The opening of selection procedures for the assignment of no. 5 research grants in the following Faculties of Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, for the following scientific-disciplinary sectors:

FACULTY OF SCIENZE AGRARIE ALIMENTARI E AMBIENTALI: ACADEMIC DISCIPLINE: AGR/01 AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS AND RURAL APPRAISAL

n. 1 position.
DURATION: one year; can be renewed.
TUTOR: Prof. Daniele RAMA.
TITLE OF THE RESEARCH PROJECT: Analysis of the structure and performance of agro-food firms in the Cremona province.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE RESEARCH PROJECT: The project aims to study the structure of agro-food firms in Cremona territory (companies’ size, concentration, scale economies, barriers to entry…) and to evaluate their performance, taking into account the competitive environment.
SEAT: Cremona.
FINANCING: Progetto Cremona Agri Food-Lab (n. 10 mensilità), Ricerche Osservatorio latte (n. 2 mensilità)

FACULTY OF SCIENZE AGRARIE ALIMENTARI E AMBIENTALI: ACADEMIC DISCIPLINE: AGR/13 AGRICULTURAL CHEMISTRY

n. 1 position.
DURATION: one year; can be renewed.
TUTOR: Prof. Marco TREVISAN.
TITLE OF THE RESEARCH PROJECT: Evaluation of dossier to pesticide registration.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE RESEARCH PROJECT: Goal of work will be the evaluation of pesticide dossier with emphasis on pesticide residues, analtycal methods and chemical-physical properties.
SEAT: Piacenza.
FINANCING: Istituto zooprofilattico sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana M. Aleandri

FACULTY OF SCIENZE AGRARIE ALIMENTARI E AMBIENTALI: ACADEMIC DISCIPLINE: AGR/16 AGRICULTURAL MICROBIOLOGY

n. 1 position.
DURATION: one year; can be renewed.
TUTOR: Prof. Edoardo PUGLISI.
TITLE OF THE RESEARCH PROJECT: Sustainable innovation for regenerative agriculture in the Mediterranean area (SIRAM).
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE RESEARCH PROJECT: SIRAM (Sustainable innovation for regenerative agriculture in the Mediterranean area) will provide a comprehensive integration and implementation of sustainable solutions for regenerative agriculture across different Mediterranean areas, addressing at the same time issues of low incomes at smallholder farm level. A multidisciplinary team will tackle from different perspectives issues related to soil degradation, over-use of chemical inputs, climate change, desertification, environmental risks and low-incomes at smallholder farms level. The candidate will work on the selection and application of microorganisms with biostimulation and biodefense activities of the plant, and on the assessment of microbiome-plant interactions with molecular techniques. The candidate will also support the coordination of the research project.
SEAT: PiacenzaPiacenza PiacenzaPiacenza Piacenza.
FINANCING: Progetto di ricerca – SIRAM

FACULTY OF SCIENZE AGRARIE ALIMENTARI E AMBIENTALI: ACADEMIC DISCIPLINE: AGR/16 AGRICULTURAL MICROBIOLOGY

n. 1 position.
DURATION: one year; can be renewed.
TUTOR: Prof. Edoardo PUGLISI.
TITLE OF THE RESEARCH PROJECT: Sustainable innovation for regenerative agriculture in the Mediterranean area (SIRAM).
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE RESEARCH PROJECT: SIRAM (Sustainable innovation for regenerative agriculture in the Mediterranean area) will provide a comprehensive integration and implementation of sustainable solutions for regenerative agriculture across different Mediterranean areas, addressing at the same time issues of low incomes at smallholder farm level. A multidisciplinary team will tackle from different perspectives issues related to soil degradation, over-use of chemical inputs, climate change, desertification, environmental risks and low-incomes at smallholder farms level. The broad objective of SIRAM is to develop smart, sustainable, and resilient agricultural systems and economies, which are in agreement with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and EU Green Deal towards 2030 and beyond. The candidate will work on communication, dissemination and training, focusing on tasks such as: production of informative and promotional materials, development of interactive online courses (e.g. e-learning and webinars), management of the project website and social media, organisation of scientific events and stakeholder engagement activities.
SEAT: PiacenzaPiacenza PiacenzaPiacenza Piacenza.
FINANCING: Progetto di ricerca – SIRAM

FACULTY OF SCIENZE AGRARIE ALIMENTARI E AMBIENTALI: ACADEMIC DISCIPLINE: AGR/19 ANIMAL SCIENCE

n. 1 position.
DURATION: one year; can be renewed.
TUTOR: Prof. Erminio TREVISI.
TITLE OF THE RESEARCH PROJECT: Nutritional strategies to reduce the green gas emissions in dairy cows.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE RESEARCH PROJECT: The aim of the CREI project is the integration of the different sectors of the agro-livestock supply chain with a view to circular economy and sustainability of cow milk production. One of the most relevant aspects concerns the possibility of mitigating greenhouse gas emissions (methane in particular) from the rumen fermentation of dairy cows, without side effects on their health and well-being. In this context, the project intends to evaluate management and nutritional strategies useful for increasing the resilience of cows but, at the same time, reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The research will be developed at the CERZOO srl Research Center, where multiple “precision farming” technologies are available, useful for evaluating greenhouse gas emissions, the quantitative and qualitative production of milk, feeding behaviour and the feed intake level, animal welfare (with assessments of behaviour and many physiological parameters at immunometabolic and rumen level). During the project, the effectiveness of diets and specific feed supplements on the level of methane emissions in mid-lactation cows will be tested.
SEAT: PiacenzaPiacenza PiacenzaPiacenza Piacenza.
FINANCING: Progetto di ricerca – Strategie nutrizionali per diminuire le emissioni di gas serra nella bovina da latte – CREI

Art. 2: Admission requirements:

Application for participation in the competition is open to Italian and foreign candidates holding a four-year university degree* or a Master’s degree obtained in an Italian, EU or foreign university.
A PhD or equivalent qualification obtained abroad, if not otherwise specified, are preferential qualifications for participation in the selection procedures.
Applicants subject to any of the causes of incompatibility set forth in the Code of Conduct of the University cannot participate in the public competition.
The following candidates cannot participate in the public competition either:
− those who had contracts as research grant holders, in accordance with Art. 22 of Law 240 of December 30, 2010, for a period which, added to the expected duration of the contract announced, exceeds four years on the whole, with the exclusion of the period in which the grant was enjoyed while doing a PhD without scholarship, to the maximum extent of the legal duration of the corresponding programme;
− those who had contracts as research grant holders/fixed-term researchers, in accordance with Articles 22 and 24 of Law 240 of December 30, 2010, with the University or the bodies referred to in the first line of the following paragraph, for a period that, added to the expected duration of the contract announced, exceeds twelve years on the whole, even if not on a continuing basis. For the purposes of the duration of the aforementioned relations, the periods spent on maternity leave or on health leave are not considered according to current legislation.

As obtained before the below-mentioned reference frames. For EU citizens the frame of reference is constituted by the Bologna process and in Italy it is regulated by Ministerial Decree 509 of November 3, 1999. The following positions are incompatible with the awarding of contracts:

permanent staff of universities, institutions and public research and experimental bodies, of the National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA) and the Italian Space Agency (ASI), and of institutions whose degree of scientific specialisation is recognised as equivalent to the qualification of Doctor of Philosophy, in accordance with Art. 74, fourth Paragraph, of Presidential Decree 382 of July 11, 1980;

holders of scholarships awarded for any purpose, with the exception of those awarded by national or foreign institutions with the aim of integrating research activity with stays abroad;

students enrolled in university programmes, Master’s degree programmes, Postgraduate programmes, or doctoral programmes with scholarship or medical specialisations, in Italy or abroad.
Exclusion due to lack of admission requirements shall be ruled by Rector’s justified provision.

Art. 3: Submission of application

Applicants must submit documented application on unstamped paper, as indicated in Annex A.
A signed copy of the application form must be delivered:

sent by registered mail, or express mail, with return receipt to the following address: Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Servizio personale docente e tecnico amministrativo (Ufficio Amministrazione Concorsi) – Largo Gemelli, 1 – 20123 Milano, by july 6, 2022. Receipt of applications shall be validated by post office date stamp

sent by certified mail if you have a certified email (PEC email) at risorse.umane@pec.ucsc.it by july, 6 2022.

Art. 4: Contents of the application:

In the application form Application form, candidates shall precisely indicate:
) surname and name;
) place and date of birth;
) fiscal code (the University shall determine the fiscal code of foreign candidates that cannot indicate it);
) place of residence;
) citizenship;
) for Italian citizens: registration in the electoral roll stating the municipality of registration, otherwise, the reasons for non-registration or cancellation; for non-Italian citizens: declaration of the enjoyment of civil and political rights in their country of belonging or origin;
) to have no criminal record; otherwise, any convictions (specifying the details of the relative sentences) and any pending criminal proceedings;
) to have been neither dismissed from employment at any Public Administration due to persistent poor performance, nor declared no longer entitled to public employment in accordance with Art. 127, Letter d) of Presidential Decree 3 of January 10, 1957, and subsequent modifications and integrations;
) not to be subject to any of the causes of incompatibility referred to in Art. 2 of the public announcement;
) not to be subject to any of the causes of incompatibility set forth in the Code of Conduct of the University;
) the competition of application (specifying Faculty, scientific-disciplinary sector and research project presented relative to the topics covered by the public announcement (only for grants referred to in Art. 1, Letter )).
In the application form, candidates may elect a special domicile for communications from the University Administration. Any changes in the above-stated domicile must be promptly notified to Servizio personale docente e tecnico amministrativo (Ufficio Amministrazione Concorsi) of Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore – Largo Gemelli, 1 – 20123 Milano.
Candidates with recognised disabilities must specify in their application the aid required in relation to their disability and (if any) the need for additional time for test completion in accordance with Law 104 of February 5, 1992.
The University Administration shall not be responsible for unavailability of applicants and loss of communications due to incorrect contact information provided by applicants or to absent or delayed notification of any changes in the address indicated in the application form.
The University Administration shall not be responsible for any failed or late delivery of communications concerning the selection procedure due to reasons not attributable to the Administration itself, but to postal or telegraph service errors, third parties, unforeseeable circumstances or force majeure.

Art. 5: Attachments to the application form:

The application must include:
− scientific and professional curriculum, and list of publications if any;
− qualifications and publications (if any) that candidates wish to present for evaluation;
− research project relative to the topic covered by the public announcement (only for grants referred to in Art. 1, Letter A) photocopy of an identification document;

photocopy of fiscal code.
Candidates with Italian or EU citizenship may submit qualifications in original or certified copy; otherwise, where allowed by Articles 46 and 47 of Presidential Decree 445 of December 28, 2000, by substitutive declarations of certification or substitutive declarations of affidavit attesting conformity of the copies on unstamped paper to the original.
Non-EU citizens legally residing in Italy may use the substitutive declarations referred to in the above mentioned Articles 46 and 47 as limited to personal qualities and status and to facts certifiable or attestable by Italian public bodies.
Non-EU citizens authorised to stay in Italy may use the substitutive declarations referred to in the above mentioned Articles 46 and 47 in those cases in which they are submitted under the application of international conventions between Italy and the country of origin of the registrant.
In the remaining cases, non-EU citizens shall document personal qualities and status and facts through certificates or statements issued by the competent authority of the foreign State.
Certificates and statements referred to in the preceding paragraph written in a foreign language must be accompanied by a translation into Italian certified by the Italian consular authority, stating that it conforms to the original.
The Administration reserves the right to carry out appropriate checks on the veracity of the contents of the substitutive declarations.
Documents, qualifications and publications already submitted to the University may not be referred back to.

Art. 6: Examination Panel:

The Examination Panel is appointed by the Rector. It consists of three members:
− a teacher, selected by the Faculty Board of the Faculty concerned, and two (associate or full) professors selected respectively by ▪ the Dean of the Faculty concerned; ▪ the Director of the Department/Institute at which research activity shall be conducted

Art. 7: Evaluation of candidates:

The selection procedure evaluates candidates’ submitted qualifications, and includes an interview.
The Examination Panel evaluates candidates on a one-hundred-point scale; available points are to be assigned as follows: a) for research grants referred to in Art. 1, Letter A), max. sixty points for qualifications and research project; max. forty points for the interview; b) for research grants referred to in Art. 1, Letter B), at least forty points for qualifications; the remaining points for the interview.
In its first meeting, the Examination Panel determines the criteria for candidates’ evaluation complying with the provisions of the public announcement and what follows below.
The Examination Panel may also set a minimum score for admission to the interview.

scientific and professional curriculum;

qualifications and publications submitted, and their pertinence to the scientific-disciplinary area and/or scientific-disciplinary sectors covered by the public announcement;

research project relative to the topic covered by the public announcement, only for grants referred to in Art. 1, Letter A of this public announcement.
If the date of the interview is not specified in this public announcement, candidates are summoned for interview by registered mail with return receipt not less than twenty days prior to the scheduled date for their interview on the scientific activity conducted.
Under the same terms outlined in the preceding paragraph, candidates who have not reached the minimum score required by the public announcement are given notice of non-admission to the interview.

During the interview, knowledge of the language or languages required (if any) is also ascertained; foreign candidates’ (at the least) instrumental knowledge of Italian, if required, is ascertained.
At the end of its activity, the Examination Panel compiles a ranking based on the sum of the scores obtained by each candidate in the evaluation of qualifications and the interview. In the case of a tie, the younger candidate prevails.
The Examination Panel’s files consist of the minutes of each meeting.
The files of the evaluation procedure are approved by Rector’s decree.

Art. 8
Conferment
For the purposes of the awarding of the research grant, the Ecclesiastical Assistant General verifies, through a dedicated interview, the adherence of the first candidate in the ranking to the guiding principles of the University.
The grant is awarded by the Rector through the stipulation of a specific contract.
In case of non-acceptance, the grant is awarded to the following candidate in the ranking.

Art. 9
Obligations
Grant holders are required to conduct a research programme or a phase thereof under the guidance of a tutor.
Grant holders are also required to comply with the guiding principles of the University Statute and the Code of Conduct of the University.
Grant holders shall not:
− have other employment contracts;
− engage in self-employed activity, project-related or freelance;
− carry out occasional work that, upon the opinion of the tutor, has not been authorised in advance and communicated to the Dean of the Faculty concerned by the Director of the Department / Institute at which the grant recipient conducts research activity.
Grant holders operate at their tutor’s facility of belonging, or at the facility specified in the public announcement (if any), making use of the equipment and services available. Subject to the approval of the tutor, research activity may be conducted at other University facilities or at qualified Italian and foreign research facilities.

Art. 10
Assessment of conducted activity
Within 60 days from the end of each year of activity, the tutor shall submit the Board of the Department / Institute at which the grant holder is carrying out research activity a report containing a detailed and justified assessment of the results of activity conducted.
Upon this occasion, in the case of grant expiration, the tutor may propose its renewal.

Art. 11
Grant renewal
Within 30 days before the date of grant expiration, the Board of the Faculty concerned, on the basis of the tutor’s report and the opinion of the Board of the Department / Institute, approves its renewal, if any.
Research grants shall not be renewed for less than a year.

Art. 12
Economic conditions
The annual gross amount of the grants is determined by resolution of the Board of Directors, on the basis of the minimum amount established by Ministerial Decree.
Grants are paid out monthly, and for the predetermined amount after the cost of the appropriate compulsory personal insurance policy stipulated by the University against accidents that may occur during presence at the University venues.
The grants are exempt from IRPEF (income tax) in accordance with applicable law, and subject, for what concerns social security, to the laws in force.

Art. 13
Contract termination
The grant is withdrawn and the related contractual relation is terminated before expiration by Rector’s decree:
− in cases of non-observance of the obligations referred to in Article 9;
− in case there arises any of the reasons for inadmissibility referred to in Article 2;
− in the event of negative assessment of activity conducted.
Subject to attested notification to the person concerned, the Rector’s decree is issued upon the resolution of the Board of the Faculty on proposal of the tutor or Dean, and after consultation with the Board of the Department / Institute at which the grant holder carries out research activity.

Art. 14
Patenting
Any realisation, during the activity, of an innovation, on the part of the holders of the
contracts referred to in the norms, that may be patentable is governed in accordance with current legislation and regulations adopted by Università Cattolica.

Art. 15
Transitory norms
With their consent, grant holders may be assigned integrative and curricular didactic activities. These activities are assigned by the Faculty concerned, subject to the approval of the Director of the Department / Institute at which the grant holder carries out research activity. The integrative and curricular didactic activities assigned shall not exceed 30 hours per year, and are covered by the grant emoluments.
The conferment of grants does not constitute any form of employment nor awards rights of access to university positions.
To grants awarded prior to the entry into force of the Norms on the conferment and discipline of research grants in accordance with Art. 22 of Law 240 of December 30, 2010 continue to apply the laws and regulations in force at the time of their conferment.

Art. 16
Responsibility for procedure
The person in charge of the procedure of this public announcement, in accordance with Articles 4, 5 and 6 of Law 241 of August 7, 1990, is Dr. Federico Liotta – Servizio personale docente e tecnico amministrativo (Ufficio amministrazione concorsi) – Largo A. Gemelli, 1 – 20123 MILANO (phone no. 02/7234.3813 – fax no. 02/7234.2972 – email address: uff.concorsi@unicatt.it).

Art. 17
Final provisions
For any matters not covered by this public announcement, the current university legislation applies as compatible.

More info. PDF files: Selection procedure to assign no.9 research collaboration grants at Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, DEADLINE: July, 6 2022
Application form

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