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DIPARTIMENTO DI SCIENZA E ALTA TECNOLOGIA

Course description

This PhD program represents an educational and research proposal of “innovative courses” based on an interdisciplinary approach to the issues related to life sciences. The PhD course aims to face with basic research issues with a biotechnological approach, by using different model systems in the biology, biomedicine and (bio)chemistry fields.
The activities have been planned to train a professional figure able to participate to both academic and industrial research activities, highly qualified and skilled to perform scientific investigations, to analyze and evaluate experimental results, to propose and verify scientific hypotheses, to organize and plan a research project, and to communicate the obtained results incisively.
The course aims to prepare PhDs in fundamental fields of life sciences where they can interact and integrate skills arising from basic knowledge in biological, cellular and molecular processes and from industrial and applied biomedical aspects. The vastness of the topics addressed (a peculiar feature of the biotechnology field) requires the definition of training courses partially common to all PhD students, which differentiate during the development of the proposed research projects under the supervision of the PhD mentor. The proposed path is therefore aimed to foster the specificity of scientific profiles through a multidisciplinary and varied offer of training activities, without providing for the rigid organization in curricula.

One main goal of the PhD Course is to reach a high level of internationalization through the involvement in the teaching and research activities of foreign teachers: we strongly encourage PhD students to spend a research period abroad (at least 3 months) and to actively participate to joined international projects.

Scientific areas: 02- Scienze fisiche, 03 - Scienze chimiche, 04 - Scienze della terra, 05 - Scienze biologiche, 06 - Scienze mediche, 08 - Ingegneria civile, 09 - Ingegneria industriale e dell'informazione
Thematic areas: Botanica BIO/03, Zoologia BIO/05, Ecologia BIO/07, Chimica Analitica CHIM/01, Chimica Inorganica CHIM/02, CHIM/03, CHIM/06, Chimica Ambientale CHIM/12, Geologia Strutturale GEO/03, GEO/06, Igiene Occupazionale MED/44, Ingegneria Ambientale ICAR/03, Ingegneria Chimica ING-IND/24
Coordinatore: Recchia Sandro
Academic Year: 2026/2027
Ph.D. Cycle: XLII cycle

What you need to know

The PhD Programme in Chemical and Environmental Sciences (DISCA) at the University of Insubria aims to serve as a benchmark in the training of researchers and professionals capable of addressing scientific and environmental challenges with expertise, creativity, and commitment. DISCA, promoted by the Departments of Science and High Technology (DISAT), Theoretical and Applied Sciences (DISTA), Biotechnology and Life Sciences (DBSV), and Human Sciences and Innovation for the Territory (DISUIT), represents an advanced training center open to young Italian and international graduates.

The primary objective of the programme is to educate a new generation of chemical and environmental scientists equipped with a strong theoretical background and advanced practical skills, capable of conducting cutting-edge research and developing innovative solutions to promote environmental sustainability.

The programme is structured into two specialized curricula: the Chemistry curriculum, entitled “Energy and Health”, and the Environmental curriculum, entitled “Environment and Territory”. Each curriculum pursues specific objectives while promoting close collaboration among faculty members and teaching staff, fostering a synergistic integration of expertise that contributes to an interdisciplinary training model for researchers. PhD students within DISCA work in an interdisciplinary and international environment that encourages interaction among different disciplines, collaboration with research institutions, and the acquisition of transferable skills relevant to research and innovation. The programme also promotes the quality of education and research, strengthening ties with the local territory and productive sectors to support technological and economic development.

The scientific-disciplinary sectors involved include: Botany (BIOS-01/B), Zoology (BIOS-03/A), Ecology (BIOS-05/A), Analytical Chemistry (CHEM-01/A), Physical Chemistry (CHEM-02/A), Inorganic Chemistry (CHEM-03/A), Industrial Chemistry (CHEM-04/A), Organic Chemistry (CHEM-05/A), Environmental Chemistry (CHEM-01/B), Structural Geology (GEOS-02/C), Geology (GEOS-03/A), Occupational Hygiene (MEDS-25/B), Engineering (CEAR-07/A, CEAR-02/A), and ICHI-01/B.

DISCA participates in national and international funding programmes contributing to the programme budget, including:

  • 2 scholarships in the 35th cycle funded by the H2020-MSCA-ITN-2018 network, Project BIKE: “Bimetallic Catalysts Knowledge-based Development for Energy Applications”;
    1 scholarship in the 36th cycle funded by the H2020-MSCA-ITN-2019 network, Project “Small Molecule Drug Conjugates for Targeted Delivery in Tumor Therapy”;
  • 11 scholarships in the 37th cycle funded through PON 2021 (Ministerial Decree 1061 of 10/08/2021);
  • 7 scholarships in the 38th cycle funded through the Italian National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), including 4 scholarships within the Geosciences IR Project, 1 scholarship under Ministerial Decree 351, and 2 scholarships under Ministerial Decree 352;
  • 11 scholarships in the 39th cycle (5 scholarships under Ministerial Decree 118, 4 scholarships under Ministerial Decree 117, and 1 scholarship within the NODES Project);
  • 4 scholarships in the 40th cycle (3 under Ministerial Decree 630 and 1 within the FISA-2022-00922 STAR Project);
  • 5 scholarships in the 41st cycle, including 2 within the project “AWARE – Assessing Plastic as a neW Component of Aquatic Ecosystems in the Anthropocene” (FIS Programme 2022–2023), 2 within the INTERREG 2021–2027 project “R&D_AbITi – Italian-Swiss Technological Platform for Research and Development of Antibodies”, and 1 within the INTERREG 2021–2027 project “RITMO – Hydrogeological Risks and Climate Change: Safeguarding the Landscape and Cultural Heritage of the Mountain Territory of Insubria”.

Admission to the PhD programme is open to the most qualified students regardless of gender, age, nationality, religion, ethnicity, or social background.

DISCA aims to train researchers capable of contributing positively to the advancement of chemical and environmental sciences both in industry and academia, or, alternatively, to the development of environmental sciences for the prevention, protection, and preservation of the environment (natural and anthropogenic) and the territory. Multidisciplinary educational pathways are also strongly encouraged, as they represent significant added value in defining new professional profiles within the broad landscape of the exact sciences and their applications.

In line with the most modern educational and scientific practices, part of the research activity is carried out abroad, enabling PhD students to engage within a wider international context, broaden their experience, and strengthen confidence in their own abilities. The main research areas reflect both the presence within the University of laboratories active in several fields of chemical and environmental sciences and the presence in the local area of foundations and public institutions involved in research and technological development activities.

These areas of interest include Environmental Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Analytical Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Environmental Chemistry, Industrial Chemistry, Materials Science, Earth Sciences, Animal Biology, Plant Biology, Ecology, and Occupational Medicine.

By way of example, though not exhaustively, the following professional roles may be pursued by graduates of the DISCA PhD programme:

a) PhD graduates capable of managing highly qualified research activities within Universities, Public Institutions, or Private Companies, working independently and with strong organizational skills.

b) Professionals involved in the establishment of University Spin-offs, Consortia, or Small Enterprises aimed at developing and applying the knowledge acquired during the training programme.

c) PhD graduates prepared to assume, in the future, managerial positions within Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, particularly in research and development sectors.

d) PhD graduates ready to undertake new teaching and academic positions at Public Universities or Higher Education Institutions.

Teaching activities are delivered in person and may include practical activities (teaching laboratories and/or practical exercises). These activities are defined annually by the board of the PhD programme.

Class attendance

The PhD Programme in Chemical and Environmental Sciences (DISCA) annually offers a range of educational activities presented at the beginning of each academic year through a public document and a plenary meeting, together with the related methods of delivery. Courses are typically offered on a three-year rotation basis, allowing each PhD student to select, over the course of the three-year programme, from the full range of courses available.

DISCA also organizes, jointly with partner institutions, seminars, meetings, and other compulsory training events, differentiated according to the two curricula. Absence from more than 30% of the scheduled events may jeopardize admission to the following academic year.

Before the beginning of each academic year, the Academic Board approves the proposed teaching activities. These activities also include interdisciplinary courses organized by the Doctoral School.

Courses are typically delivered in English, and teaching materials are made available through a dedicated e-learning platform.

In order to achieve full scientific maturity, throughout the three-year programme PhD students carry out intensive research activities under the supervision of a tutor/reviewer on an innovative topic, starting from a clear definition of the objectives to be achieved. The results obtained are collected and discussed in the doctoral thesis.

At least 6 months of this research activity are conducted abroad, allowing PhD students to engage in an international environment, broaden their experience, and strengthen confidence in their abilities.

The main research areas reflect both the presence within the University of laboratories active in several fields of chemical and environmental sciences and the presence in the local area of foundations and public institutions engaged in research and technological development activities.

The programme organizes a series of monthly seminars specifically dedicated to PhD students and delivered by both Italian and international academics and experts. Attendance at seminars may be compulsory for the Chemistry curriculum, the Environmental curriculum, or both. A maximum absence rate of 30% is permitted.

For the award of the PhD degree, PhD students are required to undertake an international mobility period abroad ranging from a minimum of 6 months to a maximum of 18 months. For scholarship holders, up to 12 months abroad may be supported by an increase of 50% in the scholarship amount.

Studying

Below is the list of teaching activities related to the academic year 2026/2027, indicating title, lecturer and syllabus.

Attaining your qualification

Admission to the second and third year of the Programme entails annual approval by the Board of Professors of the research activity carried out by the PhD student, assessed through annual presentations and the drafting of a specific report, as well as the passing of the assessment tests of the curricular courses attended by the PhD students. It is also required to have attended at least one PhD training school and/or a national or international Workshop/Conference, attendance to be certified by means of a certificate issued by the Organising Committee of such events. In the case of conferences, an oral or poster presentation by the PhD student is required.

The assessment of the research activity will be carried out through oral presentations by the PhD students (approximately 30 minutes of presentation and 15 minutes of discussion), allowing the evaluation of the scientific basis and the progress status of the project and research activities. Except for the presentation at the end of the first year, for which oral presentation in Italian is permitted, all written reports and oral presentations must be in English. A negative evaluation results in exclusion from the PhD programme, decided by Rectoral Decree, with loss of the scholarship.

The candidate must submit a detailed report of the research activities carried out at the University and during the period abroad. Admission involves the evaluation of the overall research activity, as well as compliance with the candidate’s teaching and regulatory obligations.

Course committees and representatives

The AiQUA Committee is responsible for overseeing the quality assurance of all teaching and research activities within the PhD Program. It liaises with the Faculty Board, the Doctoral School, and the Department Council.
The Committee is composed of the Coordinator, four members of the Faculty Board, and one PhD student representative.

Find out more:

AiQUA Committee - PhD in Chemical and Environmental Sciences

The Advisory Committee plays a strategic role in ensuring the quality of the PhD program, guaranteeing that its structure, content, and training activities meet high academic standards and follow best practices. It also helps keep the program aligned with research trends, societal needs, and labor market demands, ensuring that PhD candidates develop skills that are valuable both in academic and professional contexts.

Find out more:

Advisory Committee - PhD in Chemical and environmental sciences

For information

Address: c/o Dipartimento di Biotecnologie e Scienze della Vita - DBSV
Università degli Studi dell'Insubria
Via Dunant, 3 - 21100 Varese - Italy

Cordinator: Prof. Sandro Recchia (sandro.recchia@uninsubria.it)