Position Title:                    Senior Collaborator
Department/Office:           Institute for Local Autonomies in Europe
Duty Station:                     Trento, Italy
Type of Appointment:       Short-term contract 
Deadline for Application:   17 July, 2026

The European Public Law Organization (EPLO), in cooperation with the Faculty of Law of the University of Trento, is implementing a research programme focusing on comparative public law and the study of local and regional autonomies in Europe. The programme aims to promote joint research, knowledge exchange and academic cooperation through comparative studies and the organization of annual international conferences. 

The position is based at the EPLO Center in Trento, under the supervision of the Center's Director. The successful candidate will contribute to research and coordination activities related to the financial autonomy of regional and sub-state entities in Europe, while supporting the organization of an international academic conference to be held in Trento in December 2026.

Responsibilities
The selected candidate is expected to:

•    Coordinate the organization of an international conference to be held in Trento in December 2026.
•    Supervise and coordinate the work of two junior collaborators, ensuring the timely implementation of project activities.
•    Conduct research on the financial autonomy of regional and sub-state entities.
•    Coordinate the collection and analysis of responses from European scholars through a dedicated research questionnaire.
•    Prepare summary papers and research reports based on the collected evidence.
•    Liaise with academic experts and institutional stakeholders throughout the implementation of the project.
•    Support the Director of the EPLO Center in the implementation of research and project-related activities.    

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

•    PhD in Law, Political Science, Economics, Public Administration, European Studies, or another relevant discipline from a recognized academic institution.

Experience

•    Significant research experience in the field of the financial autonomy of regional or sub-state entities.
•    Experience in organizing international academic conferences, workshops, or similar events.
•    Experience coordinating research activities and collaborating within multidisciplinary or international research teams.
•    Experience in drafting academic papers, policy papers, reports, or research summaries.

Languages

•    Excellent command (oral and written) of English.
•    Good command (oral and written) of Italian.

Competencies

•    Strong research and analytical skills.
•    Excellent organizational and project coordination abilities.
•    Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
•    Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with international scholars and institutional stakeholders.
•    Leadership and coordination skills, including the supervision of junior collaborators.
•    Ability to work independently while contributing effectively within a team.

Duty Station

The position will be based at the EPLO Center in Trento. Physical presence in Trento is required for the duration of the appointment.

How to apply

Interested candidates are invited to submit their CV in English to hr@eplo.int , quoting the title of the vacancy in the subject line, by 17 July 2026.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.