Premise

Confirmed and recognized for the quality of its research in science, technology and social and human sciences as well as for its high economic and social impact, the Fondazione Bruno Kessler www.fbk.eu is renowned for its focus on interdisciplinarity and complexity, and is organized in different research Centers, one of them is the Italian-German Historical Institute (FBK-ISIG) https://isig.fbk.eu/en/.

With its 3,500 square meters of laboratories and scientific facilities, and drawing on a community of over 400 stable researchers, 140 PhD students, 200 visiting fellows and Professors in double affiliation, as well as 700 affiliated and/or accredited students, the Fondazione Bruno Kessler – in close synergy with the University of Trento – acts as a research and innovation studies hub, its premises and platforms hosting a lively ecosystem of co-located ventures, spin-offs, projects and training opportunities.

Prerequisites

Consistent with the European “recovery and resilience policy” (Next Generation EU), the Fondazione Bruno Kessler has recently updated its organizational and operational model. The assumptions of this renewal – included in the 2018-2027 Strategic Plan – rest on scientific excellence and innovation, financial autonomy and sustainability, transparent evaluation systems, and an innovative model of strategic marketing and business development.

Goals

The goals pursued by the Foundation may be summarized as: broadening the horizon of its own research and social responsibility, stepping up integration of its own research and innovation lines and activities, increasing its appeal especially among young talents, working towards a new generational and gender balance, turning the skills of scientific management towards a "people oriented" managerial spirit.

Aside

The above premises, prerequisites, and goals constitute the reference framework for the selection of the Director of the Italian-German Historical Institute for the three-year period 2023–2025. The Italian-German Historical Institute is a research center of excellence for international scientific dialogue. It places particular emphasis on the entangled history of Italy and Germany, always within the wider European context, from the early modern period to the present day. The FBK-ISIG research team includes permanent researchers, collaborators and fellows, who develop projects in collaboration with other institutions and conduct individual studies in political, religious, social, cultural, legal, and economic history. Their shared research activities are highly interdisciplinary and transnational. The study activities promoted by FBK-ISIG maintain a constant dialogue with the most recent international historiographic trends. The Center has a specialist library, which holds one of the most extensive collections in the field of Italian-German historical literature; it also publishes a number of book series and periodicals to circulate the findings of individual and collective research produced by the institute’s members and external scholars who collaborate with the Center.

Subjective Requirements

To the extent that they correspond to the Foundation's mission and Strategic Plan and to the extent that they adhere to the aforementioned premises, prerequisites, and goals, applications from those candidates with documented international experience and advanced scientific and/or managerial qualifications, as well as a proven network of relationships in their communities of reference, will be taken into consideration. More in detail, for FBK-ISIG eligible applicants are professors or researchers in History or other disciplines in the humanities and social sciences, affiliated with public or private universities or research institutes of international standing. Previous experience and leadership in international research teams or projects are preferables.

Applications

Applications for the position of the Director for the Italian-German Historical Institute must be sent to https://jobs.fbk.eu/ by July 18, 2022, at 12.00 (noon, Italian time) in the form of a written proposal in which the above premise, prerequisites, and goals are to be illustrated for three and six years from now, according to the candidate’s personal view (at most four pages of 1.500 characters each). An updated Curriculum Vitae must be attached with the proposal, listing relevant publications and/or products of research and innovation however denominated, the candidates’ scientific and managerial experiences, and their relational networks in the relevant community. Up to the closing date for submissions, candidates may arrange for a personal meeting with the Secretary General Staff to get to know the Foundation and its research and study areas.

Terms of Appointment

This is a three-year appointment and may be renewed once for another three years. This is preferably a full-time position; however, the Foundation is open to hiring highly-dedicated part-time candidates. If compatible, the contract will be the one applied by the Foundation, the sole collective ad hoc contract for Research & Innovation in the private sector. Alternatively, the collaboration appointment will be consistent with the goals pursued by the Foundation and with its organizational and operational model. The professional category and basic salary will be those stipulated for senior managerial and scientific staff. Any bonuses and incentive plans will be subject to individual negotiation.

Selection Procedure

Compliant applications will be considered by an Evaluating Committee appointed by the Foundation’s Board of Administration. The Committee will be composed of one expert of proven scientific and/or managerial experience, one member of the Autonomous Province of Trento, one Board member, one member of the Scientific Committee, as well as the President and the Secretary General of the Foundation. In compliance with the Foundation’s Gender Equality Plan, the Evaluation Committee will be equally composed of both genders. The Committee’s assessment will be comprised of separate scores for:

1) the written proposal
2) the publications and/or products of research and innovation, however denominated
3) any formerly held scientific and/or management posts
4) the relationship networks in the scientific communities related to the areas of reference
5) a final interview (only for short-listed candidates)

In full respect of the data regulation policy, candidates admitted to the final interview will first be offered a personality test/assessment aimed at measuring their professional performance for the role sought. The presentation of the candidates before the final interview may be followed in streaming by the Foundation’s personnel. The final breakdown of assessment scores and a report on the procedure will be submitted to the Board of Administration who will make the final decision.

Trento, 29 April 2022
THE FBK CHAIRPERSON

Please read the “Guidelines for selection of Directors”, the “FAQ -Selection of Directors” and the “FBK Vademecum” before completing your application.FAQ -Selection of Directors. To request information, a preliminary interview, or if you need technical support with your application, please contact the Foundation at the following e-mail address: selezione@fbk.eu.