Join the University of Graz as a PhD researcher (R1) in CHARM, a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network (MSCA-DN) project, in a vibrant, international environment at the intersection of heritage, society, and climate resilience. This 3-year, full-time (40 h/w) PhD position starts on 01.09.2026 with main supervision at the Department of Geography and Regional Science and is hosted and co-supervised by the Wegener Center for Climate and Global Change. The project "Social Assessment - Preservation of Cultural Heritage Sites by Integrating Socio-Cultural Perspectives for Inclusive Preservation" explores innovative ways to engage communities and stakeholders in protecting cultural heritage sites exposed to water-related risks, highlighting heritage’s social and cultural value and its role in identity and social cohesion. You will develop practical recommendations and an easy-to-use decision-making tool for social impact and participation, supported by a strong academic and non-academic supervisory team within the CHARM project and international secondments at Cergy Paris Université (France), Politecnico di Milano (Italy), and Ústav teoretické a aplikované mechaniky AV ČR (Czechia).
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>> Apply now! Application Deadline: 15 Apr 2026 - 00:00 (Europe/Vienna)
Requirements: Master Degree or equivalent in Geography/Human Geography, Architecture, Evironmental Science/Global Change, Sociology or other.
Skills/qualifications: Proficiency in written and spoken English; be highly motivated; creativity and a high level of independence; strong interest in the built environment, transdisciplinary, and qualitative research. Fulfill all requirements according to the curriculum of the Interdisciplinary Doctoral programme at the Faculty of Environmental, Regional and Educational Sciences at the University of Graz
Conditions of employment: We offer a 3-year full-time PhD contract. The full-time yearly gross salary is € 52.865,40 of living allowance and 710€ of Mobility Allowance. A Family Allowance will be paid if applicable. This amount is gross, and all compulsory deductions under national law will apply, including: Social security contributions and any applicable direct taxes. The salary and terms of employment for this position will comply with the provisions set out in the Collective Agreement for Universities and the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions regulations.
The University of Graz offers an internationally connected setting where researchers and students collaborate across a broad disciplinary spectrum to expand knowledge, address pressing societal challenges, and shape tomorrow’s world. We combine high-quality research and teaching with a strong commitment to rewarding achievement, promoting careers, and fostering social diversity—within a modern, award-winning working environment.
With around 4,700 employees, the University of Graz works collectively on future-oriented questions and solutions. Our students and researchers engage with the major transformations of our time and share their expertise with society. Our motto is clear: We work for tomorrow. Join us—and be part of it.
Institutes where the project is being carried out:
- The PhD candidate will be employed at the Wegener Center for Climate and Global Change at the University of Graz, which combines climate, environmental, and socio-economic research from the global to the regional level. The Center contributes to the understanding of climate and global change, the socio-economic drivers and impacts of climate change and mitigation, and the transition to a low-carbon future. As an interdisciplinary and internationally oriented institute, the Wegener Center brings together researchers from fields such as geophysics and climate physics, meteorology, economics, transition and transdisciplinary research, as well as geography and regional research.
- The Department of Geography and Regional Science will be the main supervisor for the PhD position. It acts on a broad range of research activities across six interdisciplinary research groups [two research groups within physical geography, two within human geography, geospatial technologies (GST), and geographical and socio-economic education]. The department applies different research techniques and methods in order to investigate structures and processes on local, regional, and global scales.
- Both the Wegener Center of Climate and Global Change and the Department of Geography and Regional Science have an inter- and transdisciplinary nature in research covering natural and social sciences, as well as humanities, with a focus on integrative strategies.