PhD – History of art, architecture and digital humanities – Italy

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.

Requirements

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.

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.

Benefits

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.

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.

Organisation/Company – Università degli Studi di Brescia.

Field of research –Architecture

Research profile – First Stage Researcher (R1).

Country – France.

Application deadline – 17 Jan 2026 – 23:59 (Europe/Paris).

More information: Euraxess