Opportunity

Trieste, September 22, 2026 – The third edition of MDMC – Master in Data Management and Curation, the advanced training programme sponsored by Area Science Park and SISSA – Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati and designed to train the next generation of scientific data management professionals, officially kicked off today, September 22, 2026. The goal of the Master’s program is to provide participants with the conceptual and practical tools necessary to effectively, responsibly, and sustainably manage the entire lifecycle of research data: from its production to its preservation and reuse over time. MDMC is part of the scientific and international ecosystem that characterizes Trieste and stems from the synergy between two institutions of excellence in the fields of research and higher education: Area Science Park, a national research organization and one of Italy’s leading science and technology parks, and SISSA, internationally renowned institute of higher education and research. Together, the two institutions have developed a program designed to provide participants with theoretical and practical skills that can be immediately applied to research and innovation, fields in which data management and artificial intelligence are now deeply intertwined. From the application of the FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) to Open Science practices, from the design and implementation of ‘FAIR-by-design’ data workflows to metadata optimisation and the use of advanced tools, standards and technologies, the MDMC advanced training course enables participants to develop skills that are increasingly in demand by universities, research organisations, scientific infrastructures and innovative companies, at a time when the quality, traceability and openness of data have become fundamental and indispensable requirements in the fields of research and innovation. The third edition of the one-year Master’s programme begins with a cohort of 17 participants (14 full-time students and 3 auditors), which fully reflects the programme’s international and interdisciplinary nature. Italy, Argentina, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, Slovenia, Sweden and Switzerland: the students’ countries of origin are diverse and varied, a factor that encourages the comparison of different methodologies and research systems, as well as the exchange of experiences amongst participants. Equally diverse are the educational backgrounds of the participants. The cohort brings together a wide range of disciplinary backgrounds, from data science to mathematics, from molecular biology and functional genomics to meteorology and climate science, and from psychology and cognitive neuroscience to graphic communication. This diversity reflects the nature of data curation, an interdisciplinary field that is fundamental to every area of science and technology. The kick-off of the third edition of MDMC, coincides with the launch of new official website of MDMC, which will serve as a hub for keeping up to date with the programme’s activities. The website features all the latest updates on the current course, the calendar of public seminars organised as part of the Master’s programme (which are also open to those not enrolled on the programme), and information on future intakes. The news website can be viewed at: http://mdmc-program.it/.

The Technical and Scientific Council serves as an advisory body on Area Science Park’s strategies. It formulates proposals and provides opinions on planning and strategic vision documents, as well as on activities related to the European and international valorisation of research and business through technology transfer. The selection to appoint the Council’s external members for the next four-year term is open until September 15. The selection notice is available in the Transparent Administration portal of Area Science Park : go to the comparative selection. Profiles sought Italian and foreign* entrepreneurs, managers, professionals, scientists, and scholars of recognised standing: the 5 new external members will be selected from among these. Candidates should have significant professional expertise and experience in senior positions in at least two of the following professional fields: scientific or industrial research management of technological, organisational, or process innovation intellectual property protection analysis and methodologies for the valorisation of knowledge outcomes management of technology transfer activities development of international networks of cooperation and collaboration for research and innovation The appointment, lasting four years, involves occasional presence at the Area Science Park headquarters (Trieste, Italy), an attendance fee for each meeting, and reimbursement of previously authorised travel expenses. Consult the call for applications   *To participate in the selection, applicants must hold Italian citizenship, citizenship of another European Union member state, or citizenship of another country.