Are you passionate about sustainable innovation, biogenic waste valorization, and circular economy research? The UPCYCLE Doctoral Network, funded by the prestigious Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) under the European Commission, is now inviting applications for 15 fully funded PhD positions starting in September–October 2025.
This unique opportunity is ideal for aspiring researchers who want to drive breakthroughs in waste upcycling, resource recovery, and green technologies.
🌍 About the UPCYCLE PhD Program
UPCYCLE is a cutting-edge MSCA Doctoral Network that brings together:
- 6 leading European universities
- 8 renowned industry partners
- 6 different countries across Europe
The program aims to train a new generation of PhD researchers equipped with advanced scientific and entrepreneurial skills. The focus is on developing innovative solutions to hard-to-recycle biogenic waste, including sewage sludge, wastewater byproducts, and polluted lignocellulosic materials.
🔬 What You’ll Gain
By joining the UPCYCLE Doctoral Network, you’ll receive:
✅ 15 Fully Funded PhD Fellowships
✅ International, Interdisciplinary Research Training
✅ Advanced Technical & Soft Skills Development
✅ 12-Month Academic Mobility + 3-Month Industry Placement
✅ Doctoral Degree from a Top European Institution
✅ Competitive MSCA Salary and Benefits Package
🧪 Key Research Areas
The UPCYCLE PhD projects are organized into three core scientific levels:
- Molecular Scale: Understanding chemical reactions for waste transformation
- Reactor Scale: Engineering innovative reactor systems
- Process Scale: Integrating scalable, sustainable waste valorization processes
Research topics revolve around upcycling technologies for biogenic waste streams, with a strong emphasis on modeling, experiments, and interdisciplinary innovation.
🎓 Participating Universities & PhD Positions
Join top-tier institutions offering world-class research infrastructure:
- Politecnico di Milano (Italy) – DC1, DC2, DC3, DC4
- University of Ljubljana (Slovenia) – DC5, DC6, DC7
- KU Leuven (Belgium) – DC8, DC9
- Universidad Rey Juan Carlos (Spain) – DC10, DC11
- La Sapienza University of Rome (Italy) – DC12, DC13
- TU Darmstadt (Germany) – DC14, DC15
🏢 Industry Partners for Secondments
Enhance your academic training with hands-on experience at leading companies in sustainability and waste management:
- Gruppo CAP
- CarboREM
- Indaver
- Ingelia
- IOS
- Nextchem
- SULZER
- VYNCKE
📅 Program Timeline
- Start Date: September–October 2025
- Duration: 36 months
- Application Deadline: June 30, 2025, 11:59 PM CET
✅ Eligibility Criteria
To apply, candidates must meet the following:
✔️ No doctoral degree awarded before the recruitment date
✔️ Must not have lived/studied/worked in the host country for more than 12 months in the past 3 years
✔️ Must meet the PhD admission requirements of the chosen host university
📌 Complete eligibility requirements can be found on the official UPCYCLE website.
💰 Salary and Benefits
All selected PhD candidates will receive:
- A competitive MSCA salary package
- Mobility allowance and, where applicable, family allowance
- Full tuition and research cost coverage
- Access to a vast European research and innovation network
📢 Why This PhD Opportunity Stands Out
The UPCYCLE Doctoral Network is more than just a funded PhD—it’s a gateway to becoming a global leader in sustainable waste management and green technology innovation. You’ll build a future-ready research profile with robust academic and industry experience.
🔗 How to Apply
Ready to take your career to the next level?
👉 Visit the official UPCYCLE project website for detailed application instructions, project descriptions, and contact information.
🕒 Deadline to Apply: June 30, 2025