The University of Camerino invites expressions of interest from postdoctoral researchers wishing to apply for the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026 in the field of urban planning, climate change adaptation, and urban health.

This research opportunity is hosted by Prof. Rosalba D’Onofrio at the School of Architecture and Design (SAAD) and focuses on the development of innovative spatial planning tools to address the impacts of climate change on urban environments and population health. The project is embedded in a research framework that integrates environmental data, planning policies, and governance models at local and European levels. 

Supervisor

Prof. Rosalba D’Onofrio is Associate Professor of Urban Planning at the University of Camerino. She is the Competitive Research Delegate of the School of Architecture and Design and a member of the PhD programme in Sustainable Urban Planning. 

Her research focuses on the relationship between urban planning, climate change adaptation, and urban health, with the aim of innovating traditional land-use planning tools and governance systems.
She has coordinated and participated in numerous national and European projects (including PNRR, LIFE, Erasmus+, and INTERREG), addressing climate-adaptive urban regeneration and the integration of environmental data into planning processes.

Research Group and Facilities

The research will be hosted at the School of Architecture and Design in Ascoli Piceno. The fellow will have access to facilities dedicated to spatial planning and environmental evaluation, including GIS-based platforms for multi-dimensional spatial analysis and the i-Tree Eco software suite for quantifying urban forest benefits and ecosystem services. The research environment supports multi-scalar urban diagnostics using climate scenarios and decision support systems, enabling the translation of microclimatic vulnerabilities into urban design and zoning guidelines. The research group operates within a European and inter-regional network involving academic partners, public administrations, and local stakeholders, and contributes to governance models for climate adaptation and spatial planning.

Research Topic and Project Idea

The project, titled “Spatial Planning for Urban Health: Innovating Local Land-Use Tools through Minimum Urban Units and Green Infrastructure”, addresses the challenge of integrating advanced environmental data into operational urban planning tools.

Traditional zoning approaches are increasingly insufficient to respond to the complex impacts of climate change on cities and communities. This research aims to innovate local planning practices by introducing and operationalizing Minimum Urban Units (MUUs) and Climate Adaptive Urban Units (CAUUs)—spatial units that combine urban morphology, land use, environmental data, and socio-health indicators.

These units will be integrated into a Decision Support System (DSS) designed for public administrations, enabling the development of new planning guidelines and performance-based metrics. The project will support the integration of Green Infrastructure and Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) into spatial planning processes and policy instruments such as municipal plans and climate strategies.

The overall objective is to contribute to a transition from rigid zoning systems to dynamic, climate-responsive, and health-oriented urban planning models, providing tools that can be directly applied in real planning and governance contexts.

Candidate Profile and Career Development

The position is suitable for candidates holding a PhD in urban planning, spatial planning, urban geography, or related disciplines. A strong background in land-use planning, climate change adaptation strategies, and spatial data analysis is required, including proficiency in GIS tools. The fellowship will allow the candidate to develop competences in spatial diagnostic methodologies, environmental evaluation tools, and the application of planning models within governance frameworks. The research experience will also contribute to strengthening skills related to policy-oriented research and interaction with public administrations and stakeholders

Contact

Prof. Rosalba D’Onofrio - rosalba.donofrio@unicam.it