PhD Materials Science and Engineering

PhD Materials Science and Engineering – University of Ljubljana

The PhD in Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Ljubljana (UL) is a four-year interdisciplinary doctoral programme offered in Ljubljana, Slovenia. The programme consists of eight semesters and carries 240 ECTS credits. It is delivered through collaboration between three university faculties and provides advanced research training in materials science, metallurgy, mining and geotechnology.

The programme prepares doctoral candidates for scientific research and professional activities involving the development, manufacture and application of traditional and modern functional materials. It emphasises independent scientific investigation, critical analysis, interdisciplinary knowledge and the advancement of scientific and technological research.

Programme Overview and Research Objectives

The doctoral programme develops advanced scientific and engineering competencies for investigating materials, evaluating complex research problems and contributing to technological innovation.

Students acquire the ability to critically analyse, evaluate and synthesise new scientific ideas. The programme also develops communication skills for presenting research findings to academic colleagues, professional groups and wider audiences.

Scientific Fields and Specialisations

The programme offers three scientific fields: Materials, Metallurgy, and Mining and Geotechnology.

These fields provide a framework for doctoral research in materials science and engineering, including the development, production and application of traditional and modern functional materials.

Research and Academic Collaboration

The programme is delivered jointly by the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Engineering, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, and Faculty of Mathematics and Physics.

This interdisciplinary structure combines expertise from materials science, chemistry, engineering and physics.

The programme aims to prepare researchers capable of contributing to scientific and technological progress at both academic and applied levels.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must hold an eligible second-cycle Master’s degree or another recognised academic qualification.

Graduates of integrated Master’s programmes carrying 300 ECTS credits and certain former academic higher education programmes may also qualify.

Applicants with specified professional specialisations may be required to complete additional coursework of 30–60 ECTS credits.

Research Supervision and Application Process

Candidates must submit a written agreement from an academic mentor or co-mentor accepting supervision no later than enrolment.

Applicants must also provide a brief conceptual outline of their proposed doctoral research.

Applications for the 2026/27 academic year are submitted through the Slovenian eVŠ online application portal.

Selection Criteria

If the number of applicants exceeds available places, selection is based on previous academic performance and relevant scientific or professional achievements.

Academic performance accounts for 60% of the selection assessment, while scientific publications, research achievements, awards and relevant practical experience account for 40%.

Candidates with the highest overall scores are selected.

Doctoral Qualification

Successful completion of the doctoral programme leads to the scientific title Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), equivalent to the Slovenian qualification doktor znanosti / doktorica znanosti.