Job Information
Organisation/Company: INAF-Osservatorio Astronomico di Trieste
Research Field: Astronomy » Astrophysics
Researcher Profile: First Stage Researcher (R1)
Positions: Postdoc Positions
Application Deadline: 2 Sep 2026 - 23:50 (Europe/Rome)
Country: Italy
Type of Contract: Temporary
Job Status: Not Applicable
Offer Starting Date: 1 Oct 2026
Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme
Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No
Offer Description
1. The “INAF – Astronomical Observatory of Trieste” hereby announces, pursuant to article 22-ter of Law 30 December 2010, No. 240, a public selection procedure, based on qualifications and interview, for the awarding of n. 1 post-doc assignment (level 1, “National Scientific Group 1”) for the performance of research activities, of annual duration, possibly extendable/renewable, entitled “Analysis of Euclid’s Spectroscopic Catalogs”, to meet the needs of the Research Project named “Euclid”, CUP F83D24000170001.
2. The activities of the winner, hereinafter referred to as the “post-doc assignee”, are aimed at conducting research activities, as well as contributing to teaching and outreach activities, under the supervision of the project/activity’s “Scientific Responsible”, without fixed working hours. The research activities may be supplemented by training activities proposed by the “Director”, which are designed to support professional development.
3. The purpose of the project is aimed at carrying out the following research activities:
- a) Analysis of Euclid data, with the goal of extracting cosmological parameters from spectroscopic catalogs.
- b) Measurement of two-point correlation functions in a catalog.
- c) Creation of simulated catalogs incorporating the same systematics identified in the observables.
- d) Estimation of cosmological and “nuisance” parameters using Bayesian methods.
4. The research activities provided for the post-doc assignment will be carried out at the “INAF - Astronomical Observatory of Trieste”, under the scientific responsibility of doctor Emiliano Sefusatti and tutorship of Professor Pierluigi Monaco.
Where to apply
Requirements
Research Field: Astronomy » Astrophysics
Education Level: PhD or equivalent
Skills/Qualifications
1. For admission to the selection, the following general requirements are required:
- a) enjoyment of civil and political rights (for foreign citizens, those relating to their country of citizenship);
- b) being in compliance with the regulations concerning military obligations (only for Italian citizens subject to such obligation);
- c) registration in the electoral rolls of the municipality of residence (requirement requested exclusively for Italian citizens);
- d) hold a Ph.D. in Physics or Astronomy or Astrophysics or an equivalent degree obtained abroad;
- e) as an alternative to point d., possession of a master’s degree or a single-cycle degree in Physics or Astronomy or Astrophysics and a scientific-professional background suitable for conducting research;
- f) for the sole and limited purpose of participating in the selection process, the “Examination Committee” will issue a declaration of equivalence for academic qualifications obtained abroad. If the required academic qualification was obtained abroad, detailed documentation of the educational background must be submitted by the application deadline to enable the “Examination Committee” to issue a declaration of equivalence, for the sole and limited purpose of participating in the aforementioned selection process. Failure to provide this documentation will result in exclusion from the selection process by the “Committee”. The documentation must be written in English;
2. The qualifications referred to in paragraph 1(d) shall be given preference for the purpose of establishing the relevant rankings.
3. Those who have benefited from contracts pursuant to Article 24 of Law 30 December 2010, No. 240 in the version in force after the date of entry into force of Decree-Law 30 April 2022, No. 36, converted, with amendments, by Law 29 June 2022, No. 79, as well as permanent staff, hired on an indefinite-term basis, of the institutions referred to in article 22, paragraph 1, of Law No. 240/2010, are excluded from the selection procedures for the awarding of post-doc assignments.
Specific Requirements
1. The following skills are also required in the following subjects:
- a) Good knowledge of spoken and written English;
- b) Ability to work independently;
- c) Ability to work effectively in a team, including with remote team members.
2. Pursuant to Article 3 of the Decree of the President of the Council of Ministers No. 174 of February 7, 1994, citizens of European Union Member States, as well as citizens of non-EU countries, must:
- 1. meet all the requirements set forth in this “Call for Applications”, except for the Italian citizenship;
- 2. enjoy civil and political rights in their country of nationality and/or origin;
- 3. have an adequate knowledge of the Italian language.
3. All the requirements requested by this “Call” must be possessed on the date of expiry of the deadline set for the submission of applications for admission to the selection procedure.
4. Candidates will be admitted to the selection procedure subject to subsequent verification of possession of the requirements requested by this “Call” and declared in their respective applications.
5. Failure to possess even one of the requirements requested by this “Call” will result in exclusion from the selection procedure.
6. Exclusions from the selection procedure, whatever the reason, may be ordered at any time by a reasoned measure of the “Director” of the “INAF - Astronomical Observatory of Trieste”, on the proposal of the “Secretary” of the “Examining Committee”, in his/her capacity as “Responsible for of the Procedure”.
Languages: ENGLISH
Level: Good
Research Field: Astronomy » Astrophysics
Additional Information
Benefits
1. The post-doc fellowship does not provide for the appointment of the post-doc fellow to a contractual public-sector position as defined in Legislative Decree No. 165/2001. The post-doc position holder performs their duties without predetermined working hours, consistent with the nature of the research activity, which is defined by scientific objectives under the supervision of the “Scientific Responsible”. Consequently, a system for tracking attendance for the purposes of working hours does not apply to the post-doc position holder, but they will be required to complete timesheets exclusively for the purpose of reporting on funded projects. The post-doc researcher is, however, entitled to 30 days of annual leave, which must be communicated to the “Scientific Responsible”. The post-doc researcher, when sent on a mission for reasons related to the activities specified in the appointment, is entitled to mission allowances in accordance with INAF mission regulations.
2. For the entire duration of the appointment, the post-doc assignment is entitled to the gross annual all-inclusive salary set forth in the First Band of Appendix 1 of the “INAF Regulations on Postdoctoral and Research Appointments”, in accordance with the provisions of Article 22-bis, paragraph 5, of Law No. 240 of December 30, 2010, No. 240, and the restrictions set forth in Article 9, paragraph 2, of Legislative Decree No. 49 of March 29, 2012, namely € 33,724.31, corresponding to a total cost, including charges borne by the Institute, of € 47,700.00, in compliance with the limits set forth in MUR Decree No. 592 of August 6, 2025, within the scope of the Institute’s budgetary availability, taking into account the restrictions imposed by Article 9, paragraph 2, of Legislative Decree No. 218 of November 25, 2016.
3. The employment relationship established between INAF and the postdoctoral researcher is governed by the applicable regulations regarding taxation, social assistance, social security, and insurance coverage against workplace accidents and occupational diseases. The rights provided for by current legislation are guaranteed, as well as compliance with the social security obligations set forth in INPS Circular No. 125 of September 11, 2025, including the general contribution obligations applicable to employees hired on a fixed-term basis. The institution also provides insurance coverage against workplace accidents and occupational diseases, as well as civil liability coverage.
Eligibility criteria
- The post-doc assignment is not cumulative with scholarships or research grants awarded for any reason by national or foreign institutions, except those exclusively aimed at international mobility for research purposes.
- The post-doc assignment is not compatible with attendance at bachelor’s, specialist or master’s degree courses, PhD programmes, in Italy or abroad, without prejudice to the possibility of implementing specific European Union research funding programmes within the framework of actions linked to the “Marie Sklodowska-Curie (MSCA)” programme.
- The post-doc assignment as well as the research contracts referred to in article 22 and the contracts referred to in article 24 of Law 240/2010 are not compatible with each other and cannot be held simultaneously by the same holder.
- The post-doc assignment is incompatible with any other employment relationship with public or private entities, as well as with the receipt of research grants, and results in the employee’s placement on unpaid leave if they are currently employed by a public administration.
- The post-doc assignment may not be combined with remuneration received for the continuous performance of work activities, even on a part-time basis.
- Limited occasional self-employed work activity is instead compatible with the post-doc assignment, provided that it is not in conflict with the research activity carried out on behalf of and in the interest of the “National Institute for Astrophysics” or does not delay its performance.
- The activity referred to in the preceding paragraph must, in any case, be previously authorised by the Director of the “INAF - Astronomical Observatory of Trieste”, after consulting the Tutor.
- Post-doc assignments cannot be awarded to INAF staff, staff of other Research Bodies or Universities who are in a state of retirement.
Selection process
- The selection, carried out by means of a comparative evaluation of candidates, is based on qualifications, supplemented by an interview (which may, at the discretion of the “Examining Committee”, also be conducted remotely), and is aimed at ascertaining and evaluating possession of a scientific-professional curriculum and publications/technical reports/products suitable for carrying out the research activity covered by this “Call”.
- The evaluation of candidates and the assignment of the relevant scores are carried out on the basis of the following criteria, previously detailed by the examining committee with specific reference to the characteristics of the research programme covered by the selection:
- relevance and significance of the research activities previously carried out, as well as any work experience, in relation to the contents of the research project covered by the selection as deducible from the curriculum;
- relevance and significance of the scientific publications/technical reports and other products submitted in relation to the contents of the research programme covered by the selection;
- interview, aimed at establishing suitability for carrying out the research activity covered by the contract, as well as evaluating knowledge of the English language and/or other languages relevant to the research.
- The “Examining Committee” may assign each candidate a total score not exceeding 100, structured as follows:
- 40 points for the evaluation of the “Curriculum”, publications and qualifications assessable pursuant to article 10 of this “Call”.
- 60 points for the interview.
- The evaluation of the “Curriculum Vitae” and qualifications precedes the possible interview and will be carried out on the basis of the documents and qualifications attached to the application by the candidates, according to the criterion of relevance to the scientific and technological theme referred to in paragraph 2 of this article.
- Once the evaluation of qualifications has been concluded, the “Committee” collectively expresses, for each candidate, a reasoned overall judgement.
- The “Committee” draws up a merit ranking considering the scores obtained by the candidates in the evaluation of qualifications and of the public interview.
- The selection is deemed passed with a minimum score of:
- 28/40 points for the evaluation of the curriculum, publications and qualifications;
- 42/60 points for the interview.
- In the event of a tie in score, preference is given to the candidate:
- With the highest grade in the master’s or single-cycle degree;
- With the highest interview score;
- Who, in case of equal merit and equal qualifications, is the winner based on the preference titles referred to in art. 5, paragraph 4 of Presidential Decree No. 487 of 1994 and subsequent amendments;
- In the event of further tie, the youngest candidate.
- The winners are the candidates who are included within the number of assignments provided for by this call, according to the ranking order.
- In order to promote mobility, winners of the post-doc assignment who have obtained the qualification required by the “Call for Selection” in a Province or Metropolitan City different from that of the location where the post-doc assignment is carried out, may benefit from a one-off additional economic incentive within the maximum gross amount indicated, respectively, in Appendix 1 and in Appendix 2 of Resolution No. 2 of 13.01.2026 approved by the Board of Directors and relating to the regulation on research assignments and post-doc assignments, provided that they are not resident or have not elected their domicile in the three years preceding the signing of the contract in the Province or Metropolitan City of the assignment location. Such incentive will not be paid if similar or analogous facilitations are already provided for in the funding agreements for the assignment.
Additional comments
- The qualifications that can be evaluated, within the maximum limit of 40 points, are the following:
- “Curriculum vitae et studiorum”, with particular regard to the topic of this “Call”: up to a maximum of 20/40;
- “technical-scientific publications” relevant to the topic of this “Call”: up to a maximum of 10/40;
- i. a Ph.D. or equivalent degree (if this is not a requirement for admission to the selection process);
- ii. specialization diplomas;
- iii. documented attendance of doctoral courses (if this is not a requirement for admission to the selection process) or postgraduate advanced training courses;
- iv documented research activity conducted at public and/or private institutions through contracts, scholarships, or assignments, as well as publications, projects, or other research outputs
- “Letters of recommendation”: up to a maximum of 5/40 points;
- “Other qualifying credentials”: up to a maximum of 5/40 points
- Candidates who have obtained, in the qualification evaluation phase, a score not lower than 28/40 will be admitted to the possible interview.
- The interview, which may also be held by videoconference at the discretion of the “Examining Commission”, will focus on the following topics:
- a) Knowledge of methods for analyzing data from cosmological surveys in general and from the Euclid survey in particular;
- b) Knowledge of the Python and C/C++ programming languages;
- c) Problem-solving skills applied to scientific/cosmological contexts;
- d) Knowledge of the Linux operating system;
- Candidates admitted to the interview will be summoned by specific notice, sent by certified electronic mail or ordinary electronic mail, with confirmation of receipt of the communication, at least fifteen days before the date set for the interview.
- In the aforementioned notice, which will be published on the INAF website, on the website of the “INAF - Astronomical Observatory of Trieste” communication will be given of:
- the score obtained by the candidate in the qualification evaluation phase;
- the day, time and place of the possible interview.
- Candidates who have not received an exclusion measure from the selection procedure must therefore appear, without any further notice, on the day, time and place indicated in the communication referred to in the preceding paragraph 4 to take the interview.
- Any postponements of the interview will be communicated to candidates in the same manner established by paragraphs 4 and 5 of this article.
- To be admitted to the interview, candidates must be in possession of a valid identification document.
- Any absence of the candidate from the interview will be considered as automatic waiver to participate in the selection procedure, whatever the reason.
- If the interview is held by videoconference, appropriate measures must be adopted to ensure compliance with the principles of publicity, transparency and impartiality through the adoption of technical solutions that ensure the identification of participants, the regularity and integrity of the test, the security of communications and their traceability, in compliance with the legislation on the processing of personal data and, in any case, the publicity of the test through digital means. In any case of ascertained malfunction of the digital platform that prevents the participation of one or more candidates in telematic mode and whose technical cause is not attributable to the candidate, the “Examining Commission” will provide, upon request of the interested party/parties, specific recovery tests in compliance with the guarantees relating to the processing of personal data;
- If, instead, the interview is held in person, the following measures must be adopted:
- for the conduct of the interview, a publicly accessible room must be used, with capacity suitable to ensure maximum participation;
- at the end of each session reserved for the interview, the “Examining Commission” will prepare the list of examined candidates with the indication of the score attributed to each of them;
- at the end of each session the “Examining Commission” will draw up a specific report, in which the scores obtained in the interview by the individual candidates will be reported, which will be posted at the entrance of the room chosen for the oral test if in person, and in any case published on the “Recruitment Portal” of the “Department of Public Administration”, on the Website of the “National Institute for Astrophysics”, at the following address “www.inaf.it” and on the Website of the “INAF - Astronomical Observatory of Trieste”.
- The interview is considered passed if the candidate has achieved a score at least equal to 42/60.
- The overall score attributed to each candidate is determined by adding the score of the qualifications to that of the interview.
- At the conclusion of the selection procedure, the “Secretary” of the “Examining Commission”, also “Responsible for the Procedure”, will take care of transmitting to the “Director” the relevant documents, as well as the final merit ranking.
Website for additional job details: https://www.inaf.it
Work Location(s)
Number of offers available: 1
Company/Institute: Istituto nazionale di Astrofisica-Osservatorio Astronomico di Trieste
Country: Italy
State/Province: TS
City: TRIESTE
Postal Code: 34143
Street: VIA Tiepolo n. 11
Contact
State/Province: TS
City: Trieste
Website: http://www.oats.inaf.it/
Street: Via Tiepolo 11
Postal Code: 34143
E-Mail: mirella.giacchetti@inaf.it
Phone: 0403199246
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