Innsbruck Doctoral College
System Innovation for a Net-Zero Transition
Companies across sectors are discovering the net-zero transition as a governing theme for value generation, competitiveness, and innovation. Business strategies must be consistent with the UN SDGs, the Paris Climate Agreement and Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. And they must manage climate and nature-related risks. However, greening energy, closing the loop on material flows, rebuilding carbon sinks are transformative moves: They require net-zero roadmaps, shifts in business model, new partnerships and adjusted performance metrics. Much of this is uncharted territory and needs scientific investigation and support.
The growing importance of collaboration across value chains in addressing sustainability challenges is increasingly evident as new alliances form both in academia and the field. Yet, there's a noticeable gap: A dedicated academic platform that consolidates diverse expertise around essential questions, theories, and methodologies to empower emerging researchers striving for a net-zero economy. Recognizing that such scientific inquiry transcends the boundaries of any single discipline, it demands a multidisciplinary approach. Our college is designed to meet this need, welcoming students from a broad spectrum of fields. We offer an environment that fosters interdisciplinary exchange and research, enabling students to contribute meaningfully to sustainability efforts.
The Doctoral College “System Innovation for a Net-Zero Transition” provides PhD students with the most excellent expertise for their work on complex issues related to climate neutrality and the transition from linear to circular systems.
The PhD students will conduct research under the supervision of a team of experienced and complementary scientists from different universities, working as a cohort and attending joint doctoral seminars. Exchanging ideas with other early career researchers and academics studying similar issues is particularly valuable and plays a central role in the Innsbruck Doctoral College.
The curriculum of our doctoral program is based on the established PhD curricula so that students remain enrolled in their respective courses. Upon successful completion of the program, participants receive a certificate recognizing their dedicated work and achievements within the PhD program.
Good to know
Our program offers first-class education to aspiring scientists, focusing on research that delivers real-world impact and fosters the development of significant networks.
We provide dedicated assistance in finding highly qualified supervisors for dissertation projects, ensuring a match that enhances both guidance and success.
Participants gain access to an exclusive network of distinguished scientists, offering innovative and interdisciplinary insights to enrich your academic journey.
Opportunity for hands-on experience through collaborative projects and partnerships with leading industry players, bridging the gap between academic research and practical application.
Speaker
Univ.-Prof. Dr. Johann Füller
Co-Speaker
Johann Füller is professor for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Innsbruck University. Before his professorship Johann was Fellow at the NASA Tournament Lab-Research at Harvard University and visiting scholar and research affiliate at MIT Sloan School of Management. His research interests are in how technologies such as AI shape innovation management and entrepreneurship and how they enable net-zero solutions. Johann co-founded HYVE AG and served as CEO for more than 20 years before selling it to Qvest. Johann likes to empower organizations to innovate sustainable solutions and to become more entrepreneurial. He holds several advisory board member positions at start-ups such as Icaros, Tawny, and Raiffeisen Regenerative.
Contact: johann.fueller@uibk.ac.at
Prof. Dr. Martin R. Stuchtey
Co-Speaker
Martin R. Stuchtey is a Professor of Resource Strategy and Management at the University of Innsbruck and Co-CEO of The Landbanking Group, a NatureFinTech dediated to stop and reverse the loss of nature. He also founded in SYSTEMIQ, focusing on sustainable land use, circular industrial, and energy systems, after a 20-year tenure at McKinsey where he established the firm's Sustainability Practice. Martin has been pivotal in advancing circular industrial systems, co-initiating the Circular Economy Initiative at the World Economic Forum and contributing significantly to the discourse on sustainability through reports, articles, and books. He holds advanced degrees in economic geology, business economics, an MBA, and a PhD in regional economics. His passion for sustainable development and expertise in natural capital thinking significantly contribute to the Doctoral College, where he aims to inspire and guide PhD students through the complexities of achieving climate- and nature-positive outcomes.
Contact: martin.stuchtey@uibk.ac.at
