Structure and aims

The Doctoral Course in Materials Science and Technology (MST) is a three-year PhD Programme that aims at training at international level young researchers in the most advanced fields of science and engineering of innovative materials at the forefront of science and technology.

Research Activities

PhD candidates in the Materials Science and Technology (MST) programme conduct cutting-edge research across the laboratories of the Departments of Chemical Sciences, Physics and Astronomy, and Industrial Engineering at the University of Padua. Their work focuses on understanding and designing innovative functional materials — from nanostructured and hybrid systems to advanced functional materials — addressing major contemporary challenges in science and technology. These include clean energy and storage solutions (e.g., batteries, fuel cells, hydrogen production), sensing and electronic devices, functional surfaces and coatings, materials for health and nanomedicine, and sustainable processes with minimal environmental impact.

The research spans both experimental and theoretical approaches: from controlled synthesis and nano-/micro-fabrication to advanced characterization using optical, spectroscopic, and mechanical techniques; from multiscale computational modelling that links structure to properties, to integrating materials into functional prototypes. For example, research groups explore “safe-by-design” advanced materials to reduce ecological and health risks, investigate novel ferroelectric thin films with unique electrical behaviors, or design next-generation materials for energy storage and conversion devices.

Thanks to the programme’s multidisciplinary nature and collaborations with national and international research institutions, PhD candidates gain the skills needed to contribute to major fields such as sustainable energy, advanced electronics, and biomedical technologies.

Training Activities
The MST doctoral training combines individual research excellence with structured educational opportunities. Beyond the core research project, candidates engage in specialist courses, thematic schools, seminars, and workshops covering topics like advanced synthesis and characterization, theoretical and computational methods, nanotechnology, and applications in energy and health.

A key feature of the programme is transferable skills training: students develop scientific communication, project management, and international teamwork abilities, alongside linguistic, computational, and scientific programming skills. Opportunities for international research stays at partner institutions and large-scale facilities further enrich the experience.
Altogether, this combination of focused research and broad training equips MST PhD candidates not only as experts in innovative materials, but also as versatile professionals ready to tackle complex scientific and technological challenges in both academia and industry.

Job Placement
The acquired ability to master different languages and the special emphasis given to transversal and multidisciplinary skills will provide the MSTStudents the possibility to find job placement both in academic or public research and in R&D division at industrial level.