Exciting Call for Research Contracts in Social Sciences, Mathematics and Physics: Apply Now (€50,000-€55,000 per annum)

Ednah Carrick December 8, 2025

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Closing Date: 12 January 2026

Exciting Call for Research Contracts in Social Sciences, Mathematics and Physics: Apply Now (€50,000-€55,000 per annum)

GSSI is happy to invite applications research contracts (duration: 2 years) including in Regional Science & Economic Geography to join the vibrant and collaborative community of Social Sciences at the Gran Sasso Science Institute (GSSI).

GSSI seeks highly motivated young scholars who are excited to contribute to cutting-edge research and shape new directions within our interdisciplinary group.

Subject of the Call

A public selection procedure is hereby announced for the awarding of research contracts for the Scientific Areas of Social Sciences, Mathematics and Physics, as detailed in the following article.

Admission Requirements for the Selection

Candidates holding a PhD degree (Doctor of Research) or an equivalent qualification obtained abroad (evaluated as equivalent by the Examining Committee solely for the purpose of conferring the contract) are eligible to participate in the selection process as of the deadline for submitting applications. Provided they meet the other requirements set out, those enrolled in the third year of a PhD programme may also apply, provided that the attainment of the title is expected within 6 months following the date of publication of this procedure on the GSSI official register.

The following are not eligible to participate in the selection procedures announced in this call:

tenured personnel, hired on an indefinite contract, of universities, public research bodies, and
institutions whose scientific specialization diploma has been recognized as equivalent to the PhD
degree. Also ineligible are those who have already benefited from the contracts. Furthermore, those who have a relationship of kinship or affinity up to the 4th degree inclusive with a professor belonging to the Department that proposed the activation of the contract, or with the Rector, the General Director, or a member of the Board of Directors, are also ineligible.

For PhD degrees obtained abroad, the Examining Committee will evaluate the equivalence of the title
acquired or in the process of being acquired, for the purposes of the procedure.

Application Process

The application for admission must be completed and submitted exclusively using the online procedure available on the GSSI website no later than the deadline.

The application for admission relating to the positions must include the following attachments:

Curriculum Vitae, complete with a list of publications and containing a comprehensive and detailed list of all qualifications held;
Research project proposal;
Publications in .pdf format (no more than three; the doctoral thesis may be included among the three);
Qualifications in .pdf format;
Valid identity document.

Candidates can provide the names and contact information of a maximum of 2 referees in the online form, specifying their affiliation and email address. The referees will automatically receive an email requesting the upload of the letter of presentation relating to the candidate, which must be uploaded
to the portal by January 26, 2026. Letters of presentation are not mandatory, but the Evaluation Committee may take them into account according to the procedures provided in this call.

Selection Procedure

The selection procedure is carried out through the comparative assessment of candidates and is aimed at evaluating the adherence of the project proposals to the research program subject to the call, as

well as the candidates’ possession of a scientific-professional curriculum suitable for carrying out the research activity subject to the contract. Candidates are comparatively assessed based on the following elements:

Quality, originality, and innovativeness of the project proposal, with reference to the research program subject to the selection;
Relevance and significance of qualifications, previously carried out research activities, as well as any work experience, in relation to the contents of the research program subject to the selection;
Relevance of the attached publications to the research program subject to the selection.

The evaluation may be supplemented by an interview useful for ascertaining the candidates’ research aptitude. The interview is not subject to specific scoring but is aimed at attributing scores on the curriculum, the project proposal, qualifications, and publications, and on the relevance to the GSSI research lines, as well as any other requirement provided by the call.