Vision and Objectives of the PhD Course
The IIE-PhD programme offers scientific and technological research training aimed at the study and design of new concepts, systems, devices and production processes where mechanical, electrical, electronic, information technology and management aspects are dealt with in a holistic approach, so as to be effectively applied to the development of new technologies. Amongst these, emerging sectors related to sustainability, life quality, and safety are intensely covered, including themes related to Industry 4.0 (Big Data, Cloud computing, Additive manufacturing, Virtual/augmented reality, Digital twin, etc.). These themes are strongly represented by the proven expertise of several members of the academic board. Indeed, members of this board have established consolidated relationships with various international scientific societies, scientific committees of conferences, editorial boards of international journals and other experts worldwide. Throughout the PhD programme, the academic board delivers four teaching modules each year, which are deliberately non-specialistic and of a multidisciplinary nature. The objective of these courses is to provide a solid background knowledge common to doctoral students, delivered by lecturers belonging to different disciplines, with the aim of promoting the so-called lateral thinking, or a creative approach to problem-solving. Furthermore, doctoral students may attend more specialized courses held by international experts every year.
We aim to create a community of doctoral students to enhance and promote interdisciplinary dialogue. For this purpose, every year at the end of May we hold the doctoral conference. In this instance, a former doctoral student is invited to deliver a plenary talk to discuss his/her current position and showcase how the IIE-PhD programme contributed to his professional and personal development.
The themes of the PhD curricula are inspired by the Horizon Europe program of the European Union, the National Research Plan (Piano Nazionale della Ricerca, PNR) and the regional Smart Specialization Strategy of Friuli Venezia Giulia.
PhD Structure and Management
Have a concise overview of the structure and organisation of the IIE-PhD programme. In general, PhD applicants and fellows should always refer to the official and legally binding document Regolamento per i Corsi di Dottorato di Ricerca, which specifies the rules and procedures of all Doctoral Programmes at the Università degli Studi di Udine.
COLLABORATION AND RELATIONSHIPS
Applied and industrial training
The IIE-PhD programme is closely connected to the private and industrial research sectors. This can be clearly seen through the collaboration with Friuli Innovazione and through the established relationships with a large number of enterprises, industries and private research centres, which have led to collaboration agreements with the Dipartimento Politecnico di Ingegneria e Architettura.
In particular, the collaboration with Friuli Innovazione is focused on:
- promotion and dissemination in private research centres, industries and small and medium size enterprises of the research activities carried out by PhD fellows;
- technology transfer of applied research activities carried out by PhD fellows in private research centres, industries and small and medium size enterprises;
- fund raising for PhD and post-doc projects.
The Dipartimento Politecnico di Ingegneria e Architettura, boasts more than 20 collaborations with local and international enterprises, industries, private research centres, which support scientific and technological activities of the Department and in particular PhD activities.
In general, the collaborating industries and enterprises finance or co-finance PhD activities through PhD grants or research fellowships, also sponsoring laboratory material and instrumentation or providing financial support to PhD fellows for research periods abroad in highly qualified research centres or for participation at international conferences.
Job opportunities after PhD
Over the years, the IIE-PhD programme has given the opportunity to fellows to pursue a variety of working careers in the following directions:
- Employment in electronic components industries, advanced software design industries, telecommunications, mechanics, industrial automation and tertiary industries.
- Employment in production and tertiary enterprises requesting skills in production management, procurement and commercial exchange.
- Employment in businesses working in advanced sectors requiring skills in IT, electronic and mechanical programming through models of complex processes;
- Scientific career in national and international universities, in Institutes of Advanced Education, in Research Centres and national and international laboratories, in particular within the EU.
- Teaching in Secondary Schools.
