PhD in Aerospace Science and Technology

Academic Year 2020-2021
Subject area Engineering Studies
Cycle 36
Coordinator Prof. Alessandro Talamelli
Language English, Italian
Duration 3 years
Positions 4 positions. More information in the PhD Programme Table.
Application deadline May 21, 2020 at 01:00 PM (Expired)
Enrolment period From Jul 29, 2020 to Aug 07, 2020
Doctoral programme start date Nov 01, 2020
Operating centre
Forlì
Main Department
Department of Industrial Engineering - DIN
Associated Departments
Interdepartmental Centre for Industrial Aerospace Research - CIRI Aerospace
Associated locations (agreements)
Campus di Forlì
Mobility abroad
3 months
Research topics

This PhD course pursues the education of researchers and high-qualified engineers, operating in the typical fields of Aerospace Engineering and able to address issues related to design and research activities in disciplines such as:

  • Aerodynamics and fluid dynamics
  • Tribological behavior of metallic materials, with and without surface modifications
  • Metallurgical features of metallic components produced by innovative process such as additive manufacturing
  • Mechanical and aerospace design and structures
  • Astronautics and Space Systems
  • Microstructure and mechanical properties of advanced metals and metal matrix composites
  • Flight mechanics and control
  • Experimental stress analysis, characterization and development of constitutive models
  • Design methods and tools in industrial engineering - Mechanical and aerospace technologies and materials
  • Mechanical and Thermal Measurements, applied to aerospace systems.
Job opportunities and potential areas of employment
The students involved in the DAST PhD Program are eligible, at the end of their PhD course, for high-profile job positions, both in academic institutions and companies. The areas and types of job placement are extremely diverse. These include: R&D positions in industry and academia; highly qualified staff of research centers; technical managers for public and private companies; designers and researchers in the R&D areas of companies active in the mechanical and aerospace sectors; component designer of mechanical and aerospace systems; professional engineer in the field of fluid dynamics, system engineering, automation, mechanical design, materials, manufacturing and industrial processes.
Admission Board

Surname Name University/Institution Role email
Giulietti Fabrizio Università di Bologna Member fabrizio.giulietti@unibo.it
Morri Alessandro Università di Bologna Member alessandro.morri4@unibo.it
Talamelli Alessandro Università di Bologna Member alessandro.talamelli@unibo.it
Di Sante Raffaella Università di Bologna Substitute raffaella.disante@unibo.it
Minak Giangiacomo Università di Bologna Substitute giangiacomo.minak@unibo.it
Modenini Dario Università di Bologna Substitute dario.modenini@unibo.it

Albertazzi Chiara (c.albertazzi@curti.com) for CURTI Costruzioni Meccaniche S.p.a. shall take part in the work of the Admission Board as Expert Member.

Learning outcomes
The PhD course in Aerospace Science and Technology is developed through a detailed programme provided by the Graduate School Council. The research period ends with the preparation of a thesis, under the supervision of one or more supervisors. The PhD course provides a training programme with academic and professional purposes. It develops the candidate's ability to carry out research and projects in an independent, systematic and in-depth approach through specialist courses and seminars. The candidates must also demonstrate that they can present and defend their work in a clear and effective way, in Italian and English.
Activities to be carried out by Doctoral candidates
Research programmes encompass experimental and numerical/modelling activities within the scientific sectors typical of the Aerospace Science and Technology, that characterize this Doctoral Programme. These activities are carried out in collaboration with other academic research groups, national and international companies, entities, agencies, with the objective of training highly professional individuals, which could directly enter the industrial or academic sector. Further, the Doctoral students, depending on the specific needs of their research groups, will attend specific seminars to enhance their ability to use the most important databases of international literature and on-line resources, and will participate in international conferences and workshops, where they will also present the results of their research activities.
Research training activities compliant with the Doctoral programme's learning outcomes
The research-oriented training activity include:
- Development of a research project within the selected topic.
- Capacity building of an independent attitude for scientific investigation, by carrying out theoretical and experimental activities under the guidance of researchers with proven experience in the field.
- Participation in seminars and specific training courses.
- Preparation and publication of technical and scientific papers in English.
- Presentation of research results at international meetings.
- A training period abroad, consistent with the selected research topic, of at least 3 months.
Internationalization features
The research activities of the PhD students are often performed in collaboration with international research centres and companies, with the request to spend a research and training period abroad at the involved institutions. On the basis of the existing scientific collaborations with European and international institutions, the participation of foreign students is also encouraged, through the dissemination of the PhD Programme, and the benefits that our University (lnstitute of Advanced Studies and other institutions) provides for foreign applicants. In particular, the advertisement is implemented through specific information about the DAST Doctorate included in the DAST website. Dissemination of information (brochures) about the DAST is also planned to take place during international conferences and events, specific to the Aerospace Sector. Other elements of internationalization are provided in the candidate selection phase: the oral examination is carried out in English, also by electronic means for candidates residing abroad. We foresee the participation of foreign teachers and representatives of foreign industries, research centers and agencies in educational activities. The PhD Programme can guarantee the issuance of cotutelle titles. The participation of UNIBO to the European Network PEGASUS (www.pegasus-europe.org - Partnership of a European Group of Aeronautics and Space UniversitieS), a network of aerospace universities courses in Europe created in order to facilitate student exchanges and collaborative research between universities, guarantees a constant exchange with the main academic entities in Europe with First, Second, and Third level courses in Aerospace Engineering.
Expected research results and products
The key contribution deals with innovative and original research results, in the research field selected by the PhD candidate. These results will be disseminated through publications, patents and participation in international conferences. The DAST doctoral students will produce a Thesis in English as a final "product" of their PhD course, showing the innovative results achieved during their doctoral studies. Another desirable outcome is the organization of thematic sessions and seminars on the specific research area, and on the innovative results that have been achieved by the PhD students.
Doctoral programme Academic Board
Surname Name University/Institution Qualification
Ceruti Alessandro Università di Bologna Professore Associato
De Angelis Elisabetta Università di Bologna Professore Associato
De Angelis Emanuele Luigi Università di Bologna Ricercatore A Tempo Determinato Art.24 Co. 3 Lettera A) L. 240/2010
Di Sante Raffaella Università di Bologna Ricercatore Confermato
Garai Massimo Università di Bologna Professore Ordinario
Giulietti Fabrizio Università di Bologna Professore Associato
Minak Giangiacomo Università di Bologna Professore Associato
Modenini Dario Università di Bologna Ricercatore A Tempo Determinato Art.24 Co. 3 Lettera A) L. 240/2010
Morri Alessandro Università di Bologna Professore Associato
Peretto Antonio Università di Bologna Professore Ordinario
Piancastelli Luca Università di Bologna Professore Ordinario
Ponti Fabrizio Università di Bologna Professore Ordinario
Sancisi Nicola Università di Bologna Professore Associato
Talamelli Alessandro Università di Bologna Professore Ordinario
Tortora Paolo Università di Bologna Professore Ordinario
Zannoni Marco Università di Bologna Ricercatore A Tempo Determinato Art.24 Co. 3 Lettera A) L. 240/2010