A Project Manager in the field of Rural and territorial development for the Horizon Europe project TERRAE

The Digital Society (DIGIS) research center of FBK is committed to comprehensively exploring, understanding, and shaping the intricate interplay between digital technology and the fabric of human society, embracing the vision that digital technology can serve as a catalyst for positive societal change.

In particular, the Digital Society center conducts pioneering research focused on two crucial areas where ICT can have a profound impact on contemporary society: Digital Twins for Human Society to better understand, predict, and proactively address the multifaceted challenges facing them; and New Media and Education for a Resilient Society - exploring the dynamics of new media and developing advanced digital solutions towards a more inclusive, sustainable and resilient society. The center is composed of a multidisciplinary team of approximately 75 researchers, technologists and managers (including PhD students) organized in 7 research units dedicated to specific research areas in the ICT domain and 2 support units focusing on project management and technology maturation.

FBK has established the Project Management Group (PMG) to assist its research units with all of their project management needs. The PMG works across research units and administrative offices assisting and managing local, national and European projects and providing guidance and support to maximize efficiency, optimize results and reduce costs. The purpose of the PMG is to provide a unified approach for defining, managing, reporting and supporting the project management practices for the Digital Society research units. The goal of the PMG is to build and maintain transparent, predictable, and repeatable project management processes to collaborate with researchers.

Job Description

FBK is looking for a dynamic and highly motivated candidate to cover this position in the PMG Unit of Digital Society Center. We are looking for a Project Manager with a background in research funding programmes, EU proposal writing, grant management and project development , combined with expertise in participatory approaches, community engagement and co-design processes . The candidate will work in collaboration with other project managers of the Unit and researchers of the Digital Society and Augmented Intelligence Centers, as well as with partners involved in FBK projects, reporting directly to the Head of Unit. The candidate will work within the Horizon Europe project TERRAE - Digital Twins-Enabled Rural Resilience in Agriculture and Forestry ( supporting the project coordination and the implementation of the local pilot on forestry, including participatory activities with local stakeholders.

Funding acquisition will also play an important role, with a good portion of time spent finding new project opportunities, writing proposals and building consortia.

The successful candidate is expected to:

• Support the implementation of the Horizon Europe project TERRAE, in particular the activities connected to the management of the local pilot in Trentino, including collaboration with the Autonomous Province of Trento and set-up and coordination of participatory co-design activities with a local group of stakeholders.
• Provide operational support within other EU research and innovation funded projects for the design and facilitation of participatory and co-design processes involving communities and diverse stakeholder groups.
• Support the participation of the DIGIS and AI centres in research and innovation programmes mainly in the areas of digital innovation, empowerment of rural and urban communities, resilient societies, green transition and disaster resilience, trustworthy and human-centric AI. This includes analysis of the calls, identification of opportunities for FBK, matching of opportunities with scientific expertise of research groups, consortium building, proposal preparation as a main contact person.
• Writing proposals as a main contact person for local, national and international research and innovation projects.
• Managing relations with local and international stakeholder within the scope of PMG research and innovation projects.
• Reference funding programmes for this position are: Horizon Europe and Interreg (Alpine Space, Central Europe) programme, but work can extend also to other funding programmes.

Job requirements

• M.Sc. (or equivalent degrees), awarded by an Italian university or a title obtained abroad which has been recognized as equivalent to the Italian degree;
• At least 2 years of experience as a project manager focused on writing and managing European projects;
• Good knowledge of the following EU funding programmes: Horizon Europe, Interreg Alpine Space, Interreg Central Europe;
• Experience in working in large collaborative European projects in the Horizon Europe funding programme;
• Emerging track record in writing successful research proposals as a main writer in Horizon Europe, Horizon 2020 and the other funding programmes mentioned above;
• Excellent knowledge of the Italian language (C1);
• Excellent knowledge of the English language (C1);
• Strategic vision and management skills;
• Teamwork approach, good communication and relational skills;
• Accuracy, flexibility, proactivity, and goal orientation.

Furthermore, the following elements will be positively evaluated:

• Experience in the management of large collaborative European projects in the Horizon Europe funding programme;
• 4+ years of experience as a project manager focused on writing and managing European projects;
• A PhD title awarded by an Italian or foreign university, or an equivalent qualification obtained abroad;
• A background in research and a good knowledge of the research process;
• A project management certification such as PMP© or PM2;
• A good knowledge of the administrative procedures within EU projects and of the European funding and tender portal.

Employment

Type of contract: fixed-term contract

Working hours: Full time (38 h per week)

Start date: November 2026

Duration: 24 months with the possibility of extending the contract depending on funding

Workplace: Povo, Trento

Gross annual salary: about € 41.245,00, plus objectives achievements bonus

Benefits: flexi-time, company subsidized cafeteria or meal vouchers, internal car park, welcome office support for visa formalities and for research in accommodation, accommodation etc., supplementary pension and health fund, social security (SANIFONDS), family-work balance, free training courses, support on bank account opening, discount on public transport, sport, language course fees, counseling and psychological support service. More info at