Working in research
Calls for career opportunities
Become a researcher at Ca' Foscari!
Researchers and professors
Ca' Foscari University of Venice recruits top talent in teaching and scientific research through comparative assessment procedures. Applications from candidates with an international profile are strongly encouraged.
PhD Degrees
Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, with the coordination of the PhD Office, offers specific training and research tracks in economics, linguistics, sciences and humanities.
Short Term Research Fellowships
It is a tool for young graduates interested in academics that involves them in a short-term training period (usually not longer than 12 months) in projects and research groups.
Research assignments
Aimed to provide an introduction to research activities, under the supervision of a tutor. They are intended for young scholars of any nationality who have obtained a Master’s degree (or equivalent qualification) within the last 6 years. Minimum duration: 1 year, with the possibility of an extension up to a total of 3 years.
Postdoctoral assignments
The post-doctoral assignment is a fixed-term contract established for the purpose of conducting research activities, as well as collaborating in teaching and Third Mission activities. It has a minimum duration of one year and may be extended up to three years. The selection process for the postdoctoral assignment is open to holders of a PhD obtained in Italy or abroad.
Research contracts
The research contract is a fixed-term employment agreement lasting two years, renewable or extendable, established exclusively for the execution of a research project. The selection process is open to candidates who hold a PhD or a specialisation degree (obtained in Italy or abroad), or those in their final year of study who are expected to obtain their qualification within six months of the publication of the call for applications.
Funding programs
National and international funding opportunities: choose Ca' Foscari as your host institution and benefit of a valuable support in the application process and in your project management.
An academic career path in Italy
Normally, academic careers in Italy start with a PhD programme (corso di dottorato/dottorato di ricerca) and the award of a PhD degree (titolo di dottorato).
A PhD can apply for a research assignment (Incarico di Ricerca, if the degree was obtained within the last 6 years); a post-doctoral assignment (Incarico postdoc); a research contract (Contratto di Ricerca) or for a position as tenure-track assistant professor (Ricercatore/Ricercatrice RTT).
To become an Associate or Full Professor candidates must obtain the National Scientific Qualification (Abilitazione Scientifica Nazionale) and pass a university public competition (concorso).
Although other paths and positions exist, this brief overview aims to outline the most common academic career trajectory in Italy.
 | Equivalences among Italian and International academic positions | 220 K |
| Comparison table of the different kinds of postdoctoral contracts in Italy | 265 K |
Details on each academic position
PhD Student (dottorando / dottoranda)
PhD programmes provide students with the highest level of academic title, the PhD degree.
In order to be admitted, candidates must hold a postgraduate degree (or equivalent); furthermore, their profile must be evaluated on the basis of their qualifications and an examination. Every year, universities establish the number of positions and scholarships, deadlines for applications, examination and enrolment procedures, specifying them in their open calls.
PhDs normally take three to four years; each PhD student ("Dottorando") is supported by a Supervisor, who is a high-level professional: in this way an effective transfer of knowledge is implemented, as well as an embedding in the supervisor’s network among the international scientific community.
Research activities cover at least two-thirds of the three-year commitment; at the end of the programme, the discussion of a dissertation is foreseen. The gross amount of PhD Scolarship is 16.243 € per year (net amount: approximately 14.300 € per year).
Information: PhD programmes and application procedures
Short-term Research Fellowships ("Borse di ricerca") are aimed at recruiting staff interested in participating in research groups or research projects, and they can be funded by external public or private sources, different from the University. They are open to postgraduate researchers: the minimum requirement is a Bachelor’s degree, but it can be also a Master’s degree according to the level of research activities to be carried out.
The selection process is based on the assessment of the applicants' qualifications and can include an interview, according to the procedures defined by the institution that publishes the call. Usually, Research Fellowships’ maximum length is 12 months. The salary amount may vary depending on the external public or private funds that finance the short term fellowship.
Research assignments (incarico di ricerca)
The research assignment (Incarico di ricerca) is a private law contract for specific projects, aimed at young graduates (who obtained their Master’s degree less than 6 years ago) for activities carried out under the supervision of a tutor.
The selection is open to candidates who have held a Master’s degree (or equivalent) for no more than 6 years, including those who hold a PhD.
The research assignment has a minimum duration of one year and may be extended up to three years. These limits may only be exceeded to implement specific research funding programmes of the European Union under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA).
Research contracts (contrattista di ricerca)
The research contract is a fixed-term employment agreement established exclusively for the execution of a research project. The selection process is open to candidates who hold a PhD or a specialisation degree (obtained in Italy or abroad), or those in their final year of study who are expected to obtain their qualification within six months of the publication of the call for applications.
The research contract has a duration of two years and can only be renewed once, for a further two years.
In the case of national, European or international research projects, a research contract shall have a duration of two years and may, from the outset, be extended for up to one additional year, in line with specific requirements related to the objectives and nature of the project.
The total duration of research contracts, including those concluded with different institutions, may in no circumstances exceed five years.
Postdoctoral assignment (incarico post-doc)
The postdoctoral assignment (Incarico post-doc) is a fixed-term employment agreement established for the purpose of conducting research activities, as well as collaborating in teaching and Third Mission activities.
The selection process is open to candidates who already hold a PhD or a specialisation degree, obtained in Italy or abroad by the application deadline.
The postdoctoral assignment has a minimum duration of one year and may be extended up to three years. These limits may only be exceeded to implement specific research funding programmes of the European Union under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA).
Tenure track assistant professor (RTT)
The Fixed-term tenure-track assistant professor (RTT) shall enter into a fixed-term employment contract with a total duration of six years, which is neither extendable nor renewable.
The total annual commitment for teaching, integrated teaching activities, and student services is 350 hours for the full-time regime and 200 hours for the fixed-time regime.
The selection process is open to candidates who already hold a PhD or a specialisation degree obtained in Italy or abroad by the application deadline.
The recruitment of the Tenure-track Assistant Professors (RTT) may also occur through "Chiamata Diretta" (Direct Call) for scholars based abroad or recipients of high-level research grants (such as Rita Levi Montalcini, FIS, ERC, or Marie Curie...).
Starting from the completion of the third year and for each subsequent year of the contract, the university shall —upon the researcher's request— evaluate any RTT who has obtained the National Scientific Qualification (ASN) for promotion to the role of Associate Professor.
Associate professor
Associate professor positions are filled through public selection procedures open to:
- Candidates holding the National Scientific Qualification (ASN) as Associate or Full Professor in the relevant recruitment field;
- Associate Professors currently tenured at other Italian universities;
- Scholars permanently based abroad in equivalent research or teaching positions, as defined by the Ministry of University and Research (Ministerial Decree no. 456, 1/05/2023).
Direct Calls ("Chiamata Diretta") are also available for scholars based abroad or recipients of high-level research grants (e.g., ERC or FIS...).
Professors may be appointed on either a full-time or part-time (defined-time) basis.
The total annual commitment for teaching and student services is 350 hours for full-time faculty and 250 hours for part-time faculty.
Information: calls for associate professors
Full professor
Full professor positions are filled through public selection procedures open to:
- Candidates holding the National Scientific Qualification (ASN) as Full Professor in the relevant recruitment field;
- Full Professors currently tenured at other Italian universities;
- Scholars permanently based abroad in equivalent research or teaching positions, as defined by the Ministry of University and Research (Ministerial Decree no. 456, 1/05/2023).
Direct Calls ("Chiamata Diretta") are also available for scholars based abroad or recipients of high-level research grants (e.g., ERC or FIS...).
Professors may be appointed on either a full-time or part-time (defined-time) basis.
The total annual commitment for teaching and student services is 350 hours for full-time faculty and 250 hours for part-time faculty.
Information: calls for full professor
Insights
National Scientific Qualification (Abilitazione Scientifica Nazionale - ASN)
From 2012 onwards, academics, scientists and scholar can enter or be promoted to Associate Professor or Full Professor through a specific procedure: the National Scientific Qualification. It implies a nationwide selection to obtain an official qualification called “abilitazione”, without which it is not possible to access to the highest academic positions.
Yearly official calls ("concorsi nazionali") are issued by the Ministry of Education, Universities and Research (MIUR) for various academic recruitment fields (“raggruppamenti concorsuali”), and are open for 4 months. Applications are examined by committees composed by experienced Full Professors. The Qualification is valid for 4 years.
Tax benefits for professors and researchers
Professors and researchers who have conducted research activities abroad for at least two consecutive years, and who subsequently establish tax residency in Italy, are eligible for significant tax benefits upon verification of all required documents and criteria.
Specifically, if they are hired by an Italian university as a "Professore/ssa" or "Ricercatore/trice," they can benefit from an exemption from personal income tax on 90% of the income received from their Italian employer.
Eligibility also extends to Italian citizens who are not registered with AIRE (Registry Office for Italian Citizens Residing Abroad).
The benefits are applied starting from the tax period in which the researcher or professor establishes tax residency in Italy and continue for the following five tax years, provided the individual maintains Italian tax residency throughout this period. The exemption duration is extended beyond the minimum under the following circumstances:
- 8-Year Extension: The exemption is extended to a total of eight tax periods if the individual has a minor dependent child (including those in pre-adoption foster care) or purchases a house in Italy. The property purchase can occur up to 12 months prior to acquiring tax residency or at any point after the individual becomes an Italian tax resident. These two conditions are not cumulative; they cannot be combined to achieve a longer extension.
- 11-Year Extension: In case the professor/researcher has at least 2 minor dependent children.
- 13-Year Extension: In case the professor/researcher has at least 3 minor dependent children.
Download the document outlining the yearly gross amounts and estimated net amounts, with and without tax benefits, for professors and researchers in Italy (updated: November 2025).
| Salary Levels - Professors and Researchers Last update: November 2025 | 587 K |
The partners of professors or researchers moving to Italy can also be entitled to tax benefits or exemptions should they possess the requisites provided for by the Italian tax legislation (foreign tax residence for the last two years, obtainment of Italian residence, etc.). Specific information and support shall be provided by the partner's employer or accountant.
More details in the website of the Italian Income Revenue Authority [ITA].
Open expressions of interest
International recruiting is aimed to enhance our research output and international standing, to promote collaborative actions among groups and individuals within our faculty and to increase our access to competitive research funding.
Candidates with a strong research commitment, an outstanding portfolio of international publications and a proven teaching record in their academic field can express their interest in working with us by contacting one of our Departments, or by applying to specific calls.
Complying with the current Italian legislation, Ca’ Foscari University must await the final approval by the Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research to complete the hiring process.
For the positions of Associate and Full Professor, the starting economic level ("classe") can be negotiated before the recruitment.
Information: International recruitment
Last update: 04/03/2026