Francesc Baró

PhD opportunity in heat adaptation , urban climate shelters , environmental science , geography , urban planning , and sustainability science at Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya - BarcelonaTech (UPC) in Barcelona, Spain. The project examines how European cities are building networks of urban climate shelters, including indoor facilities and outdoor green/blue spaces, and how effective these shelters are across different heat intensities and for diverse urban populations. The research is framed through a heat-justice lens and combines spatial analysis with citizens’ perceptions , using Barcelona as the case study. The proposal can be adapted to the candidate’s interests. This opening is tied to the Spanish FPU 2026 call for predoctoral contracts managed by the Agencia Estatal de Investigación . It is a four-year employment contract rather than a scholarship, with a total value of €143,350 in the 2026 call. The package includes salary, end-of-contract compensation, research stays abroad, tuition, teaching experience, and a possible postdoctoral extension for an early thesis defence. Eligibility highlights include an outstanding transcript, Spain’s general doctoral access requirements, and a strong fit with the requested background. The supervisor is seeking candidates with experience or interest in GIS , mixed methods , excellent written English, and working knowledge of Catalan and/or Spanish (or a firm commitment to acquire it) for fieldwork in Barcelona. Applicants finishing a Master’s in 2026-2027 may also apply. For degrees obtained outside Spain, the transcript average must be converted through the official equivalence procedure. Interested candidates should send a CV, Bachelor’s/Master’s transcripts with weighted average, and a one-page statement of interest to [email protected] . Applications to the FPU call run from 20 October to 20 November 2026 , while expressions of interest are requested by 25 September 2026 .