University of Trento Post-Doc Fellowship for Scholars at Risk 2026 (Italy)

Introduction

Are you an established researcher with a PhD whose academic freedom or personal safety is currently under threat? Do you want to advance your research at a top-tier European university while receiving a substantial salary and independent research funding? The University of Trento, with funding from the CARITRO Foundation, is now accepting applications for its 2026 Senior Post-Doctoral Assignment under the “Scientific Solidarity for Scholars at Risk” project.

This 12-month research contract in Italy (renewable for an additional 12 months) is exclusively open to scholars holding a PhD who possess refugee status, temporary protection, or official certification as a Scholar at Risk. The selected candidate will receive a gross annual salary of €50,000 and an additional €1,000 for research expenses, with the flexibility to choose a host department from 14 participating academic structures spanning the sciences, humanities, law, and engineering.

If you are ready to resume your academic career in a secure and highly resourced environment, read on to review the specific departmental requirements, eligibility criteria, and the step-by-step application process before the October deadline.

Quick Overview

• Provider: University of Trento & CARITRO Foundation
• Country / Location: Trento & Rovereto, Italy
• Program Type: Post-Doc Assignment (Senior Fellowship)
• Study Level: Post-Doctoral (PhD or Medical Specialization required)
• Funding: €50,000/year Salary + €1,000 Research Budget
• Number of Awards: 1
• Open To: Scholars at Risk (Refugees, Asylum Seekers, SAR/NUIEC certified)
• Deadline: 5 October 2026

Important Dates

• Application Deadline: 5 October 2026 (12:00 PM Italian Time)
• Interview / Assessment: Notified at least 5 days prior
• Program Start: Late 2026 / Early 2027
• Duration: 12 months (Renewable for 12 months)

Financial Benefits

If you are selected for this Senior Post-Doc Assignment, you will establish a fixed-term employment relationship with the University of Trento. The compensation package includes:

• Salary: A highly competitive gross remuneration of €50,000.00 per year.
• Research Budget: An annual budget of €1,000.00 to purchase consumables or equipment necessary for your proposed research.
• Health Insurance: Entitlement to register with the Italian National Health Service (SSN) free of charge, or reimbursement for private health insurance if required by immigration procedures.
• Travel Assistance: Return travel expenses to your country of origin may be covered at the end of the contract if required by immigration procedures.

Note: Unlike the Junior Fellowship, accommodation expenses for the Post-Doctoral fellow and accompanying family members are not covered by the University.

Participating Academic Departments

You must choose only one of the following 14 academic structures to host your research. Your research proposal must strictly align with the specific disciplines and focuses outlined by that department in the official call:

• Department of Industrial Engineering (DII)
• Department of Economics and Management (DEM)
• Department of Information Engineering and Computer Science (DISI)
• Department of Humanities (DLF)
• Department of Mathematics (DM)
• Department of Sociology and Social Research (DSRS)
• Faculty of Law
• Center for Mind/Brain Sciences (CIMeC)
• Department of Physics (DF)
• School of International Studies (SIS)
• Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering (DICAM)
• Department of Psychology and Cognitive Science (DIPSCO)
• Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO)
• Center Agriculture Food Environment (C3A)

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the Senior Post-Doc Assignment, you must meet all of the following requirements by the application deadline:

Academic Requirements

• Hold a PhD degree (Dottore di ricerca) or a Medical Specialization obtained in Italy, or an equivalent degree obtained abroad.
• Possess a scientific background and CV suitable for carrying out research activities in your chosen subject area.

Risk Status (Must meet at least ONE)

• Hold refugee status in Italy, an EU state, or a Geneva Convention signatory state.
• Hold subsidiary protection in Italy or an EU member state.
• Be an asylum seeker in Italy or an EU member state.
• Hold temporary protection in Italy or an EU member state.
• Be officially recognized as a “Scholar at Risk” by SAR or The New University in Exile Consortium (NUIEC).

Language & Other Restrictions

• Demonstrate a very good level of knowledge (written and spoken) of the English language.
• You must not be a current tenured staff member of a university.
• You must not have a close family relationship (up to 4th degree) with professors/officials at the University of Trento.

Required Documents

When preparing your application, you will need to gather the following documents:

• Resume/CV: Provided in PDF format.
• Identity Document: A photocopy of a valid identity card or passport.
• Academic Certificates: PhD or medical specialization degree certificate (include translation if obtained abroad and not in EN/FR/DE/ES).
• Risk Status Documentation: Official proof of refugee status, protection status, asylum application, or SAR/NUIEC certificate.
• Research Proposal: Must be drafted using the official “SAR 2026 Senior Research Template” provided by the University.
• Motivation Letter
• Publications: A maximum of 3 publications relevant to the research topic.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I do not have a certified SAR or NUIEC status yet?

If you face genuine risk but lack official certification, do not contact SAR or NUIEC directly. You must urgently contact the designated SAR contact person for your chosen academic structure at the University of Trento. They will submit documentation to verify the possibility of obtaining risk certification on your behalf.

Does this fellowship include free housing like the Junior fellowship?

No. Accommodation expenses for the Senior Post-Doctoral fellow and any accompanying family members are not covered by the University. You will be responsible for securing your own housing using your €50,000 annual salary.

Can I apply for both the Junior and Senior fellowships?

If you hold a PhD and meet the specific requirements of both calls, the university states you may apply to both, provided you follow the application procedure separately for each. However, the Senior fellowship is designed specifically for PhD holders, whereas the Junior fellowship is targeted at post-Master’s scholars.