Software Networks Research Area Director

The i2CAT Foundation is looking for a Director to lead the Software Networks (SN) research area.

The SN area of i2CAT investigates intelligent service and resource orchestration & management solutions combined with intent based networking to cater the requirements of verticals and its applications for next generation networks. The SN Area focuses on:

• Exploring and defining new ways to manage the networks of the future.
• Developing new architecture paradigms that go beyond current technologies.
• Enabling new features and new infrastructure business models through the integration of novel technologies.
• Deploying experimental infrastructures for research and innovation of advanced network technologies.

The SN research team has a long track of participation in EU R&D projects, mainly related to the 5G/6G area of heterogeneous network management in multi-tenant environments dealing with Service Based Architectures, Network APIs, Multi-cloud service provisioning, Multi-Access Edge Computing, Network Function Virtualization, Software Defined Networking, and Artificial Intelligence.

The current main research topics of the SN Research Area includes:

• Beyond-5G Network Management,
• 6G oriented Network Architectures,
• Cognitive Cloud Continuum, and
• Network programmability and intent-based orchestration.

The area develops and continuously updates a research roadmap to steer the activity of the group and also identify new fields to explore.

The successful candidate is expected to:

• Contribute to the achievement of the overall strategic objectives of i2CAT, which aim at scientific and technological excellence, as well as the generation of impact on technology, economy and society.
• Lead, coordinate and manage a team of engineers and PhDs to achieve the goals of the SN area.
• Develop the professional career of the SN area team members.
• Define/Update/maintain a research & innovation roadmap of the area in coordination with the Director of Research and Development of i2CAT.
• Foster the cross-collaboration with other research and innovation areas of i2CAT to tackle multi-technological problems and challenges.
• Manage the resource planning for R&D in the different research lines of the area.
• Foster research & innovation ideas within the team and identify relevant public funding programmes (e.g. Horizon Europe) for proposal development/submission.
• Build and maintain a network of key people and organisations with whom establishing long-lasting and impact-oriented collaborations.
• Coordinate the definition of technological assets with the Communication Technologies Director aiming at impact on standardisation bodies as well as in the market, through the licensing of IPR or the generation of spin-offs.
• Identify and plan the strategy for the participation of SN team members in relevant scientific WGs to ensure continuous scientific/technological watch to stay up-to-date on cutting edge research problems/topics.
• Contribute to the communication activities of i2CAT, by providing guidance on the contents and audience targets for the different activities and outcomes of the activity of the area.

Who we are:

The i2CAT Foundation is a non-profit research and innovation center that promotes mission-driven R&D activities on advanced Internet architectures, applications, and services. More than 15 years of international research define our expertise in the fields of 5G, IoT, VR, and Immersive Technologies, Cybersecurity, Blockchain, AI, and Digital Social Innovation. The center partners with companies, public administration, academia, and end-users to leverage this knowledge in order to meet real social and business challenges.

The greatest value of i2CAT is the talent of the people who make up our human team. We enjoy a team of people from more than 13 different nationalities and work every day to create and foster a work environment where we all feel comfortable creating, innovating and growing.

Want to know more? Visit our webpage! www.i2cat.net

What will you enjoy?

• Work from our offices or from home, whichever works best for you. We only ask for one day in person at the office to coordinate with the rest of the team.
• This is a full-time vacancy.
• We have a flexible work schedule respecting your work-life balance.
• Reduced working hours on Fridays and in July and August.
• Fix + variable salary based on objectives.
• You decide wether you preferr to receive your salary in 12 or 14 payments.
• Optional benefits: Configure your salary according to your needs. We offer you the option of restaurant vouchers, public transport vouchers, nursery services, and medical insurance.
• Annual leave of 27 working days.
• We have fruit in the office to promote a healthy lifestyle
• Free coffee and tea.
• If you are interested, you can participate in events of your sector.
• You will work with a laptop. You can choose your operative system, Mac, Linux or Windows.
• Company social and team-building events (virtual & in-person).
• You can develop your own and personal training programme with our support.
• We will work so that you have a career plan to promote your growth and development.

Where will you do it?

At i2CAT we already have an established ‘work-from-home’ policy for some time. You can work from home or from the office, whichever suits you best. We expect that you attend the office one day per week to stay connected with your team and to engage with other colleagues

If you decide to come to the office, we are located in Zona Universitària, next to the Campus Nord of the UPC, within a multidisciplinary and multicultural environment. It is a very well-connected area (metro, tram, bus) with bars and restaurants around.

Our offices are designed with an open-office concept where everything is light and transparency. We have a variety of workspaces so that you don't have to be at the same table all day.

i2CAT is an organization committed to equal opportunities. That is why we seek to increase the number of women in those areas where they are underrepresented, and therefore explicitly encourage female candidates to apply.

I2CAT is an organization committed to creating an environment where we celebrate diversity, and where we provide the dedicated support that our employees need, regardless of their disability.

If what you have read sounds good to you... let’s have a coffee and we will tell you more!

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