Laurea Magistrale (Second cycle degree/Two year Master - 120 ECTS) in Materials Science and Batteries

 Professional profile: Expert in energy storage and utilisation systems

Function in a professional context and competences:
Functions
The expert in energy storage and utilisation systems will work on innovative aspects involving both the preparation/fabrication, characterisation and modelling of materials with desired properties, and the modification of existing materials.

The expert will design tuneable properties for redox systems using new or existing materials capable of performing targeted, high-value functions, drawing on predictive modelling techniques and addressing sustainability considerations, including disposal and recycling.

The expert will be involved in raising the technology readiness level of systems, typically from level 4 or 5 to level 7 or 8 (level 9 being market release).

All these processes involve the use of advanced instrumentation, which is an integral part of the degree programme.

In both the public and private sectors, graduates may, in the course of their professional career, take on managerial and coordinating roles.

Competences
To carry out the functions described above, the expert in energy storage and utilisation systems:

•has broad and varied knowledge in the design, preparation/fabrication and exploitation of materials in a range of electrochemical applications;

•is familiar with characterisation techniques for complex systems;

•has advanced computational and IT skills, including in AI;

•has the ability to keep up to date professionally, to organise their time and to plan the achievement of objectives;

•is able to operate effectively in the workplace and to engage with specialists from outside their field, typically engineers;

•is able to adapt to new working situations and to shifts in the areas in which they are involved;

•has competences in economic management, in particular the recycling, disposal, sustainability and Life Cycle Assessment of batteries, capacitors and electrochemical devices more broadly;

•is able to evaluate market analyses and engage with competitors outside the organisation.

The above functions may be supplemented by further specialisation, e.g. a second-level master's degree, but are more than sufficient for immediate entry into the job market. A PhD programme may be pursued for deeper study of these areas.

 Employment opportunities:

-Universities, research institutes, public bodies and regulatory agencies (e.g. CNR, ARPA, ISPRA, ENEA, etc.);

-Industrial and applied research centres;

-Companies working in the development of new materials and processes in the biomedical field, including personalised medicine, in automotive and transport, and in resource management;

-Industries dedicated to the development of new energy resources or new low environmental impact products.  

Professional profile: Expert in sensor systems

Function in a professional context and competences:
Functions

The expert in sensor systems will work on innovative aspects involving both the preparation/fabrication, characterisation and modelling of materials with desired properties, and the modification of existing materials.

They will design tuneable properties in which the interaction with the sensing target can be modelled prior to industrial development, also addressing sustainability, disposal and recycling considerations.

They will be involved in raising the technology readiness level of systems, typically from level 4 or 5 to level 7 or 8 (level 9 being market release). All these processes involve the use of advanced instrumentation, which is an integral part of the degree programme.

In both the public and private sectors, graduates may, in the course of their professional career, take on managerial and coordinating roles.

Competences

To carry out the functions described above, the expert in sensor systems:

-has broad and varied knowledge in the design, preparation/fabrication and exploitation of materials in applications related to chemical detection;

-is familiar with characterisation techniques for complex systems;

-has advanced computational and IT skills, including in AI;

-has the ability to keep up to date professionally, to organise their time and to plan the achievement of objectives;

-is able to operate effectively in the workplace and to engage with specialists from outside their field, typically engineers;

-is able to adapt to new working situations and to shifts in the areas in which they are involved;

-has competences in economic management, in particular the recycling, disposal, sustainability and Life Cycle Assessment of devices;

-is able to evaluate market analyses and engage with competitors outside the organisation.

The above functions may be supplemented by further specialisation, e.g. a second-level master's degree, but are more than sufficient for immediate entry into the job market. A PhD programme may be pursued for deeper study of these areas. 

Employment opportunities:

-Universities, research institutes, public bodies and regulatory agencies (e.g. CNR, ARPA, ISPRA, ENEA, etc.);

-Industrial and applied research centres;

-Companies working in the development of new materials and processes in the biomedical field, including personalised medicine, in automotive and transport, and in resource management;

-Industries dedicated to the development of new energy resources or new low environmental impact products.

 Professional profile: Expert in Materials Science

Function in a professional context and competences:
Functions

The Expert in materials science will be able to participate in the pre-industrial development phase, including aspects of sustainability, disposal and recycling. They will be able to work with technical and scientific professionals across the development chain — from synthesis chemists and biotechnologists to engineers in areas such as automotive and sensor technologies.

They will be involved in raising the technology readiness level of systems, typically from level 4 or 5 to level 7 or 8 (level 9 being market release). They will thus play a central role in the development of new material applications or the repurposing of existing ones, potentially in a leadership capacity.

Competences

To carry out the functions described above, the Expert in Materials Science

-has broad and varied knowledge in the fields of design, preparation/manufacturing and exploitation of materials from both a micro- and macroscopic perspective, in the physical as well as the chemical domain;

-is familiar with characterisation techniques for complex systems;

-has advanced computational and IT skills, including in AI;

-is able to operate effectively in the workplace and to engage with specialists from outside their field, typically engineers, but also experts in bio-systems;

-is able to adapt to new working situations and to shifts in the areas in which they are involved;

-has economic management skills, e.g. in recycling, disposal, sustainability and Life Cycle Assessment of devices, and they are able to discuss these with industry-level technicians;

-is able to evaluate market analyses and engage with competitors outside the organisation.

 Employment opportunities:

-Industrial and applied research centres;

-Companies working in the development of new materials and processes in the biomedical field, including personalised medicine, in automotive and transport, and in resource management;

-Industries dedicated to the development of new energy resources or new low environmental impact products.

 Professional profile: Science communicator

Function in a professional context and competences:
Functions

In companies, the science communicator may take on management roles covering quality assurance, patent-related matters, recycling and disposal, sustainability and Life Cycle Assessment. They may also work as a self-employed professional in these areas.

They may also establish or participate in academic spin-offs, contributing to their development as independent entities.

To carry out the above functions, acquiring additional qualifications may be advisable, either in an academic setting (e.g. a second-level master's degree) or in the workplace through training and professional development courses.

Competences

The science communicator:
-has broad and varied knowledge in the fields of design, preparation/manufacturing and exploitation of materials;
-is familiar with characterisation techniques for complex systems;

-has advanced computational and IT skills, including in AI;

-has the ability to keep up to date professionally, to organise their time and to plan the achievement of objectives;
-is able to operate effectively in the workplace and to engage with specialists from outside their field;
-is able to adapt to new working situations and to shifts in the areas in which they are involved;
-has economic management skills, in particular Life Cycle Assessment;
-is able to evaluate market analyses and engage with competitors outside the organisation.

Carrying out the functions described above requires specific knowledge and specialist skills in the technical and scientific field. Greater specialisation and in-depth expertise in one or more professional areas may be required.

 Employment opportunities:

Agencies dealing with patent-related matters (patent offices):

-Chemical consultancy firms, with particular focus on the patents sector; advanced tertiary sector;

-Companies operating on behalf of third parties;

-Academic spin-offs and start-ups.