2 Fully Funded PhD Positions in GENIUS MSCA Doctoral Network: Energy Geostructures for Renewable Heating and Cooling at University of Perugia

The GENIUS MSCA Doctoral Network, funded by the European Commission under Horizon Europe, is offering two fully funded PhD positions at the University of Perugia in Italy. The GENIUS network is dedicated to addressing the global challenge of transitioning to renewable-based, energy-efficient heating and cooling systems, which currently account for about half of the world's final energy consumption. The project centers on the development and integration of Energy Geostructures (EGs), which function as both geothermal heat exchangers and structural supports for buildings, aiming to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and foster sustainable urban infrastructure. The two available PhD positions are: DC2, focusing on the thermo-mechanical analysis of EGs and soil-structure interface behavior, with a secondment at University Grenoble Alpes (France); and DC13, investigating innovative applications of EGs in densely urbanized areas, particularly their potential to mitigate subsurface urban heat islands, with a secondment at GEOEG (Switzerland). Both positions offer a 36-month employment contract with a competitive salary package, including a living allowance of €4010/month (gross, adjusted for local cost of living), a mobility allowance of €710/month, and a family allowance of €660/month if applicable. Tuition fees are fully covered, and there is a dedicated budget for travel and conference participation. Doctoral candidates will have access to state-of-the-art laboratories, advanced computing facilities, and a highly international, interdisciplinary research environment. Each candidate will benefit from a personalized career development plan and will undertake secondments with network partners to broaden their research and professional experience. The GENIUS network aims to train doctoral candidates to become pioneering experts in the conceptualization, design, and implementation of energy geostructure applications, equipping them with skills highly valued by academia, industry, and stakeholders. Applicants must hold a Master's degree or equivalent in Civil Engineering or Geological Engineering and demonstrate excellent proficiency in English. The positions are open to candidates of any nationality, but applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity in Italy for more than 12 months in the 36 months prior to recruitment, in accordance with the MSCA mobility rule. Candidates must not already possess a doctoral degree. The selection process is open, transparent, and merit-based, following the European Charter for Researchers and MSCA guidelines. Applications are submitted online via the central recruitment portal (University of Edinburgh), and candidates may apply for up to two positions, indicating their preference. Required documents include degree certificates, transcripts, course descriptions, research proposal(s), CV, English language certificate, and reference contact information. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an online interview. The intention is for all doctoral candidates to start by September 2026, though some positions may require an earlier start. For more details and to apply, visit the GENIUS website.