Fondazione Bruno Kessler 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. Information regarding the research centers, their activities, and production is available at http://www.fbk.eu/research-centers.
The Digital Industry Center is one of the Centers of FBK. It focuses its research on digital technologies for the various domains in industry (e.g., manufacturing, aerospace, railway, automotive, energy, agriculture, manufacturing) by creating applications for critical systems, adaptive and autonomous systems, advanced perception, diagnostics, quality control, and prediction systems. Further research areas include precision farming, robotics, metrology, cultural heritage, and geomatics.
The open position is hosted within the PSO (Planning Scheduling and Optimization) Research Unit. It is a research unit of the Digital Industry Center doing research and technology transfer in the areas of automated planning and scheduling. The unit focuses on three major application areas, namely flexible manufacturing, robotics and autonomous remote operation.
The main research directions of the unit are:
- State-of-the-art Temporal Planning, also in combination with motion planning
- Using Reinforcement Learning to specialize Planning and Scheduling
- Theoretical foundations of Automated Planning in combination with Formal Methods
Information regarding the Research Unit is available at https://pso.fbk.eu/.
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 long-term strategy of the organization. Within this framework, the PSO Unit of FBK-DI is seeking a dynamic and independent researcher interested in integrating Automated Planning and Scheduling, to advance the state-of-the-art through high-impact publications at top-tier AI venues. This role balances fundamental scientific inquiry with practical innovation, requiring the researcher to develop novel algorithms that address complex temporal constraints, resource allocation, and decision-making under uncertainty. Beyond theoretical contributions, the researcher will play a pivotal role in technology transfer, transforming academic prototypes into robust solutions for industrial applications. Responsibilities include leading competitive research proposals, mentoring junior staff, and collaborating with industrial partners to solve real-world optimization challenges. Applicants should possess a PhD in a relevant field, a proven track record in P&S research, and the technical proficiency to implement scalable solutions.
FBK actively seeks diversity and inclusion in the workplace and is also committed to promoting gender equality.
Main Tasks
The successful candidate will work within the PSO unit of the FBK-DI center and her/his responsibilities will include:
- Basic and applied research focused on combining advanced scheduling solutions and automated planning for decision-making.
- Supporting the self-funding activities of the unit by contributing to research proposals and project activities.
- Mentoring junior staff and co-supervising PhD students.
- Prototyping solutions for research and technology transfer activities.
The ideal candidate should have:
- PhD in Computer Science, Computer Engineering or Mathematics (or at least 3 years post-master experience in the field of the call);
- Proven experience in Automated Planning, Scheduling or Robotics;
- Track record of publications in tip-tier conferences and journals;
- Experience in technology transfer or research projects;
- Knowledge of logic-based tools such as automated planners, satisfiability modulo theory solvers or model checkers;
- Strong communication and relational skills, with the ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary teams;
- Strong orientation to results, determination, flexibility and aptitude for problem-solving;
- Excellent written and oral proficiency in English; knowledge of Italian is considered an asset.
Employment
Type of contract: Tenure Track position leading to a 3rd Level Researcher (R3) FBK 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 R3 contract.
Gross annual salary: 47.182 € (plus objectives achievement bonus)
Work hours: full-time (38 h per week)
Start date: July 2026
Workplace: Trento (Italy)
Benefits: flexi-time, company subsidized cafeteria or meal vouchers, internal car park, welcome office support for visa formalities, accommodation, supplementary pension and health fund, 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. In line with this commitment, we offer a structured Scientific Research career path specifically designed for this tenure-track position. This journey provides concrete tools for professional growth, including personalized assessments to develop individual potential and a clear evolutionary roadmap that supports the transition from independent research to scientific leadership. Within our dynamic and innovative environment, development strategies are integrated with the researcher's path to help shape the future, ensuring that academic autonomy is always paired with institutional support and opportunities for international impact.
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;
● Statement of Research Interests.
Application deadline: May 12th, 2026
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 People Innovation for Research at tenuretrack@fbk.eu.