The academic unit responsible for the doctoral program in “Production Automation” is the Department of Discrete Production Automation. The program is offered in both full-time and part-time formats. The doctoral program is suitable for professionals who have earned a master’s degree in any specialty within the following fields of study: 5.1 Mechanical Engineering; 5.2 Electrical Engineering, Electronics, and Automation; 5.3 Communications and Computer Engineering; 5.4 Energy; 5.5 Transportation, Shipping, and Aviation; and 5.13 General Engineering.

During the program, students study courses related to the topic of their doctoral dissertation, in accordance with an approved individual study plan. Doctoral students enrolled in the “Production Automation” doctoral program have the opportunity to participate in international academic exchanges through a number of European programs—ERASMUS+, CEEPUS, and others.

The main results of the doctoral student’s work are published in scientific journals. The completed doctoral dissertation is publicly defended before a scientific jury.

Those who successfully defend their doctoral dissertations are awarded the educational and scientific degree of “Doctor” in the professional field “5.1 Mechanical Engineering,” with a specialization in “Manufacturing Automation.”

The knowledge and skills acquired during the program enable graduates to pursue careers in research, production and implementation, and design departments focused on improving the efficiency of existing or new production processes through automation and/or increasing their level of automation.

The knowledge and skills of those who have earned a doctoral degree provide a solid foundation for their professional success, both in research organizations working in the field of automation and directly within manufacturing clusters developing automation devices and systems in Bulgaria and abroad.