materials, advanced manufacturing technologies, nanotechnologies, photonics and modeling of advanced production systems.

• Digital Technologies for Industry 4.0
  The curriculum in Digital Technologies for Industry 4.0 deals with IT technologies in support of the digital transformation of companies. Specific topics include IT technologies for Industry 4.0 (IIOT, Cloud, Big Data, AI), industrial robotics and machine learning, sensors and embedded systems, and cyber-physical systems.

The two curricula have a common solid background of skills in the physical-mathematical modeling of problems and in their solution through numerical methods. Information on digital innovation models and technologies enabling digital transformation of companies is also provided.

Scientific-Disciplinary Sectors
MAT/08 - MAT/05 - FIS/01 - ING-INF/01 - ING-INF/03 - ING-INF/04 - ING-INF/05 - ING-IND/17 - ING-IND/31 - ING-IND/11 - SECS-P/07

Career options

The PhD course aims to train professionals able to carry out highly qualified research in the field of industrial engineering and information related to the advanced manufacturing sector, with particular reference to the Industry 4.0 technologies. Research Doctors also holds multidisciplinary skills and abilities to operate in all other areas where 4.0 technologies are used.
The PhDs will therefore be able to carry out research and professional activities at national and international level in public and private institutions such as universities, research institutions, companies and central and peripheral administrations.
Specifically, possible employment opportunities for the PhD in Italy and abroad will be:

• Post-doctoral fellowships, research grants or contracts from researchers in Italian and foreign universities;
• highly qualified personnel in research and training institutes or in technology transfer centers;
• professional in companies operating in manufacturing and services, industrial automation and IT applied to the industry;
• high-level professional roles in national public institutions (ministries, regulatory authorities, local public institutions) and international ones;
• managerial roles in multinational companies with a high level of innovation;
• entrepreneurs in contexts characterized by a high level of innovation.

Faculty Board