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Article 24 of that law, entitled ‘Fixed-term researchers’, provides: ‘1. Depending on the programming resources available, in order to carry out research, teaching, supplementary teaching and student service activities, universities may draw up fixed-term employment contracts. The contract shall establish, on the basis of the university’s regulations, the arrangements for carrying out teaching, supplementary teaching and student service activities, as well as research activities. 2. Addressees shall be chosen by means of public selection procedures organised by universities using a regulation within the meaning of [legge n. 168 – Istituzione del Ministero dell’Università e della Ricerca Scientifica e Tecnologica (Law No 168 of 9 May 1989 establishing the Ministry of Universities and Scientific and Technological Research)], in compliance with the principles set out in the European Charter for Researchers annexed to the [Commission Recommendation of 11 March 2005 on the European Charter for Researchers and on a Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers (2005/251/EC)] … 3. Contracts shall have the following features: (a) three-year contracts which may be extended once only for a period of two years, subject to a favourable assessment of the teaching and research activities carried out, on the basis of the arrangements, criteria and parameters defined by [decree of the Minister for Education, Universities and Research]; those contracts may also be drawn up between the same person and different institutions; (b) three-year contracts, reserved for candidates who have been employed under contracts of the type referred to in point (a), who have obtained the national academic qualification for the position of first-level or second-level professor referred to in Article 16 of this Law, who hold a specialised medical diploma, or who, for at least three years, whether continuously or otherwise, have received the research grants referred to in Article 51(6) of [Legge n. 449 – Misure per la stabilizzazione della finanza pubblica (Law No 449 of 27 December 1997 laying down measures for stabilising public finances), as amended], the research grants referred to in Article 22 of this Law, or the postdoctoral fellowships referred to in Article 4 of [Legge n. 398 – Norme in materia di borse di studio universitarie (Law No 398 of 30 November 1989 laying down rules regarding university scholarships)], or who have similar contracts, grants, fellowships or scholarships with foreign universities. … 5. Depending on the programming resources available, in the third year of the contract referred to in point (b) of paragraph 3, the university shall assess the holder of the contract who has obtained the academic qualification referred to in Article 16 with a view to adding that person to the list of associate professors referred to in Article 18(1)(e). In the event of a positive appraisal, the holder of the contract, at the end of that contract, shall be added to the list of associate professors. The appraisal shall be carried out in accordance with the quality standards recognised at international level pursuant to a special regulation of the university within the framework of the criteria set by [decree of the Minister for Education, Universities and Research]. The programming referred to in Article 18(2) shall ensure that the necessary resources are available in the event that the outcome of the assessment procedure is positive. The procedure shall be publicised on the university’s website. 6. Depending on the programming resources available, and without prejudice to the provisions of Article 18(2), from the date of entry into force of this Law until 31 December of the eighth year following that date, the procedure referred to in paragraph 5 may be used in order to add second-level professors and permanent researchers at that university who have obtained the academic qualification referred to in Article 16 to the list of first-level and second-level professors. To that end, universities may use up to half of the resources equivalent to those necessary to cover available full professor posts. From the ninth year, the university may use resources corresponding to half of the available full professor posts in respect of the additions referred to in paragraph 5. … 8. The salary payable to holders of the contracts referred to in point (a) of paragraph 3 shall be equal to the starting salary of an experienced researcher, depending on the employment regime. For holders of the contracts referred to in point (b) of paragraph 3, the overall gross annual salary shall be equal to the starting salary of a full-time experienced researcher and may be increased by up to 30%. 9. The contracts referred to in this Article shall not give rise to rights regarding access to posts. Performance of the contract referred to in points (a) and (b) of paragraph 3 shall be considered an advantage in competitive selection procedures for employment with public authorities.’