Reopened positions Horizon Europe MSCA project SCARPA: Training generation of r

Offer Description

Applications are invited for 15 PhD positions (“Doctoral Candidates”) to be funded by the Marie Skłodowska‑Curie Actions Doctoral Network “SCARPA – Sustainable and Circular Footwear Training Program” within the Horizon Europe Programme of the European Commission. SCARPA is a consortium of high‑profile universities, research institutions and companies located in Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Denmark and Austria.

Background: Today, fewer than 5% of shoes are recycled, despite growing awareness around sustainability and initiatives from leading brands. Tackling the sustainability challenges of the footwear industry is one of the most pressing and overlooked issues in today’s circular economy transition. SCARPA lays the foundations for a Circular Footwear Economy through a European Joint Doctoral Network that trains 15 Doctoral Candidates (DCs) to become a new generation of scientists, engineers, and policy makers.

They will address the full life cycle of footwear — from design to processing, use, reuse, and recycling. Each DC, developing their research skills under the guidance of at least two academic supervisors and an industrial co‑promoter, represents a crucial piece of the puzzle. Together, they form a collaborative network that challenges conventional thinking and proposes innovative, system‑based solutions to drastically increase material reuse rates in the footwear sector.

• To develop footwear that is designed for circularity
• To investigate sorting systems that systematically facilitate reuse and recycling
• To develop efficient waste‑to‑resource recycling technologies for footwear
• To develop overarching strategies for circular footwear

• DC8:
  Combined mechanical/solvent based recycling (RE-SPORT S.R.L., Italy) (deadline 28/02/2026)
• DC11:
  Optimization of organocatalyzed solvolysis for the recycling of footwear polyesters (POLYKEY Polymers, Spain) (deadline 15/11/2025)

• A detailed CV listing education, work experience, publications and relevant other activities (Europass format obliged).
• Motivation: a) why you want to do a Ph.D.?; b) why are you applying for this specific topic?
• A language certificate (as requested in the individual vacancies) according to the regulations of the home institute.
• At least one recommendation letter (academic reference).
• Transcript(s) of previous academic records.

Every applicant can apply for up to three DC positions (first, second, third choice).

E‑mail:

• Research Field Chemistry – Master Degree or equivalent
• Research Field Engineering – Master Degree or equivalent
• Research Field Computer science – Master Degree or equivalent
• Research Field Environmental science – Master Degree or equivalent
• Research Field Technology – Master Degree or equivalent
• Having a master’s degree or its equivalent
• Profound knowledge in the respective fields of the DC position
• High level of proficiency in written and spoken English
• Dedication and enthusiasm for experimental research, combined with scientific curiosity, reliability and the capacity to teamwork in an interdisciplinary environment

For specific requirements, follow the link to the individual description of DC1 – DC15 position above.

The successful candidates will receive an attractive salary in accordance with the Marie‑Skłodowska‑Curie Action regulations for Doctoral Candidates. The exact (net) salary will be confirmed upon appointment and is dependent on local tax regulations and on the country correction factor (to allow for the difference in cost of living in different EU Member States). The salary includes a living allowance, a mobility allowance and a family allowance (in case of family obligations, if eligible, according to MSCA regulations).

The guaranteed PhD funding is for 36 months (i.e. EC funding; whereas additional local funding provided by the recruiting institution may be possible according to their internal rules). In addition to their individual scientific projects, all fellows will benefit from further continuing education, which includes internships and secondments, a variety of training modules as well as…