A junior researcher in the field of Education Policy Evaluation

Fondazione Bruno Kessler (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 center, of which there are twelve totals. Information regarding the research centers, their activities and production is available at http://www.fbk.eu/research-centers.

Workplace 
FBK-IRVAPP is a research institute based in Trento (Italy). Its scientific mission includes evaluating public policies; disseminating findings from evaluation research; promoting a culture of evaluation among policymakers; and training policy evaluators.
The empirical work at FBK-IRVAPP is mainly based on counterfactual impact evaluations and microsimulations. Current research activities span several areas, including education policy; social inclusion and protection; labor market policy; industrial policy, and fiscal policy.
More information about FBK-IRVAPP is available at https://irvapp.fbk.eu/

FBK actively seeks diversity and inclusion in the workplace and is also committed to promoting gender equality. To promote the inclusion of disabled staff as per law 68/99, the Foundation is available and interested in evaluating the applications received for technical-scientific domains that do not correspond exactly to this call.

Job Description
The research fellow will contribute to and expand the institute’s research and evaluation related to education policy. The researcher will join the institute’s researchers in building monitoring and evaluation systems to support decision making in education and in carrying out quantitative evaluation studies aimed at assessing the effectiveness of education policies.

The candidate is expected to:

  • Contribute to the development of monitoring and evaluation systems in education;
  • Collaborate with other researchers to design research and evaluation studies;
  • Contribute to the writing of project reports and scientific research articles based on the research carried out;
  • Work with other researchers to interpret research findings from a policy perspective and disseminate the results through briefs, blogs, presentations or other strategic communication.

Job requirements
The ideal candidate should have:

  • Master’s degree in Social Sciences (e.g., Economics, Public Policy, Political Science, Sociology, Statistics);
  • Good understanding of general methodological issues related to policy evaluation;
  • Interest in public policy evaluation and evidence-based policy;
  • Good work and research experience in the field of education;
  • Demonstrated quantitative and analytical skills;
  • Working knowledge of Stata and, possibly, R;
  • Oral and written proficiency in English and Italian.
Furthermore, the following elements will be positively evaluated:
  • Excellent programming skills;
  • Strong writing and oral communication skills;
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and willingness to work effectively in a team, as well as independently.

Employment
Type of contract: fixed-term contract;
Working hours: Full time (38 h per week);
Start date: Preferably, September 2025;
Duration: 36 months with the possibility of extending the contract depending on funding;
Workplace: Trento;
Gross annual salary: about € 38.500, plus objectives achievements bonus;
Benefits: flexi-time, company subsidized cafeteria or meal vouchers, internal car park, welcome office support for visa formalities and for research in accommodation, accommodation etc., supplementary pension and health fund, social security (SANIFONDS), family-work balance, free training courses, support on bank account opening, discount on public transport, sport, language course fees, counseling and psychological support service. More info at https://www.fbk.eu/en/work-with-us/

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 including relevant past experiences (as an attached document in PDF format);
  • Cover Letter (explaining your motivation for this specific position).


Application deadline: 30/06/2025


Please read our Recruitment Regulations before completing your application.
For further information or technical issues regarding the application, please contact the People Innovation for Research Department  at jobs@fbk.eu.
Candidates who pass the preliminary curricula screening will be contacted shortly afterwards for an interview.
Non selected applicants will be notified of their exclusion at the end of the selection process.
Please note that FBK may contact shortlisted candidates within a period of 12 months, for the selection processes of similar vacancies.
For reasons of professional transparency, the name of the successful candidate will be published on the FBK website following acceptance of the position, as well the list of suitable candidates