The Comparative Evaluation Procedure for the Award of 1 Research Contract (Art. 22-ter of Law No. 240/2010) at the International Competence Centre for Food Fermentation is now open. Issued by Decree No. 741/2026 dated 12/06/2026, this opportunity is part of the scientific-disciplinary group 07/AGRI-08 (Agricultural, Food, and Environmental Microbiology) under the supervision of Professor Raffaella Di Cagno. The research project is titled BITELOOP – multifunctional sweetener from broken rice through upcycling via fungal fermentation.

Overview

The International Competence Centre for Food Fermentation seeks to award one research contract focused on advancing knowledge in food microbiology and biotechnology. The position is based at the Free University of Bozen and is dedicated to the BITELOOP project, which aims to develop a multifunctional sweetener from broken rice through an upcycling process using fungal fermentation. Candidates must hold a Master’s degree (MSc or MA) or equivalent qualification in Food Sciences or Biotechnology, or in related fields.

Eligibility Requirements

• Required degree: A Master’s degree (MSc or MA) in Food Sciences or Biotechnology, or an equivalent qualification obtained under previous academic regulations (pre-M.D. 509/99). Foreign degrees will be accepted if recognised as equivalent.
• Important notice: Only candidates who meet the eligibility requirements as specified in Article 1 of the call for applications may apply. Applicants who do not meet these conditions will be excluded from the procedure by official decree.

Application Process

Applications must be submitted exclusively through the online portal elixForms. The following browsers are recommended: Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, or Microsoft Edge. The application form is divided into sections; fields marked with an asterisk (*) are mandatory. Candidates must attach all required documents in PDF or JPG format.

Required documents include:

• Curriculum vitae in PDF format
• Publications deemed useful for evaluation, including the thesis, in PDF format (subject to the maximum number specified in the call)
• A copy of a valid identification document in PDF or JPG format
• For non-EU citizens: certificates or attestations from the competent authority of the foreign state proving facts, status, and personal qualifications

At the end of the online application, candidates must validate the submission using one of the following methods:

• Substitute declaration: Print, sign by hand, scan, and upload the declaration together with a valid ID
• Digital signature: Download the PDF, sign digitally, and upload the signed document
• SPID or CIE authentication: Access via SPID or CIE renders the form valid without a signature

Only after completing validation will the application be considered final. Candidates will receive a confirmation email upon successful submission.

Deadline and Timeline

• Publication date: 15 June 2026 at 09:00
• Application deadline: 30 June 2026 at 12:00
• Important: On the final day, the online system closes at 12:00. Candidates are advised to register and complete the application well in advance of the deadline.
• Technical support is available via the online portal; the teaching personnel service handles content-related questions, while IT support addresses technical issues.

Contact Information

For inquiries regarding the content of the call, candidates may contact the teaching personnel service. For technical issues with the online form, use the support link located in the upper right corner of the application portal. The data controller is the Free University of Bozen; Anthesi Srl (Via Brennero, 97, 38121 Trento) is the external data processor for online applications.

Privacy and data protection are governed by EU Regulation 2016/679. Candidates should review the attached privacy policy before submitting.