Environmental Engineering

Double degree programme with the University of Bologna, Italy

Joint doctoral studies with Vytautas Magnus University, Lithuanian Energy Institute (coordinating institution: Kaunas University of Technology).

Joint doctoral studies in Environmental Engineering are designed to enable students become first-rate interdisciplinary researchers and acquire the knowledge and skills to succeed in both academic and non-academic career. PhD students of this programme have a possibility to acquire a double PhD degree with the University of Bologna (Italy).
The main objective of the programme is to educate first-rate interdisciplinary researchers, who are able to develop systemic innovations to improve and maintain the environment for the protection of human health, for the protection of nature’s beneficial ecosystems, and for the environment-related enhancement of the quality of human life, at the same time maintaining compatibility in business and industry.

Topic title	Possible scientific supervisors	Source of funding
Carbon dioxide capture and utilization through the application of autotrophic bacteria	prof. dr. Naglis Malys	state-funded	Research Topic Summary. Autotrophic bacteria are capable of fixing carbon dioxide (CO2) contributing to net-zero emissions and CO2 neutrality. The PhD project will be aimed at application and engineering such bacteria to produce enzymes and nutrients through CO2 capture and utilisation.
Integrating environmental engineering and sustainable urban development to reduce the impact of light pollution on the ecosystem	prof. dr. Žaneta Stasiškienė	state-funded	Research Topic Summary. This research focuses on tackling light pollution in urban areas, a growing concern affecting nature and human health. By integrating environmental engineering with sustainable urban planning, the study aims to develop strategies to reduce the harmful effects of excessive artificial lighting. The goal is to create a practical framework for cities to manage light pollution effectively, ensuring healthier ecosystems and better quality of life for residents. Innovative solutions and guidelines for urban planners will be developed contributing to sustainable and eco-friendly community development.
Design, modeling and ecoefficiency of environmental technologies	doc. dr. Violeta Kaunelienė	state-funded	Research Topic Summary. Over the past decades, the aim of environmental technologies has been devoted towards reduction of environmental pollution by removing polluting materials from polluted media (air, water, soil). During the design process of such technologies, the criterion for optimization is usually assigned to the technological efficiency, while the production and operation costs come second. At the same time, little attention is being paid to the overall eco-efficiency of these technologies. The eco-efficiency may be optimized during initial design phases, as well as in modelling of fluid flows through reactors, thus minimizing energy requirements and increasing efficiency. Moreover, use of environment friendly materials must be considered in the design and production of technology components. The aim of this topic of the dissertation is the optimization of selected environmental technology for air or water treatment, taking into account the entire value chain.
Environmental impact assessment for waste fires in terms of their morphological and chemical composition	prof. dr. Gintaras Denafas	state-funded	Research Topic Summary. The aim of this dissertation is to create a universal methodology for waste fires environmental impact assessment, which includes not only the emissions caused by the combustion and evaporation process, but also the leaching of pollutants during firefighting, which leads to the pollution of surface and underground waters and soil.
Nitrogen flows in the agri-food value chain in the Baltic Sea region	prof. dr. Jolita Kruopienė	state-funded	Research Topic Summary. The overall aim of this research is to show how redirecting nitrogen flows in the agri-food value chain affects energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in the Nordic/Baltic region. As nitrogen and carbon flows are tightly interlinked and related to energy recovery from waste, both nitrogen and carbon flows should be studied.
Nanotechnology-based process engineering for environmental remediation	prof. dr. Dainius Martuzevičius	state-funded
Advanced bio-polymer materials for packaging and packaging components	doc. dr. Visvaldas Varžinskas	state-funded

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Application procedure

Mandatory documents for admission:

Application indicating the science field, the topic and the form of funding (online)*
Official legalised Master’s diploma with the diploma supplements or a higher education degree equivalents and academic transcripts (translated into English or Lithuanian and notary verified) and the certificate of recognition if higher education qualification acquired abroad
Curriculum Vitae
Recommendations by two researchers of the relevant science field
A list of the research works with a full bibliographic description and copies thereof; if no research works by the applicant are presented, the applicant is required to present a research paper whose topic is consistent with the dissertation topic indicated in the applicant’s application (if the applicant applies to two dissertation topics, two individual research papers have to be submitted)
A copy of a valid personal document: a passport (for citizens of all countries) or an ID card (only for citizens of the European Union)
A copy of the receipt of the application fee payment (50 EUR for EU citizens, and 120 EUR for non-EU citizens)
A certificate issued by IELTS, TOEFL, CERF or any other competent institution within the last 2 years certifying the level of the English language if the candidate is not a graduate of the first or second cycle studies conducted in the English language

* The applicant can select no more than 2 (two) research fields and no more than 2 (two) topics per science field.

Participation in motivational interview (Kaunas University of Technology, Studentų g. 50, Kaunas, Lithuania or online)

Signing a study agreement (if invited to study)

Cycle	Third cycle
Language	Lithuanian, English
Duration	4 y.
Degree awarded	Doctor of Science Dvigubas laipsnis

Environmental Engineering

Partners

Research topics

Research Topic Summary.

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Research Topic Summary.

Entry requirements

Minimum requirements

Application procedure

Selection criteria and their weighted coefficients

Study programme modules