PhD position in history of art, architecture and digital humanities

Euraxess; Brescia; In loco; EUR 50.000 - 70.000; Tempo pieno

Descrizione del lavoro

A university in Italy is offering a PhD position focused on cultural heritage research, linked to the CHORAL programme co-funded by the EU. Candidates will explore the intersections of architecture, art, and technology, requiring a Master’s degree and good English proficiency. This position includes international mobility and a gross salary of approximately €2,270 per month over a 36-month period, alongside additional allowances for mobility and research.

Servizi

Monthly gross salary of €2270

Mobility allowance up to €4500

Conference allowance up to €3500

Research allowance up to €5000

Competenze

• Candidates must possess a Master’s Degree enabling a PhD.
• Candidates must not have received their main activity in Italy for more than 12 months in the last 3 years.

Mansioni

• Conduct research on cultural heritage and its architectural aspects.
• Participate in interdisciplinary training and research within the CHORAL programme.

Conoscenze

Good knowledge of English language

Basic knowledge of Italian language

Basic knowledge of Spanish language

Good expertise in archival research and palaeography

Knowledge of current database programmes and basic digital tools

Formazione

Master’s degree in Architecture

Master’s degree in Art History

Master’s degree in Construction/Building Engineering

Descrizione del lavoro

Organisation/Company Università degli Studi di Brescia Research Field Architecture Arts Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Country Italy Application Deadline 17 Jan 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Paris) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Offer Starting Date 1 Sep 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe – COFUND Marie Curie Grant Agreement Number 101126643 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Building Romance cultural identity. Construction history between Spain, Italy and the Latin Arch from 15th up to 18th century: transnational architectural and technical features between traditions and cross contaminations

Construction history and research applied to artistic and architectural artefacts have long been recognized as relevant field of investigation, essential for reconstructing the complex palimpsest of built heritage material features and for refining the theoretical and methodological awareness of its preservation and enhancement strategies. The richness of this path of studies has allowed us to recognise as well in the material aspects of artistic and architectural heritage precious intangible values, which are equally worthy of conservation and promotion. In this context, is considerably interesting the development and circulation of building knowledge and technological skills, which in the past governed the architectural and artistic design choices, historically determined by the dialectic between cultured theoretical magisterium and local empirical building traditions. The research aims at exploring the circulation of these knowledge and skills, and their main expressions, from the late Middle Ages up to the 18th century in the territories belonging to the UNITA alliance, highlighting how and to what extent construction techniques have contributed to building a common material and immaterial cultural heritage and identity values, and affected the wider area of the Latin Arch and the Mediterranean basin, in a process of mutual hybridisation. The project is specifically concerned with transfers and exchanges between the lands of the European continental Powers and the Italian peninsula, focusing, through main thematic lines and case studies of major interest, on the circulation of building culture between the territories historically belonging to the Spanish Crown and northern Italy, with particular regard to Lombardy.

This PhD position is part of the Cultural Heritage Outreach in RomAnce Languages (CHORAL) programme, a Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska Curie programme co-funded by the European Union.This prestigious programme is linked to UNITA's Cultural Heritage Hub, an international research network within the Alliance, which structures its research ecosystem facing cultural related challenges.

CHORAL aims to train high-quality international researchers and to nurture the development of interdisciplinary, international and inter-sectoral research that addresses any aspect of cultural heritage. While rooted in cultural heritage, the programme spans a wide range of scientific domains, including architecture, anthropology, arts and culture, computer science, history, literature, linguistics, management, and more.

Selected candidates will be enrolled in PhD programmes under joint supervision, awarding a double degree and requiring international mobility.

This offer is part of the MSCA-COFUND CHORAL programme, which will finance 14 positions out of 20 positions offered.

On the deadline of the call, the candidate must be a doctoral candidate, i.e not already in possession of a doctoral degree, but in possession of a Master’s Degree enabling to do a PhD in Social Science, Arts, Architecture and Humanities applied to cultural heritage.

Any candidate in possession of the required diploma can apply regardless of the year of obtention of the diploma.

• Requested academic background: Master’s degree in Architecture; Master’s degree in Art History; Master’s degree in Construction/Building Engineering Architecture.
• Good knowledge of English language; basic knowledge of Italian language; basic basic knowledge of Spanish language.
• Good expertise in archival research and palaeography.
• Knowledge of, or availability to learn, current database programmes and basic digital tools and programmes for graphic design and 3D modelling.

Specific Requirements

Researchers must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the recruiting beneficiary for more than 12 months in the 3 years preceding the date of the call deadline. Compulsory national service, short stays such as holidays, and time spent as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention are not considered.

Applicants who are non-native speakers of English are required to provide proof of proficiency in the language, as CHORAL’s working language is English.

Candidates must be in possession of valid identity card (for EU citizens) or a valid passport (for visa application, if selected).

The call is open to researchers of any nationality.

Languages ENGLISH Level Good

Languages ITALIAN Level Basic

Languages SPANISH Level Basic

Additional Information

CHORALfellows will benefit from the following advantages:

A monthly gross salary of 2270€/monthapproximately. The salary gross amount may be subject to changes corresponding to taxes increases/decreases.

The net salary amount may be subject to changes and corresponding personal tax position.

Mobility

All the CHORAL doctoral candidates will be associated to 2 universities in the UNITA Alliance awarding the PhD co-diploma complemented by short stays with associated partners. The proposed combination of secondments and short stays promotes mobility and exposes CHORAL doctoral students to different research environment. Indeed, during the 36 months PhD programme, each doctoral candidate will have to spend at least 9 months outside their recruiting university, including at least 6 months in the co-supervising university. The other 3 months can also be spent in another entity increasing the international exposure of the doctoral candidates.

Mobility allowanceup to 4500€ over the 3-year period to partially cover travels, accommodation, etc. linked to secondments for the project duration.

Conference allowanceup to 3500€ over the 3-year period of the PhD, to cover expenses related to the travel for attendance or participation to conferences, workshops.

Research allowance up to 5000€ over the 3-year period of the PhD to cover expenses related to research.

Each doctoral candidate will have a Personalised Career Development Plan (PCDP), which is developed within the first 3 months of the fellowship. The PCDP will address research plan, publication strategy, and career development activities both with regards to scientific and non-scientific skills. CHORAL will help them develop a clear, explicit and relevant professional pathway towards a successful career as research leaders. The PCDP will be reviewed and updated on a regular basis through meetings with the doctoral candidate.

Career opportunities

CHORALaims at enhancing the career perspectives and employability of the doctoral candidates, in line with the Europe Skills Agenda. CHORAL will help to the completion of a PhD in top-level research universities within the worldwide acknowledged MSCA program. CHORAL will give the opportunities to rely on international, intersectoral an interdisciplinary network for future collaborations and opportunities by pushing the doctoral candidates to go beyond their boundaries.

The programme will include training with non-academic partners which will ensure the alignment between employers' needs outside academia and skills development. As a result, they will develop a realistic perspective on the requirements of jobs in such and gain an important understanding of how scientific, experimental knowledge can be applied in non-academic environments. This will contribute to broaden their scientific perspective, increase their skills and innovation capacity as well as their attractiveness towards the private sector.

Eligibility criteria

At the close of the call, the candidate must be a doctoral candidate, i.e not already in possession of a doctoral degree at the deadline of the call, but in possession of a Master’s Degree enabling to do a PhD in Social Science, Arts, Architecture and Humanities applied to Cultural Heritage.

Any candidate in possession of the required diploma can apply regardless of the year of obtention of the diploma.

MSCA rule: Researchers must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, et.) in the country of the recruiting beneficiary for more than 12 months in the 3 years preceding the date of the call deadline. Compulsory national service, short stays such as holidays, and time spent as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention are not considered.

Applicants who are non-native speakers of Englishare required to provide proof of proficiency in the language, as CHORAL’s working language is English.

Possibility to apply to 3 PhD topics offered within the call for proposals.

Selection process

The selection process takes place in 3 steps:

- 1/ Eligibility Commitee will check the Eligibility criteria.

- 2/ A review panel with three external experts will evaluate the CV, personal statement, marks and reference letters. The best-ranked proposals for each PhD topics will be short-listed for interviews, and applicants will be informed of the output of this step by the PM, via the online platform.

- 3/ The selected applicants will be invited to an online interview which will be evaluated by an interview panel. After all the interviews, a proposal ranking list for each PhD position will be issued, including a principal and a reserve list.

Selections will be made regardless of gender, nationality, religion, ethnicity and cultural background, but aiming for a good balance among the group.

Additional comments

Candidates cannot propose their own subjects nor write a proposal. PhD research topics have been proposed by habilited supervisors from the Doctoral Schools of UPPA and the implementing partners after a call launched towards the academic community of the programme. Candidates must choose among the subjects posted on the CHORAL interface.

Each applicant can apply for 3 subjects MAXIMUM.

The application must be in English and follow the templates provided on the website.