Fully Funded PhD (MSCA Doctoral Network – CHARM) | Hydroclimate and Cultural Heritage

• The Earth System Sciences Department at Universidad del Rosario (Bogotá, Colombia) invites applications for a fully funded PhD position within the CHARM Doctoral Network (Conservation Heritage Architecture, Buildings and Sites by Resilient Methods: Hydro-Climate Factors) funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA). 
• The selected candidate will work on Doctoral Candidate Project #10 (DC#10) focusing on the impacts of hydroclimate variability and air pollution on built cultural heritage worldwide. 
• The position is a four-year full-time doctoral contract starting September 2026, in Bogotá, Colombia.

This PhD project will investigate how climate variability, hydroclimatic extremes, and air pollution affect the degradation of cultural heritage materials and structures globally.

The research will:

• Quantify observed and modelled damage to built heritage sites caused by hydroclimate and atmospheric pollution.
• Identify heritage sites and materials most vulnerable to climate and pollution stressors.
• Evaluate compound extreme events (e.g., acidic precipitation combined with drought).
• Develop experimental approaches in collaboration with international research partners.
• Produce global projections of damage under future climate scenarios using CMIP6 climate models and SSP pathways.

The overarching research question is:

How will damages to built cultural heritage evolve under future climate and pollution conditions?

The selected candidate will be enrolled in the Doctoral Programme in Natural Sciences at Universidad del Rosario and will collaborate with international partners across the CHARM network.

Supervisory Committee:

• Supervisor: Benjamin QUESADA Universidad del Rosario (academics)
• Co-Supervisor: Alessandra BONAZZA ISAC-CNR (academics)

Mentor: Dario Camuffo CNR-ISAC (academic)

Planned secondment(s):

The doctoral candidate will undertake an international research

stay:
CY Cergy Paris Université (France)
 Supervisor: Beatriz Menendez
 Duration: 6 months

• Application deadline: 15 April 2026
• Selection interviews: 20–25 April 2026
• Results notification: 28 April 2026
• Acceptance deadline: 4 May 2026
• Start of employment: 1 September 2026

General Requirements:

Applicants must:

• Hold a Master’s degree in Natural Sciences, Earth System Science, Climate Science, Engineering, Materials Science, Statistics, or related fields.
• Not hold a PhD degree at the time of recruitment.
• Comply with the MSCA mobility rule: applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity in Colombia for more than 12 months in the 3 years prior to recruitment.
• Demonstrate excellent English proficiency.
• Show strong motivation, creativity, and ability to work independently.

Applicants must upload the following documents in anonymous form through this application form https://forms.gle/qJeWkbqEK9vjhAEs9: 

• Written documentation concerning prior education, including a certified copy of your Master certificate and academic transcript (with certified translation for languages other than English or Spanish);
• A personal letter of motivation, indicating why you wish to conduct this research project offered by Universidad del Rosario and ISAC-CNR, and why you expect that you will be able to complete the research and training programme successfully;
• Detailed curriculum vitae, including – if applicable – relevant publications;
• Additional support documents.

The applicant should have a minimum level of proficiency in English language, which could be demonstrated by providing an English language certificate and that will be confirmed in a later interview, if needed.

Selection Procedure:

1. Pre-selection based on CV and motivation letter.
2. Online interview including a short presentation on the applicant’s background and PhD topic.

The position offers a 4-year full-time doctoral contract under the MSCA programme.

• The funding package includes:
• Living allowance: approx. €2000/month
• Mobility allowance: approx. €530/month
• Family allowance (if applicable)
• Social security contributions according to national and MSCA regulations
• The CHARM Doctoral Network also provides:
  • international training schools
  • interdisciplinary research environment
  • mobility opportunities across partner institutions

• Contract type: Temporary, 4-year full-time PhD position.
• The position complies with national labor regulations and MSCA rules.
• The recruiting committee includes supervisors and international partners.
• The university holds High Quality Institutional Accreditation and strong participation in European research programmes.
• More details here: DC-Recruitment URosario ISAC-CNR.pdf

Contact

Benjamin Quesada
benjamin.quesada@urosario.edu.co

María Alejandra Correa
mariaal.correa@urosario.edu.co