MSCA-PF in Rural Sociology – Re-inhabiting Mountain Areas: New Social Practices and Rural Trans[...]

Organisation / Company University of Teramo Department Department of Political Science Is the Hosting related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

This postdoctoral project will focus on:

European mountain areas as territories that have long experienced depopulation, land abandonment, and declining local economies. Yet, new forms of re-inhabiting are emerging across some of these regions, driven by new residents, return migrants, and social innovators experimenting with alternative ways of living and working in peripheral territories. This project investigates how these emerging social practices may generate forms of rural social innovation and community-based development in abandoned mountain areas. By combining rural sociology and territorial studies, the research aims to understand how such initiatives may contribute to foster resilience, sustainability transitions, and new governance models for Europe’s rural peripheries.

The research will address the following three key questions:

• Which social actors and motivations are driving the recent processes of re-inhabiting abandoned mountain areas in Europe?
• Which social practices, community initiatives, and economic activities are emerging from these re-inhabitation processes, and at what extent may they reshape rural social and spatial relations?
• To what extent can these emerging practices contribute to rural resilience, social innovation, and new forms of territorial governance in peripheral regions?

The project aims to:

• advance knowledge in new rural development / Sociology of environment and territory ;
• introduce innovative theoretical and/or methodological perspectives;
• strengthen interdisciplinary and international approaches;
• contribute to addressing relevant scientific and societal challenges.

How will you carry out your work?

Methodologically, the project will adopt a qualitative and comparative research design based on multi-sited case studies in European mountain areas, combining ethnographic fieldwork, semi-structured interviews with key local actors, and document analysis of local development strategies and policy frameworks. The research will also include desk-based analysis of key socio-demographic and social structure indicators related to the selected case studies, drawing on available statistical sources and territorial datasets. The analysis will be supported by participatory observation, spatial analysis of rural territories, and qualitative data coding, ensuring scientific rigor, originality, and a high level of ambition.

The selected fellow will be encouraged to progressively develop an independent research profile within this framework.

Who will supervise you – and why is this strong mentoring?

The project will be supervised by Prof. Rita Salvatore an established researcher with strong international experience in rural sociology.

Prof. Salvatore has an active research profile in rural sociology, mountain and inner areas development, sustainable tourism, and community-based territorial innovation, with demonstrated expertise in qualitative methodologies and participatory action research/ social rural innovation / place-based approach, and is strongly engaged in international research networks.

The supervisor provides a stimulating and supportive environment, fostering scientific independence, excellence, and international exposure.

Why is UniTE a competitive host institution for MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship?

The University of Teramo (UniTE) offers a highly structured and supportive environment for MSCA Postdoctoral Fellows.

Selected candidates applying to the MSCA PF 2026 call will benefit from:

• Full support from the UniTE MSCA Desk throughout the entire pre-award phase ;
• Dedicated proposal training (MSCA PF Master Class) ;
• Two-step professional proposal review (sequential reviews before submission).

Funded fellows will also benefit from:

• Full support from the UniTE MSCA Desk for the post-award phase;
• A tailored welcome and mobility support service (arrival, departure, and administrative procedures);
• Access to support from the historians affiliated with the History Lab research centre of the Department of Political Sciences. Also access to several mountain areas in the Apennines already investigated by the supervisor, particularly territories located within national parks and protected areas, which will serve as key field sites for the empirical research.
• Opportunities for collaboration with local institutions/International Research network on Agritourism/Aree fragili aps to strengthen the fellow’s international profile;

UniTE is strongly committed to Open Science, Gender Equality, research integrity, and high-quality doctoral and postdoctoral training.

Are you the ideal candidate for this fellowship?

We welcome applications from outstanding early-career researchers who:

• hold a PhD in sociology of environment/Rural sociology or related fields;
• have a strong research background in rural innovation and development ;
• demonstrate excellent academic writing skills in English;
• are motivated to develop an independent and internationally competitive research profile.

What will you gain from this MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship?

By participating in this MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship call, you will be able to address the following key career outcomes:

• develop an excellent and innovative research profile in rural sociology / rural development and social innovation;
• produce high-quality scientific outputs in leading international journals and outlets;
• strengthen scientific independence and intellectual leadership.

Impact

• enhance your international visibility and reputation within the research community;
• contribute to the advancement of knowledge and to societal and policy-relevant debates in mountain areas re-inhabiting/new rural development ;
• actively engage in dissemination, communication, and open science practices.

Employability

• acquire advanced transferable skills developing a tailored programme;
• expand professional networks across academia, policy institutions, and intersectoral stakeholders.
• improve long-term career prospects within and beyond academia.

Overall, the fellowship will support the fellow’s transition towards a sustainable and competitive research career as an excellent next generation researcher , in line with the objectives of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions.

How to Apply for the Pre-selection Phase?

Before applying, we invite you to check that you meet all eligibility criteria for the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026 by consulting the official European Portal.

Your application will be assessed by UniTE, and you will receive feedback on the outcome within approximately one week.

If selected, you will take part in the UniTE MSCA PF Support Programme, designed to help you prepare a strong and competitive proposal. The programme includes:

• a proposal writing Masterclass (20 May and 26 May);
• two proposal review rounds with dedicated feedback.

Final step: with UniTE’s full support, you will submit your MSCA PF proposal through the official European Commission portal, guided throughout the process by the UniTE MSCA Desk.