The PhD

The PhD programme in Environmental and Sustainability Sciences and Engineering lasts three years and, through its three specialised tracks, explores all the areas of focus of the UN 2030 Agenda, the European Green Deal and the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), ensuring that PhD students are fully equipped to address the current and future challenges of the environmental transition. The PhD programme is aimed at Master’s graduates with the aptitude and conviction to tackle these challenges, starting with a careful study of the current state of knowledge to seek innovative solutions that respect the environment and socio-economic well-being. The opportunity for ongoing engagement with diverse scientific cultures will enable students to approach research topics with a holistic approach—both multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary—whilst maintaining a high level of specialisation.

The PhD in Environmental and Sustainability Sciences and Engineering will train professionals capable of working across a wide range of sectors, from basic and applied scientific research to the design and management of civil works and facilities, the sustainable production of goods and services, and planning, monitoring and control for public administration and private enterprises, introducing technological innovation in the field of environmental sustainability.

Learning objectives

The PhD programme in Environmental and Sustainability Sciences and Engineering aims to train professionals capable of working with a holistic and multidisciplinary approach across a range of sectors, from the production of goods and services for public or private enterprises, to planning, monitoring and control for the public sector, and to basic and applied research on issues of environmental sustainability and technological innovation.

The training programme outlined by the PhD in Environmental and Sustainability Sciences and Engineering is designed to enable PhD students to define and propose genuinely eco-friendly solutions, quantify and validate the sustainability of alternative management scenarios, and study and validate technological innovations and growth initiatives.

The guiding objectives will be to combat environmental degradation, improve the management of natural resources, and protect the environment, which has been rendered vulnerable by the effects of climate change.

The PhD programme will aim to renew the building stock, infrastructure and networks, to promote the achievement of objectives relating to global warming and the safe production of food and water, to accelerate the definition and implementation of a decarbonisation pathway, to support the industry’s technological ambition and sustainability requirements, and to enhance the environmental compatibility of energy and mobility systems whilst making them more resilient, inclusive, competitive and efficient.

Doctoral programmes associated with the course:

• Natural Resources, Environment, Agriculture and Food
• Sustainable Civil Engineering
• Circular Economy of Goods and Services

Career opportunities

The PhD programme in Environmental and Sustainability Sciences and Engineering trains professionals capable of working in a variety of sectors, ranging from the production of goods and services for public or private enterprises, to planning, monitoring and control within the public sector, and extending to basic and applied research on issues of environmental sustainability and technological innovation.

The professional profile aimed at is therefore suited to a wide range of career and employment opportunities, which are listed below in a list that is by no means exhaustive. It should be noted that the roles considered most suitable for the trained professional are consistent with the three specialisations into which the PhD programme is divided.

• Designer of goods and services, with particular expertise in selecting materials with high environmental compatibility and sustainable production lines in terms of resource consumption (raw materials, water, energy, land) and emissions into the environment.
• Plant and process manager in the agri-food and manufacturing industries.
• Manager of energy production plants, with particular expertise in the renewable energy sector.
• Manager of plants and processes for the recovery of materials and resources from waste.
• Manager of quality and environmental management systems in industry and services.
• Technical officer for bodies responsible for environmental monitoring and control, including for IEA (Integrated Environmental Authorisation), EIA and SEA (Environmental Impact Assessment and Strategic Environmental Assessment) procedures.
• Planner at local or national level for energy production facilities, water and waste treatment, transport networks and structural networks.
• Designer of civil structures and infrastructure.
• Expert in the management and maintenance of deteriorated building systems, and the restoration or reconstruction of structures and infrastructure damaged by natural or man-made disasters.
• Expert in the conservation of natural and cultural heritage.
• Consultant for the sustainable management of resources in companies and businesses operating in the agri-food sector and in the services sector (mobility, water and gas distribution).
• Researchers (including those in coordinating roles) at universities and public or private research institutions, both national and international, working on both fundamental research and highly interdisciplinary topics related to the environment and sustainability.

Self-assessment and guidance committee

In order to monitor the overall progress of the doctoral programme, to assess the alignment of activities with the educational objectives, and to improve the effectiveness, efficiency and quality of the doctoral training process – including in relation to its career prospects and the integration of highly innovative career pathways – the Coordinator selects, from among the members of each Faculty Board of the three active cycles, the members of the Self-Assessment and Steering Committee.

Members of the Board: Umberto ARENA  (Chair, DISTABIF), Luca COMEGNA (DI), Stefano SALVESTRINI (DISTABIF), Elio POZZUOLI (student representative of the SIAS PhD programme)

PhD students' opinions

Every year, Vanvitelli University conducts a survey to gather feedback from PhD students at the end of each academic year, with the aim of gathering information on the various aspects of the research training program and the services and opportunities that accompany it.

• For the I and II year, access to the evaluation questionnaire is via the University’s institutional credentials, and complete anonymity of responses is guaranteed - Go to the teaching evaluation questionnaire

• For the III year, the end-of-course evaluation questionnaire is managed by Alma Laurea and can be accessed once the PhD student has registered, prior to the final examination - Go to the questionnaire

Results

• For the I and II year: PhD Student Opinions (SISVALDIDAT system)
• For the III year: PhD students’ opinions (AlmaLaurea)

In addition, the AlmaLaurea inter-university consortium compiles annual data on behalf of the University regarding PhD graduates’ academic trajectories and employment status after obtaining their degree.

• Employment status of PhD graduates (AlmaLaurea)