PhD in
Advanced-Systems Engineering
The vision of this programme is to establish itself as an international reference in education and research on complex, intelligent, and interconnected systems, by integrating advanced methodologies in systems engineering, modelling, automation, electronics, applied computer science, and artificial intelligence.
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The programme trains a new generation of researchers who focus on Mechanical and Manufacturing Systems, Automation and Electronic Systems and Computer Systems to carry out independent research in the areas of Advanced-Systems Engineering and to give them the opportunity to transfer and exchange knowledge with national and international research centers and industries.
The three-year PhD programme focuses on the study and development of advanced and intelligent systems through an interdisciplinary approach that responds to recent technological developments (e.g., Cyber-Physical-Systems, Industry 4.0, Internet of Things) by integrating the disciplines of mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering, information engineering and computer science. They are supported by specific skills in mathematics and artificial intelligence.
PhD student projects pertain to the following research areas, which are actively pursued by research groups at unibz on a long-term basis, and are considered in the PhD on Advanced-Systems Engineering:
Mechanical-and-Manufacturing-Systems Engineering
- Mechanical and Mechatronic Systems
- Advanced Manufacturing Technologies
- Mechanical Engineering Design and Optimization
- Production Systems and Management
- Smart Factory
Automation and-Electronic-Systems Engineering
- Autonomous systems
- Humanin-the-loop systems
- Thinfilm devices and sensors
- Flexible and wearable electronics, smart textiles
- Micro and nano technology
- Soft biocompatible sensor systems
- Robotic Systems
- Automatic Control
- Intelligent Sensor/Actor Networks
Computer Systems Engineering
- Systems of Systems
- Complex Networks
- Distributed Systems and Security
- SelfAdaptive Software Systems
- Development and Operation of IoT Systems
- Operations Research
The main features of the PhD are an interdisciplinary scientific approach and the participation of internationally renowned scientists on the Scientific Committee.
At a Glance
Duration of the programme: 3 years
Courses will be taught in English
Places available: 6 with scholarship + 2 without scholarship
Scholarships awarded per year 28,000 €
Campus: NOI Techpark Bozen-Bolzano
Programme Structure
The PhD covers the research areas of Advanced-Systems Engineering and offers you a stimulating, multilingual environment with fellow researchers from a wide range of cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Upon acceptance into the programme, you will be required to design a research project and write a study plan in collaboration with your supervisor, including the purpose of your project and the steps necessary to implement it. You will conduct a thorough literature survey, which includes a summary and analysis of the state-of-the-art of your research topic. Occasionally, you will be required to update the study plan in consideration of the progression of your work and the latest developments in your research field.
Your stay for at least three (and up to twelve) months at a foreign research center is mandatory. You will be required to publish at least one article in an international peer-reviewed journal and present your results at least at one international conference. During the three-year program, you will also be required to regularly attend classes and seminars, specifically designed for PhD students.
The stages of the PhD
The PhD research activities are organized into five phases:
- Phase 1 (first 2 months): In collaboration with your supervisor, you shall identify your research topic and develop a study plan.
- Phase 2 (2nd -6th month): After an exhaustive review of the literature concerning your subject area, you shall define your research programme based on the state of the art of your research topic.
- Phase 3 (6th -12th month): you will start/continue your work applying the approach defined for your project.
- Phase 4 (12th -24th month): you will continue your research, you will plan your stay abroad, and you will be expected to begin preparing the manuscript(s) for publication in peer-reviewed journals.
- Phase 5 (24th-36th month): During the final stage you will complete your research project, the publication of your manuscript(s), and your dissertation.
Research Activities Abroad
During the three years of the PhD programme, you will be required to commit to your research project full-time. Your stay at a renowned foreign research center for at least 3 months (up to 12) is compulsory. This will be an opportunity to diversify your study experience, by conducting research in highly stimulating and competitive contexts, exchanging ideas with other researchers, and, thereby, networking with international colleagues.
People
PhD Programme Coordinator: Prof. Barbara Russo (photo)
Student Representative in the Lecturer's Committee: ---
highlights
Studying at unibz
Living in South Tyrol, Housing, Scholarships and more
Coming to unibz from Abroad
Application procedure, Visa, Residence permit and more
Application and Admission
You can find key information to apply and gain admission to this PhD Programme. Detailed information will be published in March 2026 below in the general and specific calls (PDF).
In order to gain admission to the PhD programme, you will have to demonstrate competence in the languages of the PhD programme.
1st Call
Publication of the call: 09/03/2026
Application deadline: by 21/04/2026 (by noon local time)
Admission interviews (online): to be defined
Publication of ranking lists: by 05/06/2026
Confirmation of the PhD position - 1st Call
Applicants with scholarship: by 18/06/2026 (by noon local time)
Applicants without scholarship: from 19/06 until 03/07/2026 (by noon local time)
Enrolment: Starting from 19/06 until 30/10/2026 (by noon local time)
In order to apply to this programme you need one of the following qualifications:
- a postgraduate degree as per Italian Ministerial Decree no. 509/1999
- a postgraduate degree as per Italian Ministerial Decree no. 270/2004
- a degree of the former Italian university system, or an equivalent degree obtained abroad (university level education of at least five years).
If you have not yet achieved one of the above mentioned titles within the enrolment deadline, you will be admitted conditionally to the selection procedure and you must produce the degree certificate within the enrolment’s deadline. If not, your application is considered null and void.
Prerequisites for admission to the doctoral programmes are an appropriate educational and/or cultural background and/or experience in the research. Qualifications in the field of interest of the PhD programme are preferred.
The Commission reserves the right to decide and to assess whether or not previous qualifications are suitable for admission purposes.
The official language of the PhD programme is English and applicants are expected to possess a very good working knowledge of English.
The English proficiency of each candidate will be assessed during the interviews.
Applications to the selection procedure can be submitted from the date of the announcement of the public competition.
Each application is subject to a payment for administrative expenses (50 €). This registration fee cannot be reimbursed under any circumstances.
In order to apply, you need to follow these steps:
- Create an account at Application Portal and upload in electronic format a passport-size colour photo and a valid ID (passport or identity card, front/back);
- In the application portal, select the PhD programme and pay the registration fee of 50 € (see instructions in the portal);
- Fill in the online form in the same portal and upload the additional required documents (see the specific attachments to the call for each PhD programme).
Completing the application online is the only way to submit the application. Applications will not be considered if:
- incomplete or without compulsory entry qualifications/requirements;
- sent by e-mail.
It is necessary to upload the required documentation for each PhD programme chosen in the portal. A traffic light system indicates complete/incomplete documentation (missing documents will be marked in red).
Only documents uploaded by the deadline will be evaluated. It is advisable to apply online well in advance and to check the portal regularly to take note of any notes concerning missing and/or incorrect documents.
After the deadline, it will no longer be possible to complete/correct incomplete applications.
The University is not liable if the portal is overcharged, due to the net or to the software itself.
To create an application in the portal you need to pay the following fees:
- Administrative fees: € 50
To confirm your study place, you need to log in to the application portal and pay the following fees using one of the payment methods indicated on the portal by the specified deadline.
- One-off registration fee: € 200, including a € 16 revenue stamp
If you fail to meet this deadline, you will automatically lose your place. Once you have confirmed your place by paying the instalment, there is no refund of tuition fees unless you are a non-EU applicant living abroad and you have not received the necessary documents from the Italian authorities in your country.
There are no other fees to be paid.
1st Call
CALL GENERAL PART (PDF): EN – IT – DE
CALL SPECIFIC PART (PDF): EN – IT – DE
For further questions contact us by phone at +39 0471 012800 or send us an e-mail: phd@unibz.it
Application and Admission
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