ISEL is launching a new PhD program in Decarbonization and Energy Transition, scheduled to begin in the 2026/2027 academic year. This is the institution’s second doctoral program, coming just two months after the launch of the program in Cyber-Physical Systems for Sustainable Development.
The PhD program in Decarbonization and Energy Transition aims to train highly qualified specialists in this field—namely, professionals with a strong background in Engineering or related areas, capable of performing at the highest level in companies, regulatory bodies, higher education institutions, and/or research units. Their work will focus on the relevant and emerging areas of decarbonization and energy transition, from a dual perspective: technical, related to the design, sizing, and implementation of sustainable energy systems; and economic, enabling the assessment of financial resources involved, their profitability over the operational period, and their integration into energy markets.
To achieve these goals, graduates are expected to acquire in-depth knowledge of energy source accessibility, energy generation and supply systems, environmental and sustainability implications, clean and low-carbon technologies, resource economics, constraints on implementation and operation, alignment with global energy issues, tariff-setting and regulatory strategies, and integration into global and regional energy markets.
In addition to the coursework component, doctoral candidates will develop a thesis focused on specific aspects of this field, ensuring integration between Economics and Management and Engineering components. The theses will address real-world problems (even if conceptually), of high complexity, and will preferably be developed in a business environment. The study cycle will be taught entirely in person, with a total of 210 ECTS and an approximate duration of three and a half years.
The teaching staff consists of PhD-qualified professors from ISEL in the fields of Engineering, Economics, Management, and Energy. Seminars featuring business-sector specialists, representatives from energy regulatory bodies, and researchers in these areas are also planned.
