Job No.: 694655

Location: Prato, Italy

Employment Type: Co.Co.Co (Collaborazione Coordinata e Continuativa) – tied to objectives and deliverables

Duration: July 2026 - 31 January 2028 (18 months)

Remuneration: €24,656 gross (total compensation for the entire contract period)

• Amplify your impact through a globally connected research foundation
• Join an inclusive, collaborative community at MUERF in Prato
• Be surrounded by bold ideas – and the people who bring them to life

Project Overview – SEED: Supporting European Youth Engagement against Disinformation

SEED is a European initiative co‑funded by the European Union under the CERV programme. The project strengthens democratic resilience by empowering young people, educators, and local communities to counter disinformation at the local level. It operates in Italy, the Netherlands, and Germany, combining research, training, co‑design, youth‑led actions, and policy engagement.

In Italy, Monash University European Research Foundation ETS (MUERF) contributes to research activities, community engagement, training support, co‑design processes, youth‑led initiatives, counter‑disinformation labs, participatory evaluation, and the organisation of a national conference. MUERF anchors place‑based work in Prato, collaborating with local authorities, schools, youth organisations, and civil society partners.

The Opportunity

The Research Assistant will play a key role in supporting the Monash University European Research Foundation’s contribution to the SEED Project, a European initiative focused on strengthening democratic resilience and countering disinformation through youth engagement and community participation. Based in Prato, Italy, this position will contribute to impactful research, training, and collaborative activities that empower young people, educators, and local stakeholders across local and European contexts.

This position will be responsible for supporting research and analysis activities related to disinformation, youth participation, and community engagement, including the collection and interpretation of qualitative and quantitative data. The role will assist in developing training resources, coordinating workshops and youth-led initiatives, and supporting participatory co-design and evaluation processes. Working closely with schools, local authorities, civil society organisations, and project partners, the Research Assistant will contribute to stakeholder engagement, event coordination, reporting, dissemination activities, and the delivery of the SEED Project’s Italian workstream. The position will also support the organisation of public events, including the national conference in Italy, while ensuring activities are effectively documented and aligned with MUERF’s research governance and project frameworks.

To be successful in this role you will have strong research and organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks, stakeholders, and deadlines in a dynamic international environment. You will demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication skills in both Italian and English at C1 level, alongside experience in workshop facilitation, stakeholder engagement, and event coordination. A degree in Political Science, Sociology, Communication, Education, or a related discipline is required, with a demonstrated interest in disinformation, media literacy, youth engagement, and democratic participation. Familiarity with digital collaboration tools, data visualisation, and EU-funded or civil society projects will be highly regarded.

Please note: This role will be required to work on-site in Prato, Italy. MUERF invites applications from candidates who can demonstrate valid and current EU work rights.

To Apply

For instructions on how to apply, please refer to 'How to apply for Monash Jobs'.

We value and celebrate diversity at the Monash University European Research Foundation (MUERF). We welcome applications from people of all cultural and linguistic backgrounds, people with disabilities, neurodivergent people, people of all genders and sexualities, and candidates across a wide range of ages and life experiences.

MUERF is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and accessible recruitment process. If you require reasonable adjustments to support your application or participation in the selection process, you are encouraged to contact us for a confidential discussion.

Employment at MUERF is contingent upon the satisfactory completion of any pre‑employment and background checks required for the role, in accordance with MUERF policies and Italian regulatory requirements.

Enquiries: Dr Matteo Dutto, Senior Manager, Research and Research Fellow, MUERF, [email protected]

Position Description: Click the Apply button to view the Position Description via the Monash University advert

Applications Close: Wednesday 17 June 2026, 11:55pm CET