Visiting Researchers

With the aim of continuously fostering its internationalization process, ILEO at Luiss University is pleased to invite scholars (senior and junior scholars, postdocs, and PhD students) from around the world to apply for the position of Visiting Researcher at the Observatory. The researcher must be self-funded, receiving funding either from their own institution, a grant, or a scholarship. A Marie Curie fellowship can also be considered upon discussion. While all topics of innovation law and/or IP law will be considered, strong preference will be given to topics falling within the Observatory's research agenda (see below), therefore with a focus on ethical or sustainability issues.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, depending on hosting capacities.

General Rules

Visiting researchers at Luiss are required to spend some time at our university. With the aim of fostering more fruitful and lasting cooperation, longer visiting periods are encouraged (such as sabbaticals, Fulbrights, etc.). Visiting researchers will be hosted at the ILEO premises or at the Department of Law and are invited to interact and conduct research with the Luiss ILEO faculty.

In addition to general information regarding funding possibilities, applicants are kindly requested to attach their CV, provide a brief description of the proposed research activity to be conducted during the visiting period, and indicate a host faculty member at Luiss University. Applications should be submitted in English to ileo@luiss.it, with “ILEO Visiting researcher program” specified in the email subject line. Visiting researchers must arrange their own housing; however, Luiss services can provide advice upon request. A very good level of English (spoken and written) is required, but individual research projects can also be conducted in another language.

Visiting Periods
 

Spring Term: January 12, 2026 – May 16, 2026
Fall Term: September 1, 2026 – December 14, 2026
Spring Term: January 12, 2027 – May 16, 2027

Exceptionally, upon request, visits outside these periods are also possible (please note that mid-July to late August are not suitable visiting periods due to the academic vacation).
 

Protection of Personal Data
 

Luiss University, as the Controller, collects and processes the information data of data subjects in full compliance with the general principles and rules laid down by the law governing the protection of personal data (Legislative Decree No. 196/03, as subsequently amended, and Regulation (EU) No. 2016/679).

The processing is required to correctly manage the procedures inherent in the call for applications in relation to Visiting Professorships for the 2025–26 academic year, as well as associated and ensuing obligations: the specifics of the processing are communicated through a Privacy Notice given to the data subjects, who are also requested to consent to the processing of their data should it prove necessary in relation to the aims pursued by the Controller.

Data subjects may at all times exercise their statutory rights (concerning, for example, access to data, rectification of data, erasure of data, restrictions on processing of data, and portability of data) by contacting the Controller of Luiss University at Viale Pola 12, 00198 Rome, Italy, or via email at privacy@luiss.it.

Further Information / Observatory Research Agenda
 

The role of innovation law is thus to provide an adequate framework to secure economic growth while preserving the core values on which the EU was built. Investigating the challenge of establishing this delicate balance will form the core of the Observatory’s research activity. While the Observatory will focus on digital innovation, particularly in the online environment (such as innovation in the area of artificial intelligence or platform regulations), as its legal framework is still emerging, there will be ample room for research, as part of a broader reflection, in more traditional areas of the knowledge economy that are also facing the imperatives of ethical and sustainable innovation. The outputs will focus on delivering scientific activities—including print and online publications, as well as organizing lectures, conferences, and workshops—while also providing expertise and policy guidance to European and international policymakers.