Università degli Studi di Padova (UNIPD)

International PhD routes

Padua reserves several fully funded PhD places each year for graduates from outside Italy. Applications are evaluated centrally; successful candidates join research groups working on Mediterranean cropping systems, plant-microbe interactions and climate-resilient agriculture.

Overview

🏛️ Institution acronym	UNIPD
🏷️ Institution name (original)	Università degli Studi di Padova
🌍 Country	Italy
🎓 Fields of study	Agricultural sciences, Plant sciences, Environmental Sciences, Biotechnology, Plant breeding
💶 Monthly stipend	1300 EUR/month
🔗 Official website	https://www.unipd.it/en/phd-programmes
📫 Additional contacts	For inquiries about PhD scholarships, reach out to Università degli Studi di Padova via email at [email protected] or call . Physical Address: Università degli Studi di Padova Via 8 Febbraio 1848, 2 Padova, 35122 Italy

Stipend affordability

Stipend on this programme: €1,300/month (gross)

Estimated stipend vs student living costs in Italy.

Apply for Scholarship

Open PhD Vacancies

🎯 Vacancy 1

PhD in Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems Nexus — University of Padova

Country: Italy | Deadline: 2026-07-23 | Funding: Horizon 2020 — unknown

The University of Padua runs structured PhD programmes through its Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals and Environment. International candidates apply to tracks in crop and soil sciences, plant biotechnology and sustainable agro-ecosystems. Each cohort includes funded positions reserved for non-EU graduates; selection rests on academic records, publications and an interview conducted in English. Successful students receive a ministerial stipend plus access to departmental glasshouses, field stations in the Po Valley and analytical platforms for metabolomics and genomics.

Fields of Study

PhD training at Padua spans four agriculture-related areas. Each track combines coursework, laboratory rotations and field trials conducted on university farms.

Agricultural Sciences

Research covers soil fertility management, precision irrigation and sustainable cereal production. Students use long-term field experiments located in Legnaro and collaborate with regional extension services.

Plant Sciences

Focus areas include grapevine and olive physiology, molecular breeding of vegetable crops and secondary metabolite pathways. Work is supported by the university’s germplasm collections and controlled-environment facilities.

Environmental Sciences

Projects examine carbon sequestration in agroforestry, nutrient runoff modelling and biodiversity monitoring in the Venetian plain. Modelling tools are combined with on-farm sampling campaigns.

Biotechnology

Emphasis lies on genome editing of fruit species, synthetic biology for bio-fertilisers and high-throughput phenotyping platforms. International students regularly spend time in partner laboratories across Europe.

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All four areas accept applications from graduates holding a relevant master’s degree; projects are designed to accommodate candidates from diverse academic backgrounds.

Detailed Eligibility Criteria

Admission is governed by annual calls published on the university website. Candidates must hold a second-cycle degree equivalent to 300 ECTS and demonstrate research aptitude through prior theses or publications.

Academic Qualifications

Applicants need a master’s degree in agriculture, biology, environmental science or a closely related discipline. Transcripts are assessed for relevance of coursework in plant physiology, statistics and soil science.

Research Experience

Evidence of laboratory or field work is required. This may include a master’s thesis, co-authored papers or documented internships at research institutes or agricultural companies.

Reference Letters

Two letters from academic supervisors or employers must be submitted electronically. Letters should address the candidate’s capacity for independent research and ability to work in international teams.

PhD Stipend

Funded positions carry a gross monthly stipend of approximately 1 300 EUR, paid for 36 months. Additional resources for research consumables and conference travel are allocated by each doctoral school.

Research Budget

Every doctoral student receives an annual research allowance of roughly 1 500 EUR. These funds cover laboratory reagents, sequencing costs, travel to partner institutions and open-access publication fees.

Application Process

Applications are submitted exclusively through the university’s online portal during the annual call window, normally April to May.

Prepare Documents: Collect degree certificates, transcripts, CV, motivation letter and two reference contacts. All documents must be uploaded as PDF files under 5 MB each.
Online Submission: Register at the university application portal, select the desired PhD course and enter personal and academic data. No application fee is charged for EU or non-EU candidates.
Evaluation and Interview: A committee shortlists candidates on the basis of written materials. Shortlisted applicants are invited to an online interview lasting 20–30 minutes conducted in English.

Results are published on the university website by mid-July. For questions contact [email protected]. Final enrolment must be completed by 30 September.

Application Deadline

The 2025 call opens in early April and closes on 13 May 2025 at 13:00 CEST. Exact dates are confirmed each year on the university PhD admissions page.

Official Website

For more information, please visit the official website: Università degli Studi di Padova (UNIPD)

Contact Information for PhD Admissions and Inquiries

For inquiries about PhD scholarships, reach out to Università degli Studi di Padova via email at [email protected] or call .

Physical Address:
Università degli Studi di Padova
Via 8 Febbraio 1848, 2
Padova, 35122
Italy

Further Information

International Student Services

The Welcome Office assists non-EU students with residence permits, health insurance and housing. Pre-arrival webinars are held each June.

Career Prospects

Graduates commonly move into research roles at seed companies, national agricultural research centres or EU institutions. The university career service organises an annual job fair in November.

Resource Links

PhD programmes overview
Current call and forms

PhD scholarship programs and External Funding Opportunities for PhD Scholarships in Agriculture

Italian Government Scholarships

Non-EU students may apply for annual awards covering tuition and a monthly stipend. Details and forms are published each spring on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs portal.

DAFNAE Departmental Grants

Additional positions funded by regional projects in viticulture and precision agriculture are advertised on the department website with deadlines in late spring.

University Location