PhD Research Position: “Beyond the Soundscape” Musicology Meets Sound Ecology in Southern Italy
The Conservatory of Music “Gesualdo da Venosa” in Matera has launched a compelling call for a Doctoral Fellowship under its PhD Program in Music and Performing Arts (Dottorato di Ricerca in Musica e Spettacolo) for the 2025/2026 academic year. The selected candidate for PhD musicology will pursue innovative research under the title:
“Beyond the Soundscape: Musicological Perspectives on Sound Mapping Ecosystems and Interpreting the Territory.”
This unique, interdisciplinary project invites scholars to explore the intersection of musicology, acoustic ecology, environmental humanities, and spatial theory—offering a rare opportunity to redefine how we listen to, map, and interpret landscapes through sound.
Project Focus & Research Objectives for PhD musicology
The PhD musicology will investigate how sound functions as a cultural, ecological, and historical marker of place. Moving beyond R. Murray Schafer’s foundational concept of the “soundscape,” the research will:
- Develop musicologically grounded methodologies for sound mapping
- Analyze the sonic identity of territories, especially in Southern Italy (e.g., Basilicata, Matera’s Sassi, rural communities)
- Examine how sound archives, field recordings, and compositional practices can serve as tools for territorial interpretation
- Engage with acoustic ecology, ethnomusicology, and critical geography
The project is ideal for candidates with backgrounds in musicology, sound studies, anthropology, media arts, or cultural geography who seek to blend scholarly rigor with creative practice.
Key Details
- Host Institution: Conservatory of Music “Gesualdo da Venosa”, Matera, Italy
- PhD Program: Dottorato di Ricerca in Musica e Spettacolo
- Funding: Fully funded scholarship (amount specified in national PhD regulations)
- Duration: 3 years
- Start Date: December 2025
- Application Deadline: November 06, 2025 (as per official bando)
- Language of Research: English or Italian (supervision available in both)
- Supervision: By faculty of the Conservatory in collaboration with partner institutions
- Official Call: Download Bando (English PDF)
- Program Page: Conservatory PhD Programs
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
- Hold a Master’s degree (Laurea Magistrale or equivalent) in Music, Musicology, Sound Studies, Performing Arts, Humanities, or a closely related field
- Demonstrate strong research potential in sound, listening practices, or territorial studies
- Provide a clear, feasible research proposal aligned with the “Beyond the Soundscape” theme
- Submit a CV, academic transcripts, motivation letter, and two reference letters
- Non-Italian degrees must be legally recognized (Dichiarazione di Valore or CIMEA Statement)
Note: Preference may be given to candidates with experience in field recording, audio software (e.g., Audacity, Reaper, Max/MSP), or ethnographic methods.
Why Matera? Why This Project?
Matera, a UNESCO World Heritage site and former European Capital of Culture (2019) ,is a living laboratory of sound and space. Its ancient Sassi caves, pastoral landscapes, and layered sonic histories (from liturgical chant to folk rituals to industrial echoes) provide rich ground for acoustic investigation.
This PhD isn’t just about theory, it’s about listening as a form of knowledge, sound as cultural memory, and musicology as a tool for social and environmental engagement.
How to Apply
- Review the full call: Bando in English (PDF)
- Prepare your documents:
- Research proposal (max. 2,000 words)
- CV with publications or creative works
- Master’s diploma and transcripts
- Two academic references
- Proof of degree recognition (if applicable)
- Submit electronically to the Conservatory’s PhD office by November 06, 2025
- Attend an interview (online or in person, if shortlisted)
Final Thoughts
This PhD position is a rare fusion of artistic sensitivity and scholarly depth, inviting you to rethink the relationship between sound, place, and culture. If you believe that listening can transform how we understand the world, this is your chance to turn that belief into doctoral research in one of Italy’s most resonant cities.
Don’t miss this opportunity and contact us for any help.
