Associate Research Officer

OVERVIEW Post Number : 1ITSC PA123TP Grade : P-2 Parent Sector : Natural Sciences Sector (SC) Duty Station: Trieste Job Family: Natural Sciences Type of contract : Project Appointment Duration of contract : 1 year Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 07-JAN-2026 UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism This position is a 50% part-time role, and the specific working hours will be flexible and determined in consultation upon entry to UNESCO.  OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST Founded in 1964 by the late Nobel Laureate Abdus Salam and located in Trieste (Italy), the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) seeks to accomplish its mandate by providing scientists from developing countries with the continuing education and skills that they need to enjoy long and productive careers. ICTP has been a major force in stemming the scientific brain drain from the developing world. For more than 50 years, ICTP has been a driving force behind global efforts to advance scientific expertise in the developing world. Long Description ICTP and the International School for Advanced Stuides (SISSA) have recently started a collaborative project on “Statistical mechanics for active matter, complex systems and data science”. Under the supervision of Head of Section/Research Scientist the incumbent will collaborate closely with scientists both from ICTP and SISSA to advance research in the scientific field of the project. The incumbent is also expected to actively participate in the ICTP programmes in their area of scientific expertise and should be in contact with similar institutions around the world and research scientists internationally to exchange knowhow and information. The incumbent will perform the following functions: Long Description Research • Undertake front-line research in Statistical Mechanics and especially its applications in fields related to active matter, complex systems, and data science.  Program coordination and training • Organize seminars, schools, workshops, conferences and topical meetings. Teaching and mentoring • Teach, as required, in Master Programs and/or in Diploma Course Programs. • Collaborate, as appropriate, with the Associates as well as other visitors to the Centre, especially those from developing countries. • Contribute to any additional activities that may be required to ensure the success of the collaborative project with SISSA. COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial) Professionalism (C)Accountability (C)Communication (C)Innovation (C)Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C)Results focus (C)Teamwork (C)- For detailed information, please consult the . REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS WORK EXPERIENCE At least two (2) years of relevant professional experience in statistical mechanics of which preferably 1 year acquired at the international level SKILLS/COMPETENCIES Ability to work quickly and efficiently under pressure, with minimum supervision, and to sustain periods with workload peaks. Discretion and capacity to deal efficiently and tactfully with visitors and staff members of different nationalities and cultural backgrounds and building partnerships between scientific institutions Ability to conduct research under moderate supervision Experience in organizing seminars and workshops Experience in teaching and mentoring Master and Diploma Students LANGUAGES Excellent knowledge (spoken and written) of English. DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS WORK EXPERIENCE Experience in an international environment and/or the United Nations (UN) system. Experience in a scientific organization or educational institute. SKILLS/COMPETENCIES Knowledge and understanding of research environment LANGUAGES Knowledge of another UN official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish) or of Italian. BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS UNESCO’s salaries consist of a basic salary and other benefits which may include if applicable: annual leave, family allowance, medical insurance, pension plan etc. e approximate annual starting salary for this post is 35,966 USD at the 50% part-time rate (full-time equivalent: 71,932 USD).