INAF is seeking postdocs in Naples for SPADE-PRORIS: a public competition at the OAC Capodimonte.

Editorial opening

INAF, the Italian National Institute for Astrophysics, has announced a call for applications for a Level 2 postdoctoral position at the Capodimonte Astronomical Observatory in Naples. The project in question is SPADE-PRORIS, dedicated to the observation and study of protoplanetary disks in the evolution of stellar accretions. This is a targeted opportunity for researchers with postdoctoral experience interested in contributing to a cutting-edge line of research in astrophysics.

What is it about

The position is related to the SPADE-PRORIS (Space Observations of Proto-Planetary Accretion Disc Evolution) project. The name indicates the goal of observing and analyzing accretion disks around young stars to understand how planetary systems form and evolve. The organization offering the position is INAF, one of Italy's public research institutes dedicated to astronomy and astrophysics, with offices in several Italian regions and a strong national profile. The Capodimonte Astronomical Observatory, located in Naples, is one of INAF's historic sites and conducts significant scientific activities at a national and international level. The call for applications is published on the INPA portal and in the sections dedicated to INAF's calls for proposals and notices, with operational details included in the attachments.

The professional figure sought

The position sought is a Band 2 postdoc, i.e., a postdoctoral research position aimed at pursuing independent scientific activities and collaborating on ongoing projects. In astrophysics, a candidate with this profile may be involved in activities such as observational data analysis, development of data reduction and calibration methods, theoretical modeling and interpretation of results, as well as manuscript preparation and conference presentations. However, the online call for applications does not provide detailed descriptions of daily duties: the section dedicated to activities has not been explicitly summarized in the materials provided, and the specific tasks are listed in the official attachments. Ultimately, the candidate is seeking a postdoctoral researcher with expertise in observational exposure astrophysics, preferably with experience in the context of protostellar disks or similar.

Main requirements

The available text does not summarize a definitive set of requirements in the summary provided, and indicates the need to consult the call attachments for details. The official selection process is public, with an evaluation procedure based on qualifications and an interview, pursuant to Article 22-bis of Law No. 240 of 30 December 2010. To learn about preferential qualifications, specific experience, required publications, or other necessary qualifications, please open the attached PDFs (2BANDO‑SPADE‑PRORIS.pdf and 2BANDO‑SPADE‑PRORIS‑ENG.pdf) available on the INPA portal. If the summary does not provide details, please consult the official documents immediately to verify requirements, specific qualifications, required experience, and any language or publication requirements.

Contract, positions and headquarters

Position available: 1 postdoctoral fellowship, level 2. Location: Capodimonte Astronomical Observatory, Naples. Duration: 12 months. The announcement does not specify the salary in the available summary, and financial details are not included in the verified data; it is confirmed that the procedure is a postdoctoral research fellowship within the INAF. For information on financial compensation, please consult the official attachments.

How the selection works

The application process is public and follows an evaluation based on qualifications and an interview, in accordance with Article 22-bis of Law 240/2010. The final outcome will depend on the score assigned to the applicant's academic and research qualifications (publications, project participation, reference letters) and the outcome of the interview. The required documentation, tests, and specific selection criteria are contained in the official PDF attachments. The call for applications is available on the INPA portal, and applicants are encouraged to prepare in advance by gathering materials such as detailed CVs, lists of publications, and references that may be useful in the evaluation.

Deadline and how to apply

Official application deadline: October 21, 2026. Applications open from October 1, 2026, to October 21, 2026. Applications must be submitted through the INPA Portal (Public procedure; application submission through INPA / inPA Recruitment Portal). To proceed, you must log in to the portal, complete the appropriate forms, and attach the required documentation according to the instructions in the announcement and the attached documents. We recommend not waiting until the last few days to avoid technical issues or delays in uploading documents.

What to check before applying

• Please download and carefully read the PDF notices (2BANDO-SPADE-PRORIS.pdf and 2BANDO-SPADE-PRORIS-ENG.pdf) to learn about the requirements, selection criteria, preferential qualifications, and required documentation.
• Please verify that you meet any specific academic or research requirements indicated in the call, and ensure that your profile is aligned with SPADE‑PRORIS activities.
• Prepare a detailed resume, a list of publications, and a description of any related research projects; have references ready if requested.
• Gather any translated documents or language certifications, if required by the call for applications or attachments.
• Follow the official application procedure through INPA: log in, fill out the forms, and upload the required documentation.

Notes and invitation to check

The available information clearly indicates that operational details, specific requirements, and selection criteria are contained in the official appendices of the announcement. Since the data provided does not include individual requirements or details on duties and salaries, interested parties are advised to open the official PDFs and consult the INPA page for the most up-to-date version of the text and any updates or additions to the announcement.

Original source of the offer: Go to the official announcement or tender.