With the aim of continuously fostering its internationalization process, ILEO at the Luiss University is pleased to invite Scholars (senior and junior scholars, PostDocs, PhD students) from around the world to apply for the position of Visiting researcher at the Observatory. The condition is for the researcher to be self-funded, to benefit from a source of funding either from its own institution, a grant or a scholarship. Marie Curie fellowship can also be envisaged 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 research agenda of the Observatory (see below), therefore with a focus on ethical or sustainability issues.

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis depending on hosting capacities.

General Rules

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

In addition to general information with regard to their funding possibility, applicants are kindly requested to attach their CV, provide a short description of the proposed Research activity to be carried out during the visiting period, and indicate a Host Faculty Member at Luiss University. Applications should be submitted in English at ileo@luiss.it, specifying “ILEO Visiting researcher program” in the subject of the email. Housing has to be organized independently by the visitor, however, Luiss services can advise upon requests. A very good level in 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, 2025
Spring Term: January 12, 2027 – May 16, 2027

Exceptionally, upon request, visits outside these periods at another moment are also possible (please note that Mid July - End August are not suitable visiting periods due to the academic vacation times)
 

Protection of Personal Data
 

Luiss University, as Controller, collects and processes the information data of 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 a.y. 2025-26, 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, e-mail: privacy@luiss.it.

Further Information / Research Agenda of the Observatory
 

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 has been built. To investigate the challenge of establishing this delicate balance will form the core of the Observatory’s research activity. While the emphasis of the Observatory will be 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, ample space will be provided for research, as part of a larger reflection, in more traditional areas of the knowledge economy that are also confronted with imperatives of ethical and sustainable innovation. The outputs will be geared towards providing scientific activities (publications offline and online, organization of lectures, conferences, workshops) but also expertise and policy guidance for European and international policy makers.