Technology » Telecommunications technology
Organisation/Company Fundació Privada I2CAT Department Software Networks Research Field Technology » Telecommunications technology Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Application Deadline 3 Apr 2026 - 00:00 (Europe/Madrid) Country Spain Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No
Offer Description
Applications must be submitted exclusively through the official GENOME project website.Please note that applications sent via LinkedIn, the i2CAT website, or any other platformwill not be considered. To ensure your candidacy is valid, you must follow the formal application process on the GENOME portal.
Are you ready to redefine how AI and telecommunications converge? At i2CAT, we are looking for a Doctoral Candidate (DC) to join the GENOME project (MSCA Doctoral Network).
As the industry shifts toward 6G, the challenge lies in deploying Intelligence at the Edge. You will explore the frontier of Distributed Mixture-of-Experts (MoE) and Small Language Models (SLMs) to create autonomous, intent-driven networks. This isn't just about connectivity; it’s about building a collaborative, agentic ecosystem where networks reason, negotiate, and self-manage across edge-cloud environments.
What you will do (Responsibilities)
As part of the Software Networks group and a network of 15 international researchers, your mission will include:
* Develop a Mixture-of-Experts LLM agent framework tailored for network management tasks.
* Design agentic emergent communication and negotiation protocols for distributed AI nodes.
* Implement reasoning capabilities to invoke API catalogues (e.g., CAMARA) for real-time network enforcement.
* Apply your research to cross-domain and inter-operator use cases under the OpenOP framework.
* Validate your systems through high-fidelity simulations and physical deployment on cutting-edge testbeds.
* Collaborate globally, including a 5-month secondment at the University of Oulu (Finland) with Prof. Mehdi Bennis.
* Publish your findings in top-tier scientific journals and present at international conferences.
What we offer
* Prestigious Funding: A highly competitive MSCA PhD contract with dedicated mobility and family allowances (where applicable).
* International Exposure: Work within a European network of excellence with stays in Finland and collaboration with industry leaders.
* Work-Life Balance: Flexible working hours and teleworking options.
* Vibrant Environment: Join a multicultural team in Barcelona, one of Europe’s leading tech hubs.
* Growth: Continuous training and mentorship from world-class researchers (Dr. Hatim Chergui, Dr. Pouria Khodashenas, and Prof. Cristina Cervelló-Pastor).
Research Field Technology » Telecommunications technology Education Level PhD or equivalent
Skills/Qualifications
Must-haves:
* Education: Master’s degree in Telecommunications, Computer Science, AI, or a related engineering field.
* Technical Skills: Strong Python programming and hands-on experience with AI frameworks (PyTorch, TensorFlow, etc.).
* Domain Knowledge: Solid understanding of telecommunication networks and architectures.
* Language: Fluency in English (written and spoken).
* MSCA Eligibility: Mobility Rule: You must not have resided or carried out your main activity in Spain for more than 12 months in the 3 years prior to recruitment.
o PhD Rule: You must be eligible and ready to enroll in the UPC doctoral programme.
Nice-to-haves:
* Previous track record of research excellence (publications, awards).
* Experience with Cloud-native technologies (Docker, Kubernetes).
* Familiarity with O-RAN architectures.
Soft Skills:
* Proactivity: Ability to drive independent research while contributing to a larger consortium.
* Critical Thinking: A problem-solving mindset to tackle complex, non-linear technical challenges.
* Collaboration: Excellent communication skills for an international, multicultural environment.
Languages ENGLISH Level ExcellentAdditional InformationWork Location(s)
Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute Fundació privada i2CAT, Internet i Innovació Digital a Catalunya Country Spain State/Province Barcelona City Barcelona Postal Code 08039 Street Plaça de Pau Vila, 1 Geofield
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