Salaries at SISSA

At Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati (SISSA), located in Trieste, Italy, salary expectations for academic and administrative staff are generally determined by factors such as role, academic rank, years of experience, and specific field of research. As a public research institution, SISSA often aligns its compensation with Italian public sector standards, which are influenced by national regulations and collective bargaining agreements. While exact salary figures may vary based on individual contracts and funding sources, the university does not typically publish transparent salary bands or detailed public data on compensation. Therefore, the figures provided below are based on general trends for similar institutions in Italy and should be treated as estimates.

• PhD Students: Typically earn between €1,200-€1,500 per month (approximately $1,300-$1,600 USD), often supplemented by research grants or scholarships. Funding duration and amounts may depend on the specific program or external projects.
• Postdoctoral Researchers: Salaries range from €1,800-€2,500 per month (about $1,950-$2,700 USD), influenced by seniority, project funding, and the availability of temporary contracts.
• Assistant Professors (Ricercatori): Earn approximately €2,500-€3,500 per month ($2,700-$3,800 USD), with potential increases based on tenure track progression and research output.
• Full Professors (Professori Ordinari): Salaries generally fall between €4,000-€6,000 per month ($4,300-$6,500 USD), reflecting seniority, leadership roles, and national pay scales.
• Administrative Staff: Compensation ranges from €1,500-€2,500 per month ($1,600-$2,700 USD), depending on role complexity and years of service.

Salaries at SISSA are generally competitive within the context of Italian academia, though they may appear modest compared to private sector or international standards. Progression often depends on achieving higher academic ranks, securing research funding, or taking on administrative responsibilities. As a public institution, compensation is benchmarked against national guidelines for universities, which ensures a degree of stability but may limit flexibility for significant raises or bonuses. Prospective employees should note that while exact figures are not publicly disclosed by SISSA, these estimates provide a reasonable starting point for understanding salary expectations at the university.