Call for expressions of interest for open-rank positions at GSSI

The Computer Science Group at the GSSI (top-ranked Computer Science department in Italy  in 2022 and national department of excellence) invites expressions of interest for open-rank  positions in computer science (Open Rank: Tenured Full Professorship or Assistant  Professorship with Tenure Track). Moreover, it invites expressions of interest for direct calls  of researchers (at all levels). This is a form of direct recruitment that does not include calls  from individual universities, but it is a nominative proposal that the university sends directly  to the Ministry (Law 230/2005, Art. 1, paragraph 9). A researcher is eligible for a direct call if  they meet either of the following two criteria:  

● They have been permanently engaged in research or teaching activities outside Italy  for at least three years, holding an equivalent academic position at a university or  research institution abroad. The call requires the approval of the National Scientific  Qualification Commission (ASN). 

● They have been qualified for specific high-qualification research projects, funded by  the European Union or the Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research  (MIUR), and identified by a specific decree, following a positive opinion from ANVUR  and CUN. For calls made within three years of winning the research project, approval  of the National Scientific Qualification Commission (ASN) is not required. 

The main research directions of the Computer Science area are Algorithms, Artificial  Intelligence, Formal Methods, and Software Engineering. Our research spans the spectrum  from theoretical developments to practical applications with impact on various domains,  including space, automotive, Robotics, Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS), Internet of Things  (IoT), and smart cities. 

Gran Sasso Science Institute (GSSI) 

Gran Sasso Science Institute (GSSI - http://www.gssi.it) is an International centre of excellence  for advanced studies and PhD school established in L'Aquila (Italy). 

Founded in 2012 and formally established in 2016 after a three-year successful experimental  period, the institute has already gained broad recognition at both national and international  levels. 

The PhD program at GSSI is organized in the scientific areas of Astroparticle Physics, Computer  Science, Mathematics, Regional Sciences, and Economic Geography. Every year, the institute  offers PhD scholarships and postdoctoral grants as well as research internship opportunities,  thus facilitating the attraction of prestigious scientists in the field of Computer Science. 

In 2022, GSSI participated for the first time in the Ministry of University and Research call of  ANVUR (Italian National Agency for the Evaluation of Universities and Research Institutes - https://www.anvur.it/en) to evaluate universities in Italy.  

In this first participation, the computer science area has been evaluated as the first Computer  Science department in Italy. This recognition gave the Computer Science area the opportunity  to participate in a further call for funding, and together with the Mathematics area, was  recognized as one of the "Departments of Excellence", obtaining more than 7 million Euros  in additional funding. Besides its prestige, this recognition brings additional permanent  positions and significant funds (over one million Euros) for building autonomous systems, IoT,  and algorithm-engineering laboratories. 

Moreover, the GSSI project was ranked first in the specific disciplinary sector (https://www.mur.gov.it/sites/default/files/2023-03/Allegato%206_180%20ammessi.pdf) among the 11 departments of excellence in computer science and mathematics, with only  three of them (including GSSI) concerning Computer Science. The first place is shared with  the Scuola Normale Superiore of Pisa and the University of Pisa, two prestigious Italian  institutions.  

Working at GSSI 

GSSI is the perfect place for both experienced academics and young researchers who aim to  establish and consolidate their groups and become principal investigators (PIs). Indeed,  these are the main strengths of GSSI as a working environment:  

● Freedom in selecting research topics and activities. 

● Entry package aiming at helping newcomers to develop their own research; ideal  conditions to perform excellent research; availability of open PhD positions and of  funding to purchase research resources; access to research laboratories (see below); a collegial environment welcoming newcomers to joint ongoing research projects;  space to host a research group; funding for travelling and inviting researchers. 

● Low teaching duties, involving solely teaching PhD-level courses and supervising PhD  students. 

● Laboratories: Autonomous Systems (service robots and vehicles), IoT, Algorithm  Engineering, High-Performance Computing (HPC). 

● Young, friendly, non-hierarchical, vibrant, and i nternational environment. 

● Excellent place to perform interdisciplinary research, e.g., with the other areas of  GSSI, in the context of existing or new projects. 

● Located in L’Aquila , a city of science hosting also the University of L’Aquila  (https://www.univaq.it) and the INFN (https://www.lngs.infn.it/en/lngs-overview), 

Gran Sasso Tech (a joint venture between GSSI and Thales Alenia Space - https://www.thalesgroup.com/en/worldwide/space/press_release/gran-sasso-tech foundation-born), high-technology companies (such as Thales Alenia Space,  Leonardo, Sanofi, IZS). 

● L’Aquila, a cosy and medium-size city in the centre of Italy, offers a high quality of  life, with good food, great nature, mountains, lakes, seaside at around 80 km, and  Rome at less than 100 km, etc. It is also home of an international high school. 

Call for Expression of Interest 

We are looking for candidates with an excellent publication record, an internationally visible  research profile, a clear potential to promote and lead research activities, and a specific  interest in teaching skilled and internationally recruited students at the postgraduate level. 

Applications should submit their expression of interest by sending: 

● a specification of the level of appointment in which the candidate is interested (i.e.,  Tenured Full Professorship, Tenured Associate Professorship, Assistant Professorship  with Tenure Track, Direct call) 

● a motivation letter, 

● a curriculum vitae, 

● a list of selected publications (at least 5 and no more than 12 publications) with links  from which they can be downloaded, and 

● a brief research statement. 

Applications (and questions regarding the application process) must be submitted  electronically to eoi-cs@gssi.it, preferably by the 30th of April 2026. 

GSSI is committed to gender balance, inclusion, and diversity. All expressions of interest will  be given proper consideration, independent of ethnicity, religion, age, gender, sexual  orientation, or disability. 

Disclaimer: Please note that this is not a job advertisement. Based on the received  expressions of interest, the Gran Sasso Science Institute will decide whether to open an  official call and which selection procedure to follow. 

Additional information 

Duties: Teaching PhD courses, leading internal seminars, and tutoring PhD students. All  activities are in English. 

Salary: The salary will be determined on a personal basis, also taking into account past  positions covered abroad. Professors who have held a tenured position outside Italy for more  than three years (at the corresponding level) might be eligible for a partial recognition of past  services, depending on specific legal constraints. 

Moreover, successful candidates might benefit from important and multiannual tax  incentives for attracting human capital to Italy: 

https://www.agenziaentrate.gov.it/portale/web/english/nse/individuals/tax-incentives-for attracting-human-capital-in-italy 

For informal enquiries, please contact the Director of the Computer Science area at  patrizio.pelliccione@gssi.it