Position of Scientific Director of the Italian National Metrology Institute (INRiM)

About INRIM

INRiM is a public research institution acting as Italy’s National Metrological Institute (NMI). INRiM realizes, maintains and develops the national reference standards of the measurement units of the International System (SI).

INRiM is the signatory of international agreements concerning metrology, including acting as delegated by competent organizations, and realizes and maintains national standards for units of measurement required as benchmarks, as is also the case for metrological institutes in other countries.

Basic and applied research in several fields – such as materials science, nanoscience, quantum optics, studies on the fundamental constants of physics – as well as the development of new measurement technologies and instruments enhance the metrology activity.

Through seminars, exhibitions, events and conferences INRiM disseminates its scientific findings and advancements. The Institute promotes education and training for young scientists by organizing PhD courses and financing scholarships and research grants.

INRiM participates as a member of technical bodies of the General Conference for Weights and Measures (CGPM) and so contributes to the definition of strategies and long-term research programs in the field of international metrology. It is also a member of organizations set up by Europe’s national metrological institutes to promote cooperation in metrological activities.

In order to meet the needs of industry, INRiM provides consultancy, calibration and testing services.

The Institute supports the National Laboratory Accreditation System by ensuring the quality of measurement standards and procedures and promoting the dissemination of the national standards of the SI measurement units.

Duties and responsibilities of the Scientific Director

The Scientific Director:

• coordinates the research activities of the Institute, carried out by the three scientific Divisions;
• participates in the meetings of the Board and the Scientific Council, but without voting power;
• proposes training initiatives for researchers and technicians to the Chairperson and Board based on the needs of the research structures;
• in concert with the Divisions, establishes requests for human and financial resources to be proposed to bodies within the Institute for approval;
• in concert with the Divisions, defines requirements for capital asset resources and services to be submitted to the Managing Director or Chairperson.

Position requirements

• Status of “Dirigente di ricerca” or “full professor” or equivalent qualification at an international level or adequate experience in a position of high scientific responsibility in the private sector, whether national or international. The equivalence of the qualifications and the appropriateness of the experience will be assessed by the Search Committee.

Further expectations

• outstanding expertise and a strong and internationally competitive research profile (scientific publications, international awards, invited presentations in well-established international conferences etc.) coherent with the mission of the Institute;
• profound knowledge of the national and international context gained within scientific networks and/or national and international bodies devoted to research;
• longstanding experience in setting up and leading research groups – at least five years track record in managing science  and research teams on various levels and skills and experience in supporting and nurturing new scientists;
• strong teamwork and leadership skills;
• strong management skills in the coordination of relevant research projects and the organization of laboratories and/or complex research infrastructures;
• strong sense of responsibility, initiative and self-motivation along with an ambition to develop the research Institute to a world-class standard;
• English proficiency. Good knowledge of Italian is a plus.

Recruiting process and remuneration

The Scientific Director holds a full-time appointment as assigned by the Chairperson and based on a prior Board resolution. The term of the appointment is five years and may be reconfirmed for one further term. If the Scientific Director retires before the end of the term, the appointment is considered as terminated.

The Scientific Director is selected, following public notification and by means of specific selection procedures approved by the Board.

The assignment, if given to employees, does not entail changes with respect to the legal status and the salary received. The allowance referred to in the art. 9 of the current CCNL (Collective Labour Agreement) is added to the salary to the maximum extent.

If the assignment is given to a non-employee, the Scientific Director must sign and individual fixed-term contract (five years) and will be subject to all the provisions included in the applicable law, the CCNL (Collective Labour Agreement) for Public Research Bodies and the INRiM Statute. The salary is established by the Board based on a proposal made by the Chairperson and must also be in conformity with the national CCNL (Collective Labour Agreement) in force for research organizations (salary range between 80,000 and 129,000 euros per year).

Submission method and dealine

Applications (one only pdf file) are accepted until November 28th, 2024, via certified email (PEC) to the address [email protected].

For foreign candidates, submission through standard email, to the address [email protected], is accepted but does not guarantee receipt of the application.

The application, even if sent by registered mail, must be received within 28 days from the date of publication of this Notice.

The pdf file must include the CV and a presentation which shows the requirements and scientific qualification necessary to effectively carry out the role. Informal enquiries may be directed to [email protected].

• Opening date: October 31st, 2024
• Closing date: November 28th, 2024 at 17:00 CET.

Appointment

The envisaged starting date of the position will be on March 1^st, 2025.

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We inform you that the information you provide will be treated as extremely confidential and used solely for the purposes of this selection process. Please see the following “Privacy statement”: 

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