Doctoral School - recruitment

Goal Functions (GFs) can be viewed as propensities towards which the evolution of ecosystems is oriented and can be used to characterize the state and the functional and structural features of ecosystems. From a thermodynamic viewpoint, ecosystems favour those system configurations able to use matter and energy inputs more efficiently, maximizing the flux of useful energy and the rate of material recycling, building ordered structures dissipating entropy flows in their external environment. Healthy ecosystems are capable of maintaining their structures and functions, ensuring the generation and maintenance of natural capital stocks and ecosystem services flows. Protected areas are recognized as important tools to conserve natural capital and biodiversity while achieving human well-being and sustainable development goals. In this project, we aim at applying a biophysical approach to environmental accounting to unfold the role of matter and energy flows exchange in the functioning of ecosystems, with a particular focus on the assessment of natural capital and ecosystem services. The project will focus on implementing the biophysical assessment of natural capital and ecosystem services in selected protected areas and UNESCO-MAB Biosphere Reserves located in Poland and Italy. Three different human-managed ecosystems will be investigated: forest and lake ecosystems located in the Tuchola Forest Biosphere Reserve (Poland) and a coastal lagoon ecosystem located in the Marsala Nature Reserve (South Italy). Biophysical environmental accounting methods will be used to assess sustained environmental costs (i.e., matter and energy input flows converging to generate natural capital stocks), received benefits (i.e., ecosystem goods and services flows benefited from humans), and generated impacts (i.e., emissions and their potential impact due to natural resources exploitation). We expect to produce high quality research results of international interest related to the functioning of natural ecosystems and the benefits they provide to humans. The results will boost the scientific knowledge in this timely field of science while supporting policy-makers in charge of developing nature conservation and sustainable development strategies. Research results will be disseminated through the publication of peer reviewed scientific articles in indexed international scientific journals, the participation in international conferences, and the organization of international scientific workshops. The project will be conducted in cooperation with the Department of Science and Technology of Parthenope University of Naples and the UNESCO Chair in “Environment, Resources and Sustainable Development” of which NCU is an official partner (www.unescochair.uniparthenope.it).

A doctoral student who does not hold a degree of doctor shall receive a doctoral scholarship.

The amount of a monthly doctoral scholarship shall be at least:1) 37% of a professor’s salary – up to the month in which the mid-term evaluation was conducted*; 2) 57% of a professor’s salary – after the month in which the mid-term evaluation was conducted*.

[*According to the legal status in 2020, the scholarship is gross: 1) 2.371,70 PLN, 2) 3.653,70 PLN.]