Exposure
High-context work
Engage across technologies, business models and innovation priorities with senior stakeholders on strategic projects.
Careers
Build the connections that turn innovation into concrete projects.
Join Start Attractor and help connect research, startups, companies and investors through programs, partnerships and initiatives designed for real outcomes.
Join early and help shape how Start Attractor operates across venture programs, open innovation and curated community building.
Work across
3+ domains
Open innovation
Venture building
Curated community
Venture building
Curated community
Current focus
First hires
Business development
Admin & Op specialist
Mentors & Faculty
Admin & Op specialist
Mentors & Faculty
Why Start Attractor
A small team with a strong multiplier effect
Ownership
Real responsibility
Help define processes, improve execution and contribute ideas from the beginning, not only deliver tasks.
Culture
Lean and collaborative
We value clarity, initiative, transparency and respect, with a hybrid model compatible with our mission.
What to expect
How the work feels in practice
Day to day
Crossing boundaries
- Work with corporate innovation teams, startups and researchers
- Switch between strategic discussions and operational delivery
- Contribute to programs, partnerships and ecosystem activities
What matters
Mindset and execution
- Ownership and ability to work in a team
- Entrepreneurial mindset and problem-solving attitude
- Ethics, compliance and responsible innovation
Open roles
Current opportunities: building the first core team of Start Attractor
Open Position
Business Development & Venture Building Lead
Join Start Attractor as our first business hire and help shape how we grow.
You will work with companies, startups, universities and institutions to identify innovation opportunities, build strategic partnerships and turn ideas into concrete collaboration, venture-building and market-validation projects.
We are looking for someone with an entrepreneurial mindset, strong relationship-building skills and experience in at least one of these areas: innovation, consulting, business development, startups, venture building or corporate partnerships.
Ideal profile
- Background in innovation, consulting, business development, startups or partnerships
- Fluent in English and Italian
- Comfortable working with both startups and corporates
- Able to build trust, open conversations and turn opportunities into concrete projects
- Motivated to contribute to the growth of Start Attractor from an early stage
Contract: fixed-term full-time, with the goal of conversion into a permanent position based on mutual fit and performance.
Open Position
Scientific Developer – Data Engineer
Join Start Attractor as a Scientific Developer – Data Engineer and help turn industrial data challenges into concrete innovation projects.
You will work between Start Attractor in Pisa and an industrial partner in Porcari, supporting digitalization in the paper-making industry. The role combines scientific development, industrial innovation and data engineering: translating business needs into R&D projects, supporting experiments and pilot trials, and building reliable data pipelines for analytics, reporting and AI solutions.
We are looking for someone with strong data engineering skills, a scientific mindset and the ability to work across industry, research and technology teams.
Ideal profile
Master’s degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Computer Engineering or related STEM field
3–5 years of experience in data engineering or similar roles
Strong knowledge of SQL, Python, relational and NoSQL databases
Experience with ETL/ELT pipelines, data integration and modern data platforms
Familiarity with cloud environments, Git, data quality, monitoring and governance
Able to explain technical concepts clearly and work in multidisciplinary teams
Very good English and good working knowledge of Italian
Nice to have: experience with Spark, Databricks, Airflow, Kafka, Docker, Kubernetes, Terraform, manufacturing data systems or AI/ML platforms.
Contract: fixed-term full-time, CCNL Commercio, compensation based on skills and experience.
Ongoing
Mentors & Faculty (ongoing)
We are always looking for mentors and faculty members to support founders and corporate teams through office hours, clinics, and feedback sessions. Areas of interest are
- AI & Data, Digital & ICT
- Deep, Health, Agri & Food Tech
- Paper & Manufacturing, Fintech
- Legal / IP, Fundraising / VC, Go‑to‑market, Operations
Application
Simple and transparent process
Send your application to info(at)start attractor(dot)eu including a CV and a short motivation letter for job positions. Please specify the role in the subject line. If you want to apply as a mentor or faculty member, use this form.
Step 1
Application
- CV + short motivation letter
- Role clearly indicated in the subject line
- Rolling review of applications
- English proficiency required
Step 2
Interviews and exercise
- One or more interviews, online or in person
- A short practical exercise aligned with the role
- Assessment of both technical and soft skills
Selection
What we assess
- Fit with the requested professional profile
- Relevant technical skills and prior experience
- Ability to grow within the Foundation
- Teamwork, creativity, public speaking and entrepreneurial mindset
- Multidisciplinary education and international experience as a plus
Equal opportunity
Inclusive hiring
Start Attractor is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, or age.
Future openings
No open role yet for you?
Expression of interest in future opportunities
Stay on our radar
Send your CV and a short introduction here .
- Indicate your main areas of expertise
- Specify the preferred type of collaboration
- We may contact you if a suitable role opens
Collaboration paths
More than one way to contribute
Employee
Mentor
Faculty
We are interested in people who can strengthen programs, partnerships, community building and execution capacity.