Fraunhofer Italia with headquarters in Bolzano (Italy) is hiring a researcher with a entrepreneurial mindset in its division Automation and Mechatronics Engineering (AME), within the Process Automation team. AME conducts applied research in the most diverse aspects of digitalisation for the agevolazioni of the regional stakeholders. The fields of expertise range from the extraction, analysis and optimisation of processes from operative production and logistic systems, novel control paradigms for production systems, design and prototyping of complex systems, applications of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), real-time data processing and automation and optimisation of business processes.

Are you an early-career engineer or applied research scientist who is equally curious about technology and about the people and companies who use it, eager to turn research results into real-world projects and to build lasting relationships with private clients? Do you see yourself growing from hands-on research into a role that shapes the team's project portfolio and commercial direction? If so, apply for this position at Fraunhofer Italia!

Necessary qualifications:

- You have a M.Sc. degree in an engineering discipline (computer science or similar).
- You work independently and systematically with commitment, creativity, and team spirit.
- You have a solid technical foundation (ideally programming in C++ or Python).
- You have basic knowledge of Git for version control.
- You have strong communication and interpersonal skills, and you enjoy engaging with clients and partners.
- You are an EU citizen or have a valid work permit.




- You speak fluently English and either Italian or German at level C1 or better.

Preferred qualifications:

- First experience in the acquisition of public- or privately-funded research projects (proposal preparation, interaction with customers and funding authorities).
- Basic understanding of business processes, requirements management, and project management.
- You are looking for a role where technical work is one tool among several rather than your only activity.
- Familiarity with process automation, data analysis and machine learning frameworks.
- Commercial awareness or interest in market analysis, technology scouting, and customer needs assessment.
- You are comfortable initiating contact with people you don't yet know and are willing to put in the preparation that a client meeting demands.
- Willingness to travel occasionally to meet clients and partners (typically within the working day).

Your job: Your main activity will combine applied research in process automation with the development of new business opportunities, with a particular focus on private customers. On the technical side, you will contribute to the design and execution of our reseach services for flexible production, logistics and business processes, in cooperation with clients. On the business-development side,



you will identify prospective customers, understand their needs, help translate them into project concepts and proposals, and progressively build and manage a portfolio of private-client relationships for the team.

You will start with a strong hands-on research component and, as you grow into the role, take on increasing responsibility for acquisition, client management and the commercial development of the Process Automation team. As part of an interdisciplinary team, you will work at the interface between science and practice for both public and private clients.

As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to treating all applications with the utmost fairness and impartiality. We ensure that each candidate's qualifications are evaluated regarding the requirements of the job position alone, free from any form of bias, artificial barriers, or personal preferences. It is important to note that your qualifications will be assessed against those of other applicants, and only those the most competent and suitable candidates will be considered for the position.

The position provides for a classification not lower than Level 1 of the National Collective Labour Agreement (CCNL) for the Tertiary Sector, Distribution and Services (Commerce). The gross annual salary corresponds at least to the current contractual minimum salary for this level, amounting to approximately €40,000 gross per year paid over 14 monthly installments, without prejudice to future updates of the collective agreement and additional employment conditions that may be granted by the Institute.

📌 SCIENTIST AND BUSINESS DEVELOPER FOR RESEARCH IN PROCESS AUTOMATION (Bolzano)
🏢 Fraunhofer Italia - IEC
📍 Bolzano