Mechanical engineering

The main research area of the Institute of Mechanical Engineering at SGGW is the development of modern techniques and technologies in agricultural and forestry production and renewable energy technologies as well as the modelling of systems and processes of engineering and production management.

A broad and interdisciplinary study programme covering the research areas of the Institute of Mechanical Engineering at SGGW enables doctoral students to develop their own ideas and concepts, and directs them towards creative problem solving and commercialisation of the obtained results.

The major research areas addressed by the study programme of the Doctoral School in Mechanical Engineering include: optimisation of energy consumption and operation of working elements of machines and equipment, using mathematical modelling; technical and operational tests of working machines, also to increase comfort and safety at work; analysis of exhaust gases from internal combustion engines of motor vehicles powered by various types of fuels; analysis of the relation between physical and chemical properties of biomass and parameters of machines and equipment and the quality of products obtained; design, modelling and optimisation of cooling devices and energy systems based on renewable energy sources generating and accumulating heat, cold and electricity; design, modelling and optimisation of sorting devices and automatic control systems; development of precision technologies in agriculture and food processing; modelling and optimisation of drying and rehydration processes of agricultural products; improvement of processing techniques of plant raw materials.

Graduates of the doctoral school will have advanced, specialised knowledge and skills in mechanical engineering, as well as professional qualifications that will enable them to seek employment in specialised companies and laboratories engaged in broadly defined agri-food production, design studios, research and development institutions.

Recruitment

Recruitment schedule 2025/2026

The following dates are adopted in the recruitment process:

1) 28 July-11 August 2025 – registration in IRK system – submission of an application for admission to the Doctoral School and other required documents

2) 20-22 August 2025 – submission of copies of documents (originals must be available for review) by candidates qualified for the second stage of recruitment (place of submission – Doctoral School office)*

3) by 28 August 2025 – publication of the recruitment interview schedule

4) 2-8 September 2025 – recruitment interviews conducted by recruitment committees appointed for each discipline

5) by 18 September 2025 – announcement of the list of those admitted to the Doctoral School

Start of PhD education – 1 October 2025

The recruitment schedule may change and is always published in the Doctoral School tab on the Warsaw University of Life Sciences website.

*Candidates staying out of Poland, admitted to the Doctoral School, submit the original documents for inspection upon arrival in Poland

Recruitment fee

The Doctoral School charges a fee for the recruitment process. The amount of the recruitment fee for the WULS-SGGW Doctoral School in the academic year 2025/2026 is:

·         PLN 300 if the payment is made to an account in PLN

(account number for PLN payments - 68 1240 6003 1111 0011 3480 4676)

·         or EUR 80 if the fee is paid to an account in EUR

 (account number for EUR payments - 73 1240 6003 1978 0011 3480 4692). 

[Transfer title: Name and Surname - SD recruitment fee]

Form of the qualification procedure

The Doctoral School recruitment shall be carried out in the form of an open competition, and it shall consist of three stages:

a) the first recruitment stage consists in formal verification of the documents submitted. Only those candidates who successfully complete verification of the documents shall be admitted to the second stage;

b) the second recruitment stage consists in substantive assessment of the documents by the recruitment committee;

c) the third recruitment stage consists in an interview with the candidate and assessment of the doctoral dissertation concept.

The maximum score that may be obtained by a candidate in the qualification procedure is 60 points. The minimum score necessary for admission to the Doctoral School is 31 points. The minimum score does not guarantee admission to the Doctoral School.

Language of the qualification procedure, including the interview

The interview may be carried out in Polish language.

Candidates for learning pathway with English language of instruction shall be interviewed in English.

 A candidate to the Doctoral School shall submit the following documents:

• application for admission to the Doctoral School;
• Data for the personal questionnaire
• CV;
• a copy of the uniform long-cycle magister degree studies completion diploma together with a supplement (or 1st cycle and 2nd cycle studies completion diplomas with supplements) or a certificate of having passed the magister examination;
• preliminary concept of the doctoral dissertation containing the working title of the dissertation, purpose of research, proposed research methods, short review of literature with the bibliography (maximum 3 -5 pages);
• the consent from the future supervisor of the candidate’s choice to accept to exercise supervision over the candidate with regard to the proposed concept of the doctoral dissertation; if the future supervisor of the candidate’s choice is not an SGGW employee, the candidate shall attach the consent of the second supervisor or auxiliary supervisor who must be an SGGW employee;
• 1 photograph – complying with the requirements applicable for ID cards;
• documents confirming knowledge of a modern foreign language at least at the proficiency level of B2 according to the requirements of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (originals must be available for review); if the candidate holds a diploma of completion of studies with a supplement, the document confirming knowledge of the foreign language at the B2 level is the diploma supplement;
• list of publications and other scientific and research accomplishments, along with copies of documents confirming such accomplishments (originals must be available for review);
• documents evidencing additional qualifications that are important from the point of view of the planned doctoral dissertation (originals to be presented for inspection);

• scans of documents confirming the secured financing of doctoral research as part of the implemented project (if applicable).

      A candidate who has obtained a graduation diploma from studies abroad that are equivalent to master’s studies, shall additionally submit:

• original diploma;
• translation of the diploma into Polish or English, authenticated by competent persons or institutions;
• document confirming recognition of the diploma or a certificate releasing from the recognition procedure, if required;
• document confirming knowledge of the English language at B2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (applicable to candidates for the learning pathway with the English language of instruction);
• document confirming knowledge of the Polish language at B2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (applicable to candidates for the learning pathway with the Polish language of instruction).

The qualification procedure is initiated at the above-mentioned application for admission to the Doctoral School, submitted by a candidate who registered in the IRK system and paid the recruitment fee.

Assessment criteria

Requirements for admission to the school - obtaining at least 31 points throughout the entire qualification process.