Organisation/Company Università degli Studi di Brescia Research Field Geosciences » Hydrology Computer science Geography » Cartography 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? NoOffer DescriptionCartographic Heritage to model the impact of land changes on the hydrological and river systems in EuropeThe main goal of this proposal is to develop strong research and analysis skills of a PhD student, including the ability to collect, generate, manage and analyse ancient cartography and spatial data, to use and develop hydrologic models, to perform and to critically discuss results. Through this project, we will provide young scientists with the opportunity to develop research skills in a stimulating interdisciplinary environment. PhD candidates will acquire specialized technical skills relevant to historical European cartography and hydrology, guided by experts also on the technical themes, and through advanced digital techniques. More specifically, the research will deal with the assessment of land use and land cover transformations over a long period (first half of the XIX century until present) with reference to some selected case studies placed in Italy and Romania. Ancient maps developed by the military service of the Habsburg Empire will be exploited to classify the land use-land cover featuring Europe in the early XIX century. Current and recent landscapes will be acquired by using the CORINE project, that monitors the present landcover transformations in Europe. This analysis is expected to reveal important information about the evolution of the cultural landscapes, agricultural and forestry practices in mountain and rural areas. The digitization of ancient maps unveils effects of the complex interaction between humans, nature and climate. In particular, the analysis will be the base to develop hydrologic analyses aimed at investigating the change in water balance (evapotranspiration, water demand and availability) in the selected case studies.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.Eligibility CriteriaAt 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 obtainion of the diploma.A Master of Science in Architectural Engineering, or Geomatics, or Civil engineering or Environmental engineering or equivalent is requested. Knowledge of English at level B2 is required. Reading and understanding of German is an added value. Skills in managing GIS systems, cartography are needed. Knowledge of the basics of the hydrological cycle are requested.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 a valid identity card (for EU citizens) or a valid passport (for visa application, if selected).Additional InformationCHORALfellows will benefit from the following advantages:A monthly gross salary of 2270€/month approximately. 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.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 allowance up to 4500€ over the 3-year period to partially cover travels, accommodation, etc. linked to secondments for the project duration.Conference allowance up 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.CHORAL aims 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.Possibility to apply to 3 PhD topics offered within the call for proposals.Selection processThe selection process takes place in 3 steps:Eligibility Committee will check the Eligibility criteria.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.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.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.
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