Italian researchers’ salary woes revealed

Separate studies spotlight poor-pay problem, from PhD through to professor level

Italian researchers, from PhD level to top tenured positions, are paid less than colleagues in nations including France, Germany and the UK, according to two independent analyses.

Pay has been high on the agenda in Italy, where researchers have long complained about low rates. Last year the government raised the minimum bursary for PhD students from just over €15,300 to about €16,200.