PhD in Aerospace Science and Technology

Academic Year 2022-2023
Subject area Engineering Studies
Cycle 38
Coordinator Prof. Alessandro Talamelli
Language English, Italian
Duration 3 years

Application deadline: Dec 14, 2022 at 11:59 PM (Expired)

2nd NRRP Call for Applications - Further PhD positions

Enrolment: From Jan 31, 2023 to Feb 08, 2023 - On www.studenti.unibo.it, PhD candidates awarding NRRP positions should use NRRP forms only

Doctoral programme start date: Mar 01, 2023

NRRP loghi

Application deadline: Aug 02, 2022 at 11:59 PM (Expired)

NRRP Call for Applications

Enrolment: From Sep 21, 2022 to Sep 29, 2022 - On www.studenti.unibo.it download NRRP forms only

Doctoral programme start date: Nov 01, 2022

NRRP loghi

Application deadline: Jun 09, 2022 at 11:59 PM (Expired)

Call for Applications

Positions: More information in the PhD Programme Table

Enrolment: From Jul 21, 2022 to Jul 31, 2022

Doctoral programme start date: Nov 01, 2022

Operating centre
Forlì
Main Department
Department of Industrial Engineering - DIN
Research topics

The PhD programme 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, Space Systems, and Exploration
  • 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 far 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

NRRP Call - Further PhD Positions
Appointed by RD 952/2022 Prot. n. 0357333 of 02/12/2022

Surname Name University / Institution Role Email
Giulietti Fabrizio Università di Bologna Member fabrizio.giulietti@unibo.it
Minak Giangiacomo Università di Bologna Member giangiacomo.minak@unibo.it
Morri Alessandro Università di Bologna Member alessandro.morri4@unibo.it
Bellani Gabriele Università di Bologna Substitute gabriele.bellani2@unibo.it
Ceruti Alessandro Università di Bologna Substitute alessandro.ceruti@unibo.it
Di Sante Raffaella  Università di Bologna Substitute raffaella.disante@unibo.it

Call for Application and NRRP Call
Appointed by RD 830/2022 Prot. n. 0127511 of 30/05/2022
Confirmed by RD 1103/2022 Prot. n. 0162873 of 17/07/2022

Surname Name University / Institution Role email
Giulietti Fabrizio Università di Bologna Member
Minak Giangiacomo Università di Bologna Member
Morri Alessandro Università di Bologna Member
Bellani Gabriele Università di Bologna Substitute
Ceruti Alessandro Università di Bologna Substitute
Di Sante Raffaella Università di Bologna Substitute

* The following shall take part in the work of the Examination Board as expert members for positions linked to specific research topics:

  • Maria Antonietta Perino - Thales Alenia Space Italia
  • Renato Sala - Alten Italia SpA
Learning outcomes

The PhD course in Aerospace Science and Technology takes is developed through a detailed program 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 program with academic and professional purposes. It develops the candidate's ability te 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 programs encompass experimental and numerical/modelling activities within the scientific sectors typical of the Aerospace Science and Technology, that characterize this Doctoral Program. 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 Program, 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. Doctoral students are encouraged to improve the level of their certified language skills both in English and in Italian in the case of foreign students, through the use of courses at the Linguistic Center of the University (CLA). The PhD Program 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.