Main Supervisor – Biocity Doctoral Programme

Main Supervisor – Biocity™ Doctoral Programme

(Senior Academic Lead & University Coordination)

• Part‑time, research‑based appointment
• Hybrid work model (on‑site in Milan + remote collaboration with partner universities)
• Travel and meeting expenses will be reimbursed upon approval
• An NDA must be signed

This role is designed for a senior academic professional, serving as the primary scientific supervisor for visiting PhD candidates within the Biocity™ programme and coordinating inter‑university collaboration.

About Institute Itech

Institute Itech is an early‑stage multinational company operating at the intersection of education, advanced technology, and urban sustainability.

Biocity™ Doctoral Programme

The Biocity™ Doctoral Programme is a multi‑country, interdisciplinary research initiative involving universities and research institutions across Europe and beyond. Its research clusters (DCs) include:

• Architecture & Urban Ecology
• Environmental Engineering & Materials
• Energy Systems & Circular Resources
• Public Space Behaviour & Social Sustainability
• Governance, Policy & Climate Neutrality
• Digital Twins, AI for Cities, and Predictive Urban Models

Institute Itech will host selected PhD candidates and contribute to the scientific coordination of the network.

About the Role

We are seeking a Main Supervisor (MS) for the Biocity™ Doctoral Programme who will act as:

• the primary scientific supervisor for PhD candidates hosted at Institute Itech,
• the institutional liaison with all partner universities,
• the quality controller for training, supervision, and progress monitoring,
• the core academic reference inside Institute Itech for the Biocity™ research agenda.

This is a senior, high‑responsibility academic role requiring strong experience in doctoral supervision, interdisciplinary research, and European collaborative frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Main Supervisor for one or more PhD candidates hosted at Institute Itech
• Develop and oversee individual research plans, milestones, and progress reviews
• Coordinate with co‑supervisors across partner universities
• Ensure scientific quality and compliance with MSCA‑style doctoral standards
• Participate in Doctoral Committees, mid‑term evaluations, and annual reporting
• Guide the candidates in research design, publication strategies, and project development
• Facilitate access to Institute Itech resources, labs, tools, and scientific networks
• Support the alignment between PhD research and the Biocity™ clusters (DCs)
• Act as the liaison between Institute Itech and academic institutions in Europe and internationally
• Lead scientific meetings, joint seminars, and inter‑university workshops
• Contribute to European research collaboration, grant writing, and consortium development
• Represent Institute Itech in academic events, conferences, and research boards

Requirements

• A completed PhD in one of the Biocity™ DC disciplines (urban studies, environmental engineering, architecture, energy, materials, sustainability, governance, digital twins, etc.)
• Minimum 15 years of academic experience, training, or research involvement
• Significant experience in doctoral supervision and PhD mentoring
• A strong record of peer‑reviewed publications, scientific output, or research excellence
• Solid understanding of European research frameworks (Horizon Europe, MSCA, Erasmus+, etc.)
• Proven ability to coordinate multi‑country, interdisciplinary projects
• Excellent communication skills in English (Italian is a plus)
• Strong academic reputation and credibility within their field

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience as a PI, WP Leader, or Coordinator in EU‑funded projects
• Previous participation in doctoral networks or structured PhD programmes
• Expertise in cross‑disciplinary research and sustainability
• Strong network among European universities and research institutes
• Background in supervising interdisciplinary teams
• Experience in urban innovation, climate research, smart cities, or environmental technologies

Benefits Provided

• Reimbursement of travel and inter‑university collaboration meetings
• Academic leadership role in a flagship international research programme
• Access to Institute Itech’s research infrastructure and project ecosystem
• Involvement in high‑impact doctoral training and urban sustainability research
• Strategic positioning within the Biocity™ network and Europe‑wide collaborations

How to Apply

• Your CV (with publications list)
• A short letter (max 1 page), in English or Italian, describing:
• Your experience in doctoral supervision
• Relevant publications and academic contributions
• Your vision for supervising PhDs within the Biocity™ programme

E‑mail:

Subject: WE2025 Job – Main Supervisor Biocity™ – (Name Surname)

Time Commitment

This is a part‑time academic supervision role, requiring a minimum commitment of 4–6 hours per week, with participation in structured doctoral training activities, reviews, meetings, and inter‑university coordination.

We are seeking a highly experienced academic leader capable of guiding research excellence and representing Institute Itech within the European scientific landscape.