Pseudo-noise Pulse-Compression Thermography (PuCT) with a multi-wavelength lighting source for the stratigraphy of paintings
This position is part of the MSCA Doctoral Network UNVEIL (Grant Agreement No. 101226363) and aims to optimise pseudo-noise Pulse-Compression Thermography (PuCT) for the inspection of paintings. The work combines signal processing with the design and construction of a modular LED-based heating system: sources covering the UV to NIR range will make it possible to heat the varnish, the paint layer and the layer underneath selectively, improving the resolution between layers. Pseudo-noise PuCT works with low heating power, increases the sensitivity to small thermal changes and makes the excitation easy to tune for different types of painting (canvas, panel, wall and fresco). Imaging procedures based on different post-processing methods (virtual wave, deconvolution) will be implemented to increase the signal-to-noise ratio and to enable thermal stratigraphy of the artwork, first on mock-ups and then with a portable system.
Selection process
Admission procedure for Administrative Category 997 (EU Funds) of the PhD programme TEACH - TEchnology Applied to Cultural Heritage, XLII cycle (Rector's Decree No. 996 of 10 August 2026): assessment of qualifications, assessment of the research project (up to 16,000 characters including spaces) and an oral examination. Applications must be submitted online through the Esse3 portal (https://unical.esse3.cineca.it/) by 21 September 2026, 12:00 noon (Europe/Rome), together with a non-refundable administrative fee of EUR 10.00. The results of the assessment of qualifications will be published on 2 October 2026; the oral examination will take place online on 6 October 2026. Results are published at https://dices.unical.it/ricerca/dottorato-di-ricerca/. Applicants are also asked to complete the expression of interest form on the UNVEIL website (https://unveil-dn.eu/contact/). Recruitment follows an open, transparent, merit-based, impartial and equitable procedure (OTM-R).
MSCA eligibility requirements at the date of recruitment: a Master's degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant scientific field (engineering, physics, imaging science, science and technology for the conservation of cultural heritage or non-destructive evaluation); applicants must not already hold a doctoral degree; applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity in Italy for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before recruitment (mobility rule). Assessment (maximum 60 points): qualifications up to 30 points (research project up to 20, CV up to 10) and oral examination up to 30 points; a minimum of 21 points is required to be admitted to the oral examination and to pass it. Knowledge of English is tested during the oral examination and must be at level B1 or above of the CEFR.