PhD

01.

General information

PhD Program "Mathematics and its Applications"
PhD School of Politecnico di Milano
Location of the PhD Program: Milano Leonardo campus
Course start: 12/09/2026 (formerly PhD Program "Mathematical Models and Methods in Engineering")

Scientific Disciplinary Sectors

MATH-01/B – Mathematics Education and History of Mathematics;
MATH-02/A – Algebra;
MATH-02/B – Geometry;
MATH-03/A – Mathematical Analysis;
MATH-03/B – Probability and Mathematical Statistics;
MATH-04/A – Mathematical Physics;
MATH-05/A – Numerical Analysis;
STAT-01/A – Statistics;
STAT-04/A – Mathematical Methods of Economy, Finance and Actuarial Sciences.

Contacts

Coordinator: Prof. Michele Correggi, Office: Dr.ssa Esperia Ferrara
PhD School Website , PhD Program Website

02.

Objectives

The development of advanced technologies in science and engineering brings an increasing demand of advanced mathematical theories and methods, which in turn fosters the demand for education and training of skilled mathematicians in pure and applied research areas.

The main scope of the PhD course in “Mathematics and its Applications” is to train high-level researchers in all fields of mathematics, mathematical finance and statistics, providing them with a broad and robust background to successfully compete in a rapidly evolving landscape and competitive job market.

A notable feature of students enrolled in the PhD program in “Mathematics and its Applications” is their early and intensive exposure to high-level mathematical research, along with their active involvement in all DMAT activities. From the very beginning of their PhD journey, candidates take part in advanced research projects, both within academia and in collaboration with industry partners, external research centers and public institutions. This provides them with a unique opportunity to contribute meaningfully and to engage with all key aspects of research, including teamwork, strategic planning, and risk management. In addition, candidates could also be involved in other DMAT activities such as teaching, outreach, and science communication.

One of the distinctive skills developed during the PhD experience is the ability to transfer knowledge effectively, adapting it to different contexts, audiences, and communication occasions. This skill enables PhD graduates to work effectively in teams and disseminate their research results both within their specific community and to broader, more diverse audiences.

The PhD program aims to help candidates communicate technical information, both orally and in writing, tailored to academic or non-academic recipients. This goal is supported by courses offered by the PhD School, including Technical Communication classes. Additionally, candidates participate in activities promoting experiential learning (“learning by doing”), the typical learning method of the PhD journey.

03.

Professional Opportunities

The PhD program in "Mathematics and its Applications" offers graduates a comprehensive and rigorous education, preparing them for academic, industrial, and institutional careers. The ability to integrate theoretical insights with practical problem-solving equips them to address complex challenges and drive innovation in established and emerging fields.

Graduates can pursue academic careers at prestigious universities and research institutions, both in Italy and internationally. In the private sector, PhD graduates with a solid mathematical background are in high demand within research and development departments across various industries, including industrial engineering, energy, aerospace, telecommunications, health technologies, pharmaceuticals, advanced manufacturing, and information technology.

The technology sector thus serves as a prominent area of employment for graduates of the PhD program in "Mathematics and its Applications”, particularly in roles related to artificial intelligence (AI), scientific computing, computational learning, and data science, where advanced mathematical expertise is crucial for developing interpretable, reliable, and efficient approaches for complex systems and analyse complex scenarios.

Moreover, graduates of the PhD program in "Mathematics and its Applications” are well-equipped for roles within financial and insurance institutions, applying quantitative techniques to risk and portfolio optimization, trading, and regulatory analysis.

They are highly qualified also for research and advisory positions in public agencies, governmental bodies, and policy-oriented research centres, contributing to evidence-based decision-making, policy modelling, and strategic planning.

04.

Graduate Faculty

05.

PhD Courses

06.

Call for applications

Calls for doctoral positions are published throughout the year according to the calendar below. The calls offer both general and topic-specific scholarships. Topical scholarships are linked to specific research topics already defined by the department, while general scholarships involve a broader topic, which will be defined together with the PhD program coordinator.

Timeline 42° cycle (2026/2027)

Type	Publication	Start of activities
1° Call	May 28 - July 1	September
2° Call	July 30 - September 18	November
3° Call	December 14 - January 14	February
4° Call	March 15 - April 15	May

Further information is available on the website of the PhD school.