Job Purpose

Iuav University in Venice and the University of Glasgow are pleased to announce a fully funded Joint Doctoral fellowship under the Marie-Curie Sklodowska Doctoral Network Scheme as part of the DECADOCS project. The start of the project is January 2026.

The project explores Gabriele D’Annunzio’s Carnaro Republic (September- December 1920) as a ‘decadent’ community, that is as a political project in which aesthetics and politics merged to dangerous ends. It compares D’Annunzio’s account of the occupation of Fiume (today’s Rijeka, Croatia) against that of other figures involved in the enterprise, uncovering the contradictions inherent in the complex crafting of historical memories, and it explores the many ways in which the history of the Fiume occupation, and the myth of D’Annunzio in relation to the city’s history, continues to be reshaped through literature, films and other narratives.

The project involves research at the Vittoriale (D’Annunzio house-museum on Gardone Riviera) and other archives (in Rijeka and Rome), as well as oral interviews with the local community in Rijeka and elsewhere. Research findings will enable the candidate to develop a series of podcasts and will be shared with the community through a performance developed in collaboration with a theatre director.

The successful candidate is expected to present the result of their research in a written text of around 100k words, as well as to contribute to the translation and digitalization of archival material, to create a series of podcasts, and to work with a theatre director on staging a play intended as an educational resource.

Supervision for this project will be split between the University of Glasgow (Elisa Segnini) and Iuav University of Venice (Elisa Bizzotto). The successful candidate will be expected to split the period of their studies between Britain (2026-2028) and Italy (2028-2029/2030). The project includes a secondment at the Vittoriale Museum, where, in addition to conducting archival research, the successful candidate will receive additional training and support.

This project is part of the DECADOCS network, involving 10 Universities across Europe. In addition to local supervision and support, the successful candidate will also benefit from an extensive programme of doctoral training and access to an interdisciplinary network of scholars and researchers exploring different aspects of Decadence from the nineteenth century to the present. This includes opportunities for presentation at conferences and the publication of scholarly outputs.

Although priority will be given to applicants who already have strong reading and writing skills in both English and Italian, and a background in historical/ literary research on the period, the University of Glasgow and Iuav University are keen to encourage a diverse and wide range of applicants from different backgrounds.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. To undertake research at Vittoriale and other archives.

2. To translate and digitalise archival material.

3. To conduct interviews at Rijeka.

4. To create of a series of podcasts based on the interviews finding

5. To work with a theatre director to create a performance, based on the project findings and intended as an educational resource

6. To compile research findings into scientific presentations, publications, and a PhD thesis.

7. To attend research and training activities within the DECADOCS network

8. To keep up to date with current developments and research literature in the field.

9. To train in areas relevant to the Marie Curie research programme and submit a PhD.

10. To contribute to Departmental/School research-related activities

11. To attend and contribute to the workshops and secondments specified in the programme.

12. To engage in personal, professional and career development to enhance both specialist and transferable skills in accordance with desired career trajectory.

13. To undertake any other duties of equivalent standing as assigned by the PI.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential:

A1 Good (equivalent to first class or upper second) BSc or equivalent undergraduate degree in the relevant area humanities (Including literature, history, memory studies) Or (ii) Postgraduate Masters degree in a relevant subject, awarded or soon to be awarded.

A2 Excellent knowledge of spoken and written English and Italian (Croatian a plus)

A3 For applicants from non-English speaking countries, as defined by the UK Government, English Language proficiency must be demonstrated through one of the following tests:

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic and Academic Online (not General Training) 7.0 overall with no subtest less than 7.0 or similar equivalent English language qualification.

A4 Up to date knowledge of subject area, practical and theoretical.

Desirable:

B1 Knowledge of Croatian.

B2 Strong background in early-twentieth century history and literature.

Skills

Essential:

C1 Excellent interpersonal skills to allow working as part of a team.

C2 Strong writing and presentation skills to allow conducting interviews and developing podcasts.

C3 Appropriate workload/time/project/budget/people management skills.

C4 Self motivation, initiative and independent thought/working.

C5 Problem solving skills including a flexible and pragmatic approach.

Experience

Essential:

E1 Experience in academic writing.

E2 Proven ability to deliver quality outputs in a timely and efficient manner.

Desirable:

F1 Experience in archival research.

F2 Experience in the creation of digital databases.

Additional Information:

Network members include: University of Glasgow (UK), Iuav University of Venice (Italy)

Associated partners: University Bourgogne Europe (France)

Special Conditions for Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions - Doctoral Networks posts

Applicants can be of any nationality and must comply with the following mobility rule: they must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the recruiting beneficiary, i.e. the UK, for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before their recruitment date.

Applicants must be pre-PhD candidates, i.e. not already in possession of a doctoral degree at the date of the recruitment.

The successful candidate will be enrolled in a doctoral programme at the University of Glasgow. The candidate will be supervised by Elisa Segnini, and Iuav University of Venice, supervised by Elisa Bizzotto

For informal enquiries please contact the primary supervisor, Elisa Segnini, Elisa.Segnini@glasgow.ac.uk , or Elisa Bizzotto,  bizzotto@iuav.it.

All candidates are advised to visit the European Commission website to obtain further details of the eligibility requirements for Marie Curie initiatives. See particularly page 9 in the  ‘Horizon Europe Programme, Guide for Applicants, Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions – Doctoral Networks (DN)’ document to assess your criteria before making an application. https://rea.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2022-07/Guide%20for%20applicants%20-%20MSCA%20DN%202022_v2.1.pdf

How to apply:

Please upload a CV and cover letter where you set out how you meet the essential and desirable criteria for the post.

In addition, please also upload a writing sample of your previous work  (for example, an essay or chapter of your dissertation), along with a proof of ID, evidence of proficiency in academic English (IELTS or TOEFL scores), the names and contact details of two referees.

Shortlisted candidates will proceed to interviews, which will take place at the end of November 2025, and will be asked to give a 15 minute presentation on how they would develop the project.

Terms and Conditions

Salary: Approx. £45,000 - £50,000 per annum*

*Final salary will be determined according to the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions – Doctoral Networks rates.

*Researchers will receive a mobility allowance and if applicable a family allowance.

*Approximate gross salary stated above is subject to employers NI deductions and the amount varies according to the living costs of host country.

This is 4 year fellowship. The post at the University of Glasgow is fixed term for 2 years (January 2026- January 2028). The Fellowship continues at Iuav University in Venice in 2029/2030.

Eligibility requirements:

According to the regulations for mobility within the Marie Curie programme, the researcher must not have carried out his/her main activity (work, studies, etc) in the country of his/her host organisation (in this case, the United Kingdom) for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to recruitment.

The researcher should not have obtained a PhD degree and should not have more than 4 year full-time or equivalent research experience since obtaining the degree which makes them eligible for starting the PhD degree.

All candidates are advised to visit the following website to obtain further details of the eligibility requirements for Marie Curie initiatives, see particularly page 8 to assess your criteria before making an application: - http://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/data/ref/h2020/wp/2018-2020/main/h2020-wp1820-msca_en.pdf

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

Closing date : 9 November 2025 @23:45