PhD Research Assistant – 20th Century Italian Studies of Literature and Arts
Institution: Istituto di studi italiani (ISI), Università della Svizzera italiana (USI)
Deadline: 15 October 2025
Location: Lugano, Switzerland
The ISI at USI is offering two PhD assistant positions within the SNSF-funded project “20th Century Italian Studies of Literature and Arts. An Archival, Intermedial and Digital Approach”. The project investigates Italian studies on literature and arts of the 20th century, combining archival research, intermedial analysis, and Digital Humanities methodologies, including visual recognition and network analysis. Fellows will work under the supervision of Prof. Marco Maggi and Ass. Prof. Giuditta Cirnigliaro.
Fellowship Format
- Duration: 4 years (starting 1 April 2026)
- Full-time PhD assistantship, including participation in conferences, publications, and project activities
- Integration into ISI’s interdisciplinary and international research environment
- Opportunities for national and international research travel
- Funded by SNSF with doctoral researcher salary levels
Eligibility Criteria
- Master’s degree in humanities (literature, art history, or related disciplines); interdisciplinary profiles encouraged
- Excellent Italian (L1 or C2), advanced English, and knowledge of a second scholarly language
- Preferred: publication record in relevant fields and familiarity with Digital Humanities tools
- Candidates must not already hold a PhD
- Demonstrated autonomy, initiative, and collaborative spirit
Programme Highlights
- Develop a PhD dissertation within the scope of the project
- Contribute to the organization of conferences, workshops, and digital initiatives
- Collaborate on teaching and other ISI activities
- Conduct archival, intermedial, and digital research on key Italian studies of the 20th century
