Bruno Kessler Foundation (FBK) is a private research institution devoted to excellence in research in numerous disciplines and designated to the role of keeping the Autonomous Province of Trento in the mainstream of European and international research. Each research area is assigned to a specific research centre, of which there are eleven totals. Information regarding the research centres, their activities and production is available at http://www.fbk.eu/research-centers.
The Digital Society (DIGIS) research center of FBK is committed to comprehensively exploring, understanding, and shaping the intricate interplay between digital technology and the fabric of human society, embracing the vision that digital technology can serve as a catalyst for positive societal change.
In particular, the Digital Society center conducts pioneering research focused on two crucial areas where ICT can have a profound impact on contemporary society: Digital Twins for Human Society to better understand, predict, and proactively address the multifaceted challenges facing them; and New Media and Education for a Resilient Society - exploring the dynamics of new media and developing advanced digital solutions towards a more inclusive, sustainable and resilient society.
The center is composed by a multidisciplinary team of approximately 75 researchers, technologists and managers (including PhD students) organized in 7 research units dedicated to specific research areas in the ICT domain and 2 support units focusing on project management and technology maturation.
FBK has established the Project Management Group (PMG) to assist its research units with all of their project management needs. The PMG works across research units and administrative offices assisting and managing local, national and European projects and providing guidance and support to maximize efficiency, optimize results and reduce costs. The purpose of the PMG is to provide a unified approach for defining, managing, reporting and supporting the project management practices for the Digital Society research units. The goal of the PMG is to build and maintain transparent, predictable, and repeatable project management processes to collaborate with researchers.
Job Description
The purpose of FBK’s Tenure Track program is to offer high-level professionals the opportunity to pursue a structured career path to become tenured researchers contributing to the organization's long-term strategy.
Within this framework, FBK is looking for a dynamic and highly motivated candidate to cover this position in the PMG Unit of Digital Society Center. The candidate will work in collaboration with other project managers of the Unit and researchers of the Digital Society Center, as well as with partners involved in FBK projects, reporting directly to the Head of Unit.
The successful candidate is expected to:
- Coordinate the participation of the DIGIS center in research and innovation programmes mainly in the areas of sustainability, smart rural communities, disaster resilience and green transition. This includes analysis of the calls, identification of opportunities for FBK, matching of opportunities with scientific expertise of research groups, consortium building, proposal preparation as main contact person.
- Writing proposals as main contact person for local, national and international research and innovation projects.
- Technical and administrative management of complex international research projects, innovation projects and internal projects.
- Managing relations with local and international stakeholder within the scope of PMG research and innovation projects.
- Reference funding programmes for this positions are: Horizon Europe and Interreg (Alpine Space, Central Europe) programme, but work can extends also to other funding programmes.
Job requirements
- M.Sc. (or equivalent degrees), awarded by an Italian university or a title obtained abroad which has been recognized as equivalent to the Italian degree
- At least 5 years of experience as a project manager focused on writing and managing European projects.
- Excellent knowledge of the following EU funding programmes: Horizon Europe, Interreg Alpine Space, Interreg Central Europe
- Good knowledge of other EU funding programmes
- Excellent track record in writing successful research proposals as main writer in Horizon 2020 and at least 2 other funding programmes mentioned above.
- Experience in coordinating large collaborative European projects in the Horizon Europe funding programme, preferably in the areas of sustainable communities, smart rural communities, disaster resilience and green transition;
- Experience in leading communication and dissemination of European projects, preferably in the Horizon 2020 or Horizon Europe work programme.
- Excellent knowledge of the Italian and English language (C1+).
- Strategic vision and management skills;
- Teamwork approach, good communication and relational skills;
- Accuracy, flexibility, proactivity, and goal orientation;
Additional requirements
- A project management certification such as PMP© or PM2;
- A good knowledge of the administrative procedures within EU projects and of the European funding and tender portal
Employment
Type of contract: Tenure Track position leading to an FBK 3nd Level Technologist (T3) permanent contract.
Duration: The duration of the Tenure Track contract will be determined by the Committee based on the assigned KPIs (at least one year, which may be reduced in accordance with the Committee assessment on the candidate's abilities and skills). If the final assessment of the Tenure Track experience is positive, the selected candidate for the tenure track position will be offered a permanent T3 contract.
Working hours: full time (38 h per week).
Gross annual salary: 44.000 € (plus objectives achievement bonus).
Start date: October 2025
Workplace: Povo, Trento (Italy).
Benefits: flexi-time, company subsidised cafeteria or meal vouchers, internal car park, welcome office support for visa formalities, accommodation, supplementary pension and health found, training courses, public transport, sports facilities, language courses fees. Further details at https://www.fbk.eu/en/work-with-us/.
The Bruno Kessler Foundation invests in people’s growth and promotes a stimulating environment that values talent. Through the Talent Development Program, each participant will be engaged in a tailored experiential journey designed to enhance skills, attitudes, and aspirations. Concrete tools for professional growth will be available, including personalized assessments to understand and develop individual potential, structured career paths to help shape the future, and development strategies within a dynamic and innovative scientific environment.
Application
Interested candidates are requested to submit their application by completing the online form (https://jobs.fbk.eu/). Please make sure that your application contains the following attachments (in pdf format):
- Detailed CV;
- Motivational letter.
Application deadline: 30th of June 2025
Please read our Regulations “Guidelines for Tenure Track positions” before completing your application.
For further information or technical issues regarding the application, please contact the Human Resources Service at tenuretrack@fbk.eu.