Area Science Park continues to attract highly specialized personnel
The Science and Technology Park of Trieste continues to demonstrate its ability to attract, retain, and enhance highly qualified expertise. The latest survey on staff working at the Padriciano and Basovizza campuses of Area Science Park shows a slight increase in employment, with 2,828 personnel (as of December 31, 2024, +28 compared to the previous year). However, the most significant aspect remains the high level of education and specialization among those working in the companies and research centers based there: three-quarters hold either a university degree (48.6%) or a PhD (28.7%). The most represented disciplines are technical and scientific fields, particularly Engineering, Biotechnology, and Computer Science, in line with the Park’s areas of specialization.
The annual survey conducted by the Park Development Office involved 50 companies and 8 research centers/institutions, including Area Science Park, which combines scientific activity with the management of the Park itself. Women currently represent 37% of the total workforce, amounting to 1,051 individuals, marking a slight but steady increase compared to the previous two years. The data also show that over half of the personnel—1,667 individuals—are employees, confirming the prevailing contractual stability within the system. The overall picture is completed by 844 external personnel, 234 research fellows, and 73 collaborators, reflecting a complex network of expertise spanning research, training, and technology transfer.
As for origin, 64% of the personnel come from Friuli Venezia Giulia, 21% from other Italian regions, and 15% from abroad. In terms of age distribution, 47% of personnel are under 40 years old (21% under 30 and 26% in the 31–40 age group), while 24% are aged 41–50 and 29% are over 51. These figures reflect a balance between experience and new talents, benefiting continuity and generational turnover—key elements for a structured and constantly evolving research and innovation system.