Position15 PhD positions as part of the MSCA-DN REALISE "Bridging Igneous Petrology and Machine Learning for Science and Society"EmployerMSCA-DN REALISE consortiumThe REALISE consortium (University of Perugia, Sorbonne and IPGP Paris, KU Leuven, ELTE Budapest, Leibniz University Hannover, University of Ljubljana, CNRS Orleans) brings together leading Earth scientists, specialising in igneous petrology, volcanology, and ore‐deposit genesis, with experts in data science and machine learning. Our consortium includes 8 beneficiaries and 10 associated partners.The REALISE consortium combines industrial know‐how, academic excellence, and an entrepreneurial mindset to train a new cohort of creative, responsible innovators ready to tackle the challenges of natural‐risk assessment and the economy of critical raw materials. REALISE has a strong international profile across seven EU countries (Italy, Hungary, France, Belgium, Germany, Slovenia, and the Netherlands), with commercial partners that extend the consortium in North America and the United Kingdom.Homepage: https://realise-dn.eu/LocationPerugia, ItalySectorAcademicRelevant divisionGeochemistry, Mineralogy, Petrology & Volcanology (GMPV)TypeFull timeLevelStudent / Graduate / InternshipSalaryThe remuneration is based on the MSCA-DN researcher allowances (Living allowance: 4,010 € (adjusted by country coefficient); mobility allowance: 710 €; family allowance: 660 € (if eligible)). The exact gross salary differs depending on the country and host.Required educationMasterApplication deadline31 March 2026Posted22 February 2026Job DescriptionMSCA-DN - REALISE "Bridging Igneous Petrology and Machine Learning for Science and Society" will train 15 Doctoral Candidates at the interface of igneous petrology, volcanology, critical raw materials, and machine learning / AI. The network combines advanced petrological observations and multimodal analytical data with modern ML (including physics‐informed and generative AI approaches) to improve:
Volcanic hazard assessment and risk mitigationThe understanding and exploration of critical raw materials in magmatic systems.
Doctoral projects address magma lifecycle processes, multimodal data fusion, physics–ML hybrid modelling (from CFD to atomistic simulations), and AI‐assisted hypothesis formulation.MSCA Doctoral Candidate eligibility criteriaApplicants must comply with the Marie Skłodowska‐Curie Doctoral Network eligibility rules, including:
Applicants must not hold a PhD degree at the time of recruitment.At the time of recruitment, the applicant must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the host country for more than 12 months in the 36 months prior to the recruitment date.
Other Requirements
Applicants must meet the doctoral admission requirements of the recruiting host institution.Excellent motivation for interdisciplinary research combining Earth Sciences and ML/AI is expected.Strong English communication skills are required.
Overview Of The Doctoral Candidate PositionsEach position is a fully funded 36‐month PhD fellowship within the MSCA framework and includes international secondments, advanced training, and competitive employment conditions according to MSCA rules.First Call Application deadline31 March 2026 (Positions will remain open until filled)RemunerationThe remuneration is based on the MSCA-DN researcher allowances (Living allowance: 4,010 € (adjusted by country coefficient); mobility allowance: 710 €; family allowance: 660 € (if eligible)). The exact gross salary differs depending on the country and host institution. Full details are provided in the detailed descriptions of each position on the project website or during the interview phase.Available PositionsDC1 – Deciphering the genesis of critical ore deposits in the Bushveld Layered Intrusions
Host/PhD: University of Perugia (Italy) | Supervisor: Prof. Maurizio PetrelliSecondments: BGR (Germany); UvA (Netherlands)
DC2 – Pre‐eruptive dynamics at Campi Flegrei: multimodal petrology + physics‐informed AI
Host/PhD: University of Perugia (Italy) | Supervisor: Prof. Maurizio PetrelliSecondments: KUL (Belgium); UL (Slovenia)
DC3 – ML‐assisted atomistic simulations: partitioning of critical raw elements in magmas
Host/PhD: University of Perugia (Italy) | Supervisor: Prof. Maurizio PetrelliSecondments: IPGP (France); LUH (Germany)
DC4 – Generative AI for super‐resolution & artificial 3D tomography of crystal zoning
Host/PhD: Leibniz University of Hannover (Germany) | Supervisor: Prof. Monika SesterSecondments: NU (UK); ELTE (Hungary)
DC5 – Data‐driven investigations of magma plumbing systems at active volcanoes
Host/PhD: Leibniz University of Hannover (Germany) | Supervisor: Prof. François HoltzSecondments: KUL (Belgium); UvA (Netherlands)
DC6 – Multi‐phase ML thermo‐chemo‐barometry of volcano plumbing systems
Host/PhD: KU Leuven (Belgium) | Supervisor: Prof. Olivier NamurSecondments: LUH (Germany); UNIPG (Italy)
DC7 – AI‐assisted mineralogical/textural characterization of LCT pegmatites
Host/PhD: KU Leuven (Belgium) | Supervisor: Prof. Anouk BorstSecondments: BGR (Germany); UORL (France); LUH (Germany)
DC8 – DeepEruptive: AI for eruptive parameter estimations (petrology + CFD + tephra maps)
Host/PhD: Sorbonne University (France) | Supervisor: Prof. Paola CinnellaSecondments: INGV (Italy); Ainoudo (France)
DC9 – Melt inclusions: ML analysis of hyperspectral data for magma reservoir conditions
Host/PhD: Sorbonne University (France) | Supervisor: Dr. Hélène Balcone‐BoissardSecondments: SOLEIL (France); KUL (Belgium)
DC10 – ML‐assisted multimodal workflows for sulfide accumulation processes in ore deposits
Host/PhD: CNRS/University of Orleans (France) | Supervisor: Dr. Giada Iacono‐MarzianoSecondments: Teledyne Photon Machines; INFN (Italy)
DC11 – AI‐supported hypothesis formulation on metal‐rich granites (critical metal prospectivity)
Host/PhD: CNRS/University of Orleans (France) | Supervisor: Dr. Fabrice GaillardSecondments: BRGM (France); UNIPG (Italy)
DC12 – Petrological monitoring & eruptive style forecasting in open‐vent volcanoes (Etna)
Host/PhD: Eötvös Loránd University (Hungary) | Supervisor: Dr. Réka LukácsSecondments: UL (Slovenia); Italian Civil Protection Department (Italy)
DC13 – ML for hypothesis formulation + trace‐element thermodynamic insights in silicic systems
Host/PhD: Eötvös Loránd University (Hungary) | Supervisor: Prof. András LukácsSecondments: UNIPG (Italy); KUL (Belgium)
DC14 – DEGAS: ML‐based atomistic simulations of volcanic degassing
Host/PhD: Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris (France) | Supervisor: Prof. Razvan CaracasSecondments: INFN (Italy); UORL (France)
DC15 – Large Language Models for automated data explanations in petrology (incl. multimodal fusion)
Host/PhD: University of Ljubljana (Slovenia) | Supervisor: Prof. Blaž ZupanSecondments: UNIPG (Italy); UvA (Netherlands)
Required Profile (general)We welcome applicants from Earth Sciences (petrology/volcanology/geochemistry/mineral resources), Computer/Data Science (ML/AI), or genuinely interdisciplinary backgrounds.Typical Desirable Skills (vary By DC)
Igneous petrology, mineralogy, geochemistry, volcanology, thermodynamics, modelling; and/orML/AI, data science, statistics, image analysis, scientific programming (Python/R/Julia), HPC;Strong motivation for interdisciplinary research and international collaboration;Good English communication skills.
How to applyApply via: instructions and links on www.realise-dn.eu (project website).#J-18808-Ljbffr