Fixed-term assistant professors

Legislation on fixed-term assistant professors has recently been revised, with the introduction of the tenure-track assistant professor (RTT), which will replace fixed-term a) junior and b) senior assistant professors.

Open positions

Calls for applications for fixed-term assistant professors

• Calls for application for the post of tenure-track fixed-term assistant professors (RTT) will be launched as of May 2023.
• Calls for fixed-term junior assistant professors (a) will continue to be issued until June 2025.
• Calls for fixed-term senior assistant professors (b) have been issued until June 2023 and will continue to be issued only for positions funded under the 2022-2026 Extraordinary Plan. 

General information on fixed-term assistant professors

Assistant professor professional profile

Assistant professors are classified among the teaching staff of the university as employees, with a fixed-term employment contract.

Contract duration and contract type

The contract duration varies according to the type:

• tenure-track assistant professors: 6 years, non-renewable
• fixed-term assistant professors a), junior: 3 years, may be extended once for 2 years
• fixed-term assistant professors b), senior: 3 years, non-renewable

For fixed-term assistant professors, there are two contract types for carrying out teaching, supplementary teaching and student service activities:

• full-time, 350 hours;
• part-time, 200 hours.

For fixed-term and tenure-track assistant professors, the contract types may provide for the performance of lectures:

• 0 to 60 hours per academic year for fixed-term junior assistant professors (a);
• 60 hours per academic year for fixed-term senior assistant professors (b) and tenure-track assistant professors.

Who can become an assistant professor

The selection process for fixed term assistant professors is open to those with a PhD or medical specialisation qualification, as specified in the call for applications.

For the fixed-term senior assistant professors (b) only, the following is required, alternatively:

• possession of a valid national scientific qualification as a full or associate professor;
• or at least 36 months working as:

• fixed-term assistant professors contract type a);
• research fellowships;
• post-doctoral fellowships;
• assistant professor contracts pursuant to Italian Law 230/2005; 
• similar contracts, fellowships or scholarships obtained at foreign universities or research institutes.

Who cannot take part in the calls for tenders

Full or associate professors and those who have a permanent assistant professor contract are excluded from participation in calls for fixed-term assistant professors In addition, individuals who have held tenure-track assistant professors (RTT) contracts for at least 3 years are excluded from participation in the calls for tenure-track assistant professors.

How to become an assistant professor

To become an assistant professor at the University of Bologna you have to take part in an open call based on qualifications and an interview. 

Remuneration

The amount of the contract is established according to the regulations in force and is differentiated according to the contract type:

• full time: EUR 37.201
• part-time: EUR 26.988

For tenure-track and fixed-term senior assistant professors (b), this amount may be increased up to a maximum of 30%.

The salary is periodically increased to the extent established by the Decree of the President of the Council of Ministers for adjustments to the remuneration to employees not covered by collective bargaining agreements.

For assistant professors who have resided abroad for at least 2 years, carrying out teaching or research activities, it is possible to benefit from important tax benefits.

Training and professional development

Training

The University encourages the professional development of its staff through support processes for new recruits, training tools dedicated to innovation and the quality of teaching and research. The assistant professor is also required to attend mandatory training courses on occupational health and safety and personal data protection.

Experience abroad and collaborations with companies

Thanks to cooperation agreements and networks of the university, assistant professors have numerous opportunities to carry out visiting periods abroad for teaching and research activities in collaboration with other universities and research centres around the world. In addition, assistant professors are an active part of the process that brings together companies and universities for knowledge sharing, innovation and technology transfer.

Professional growth: promotion to associate professor

Tenure-track or fixed-term senior assistant professors (b) are part of the procedure for promotion to associate professor by means of an evaluation of their activities during the last 6 years of their career.
In the case of tenure-track assistant professors, the evaluation procedure involves a teaching test. In the event of a positive outcome, the assistant professors are ranked among the university's associate professors and lecturers.
A valid National Scientific Qualification for the associate professor category is required for access to the promotion procedure.

Assistant professors can access the promotion procedure according to the following timetable:

• tenure-track assistant professors: from the end of the third year and for each year until the end of the contract, on individual application. If the assistant professor has held fixed-term junior (a) contracts or research fellowships for at least 3 years, periods of service will be recognised for access to the procedure from the end of the first year of the contract;
• fixed-term senior assistant professors (b): by the end of the third year of the contract, or from the end of the first year of the contract, under the conditions indicated in the Assistant Professor Regulations.

Discounts and benefits for those working at Unibo

Fixed-term assistant professors are eligible for certain concessions and benefits:

• discounts on bus passes (TPER) and train fares (FS);
• language courses and Italian L2 teaching programmes;
• discounts on books, magazines, cinemas, theatres and museums
• discounts for the use of specific software
• psychological support service;
• discounts for food products
• discounts for competitive and non-competitive sports (CUSB).

Useful documents 

• Recognition of a foreign qualification
• Entry into Italy for research activities (visiting researchers, visiting fellows and other researchers from abroad)
• Tenure-track Assistant Professors Regulation
• Fixed-term assistant professors Regulation
• Call for applications procedures for full or associate professor Regulation
• Law 240 of 30 December 2010 - Provisions governing the organisation of universities, academic staff and recruitment, as well as the Government mandate to incentivise the quality and efficiency of the university system