Short Research Fellowship┋A European Infrastructural Geopolitics: Engaging new challenges for Italian and Adriatic Ports
The present document in English is to be considered as a mere translation of the provisions of the call that is available in Italian at the following link. The text in Italian is the official text of the notice of competition for all legal intents and purposes and, in the event of non-conformity with the present document, it shall prevail.
Description
The Department of Economics of Università Ca' Foscari Venezia having regard to the Departmental Council of 2025.03.27, establishing the research programmes for awarding of the short fellowships in:
A European Infrastructural Geopolitics: Engaging new challenges for Italian and Adriatic Ports,
within the framework of the Convention stipulated between Ca' Foscari University Venice and the North Adriatic Sea Port System Authority - Venice and Chioggia ports, CUP H73C23001180005, Memorandum of Understanding no. 1452/2023 with the North Adriatic Sea Port System Authority (AdSP MAS), Scientific Responsible Prof. Stefano Soriani.
- Tutor: Prof.ssa Luiza Anna Bialasiewicz
- duration: 12 months, starting from September 2025
- GSD: GEOG-01/B; GSD: 11/GEOG-01
The research fellowship is awarded for the purpose of collaboration with the following research programme of the Department of Economics:
Abstract
The research project examines the possible role of European ports as key actors in engaging the new geopolitical and geoeconomic challenges currently facing the EU. Focusing on the port-spaces of the Adriatic, with Venice at their center, the research project interrogates these dynamics at three interconnected scales: the regional one, that of the Mediterranean and the ‘wider Mediterranean’, and that of the nascent EU ‘Maritime Space’. In particular, the project aims to: 1) trace the evolution of new roles and functions for ports not only as trade and logistics nodes but also as energy hubs and key sites for the EU’s security strategies; 2) furnish an understanding of some of the ways in which ports can become not only national and European strategic assets, but also active players in pursuing the EU’s key objectives (including those outlined in the Competitiveness Compass and the European Defense Industrial Strategy). Following from the above, 3) propose a) concrete EU investment strategies for ports and portsystems, in particular in the realms of new technologies, AI and digitalization and b) imagine new European governance and regulatory frameworks for ports as critical infrastructures in affirming EU strategic interests and strategic autonomy, not only national concerns.
The research fellowship amounts to Euro 20.000,00, gross to the recipient.
Deadline for submission of applications: 2025-06-03, h. 12.00, noon, local time.
Rules of eligibility – Beneficiaries
Citizens belonging to European Union member states and non-community citizens in possession of the following qualifications may take part in the selection:
- Master's degree or equivalent foreign qualification
Applicants must hold all the requisites within the call deadline. A Commission will evaluate the eligibility and qualifications of the candidates and makes a merit rank of them.
Skill required
- Extensive knowledge of the political geography of the Mediterranean, demonstrable through examinations taken during studies and/or relevant publications on the subject of the call for applications;
- Demonstrated academic writing skills,
Assessable qualifications
Master's degree and PhD (completed or in progress) in disciplines relevant to the project.
How to apply Candidates should submit:
- The application form
- A CV in European format (http://www.unive.it/data/28900/), duly dated and signed.
- A photocopy of a valid identity document (e.g. Identity Card or Passport).
- All documents, qualifications and publications relevant for the selection procedure.
How to submit your application
Applications, together with all the required documentation, have to be submitted exclusively online at the following webpage: https://apps.unive.it/domandeconcorso-en/accesso/dec-borsabialasievicz-28042025
by inserting their Italian Tax Code. Foreign citizens not yet in possesion of the Italian Tax Code can use the following link https://apps.unive.it/utils/cf to obtain a temporary one and be able to proceed with the request.
The candidate if necessary could access the procedures for updating any data and materials by the link, in any case any updates must be made no later than the deadline 2025-06-03 h. 12.00, noon, local time.
The candidate, after the uploading, will receive a submission number and an e-mail acknowledging receipt of their application. The candidate if necessary could access the procedures for updating any data and materials through the link and submission number provided in the e-mail until the call deadline expires.
Please note that candidate can contact the University for any support needs by the candidate until 24 hours prior to the deadline. For further information please contact Segreteria Amministrativa del Dipartimento di Economia, phone number: 041-2349173; e-mail: simar@unive.it.
Please note that in case of a high number of applications and / or weight of the materials loaded by the candidates the system might become slower. Therefore, it is suggested not to start the process close to the deadline.
Incomplete applications, those without the required data and the compulsory attachments will not be taken into consideration. Furthermore, the applications which, for any reason, reach this University beyond the deadline indicated above cannot be accepted.
The declarations made in the application shall be considered issued in accordance with the DPR no. 445/2000 and subsequent amendments, by candidates entitled to use the simplified administrative certifications permitted by the above decree.
Selection and evaluation procedure
The selection is made by assessment of the scientific-professional qualifications of the candidates and the interview, by a Selection Committee appointed by order of the Director of the research department taking into account, whereas possible, gender balance.
A Commission summoned by the Director of the Department, who indicates the President of the Commission and the member taking the minutes, will evaluate the applications.
The Commission defines the general evaluation criteria. The qualifications and any other test must ascertain the suitability of the applicant to the research activity. The Commission compiles a ranking and specifies the winning applicant, having regard to the score appointed to experience and qualifications and any other test, as specified by the call.
The interview will be held in remote only. Further details on how to connect online will be published alongside the convocation notice
The interviews will take place telematically between 09 - 11 July 2025.
The short-list of the candidates admitted to the interview and the precise time of the event, or any postponement and the detailed timetable of the interviews with reference to each Profile will be published on the University’s webpage on 2025/06/16 (https://www.unive.it/data/12136/).
Awarding of the short research fellowship
Having received the selection documents, and at the outcome of the checks, the Director approves, by his own decree, the classification and the selection procedure reports and makes them public.
Notification, including the start date of the short-term research fellowship, shall be sent to the winning candidate.
The winner must accept the short-term research fellowship within seven days of receipt of the written notification referred to above, under penalty of revocation. In the event of withdrawal, the short-term research fellowship shall be awarded to the next available candidate, following the order of the final ranking of merit.
The Director Decree approving the selection acts and designating the winner and the Report defining the evaluation criteria or any postponement will be notified through the publication, on the University’s webpage (https://www.unive.it/data/12136/)
Access to the selection documents is guaranteed pursuant to the law of August 7th 1990, no. 241 and subsequent amendments and additions and relative internal implementation regulation.
Incompatibility
The short-term research fellowship may not overlap with:
- other scholarships granted in any capacity, apart from those granted by national or foreign research institutes in order to integrate with periods abroad the specific activity foreseen by the work plan of the appointed fellow;
- attendance of PhD courses with scholarship and medical specialization, in Italy and abroad;
- research grants “assegni di ricerca”
Fellowship holders may carry out self-employed work or occasional or permanent collaborations, as long as this is coherent with the ongoing research, upon approval and on the condition that:
- does not involve a conflict of interest with the specific research activity carried out;
- does not prejudice the university, in relation to the activities carried out.
Subordinate employment contracts holders, in addition to obtaining permission by the university, must provide the authorization of their employer.
In the specific case that the subordinate employment contract started prior to the awarding of the fellowship, compatibility with the existing employment will have to be assessed; if the assessment yields a negative result, the short research fellowship will not be awarded; in the case of a positive result, the successful candidate will have to provide the authorization of his/her employer within 15 days.
In the event that the subordinate employment contract will start once the fellowship is ongoing, the successful applicant is required to notify this change at least 15 days before the start of the employment contract for an assessment of compatibility; if the assessment is negative, the fellowship will cease by the start of the employment contract; in the event of a positive outcome, the successful applicant must provide the authorization of his/her employer within 15 days.
The awarding of the short-term research fellowship does not imply the establishment of any employment contract, nor does it give rise to any rights of access to positions of employment at the university.
Processing of personal data
Personal data provided by the candidates in their applications for participation in the selection procedures, are processed pursuant to the legislative decree of June 30th 2003, no. 196 and subsequent amendments and additions and to EU Regulations 2016/679. Comprehensive information on personal data processing can be found here.
The person responsible for administrative proceedings
In accordance with Art. 5 of Law no. 241 dated 7 August 1990, as amended, the person responsible for the selection process (RPA) is Dott. Silvia Lovatti who can be reached at the Department of Economics, at the email address silvialo@unive.it and telephone no. +39 04102349158
Information and contacts
For further information please contact Segreteria Amministrativa del Dipartimento di Economia, phone number: 041-2349173; e-mail: simar@unive.it
Final provisions
For anything not specified in this call, see the University of Venice's current regulations regarding the awarding for research fellowships and the current legislation.
