If your role allows remote work this may be an option: https://consnewyork.esteri.it/en/servizi-consolari-e-visti/servizi-per-il-cittadino-straniero/visti/visas-to-enter-italy/digital-nomad-remote-worker-visa/
Once living in a place it's a lot easier to find work, but that may be less true for academics who commonly move for work anyways.
I changed my profile picture to one of the Fediverse graphics: https://lemmy.dbzer0.com/post/36806080