PhD in Earth Sciences in a Changing World

Earth Sciences in a Changing World is a PhD program at the Doctoral School of the University of Szczecin, taught in English in Szczecin, Poland. The program begins on October 2, 2026, with an application deadline of May 7, 2026. As a doctoral program, it is aimed at students who already hold a master's degree and want to pursue independent research in earth sciences, a field that covers geography, geology, environmental science, and the study of how human activity reshapes natural systems. Doctoral study in this area typically centers on original research carried out under faculty supervision, culminating in a dissertation, alongside coursework, seminars, and often teaching or research assistant duties within the doctoral school. Earth sciences as a discipline examines the physical processes that shape the planet, including geological formation, climate systems, hydrology, and soil science, together with the ways human activity interacts with and alters these systems. Researchers in this field study topics such as land use change, natural hazards, resource management, and the environmental effects of urbanization and industry. Doctoral graduates typically pursue careers in academic research, environmental consultancy, government agencies focused on environmental policy and planning, and international organizations working on sustainability and climate issues. The University of Szczecin, located in northwestern Poland near the German border, offers a doctoral school structure that brings together researchers from multiple disciplines, giving students in earth sciences the chance to draw on adjacent fields such as biology, chemistry, and geography during their research.