Looking to pursue a fully funded PhD in Europe in 2025?

Application Deadline: June 6, 2025 – 1:00 PM CET (Italian Time)

Why Study Your PhD at the University of Trieste?

Trieste is a world-renowned international research hub located near the Adriatic Sea. It offers an outstanding environment for doctoral students, with:

Over 600 PhD students from around the globe
Most PhD positions are fully funded through scholarships and projects
13 diverse PhD programmes across science, technology, humanities, and AI
A strong academic and innovation ecosystem in Italy
Partnerships with global research institutes like ICTP, SISSA, and AREA Science Park

PhD Programmes Available for 2025/2026 (41st Cycle)

The following fully funded PhD programmes are open for international and Italian students:

• Environmental Life Sciences
• Applied Data Science and Artificial Intelligence
• Molecular Biomedicine
• Chemistry
• Circular Economy
• Physics
• Civil-Environmental Engineering and Architecture
• Industrial and Information Engineering
• Personalized Medicine and Innovative Therapies
• Nanotechnology
• Neural and Cognitive Sciences
• Earth Science, Fluid-Dynamics and Mathematics
• History, Philosophy, and Political-Social Studies

Eligibility Criteria for PhD Admission

To apply, you must hold by October 31, 2024:

• An Italian Laurea Magistrale / Specialistica, or
• A foreign Master’s degree equivalent in duration and academic level

The degree must qualify you for PhD studies in the awarding country.
Some programmes may have specific prerequisites. Always check the individual PhD programme pages.

PhD Admission Process – University of Trieste 2025

Admission is competitive and merit-based. The selection process includes:

• Academic qualifications evaluation
• (Optional) Research project proposal evaluation
• Online or in-person interview

Important:
All details regarding available positions, required documents, and selection procedures are listed in the official call (Bando).

Funding & Scholarships

• Most PhD positions are fully funded
• Scholarships are awarded based on ranking in the selection process
• Additional financial support is available for:
  • International mobility
  • Research collaborations abroad
  • Industry-linked research

How to Apply for PhD at University of Trieste 2025

Apply online via the ESSE3 Application Portal
Deadline: June 6, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. CET (Italian Time)
Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Visit the Official Call for detailed guidelines and programme-specific instructions.

What Makes Trieste a Top Destination for PhD Students?

• Recognized as a UNESCO Creative City of Science
• Home to prestigious research institutions: ICTP, SISSA, Elettra Sincrotrone
• Multicultural, bilingual environment (Italian & Slovenian)
• Affordable cost of living and high quality of life
• Beautiful coastal location with vibrant academic life

Student Testimonials

“Being a PhD student at Trieste has opened international doors I never imagined.”
— Mariam, PhD in Molecular Biomedicine

“The funding, supervision, and scientific community here are world-class.”
— Luca, PhD in Data Science

Start Your PhD Journey in 2025

Whether you’re passionate about AI, Circular Economy, Medicine, Humanities, or Nanotechnology, the University of Trieste offers a world-class research environment to shape your future.

Don’t Miss Out – Apply by June 6, 2025!
Start Your Application Today

Research Focus:

Optimization and Advanced Control of Sequential Batch Operation in High Rate Algal Ponds (SBR-HRAPs)

Why This PhD Matters

Traditional wastewater treatment methods, such as the activated sludge process, consume high energy and offer limited nutrient recovery. In contrast, algae-based bioprocesses like HRAPs provide an eco-friendly, low-cost alternative—especially suitable for rural, decentralized, and arid regions.

Despite the advantages, integrating sequencing batch reactor (SBR) operation into HRAPs remains underdeveloped. This PhD project aims to design, model, and implement intelligent control systems to enhance the performance of SBR-HRAPs under diverse environmental conditions.

PhD Objectives

• Predict and optimize treatment efficiency in varying environmental conditions
• Improve operational control: aeration, mixing, and feed intervals
• Reduce energy consumption while enhancing nutrient recovery
• Ensure compliance with water reuse and public health standards
• Build a real-time digital twin for process monitoring and optimization

Research Methodology

This is an interdisciplinary PhD blending lab experiments, process modeling, and real-world pilot testing:

Phase 1 – France (GEPEA Laboratory, Nantes Université):

• Develop and simulate control algorithms using the AlgoSolis research platform

Phase 2 – Australia (Flinders University):

• Validate models in a live HRAP pilot facility at SA Water’s Angaston site
• Compare performance of CSTR-HRAP vs SBR-HRAP configurations

Supervision & Mentorship

Nantes Université:

• Prof. Jérémy Pruvost (Bioprocess Engineering)
• Dr. Mariana Titica (Bioprocess Engineering)
• Mr. Guillaume Cogne (Bioprocess Engineering)

Flinders University:

• Prof. Howard Fallowfield (Applied Phycology, Public Health)

Program Highlights

• Dual PhD degree from Nantes Université and Flinders University
• No tuition fees at one institution
• Research stays split across France and Australia (18–24 months each)
• Fully funded (stipend + research expenses)
• Access to state-of-the-art labs and field sites
• Develop career-ready expertise in clean water technologies, algal bioprocessing, and digital control systems

Preferred Candidate Background

Applicants should have demonstrated expertise or strong interest in:

• Bioprocess engineering
• Process modeling and simulation
• Control systems design
• Algal biotechnology and photobioreactors
• Sustainable or solar-driven wastewater technologies

Apply Now: Submit your application online

Contact & More Info

For further information or queries, please reach out to the program coordinators listed on the application portal.

Shape the Future of Wastewater Treatment

This PhD opportunity is perfect for aspiring researchers who want to contribute to:

• Eco-innovative water treatment solutions
• Circular economy and resource recovery
• Climate-resilient and low-energy biotechnologies

Earn a globally recognized dual PhD while driving the next generation of algae-based wastewater innovation.