I am excited to announce that the call is open for 1 PhD position within the PhD Programme in Science, Technology and Policy for Sustainable Change of the Politecnico di Milano (Milan, Italy).
Title:
āEthical Issues of Academic Research on Defence TechnologyāĀ
Short Description:
The goal of the research project is to systematically assess arguments in favour, against, or problematizing academic research activities on military technologies. In doing so, it aims at combining the perspectives of engineering ethics, research ethics, and war/military ethics to extensively explore the moral nuances of university involvement in military projects, while at the same time taking stock of studies on both current and historical cases. Although the complexity of the problem is evident and the urgency of its discussion is often emphasized, scholars inquiring into issues at the interface of engineering, ethics, and society are yet to bring this problem into focus. The research project is expected not only to kickstart a philosophical debate on such a timely matter, but also to provide support to engineersā and scientistsā awareness in the effort of living up to the demands of responsible research and innovation in the Academia.
A more detailed description is available in the official call:
Links to the Call:
- Website: https://www.dottorato.polimi.it/en/prospective-phd-candidates/calls-and-regulations/41-cycle/2nd-additional-call-2025-26 (Look under the heading āPhD Programme in SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND POLICY FOR SUSTAINABLE CHANGEā)
- Pdf: https://www.dottorato.polimi.it/fileadmin/user_upload/bandi/ciclo41/bandi_aggiuntivi/2_lug25/5092_4565_APPLICATION_STEP__ETHICAL_ISSUES_OF_ACADEMIC_RESEARCH_ON_DEFENCE_TECHNO.pdf
Important Dates:
- Deadline for applications: Sept. 30th, 2025 (h. 14.00 Italian time)
- Beginning of PhD: Nov. 1st, 2025.Ā
Scholarship:
- Monthly net income 1500 ā¬, 36 months.
Further Financial support:
- Fundings will be provided to cover expenses related to the participation in conferences and workshops.
- Increase in the scholarship for research stays abroad (up to 6 months) will be provided.
- There are various forms of financial aid for activities of support to the teaching practice. The PhD student is encouraged to take part in these activities, within the limits allowed by the regulations.
Candidate Requirements:
Preferably, candidates have an academic background in moral philosophy/applied ethics and a strong interest in collaborating with engineering scholars within a highly multidisciplinary environment. The research project will be developed adopting mostly qualitative methods. In addition to traditional philosophical methodologies, the PhD student (supported by the supervisor) will involve fellow PhD students, researchers, and professors working at the Politecnico di Milano in interactive sessions in which moral intuitions will be explored and discussed. Certified knowledge of the English language is a prerequisite to participate in the Polimi STEPChange PhD Program (see the Call for details). Knowledge of (or willingness to learn) Italian is an asset but not a prerequisite for the position.Ā
Research Group:
The PhD student will be mainly working with Fabio Fossa, who is tenured-track researcher on technology ethics at the Department of Mechanical Engineering and will serve as supervisor. Moreover, the PhD student will be part of the META Group (https://www.meta.polimi.it), a lively community currently composed of 28 Polimi scholars all carrying out interdisciplinary research on the philosophy and sociology of science and technology. The PhD student will also interact with engineering scholars at the Department of Mechanical Engineering and a research group on dual-use technology involving members of META and the Department of Aerospace Science and Technology.
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Politecnico and the City of Milan:
Politecnico di Milano has been recently ranked 1st among Italian Universities and 98th worldwide in QS Global World Rankings. The PhD student will work at the Department of Mechanical Engineering in the Politecnico di Milano Bovisa Campus. The campus is located in the Milan north-west urban area, very close to the Villapizzone and Bovisa train stations and easily reachable by bus. Milan is the second largest city in Italy, it is the business and financial capital of the country and one of the most important hubs for design and fashion in the world. It is home to a vibrant and international population and has a large offer of cultural attractions and events.
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How to Apply:
- Register to the Politecnico di Milano online services by following this link: https://aunicalogin.polimi.it/aunicalogin/aunicalogin.jsp?id_servizio=376&profile=0&lang=EN&polij_device_category=DESKTOP&__pj0=0&__pj1=a4cc8dd27b82582a1a5267b6a3da3317
- Use your Person Code and password to access the PhD application via the link available in the page in online services: Online services > Application forms > Application for ābandi aggiuntiviā PhD programmes.
- Further details and instructions are available in the official call: https://www.dottorato.polimi.it/fileadmin/user_upload/bandi/ciclo41/bandi_aggiuntivi/2_lug25/5092_4565_APPLICATION_STEP__ETHICAL_ISSUES_OF_ACADEMIC_RESEARCH_ON_DEFENCE_TECHNO.pdf
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For inquires and questions, do not hesitate to contact me at fabio.fossa@polimi.it.
Come work with me and my colleagues on such a timely and crucial topic!
Iām looking forward to receiving your applications.
Best wishes,
Fabio Fossa, Ph.D.
Tenure-Track Assistant Professor (RTT)
Ethics of Technology
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Politecnico di Milano
Campus Bovisa | Building B23
Via Giuseppe La Masa,
20156 Milan, Italy
fabio.fossa@polimi.it | www.mecc.polimi.it
https://polimi.academia.edu/FabioFossa
https://www.meta.polimi.it