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PhD in Future Earth, Climate Change and Societal Challenge

Academic Year 2020-2021
Subject area Mathematical Physical, Chemical and Astronomical Sciences
Cycle 36
Coordinator Prof. Nadia Pinardi
Language English, Italian
Duration 3 years
Positions 19 positions. More information in the PhD Programme Table.
Application deadline May 21, 2020 at 01:00 PM (Expired)
Enrolment period From Jul 27, 2020 to Aug 05, 2020
Doctoral programme start date Nov 01, 2020
Operating centre
Bologna
Main Department
Department of Physics and Astronomy "Augusto Righi" - DIFA
Associated Departments
Department of Architecture - DA
Department of Cultural Heritage - DBC
Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician" - CHIM
Department of Industrial Chemistry "Toso Montanari" - CHIMIND
Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology - FaBiT
Department of Civil, Chemical, Environmental, and Materials Engineering - DICAM
Department of Industrial Engineering - DIN
Department of Management - DiSA
Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences - DISTAL
Department of Economics - DSE
Department of Political and Social Sciences - SPS
Department of Statistical Sciences "Paolo Fortunati" - STAT
Department of Sociology and Business Law - SDE
Department of Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences - BiGeA
Mobility abroad
3 months
Research topics

A. The earth system

The natural and man induced variability is considered

  • Solid earth physics
  • Observations of the atmosphere, oceans and ecosystems
  • Climate variations and modelling
  • Atmospheric and ocean predictions
  • Water and hydrology
  • Carbon cycle and biogeochemical cycles
  • Paleoclimate
  • Hazard mapping and extreme events

 

B. Impacts, adaptation and vulnerability

The role of humans in managing resources and the socio-economic impacts of climate change.

  • Food production and security
  • Water resources and security
  • Biodiversity, environment and nature conservation
  • Human Health and Well-Being
  • Economics of adaptation
  • Resilient agriculture
  • Cultural heritage conservation
  • Recovery and reuse of materials

 

C. Technological innovations for a decarbonized society

The mitigation and adaptation technological developments required by the industrial sectors.

  • Energy and environmental efficient systems
  • Renewable energy systems and products
  • Green/blue/hybrid architecture
  • Smart grids and positive energy districts
  • Transport innovation
  • Low carbon technologies
  • Sustainable chemistry and engineering
  • Industrial and Urban Symbiosis

 

D. Socio-economic and legal studies for mitigation of climate change

The effects of mitigation policies on economic growth and government/rulemaking.

  • Social, Economic, and Ethical Concepts and Methods
  • Sustainable Development and Equity
  • International Cooperation
  • Regional Development and Cooperation
  • Cross-cutting Investment and Finance issues
  • Environmental law
  • Circular economy
  • Communicating Climate Change
Job opportunities and potential areas of employment
Holders of the PhD may find work opportunities in the public administration at the international, national, regional and local level, in all sectors of the economy, from environmental protection agencies to energy, transport and service industries. Furthermore the programme will train engineers and scientists in foundational science of the earth system, in advanced solutions to mitigate climate change and to manage environmental emergencies, communication strategies and economic implications of climate change, thus defining experts who could work in the civil protection sector, in the industrial, financial and economic sectors in general. PhD recipients will also be trained in big data analysis and algorithms and will be educated in the High Performance Computing and artificial intelligence and will be experts on information and communications technology.
Admission Board

Surname Name University/Institution Role email
Belardinelli Maria Elina Università di Bologna Member mariaelina.belardinelli@unibo.it
Brightman Marc Andrew Università di Bologna Member marcandrew.brightman@unibo.it
Castellaro Silvia Università di Bologna Member silvia.castellaro@unibo.it
Chiavari Cristina Università di Bologna Member cristina.chiavari@unibo.it
Coppini Giovanni CMCC Member giovanni.coppini@cmcc.it
Galluccio Giulia CMCC Member giulia.galluccio@cmcc.it
Marinoni Angela CNR Member a.marinoni@isac.cnr.it
Masina Simona CMCC Member simona.masina@unibo.it
Orsini Francesco Università di Bologna Member f.orsini@unibo.it
Passarini Fabrizio Università di Bologna Member fabrizio.passarini@unibo.it
Pinardi Nadia Università di Bologna Member nadia.pinardi@unibo.it
Porcù Federico Università di Bologna Member federico.porcu@unibo.it
Prandini Riccardo Università di Bologna Member riccardo.prandini@unibo.it
Valentini Andrea ARPAE Member tpaccagnella@arpae.it
Zavatarelli Marco Università di Bologna Member marco.zavatarelli@unibo.it
Bernardi Elena Università di Bologna Substitute elena.bernardi@unibo.it
Clementi Emanuela CMCC Substitute emanuela.clementi@cmcc.it
Corelli Grappadelli Luca Università di Bologna Substitute luca.corelli@unibo.it
Dinelli Bianca Maria CNR Substitute BM.dinelli@isac.cnr.it
Furia Annalisa Università di Bologna Substitute annalisa.furia@unibo.it
Gasperini Paolo Università di Bologna Substitute paolo.gasperini@unibo.it
Liubartseva Svitlana CMCC Substitute svitlana.liubartseva@cmcc.it
Maestri Tiziano Università di Bologna Substitute tiziano.maestri@unibo.it
Matera Vincenzo Università di Bologna Substitute v.matera@unibo.it
Navarra Antonio CMCC Substitute antonio.navarra@cmcc.it
Paccagnella Tiziana ARPAE Substitute tpaccagnella@arpae.it
Trentin Massimiliano Università di Bologna Substitute massimiliano.trentin@unibo.it
Zaniboni Filippo Università di Bologna Substitute filippo.zaniboni@unibo.it

Romano Camassi (romano.camassi@ingv.it) for INGV shall take part in the work of the Examination Board as Expert Member.

Learning outcomes
The PhD focuses on earth sciences, climate change and impacts, mitigation/adaptation strategies, national and international policies and measures, fostering multidisciplinary training. The learning outcomes align with the goals of sustainable development. PhD graduates will actively contribute to design and implement solutions, strategies and policies for sustainable development in the XXI century, based on an advanced understanding of the risks arising from climate change. The programme will train earth and climate, food production, economic and social scientists and engineers for careers in academia, research, government, industry and international organizations.
Activities to be carried out by Doctoral candidates
During the first six months of the PhD, the student will have to follow both cross-disciplinary and specialization courses. In the second six months of the first year the student will be introduced in the different research groups of the chosen Main Themes (A, B, C, D in the research areas above) and every six months, meetings among students will be organized by the coordinator with all the students to check the progress. At the end of each year an event of 1-2 days will be organized between the PhD Committee and the PhD candidates to check the development of the research. The first year will coincide with the presentation of the PhD research Plan and initial results. The PhD candidate will have to stay abroad at least for 3 months at a laboratory decided in agreement with the supervisor. The PhD candidate will have to follow at least 10 seminars per year on the Main theme of his/her research. Furthermore, the student's research could be carried out at other Institutions of high education and/or research over the national territory under an agreement with the PhD Committee.
Research training activities compliant with the Doctoral programme's learning outcomes
The doctoral programme is organized around 4 research themes (a) the earth system, (b) impacts, adaptation and vulnerability, (c) technological innovations for a decarbonised society and (d) socio-economic and legal studies for climate change mitigation, as specified above. Students will have to choose one of these themes as their main theme and interdisciplinary training will be ensured by compulsorily attending courses in other subjects as well.
Period 1: Transversal thematic courses
November 5, 2020 - January 31, 2021
3 courses, each of 24 hours, to be chosen on 3 of the 4 topics A, B, C, D
Final tests in January 2021
Period 2: Specialized courses
February 1, 2021 - April 30, 2021
3 24-hour courses offered for each of the topics
Final tests in April 2021
The thematic and specialist courses are visible on the website: https://phd.unibo.it/[…]/teaching
Internationalization features
The language of the PhD program will be English.
Expected research results and products
The students are expected to produce articles in peer reviewed Journals, to participate to national and international Conferences presenting their work and to interface with the international community contributing to the research projects of the Departments. The students might be able to develop industrial prototypes and, whenever possible, patented products for commercial exploitation. The PhD programme is the first of this kind in Italy: due to the large number of Departments and expertise brought together it has the potential to be a leading doctoral programme also in Europe.
Doctoral programme Academic Board
Surname Name University/Institution Qualification
Agliardi Elettra Università di Bologna Professore Ordinario
Archetti Renata Università di Bologna Professore Associato
Bedini Andrea Università di Bologna Ricercatore Confermato
Belardinelli Maria Elina Università di Bologna Professore Associato Confermato
Bertarini Beatrice Università di Bologna Ricercatore A Tempo Determinato - Art.24 Co.3 Lett. B) - L.240/2010
Bianconcini Silvia Università di Bologna Professore Associato
Boeri Andrea Università di Bologna Professore Ordinario
Castellaro Silvia Università di Bologna Professore Associato
Cavani Fabrizio Università di Bologna Professore Ordinario
Chiavari Cristina Università di Bologna Ricercatore A Tempo Determinato - Art.24 Co.3 Lett. B) - L.240/2010
Corelli Grappadelli Luca Università di Bologna Professore Ordinario
Di Sabatino Silvana Università di Bologna Professore Ordinario
Furia Annalisa Università di Bologna Professore Associato
Gaspari Jacopo Università di Bologna Professore Associato
Gasperini Paolo Università di Bologna Professore Ordinario
Lambertini Luca Università di Bologna Professore Ordinario
Landi Alessandra Università di Bologna Ricercatore A Tempo Determinato - Art.24 Co.3 Lett. B) - L.240/2010
Melino Francesco Università di Bologna Professore Associato
Montanari Alberto Università di Bologna Professore Ordinario
Mura Matteo Università di Bologna Professore Associato
Nascimbene Juri Università di Bologna Professore Associato
Orsini Francesco Università di Bologna Professore Associato
Pinardi Nadia Università di Bologna Professore Ordinario
Porcù Federico Università di Bologna Ricercatore Confermato
Prandini Riccardo Università di Bologna Professore Ordinario
Romagnoli Claudia Università di Bologna Professore Associato
Salzano Ernesto Università di Bologna Professore Associato
Talamo Sahra Università di Bologna Professore Ordinario
Tavoni Alessandro Università di Bologna Ricercatore A Tempo Determinato - Art.24 Co.3 Lett. B) - L.240/2010
Tositti Laura Università di Bologna Professore Associato Confermato
Trentin Massimiliano Università di Bologna Professore Associato
Vassura Ivano Università di Bologna Professore Associato

Notices

Final Ranking List

36th cycle Final Ranking List - Future Earth, Climate Change and Societal Challenge