PhD Position in History of Art, Architecture, and Digital Humanities (CHORAL MSCA-COFUND) Università degli Studi di Brescia in Italy

This fully funded PhD position at the Università degli Studi di Brescia is part of the prestigious CHORAL (Cultural Heritage Outreach in Romance Languages) programme, co-funded by the Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska Curie COFUND. The research project focuses on the construction history and cultural identity of Romance regions, specifically examining the transnational architectural and technical exchanges between Spain, Italy, and the broader Latin Arch from the 15th to 18th centuries. The project aims to explore how building knowledge, technological skills, and construction techniques circulated and contributed to both material and immaterial cultural heritage across these regions, with a particular focus on the interplay between theoretical and empirical traditions.

As a CHORAL fellow, you will investigate the development and transfer of architectural and artistic practices, using case studies that highlight the connections between the Spanish Crown territories and northern Italy, especially Lombardy. The research will employ interdisciplinary approaches, combining archival research, palaeography, and digital humanities tools such as graphic design and 3D modelling. The programme is designed to foster international, intersectoral, and interdisciplinary research, and you will be enrolled in a joint PhD programme awarding a double degree, with mandatory international mobility between two universities in the UNITA Alliance.

Funding includes a monthly gross salary of approximately €2270, a mobility allowance of up to €4500, a conference allowance of up to €3500, and a research allowance of up to €5000 over the three-year PhD period. Fellows will benefit from a Personalised Career Development Plan, regular mentoring, and training opportunities with both academic and non-academic partners, enhancing employability and research leadership skills. The programme also offers significant international exposure through secondments and short stays at partner institutions.

Eligibility requires a Master’s degree in Architecture, Art History, Construction/Building Engineering Architecture, or a related field. Applicants must not already hold a doctoral degree and must not have resided or worked in Italy for more than 12 months in the three years prior to the deadline. Good English proficiency is required (with proof for non-native speakers), along with basic knowledge of Italian and Spanish. Experience in archival research and palaeography is expected, and familiarity with digital tools is advantageous. The call is open to candidates of any nationality, and applications must be submitted in English using the templates provided on the CHORAL website.

The application deadline is 17 January 2026. For more information and to apply, visit the CHORAL project website or contact [email protected].