Agriculture, Environment and Bioenergy

Dottorati
Doctoral programme (PhD)
A.Y. 2025/2026
Study area
Science and Technology
Doctoral programme (PhD)
3
Years
Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie e Ambientali - Produzione, Territorio, Agroenergia - Via Celoria, 2 - Milano
Language
English
PhD Coordinator
Our planet is experiencing a decline in its non-renewable resources and is exposed to risks deriving from climate change. The agricultural sector must supply food, non-food products, ecosystemic services and energy, whilst guaranteeing safety and food sovereignty. It is therefore essential to develop advanced training courses in order to achieve efficiency and sustainability in the agricultural sector and its various territorial contexts, taking into account the various elements of the production system and their organisation in agro-ecosystems. Reference will be made to:
a) phenotypic and genotypic features and the valorisation of genetic resources;
b) containment of biotic and abiotic adversities;
c) implementation of predictive IT models;
d) bioenergy production, use of residual substances, soil and water resource conservation;
e) analysis and management of technical means, agricultural processes, multi-functionality of rural areas and of agrobiodiversity.
The programme will enable researchers to:
a) develop autonomous research;
b) prepare and propose public and private research projects on a local, national and international level;
c) identify research needs and their scientific, social and economic relevance;
d) transfer knowledge through teaching activities and the presentation of data and results;
e) transfer research results to the public and private sphere.
Classi di laurea magistrale - Classes of master's degrees:

· LM-3 Architettura del paesaggio,
· LM-6 Biologia,
· LM-7 Biotecnologie agrarie,
· LM-8 Biotecnologie industriali,
· LM-9 Biotecnologie mediche, veterinarie e farmaceutiche,
· LM-17 Fisica,
· LM-18 Informatica,
· LM-30 Ingegneria energetica e nucleare,
· LM-32 Ingegneria informatica,
· LM-33 Ingegneria meccanica,
· LM-35 Ingegneria per l'ambiente e il territorio,
· LM-40 Matematica,
· LM-42 Medicina veterinaria,
· LM-44 Modellistica matematico-fisica per l'ingegneria,
· LM-48 Pianificazione territoriale urbanistica e ambientale,
· LM-56 Scienze dell'economia,
· LM-60 Scienze della natura,
· LM-69 Scienze e tecnologie agrarie,
· LM-70 Scienze e tecnologie alimentari,
· LM-73 Scienze e tecnologie forestali ed ambientali,
· LM-74 Scienze e tecnologie geologiche,
· LM-75 Scienze e tecnologie per l'ambiente e il territorio,
· LM-76 Scienze economiche per l'ambiente e la cultura,
· LM-77 Scienze economico-aziendali,
· LM-81 Scienze per la cooperazione allo sviluppo,
· LM-82 Scienze statistiche,
· LM-86 Scienze zootecniche e tecnologie animali.
Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie e Ambientali - Produzione, Territorio, Agroenergia - Via Celoria, 2 - Milano
Title Professor(s)
Soil biome and soil health (MiBioHealth)
Requirements: Knowledge related to life sciences, with hints of knowledge of molecular biology techniques
Sustainable management of grapevine downy mildew: from early detection to action
Requirements: Knowledge of plant pathology, with particular focus on fungal diseases of grapevine and precision crop protection
Moon-rice, optimization of rice ideotypes for growth in extraterrestrial bases (MOONRICE)
Requirements: Knowledge of plant developmental biology, molecular biology, gene editing and plant genetics
Potential and limits of generative artificial intelligence in agronomic research and good practices for its use
Requirements: Knoweldge and skills on cropping systems management, also using advanced computer tools like simulation models and statistical software
Selective weed control in open fields and vegetable crops through "target farming" approaches using highly automated technologies (TRACE).
Requirements: Knowledge of methods for creating digital prescription maps using GIS software. Advanced understanding of Variable Rate Technology (VRT) techniques and proximal sensing sensors in precision agriculture.
Development of innovative tools and approaches for Precision Livestock Farming for extensive and mountain farms
Requirements: Knowledge of precision livestock farming methods and elaborative skills
Development of innovative digital agriculture methods for soil and vegetation monitoring (NEMESIS)
Requirements: Knowledge and competences on remote sensing, crop modelling, environmental data analytics, agronomy/agroecology. Experience on field agronomic data collection (soils and vegetation) and lab. analyses.
Microbial applications for sustainable crop production and waste reduction in food chains
Requirements: Knowledge and skills in general and applied microbiology, management of pure microbial cultures, and microbial cultivation systems. Knowledge of molecular biology, biotechnology, and metagenomic applications.
Development of innovative welfare indicators in farmed ruminants
Requirements: Knowledge of applied animal ethology and animal welfare
Stable Isotope approaches for studying mineral nutrition in higher plants
Requirements: Basic knowledge of plant biochemistry and physiology is required.
Application of Biostimulants to Enhance Tolerance to Abiotic Stresses in Horticultural and Floricultural Crops, Also in Combination with Advanced Artificial Lighting (LED and UV) to Optimize Growth in Protected and Indoor Cultivation Systems, Improving Resource Use Efficiency and Product Quality. The Effects Will Be Evaluated Through a Multidisciplinary Approach, Also Using Molecular Biology and Metabolomics Techniques.
Requirements: Basic knowledge of plant physiology, agricultural chemistry, molecular biology, and metabolomics. Knowledge of advanced cultivation techniques such as indoor farming and the use of artificial lighting.
Evaluation of methods for assessing the cooling capacity and water requirements of woody vegetation in urban settings
Requirements: Basic knowledge of plant physiology and micro-meteorology. Capacity of indentifying the most common woody species used in cities in temperate climate
Development of a design methodology for urban green areas based on the assessment of ecosystem services
Requirements: Knowledge and skills in design of urban green spaces, in application of models and indicators and measurement methodologies for ecosystem services
Identification and study of maize regulatory genes that improve plant architecture
Requirements: Knowledge of genetics, molecular biology and plant development; familiarity with the main molecular techniques for studying gene expression and the identification of genetic variants.
Development of decision support systems based on the integration of smart sensors, simulation modelling and remote sensing
Requirements: Knowledge of principles of precision agriculture and of integrated decision support systems; background on smart sensing; experience on techniques for quantifying abiotic stresses.
R. Confalonieri (016605)
G. Cola (108052)
Characterization of traditional Italian maize varieties using molecular markers: analysis of intra and inter-population genetic variability.
Requirements: Knowledge of the principles of genetic improvement in the main cultivated plants. Familiarity with the use of molecular markers for the conservation of agrobiodiversity.
Assessing inequality in the distribution, availability and accessibility of green spaces in urban areas: methodologies, parameters and measurement
Requirements: Knowledge of urban green spaces (UGS) planning and evaluation through GIS systems.
Assessment of the role of urban green spaces in people's well-being: criteria, methods and tools for measurement and design
Requirements: Knowledge regarding landscape architecture and well-being assessment.
Study of thermal requirements and adaptation to biotic and abiotic stresses in peach
Requirements: Background in fruit tree horticulture, tree phenology and modelling, disease and abiotic damage monitoring, statistics, breeding and genetics

Enrolment

Places available: 10

Call for applications

Please refer to the call for admission test dates and contents, and how to register.

Application for admission: from 15/05/2025 to 13/06/2025

Application for matriculation: from 14/07/2025 to 18/07/2025

Read the Call


Attachments and documents

Attachments to the call