PhD Programme – 42nd Cycle

The PhD programme in Advanced Sciences for Agrifood Systems trains leading researchers in the field of scientific, academic and industrial innovation, capable of driving the sustainable transformation of agrifood systems by helping to address the global challenges of food security, food safety, climate change and supply chain resilience.

Research areas of the PhD programme 

The programme adopts an interdisciplinary approach and integrates agricultural and food sciences, data science, artificial intelligence, agricultural economics and geopolitics.

Research activities include:

• Digital and precision agriculture
• Artificial intelligence, machine learning and decision support systems
• Sensor technology and satellite monitoring
• Genetic improvement, genomic technologies and crop sciences
• Soil fertility and crop stress response
• Sustainable livestock farming
• Food processing, quality, safety and nutrition
• Agri-food supply chains, finance, markets and geopolitics
• Food security, food policies and sustainable development, with a particular focus on Africa

Focus on Africa and the Mattei Plan

The African continent is a central pillar of this PhD programme. Through a network of international cooperation, the programme stipulates that, in the first cycle, at least 8 of the 12 available places are reserved for candidates from African countries.

The 12 PhD students will be provided with free accommodation for the entire duration of the programme at the University of IASA’s halls of residence in Jolanda di Savoia (Ferrara).

During the programme, students will acquire key skills in research methodology, data analysis, modelling and technology transfer.

In the post-doctoral phase, the most deserving PhD students will be awarded a two-year research grant to carry out work at the Model Farms in African countries participating in the Mattei Plan, to lead innovation and technology transfer in the field.