About the Program
The Università degli Studi di Brescia, Italy, in collaboration with the Université de Pau et des Pays de l’Adour (UPPA) through the prestigious CHORAL MSCA-COFUND Programme, invites applications for a fully-funded 36-month PhD position in Cartography, Heritage Management, and Mountain Areas. This interdisciplinary doctoral project explores how land use and land cover have transformed from the early 19th century to the present, with particular focus on mountain and rural regions.
The research will cover selected case studies in Italy and Romania, exploring the interplay between humans, climate, and water systems. The PhD is part of the CHORAL Marie Skłodowska Curie COFUND programme, promoting interdisciplinary research in cultural heritage, architecture, geography, engineering, and computer science. Candidates will benefit from international mobility, specialized technical training in GIS and hydrology, and opportunities to publish in high-impact journals. The research duration is 36 months, with an anticipated start date of September 2026, and supervision provided by experts from partner universities.
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Program Details
- Position: Fully-funded PhD / Doctoral Researcher
- Institution: Università degli Studi di Brescia / Université de Pau et des Pays de l’Adour
- Department/Faculty: UNITA Alliance – CHORAL Programme
- Location: Brescia, Italy
- Start Date (Anticipated): September 2026
- Duration: 36 months
- Funding: Fully-funded under Horizon Europe COFUND – CHORAL programme, including salary, mobility, conference, and research allowances
- Working Hours: Full-time
- Required Degree/Diploma: Master’s degree in architectural engineering, Geomatics, Civil or Environmental Engineering, Social Science, Arts, or Humanities applied to cultural heritage
Research Focus/Area
- Historical Cartography and Heritage Management
- Hydrological and Environmental Modelling
- Land Use and Land Cover Transformation
- Mountain and Rural Areas Research
- GIS and Spatial Data Analysis
- Cultural Landscapes and Human-Environment Interaction
Eligibility & Qualifications
Minimum Requirements:
- Master’s degree enabling PhD enrolment in relevant disciplines
- English proficiency (B2 or higher), reading German is a plus
- Knowledge of GIS, cartography, and basic hydrological cycle
Preferred Qualifications:
- Research experience in cartography, hydrology, or heritage management
- Experience with spatial modelling and historical map analysis
- Ability to work in interdisciplinary and international teams
Key Features of the Program
- Joint PhD degree awarding double diplomas
- International mobility with at least 9 months outside the recruiting university
- Monthly gross salary ~2270€ with mobility, research, and conference allowances
- Personalized Career Development Plan and professional mentoring
- Opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration, workshops, and networking
- Exposure to academic and non-academic career pathways
Application Process
- How to Apply: Applications must be submitted in English through the CHORAL portal, following provided templates. Candidates may apply to a maximum of three PhD topics.
- Required Documents
- CV
- Cover letter / Personal statement
- Academic transcripts
- Research statement (if applicable)
- Letters of recommendation
Important Dates:
- Applications Open: Now
- Deadline: 17 January 2026
- Interviews: To be notified
Where to Apply:
- University Website: University of Brescia | UNIBS
- Official Notification: CHORAL Programme
- Application Portal: Apply Here
Contact Email: choral@univ-pau.fr
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