Applications are now open for a fully funded, full-time, three-year PhD studentship in Japanese Buddhism at the Department of Asian and North African Studies of Ca’ Foscari University of Venice.
The studentship is offered as part of the Italian National PhD Programme in Religious Studies – DREST and is open to both Italian and international candidates.
The proposed research project must address the theme “Textual and Ritual Practices in Premodern Japanese Buddhism”, with a specific focus on the Zen tradition.
The studentship covers tuition fees, provides a living allowance for the entire duration of the programme and includes dedicated funding for fieldwork abroad. The successful candidate will be expected to be based in Venice for most of the PhD programme.
Key information
Duration: 3 years
Programme start date: 1 November 2026
Application deadline: 28 August 2026
Interviews: held online in mid-September for shortlisted candidates
Main location: Venice
How to apply
The DREST PhD Programme is administered by the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia. Applications must be submitted through the programme’s official portal:
https://www.unimore.it/en/call-drest-42
Full admission requirements and instructions on the application procedure are available in the official call for applications.
Enquiries
For administrative enquiries:
PhD Office
Via Università 4, 41121 Modena
Tel. +39 059 2056423
segr.dottorati@unimore.it
For questions concerning the research project:
Professor Lucia Dolce
Department of Asian and North African Studies
Ca’ Foscari University of Venice
lucia.dolce@unive.it
