PhD position for OpenVerso project

I2CAT is opening a PhD position to investigate the application of AI/ML techniques in future 5G communication networks. The researcher will be part of a joint collaboration between the 5G and AI groups at i2CAT. This work will be part of the OpenVerso project where i2CAT is developing new algorithms and architectures for beyond 5G networks.

I2CAT has a wide experience in the management and control of 5G networks based on SDN/NFV architectures. Hence, the researcher will have access to integrated 5G network testbeds and prototypes comprising radio, transport and compute domains. As part of its thesis the researcher will investigate:

• Architectural extensions to the current 5G networks to support AI/ML management functions, including identifying what data needs to be collected from the various network domains, and what actions need to be enabled by the underlying 5G SDN/NFV architecture. As part of the architectural work the researcher will also investigate what ML frameworks are available to manage the lifecycle of machine learning models, which could be containerized and executed within the 5G network.
• In addition to the architectural aspects, the researcher will spend most of its effort researching on algorithm design. A promising avenue being investigated at the moment is the application of Reinforcement Learning algorithms to network control and management use cases. However, the researcher will also consider supervised and unsupervised learning if needed. The following work-plan will be considered. First, a use case for the radio domain and a use case for the compute or transport domain will be defined. Second, the researcher will investigate how to set up an appropriate environment to test the developed algorithms, e.g. a network simulator. Third, the researcher will develop AI/ML algorithms for the two use cases. Finally, the researcher will validate the developed algorithms in the 5G testbed infrastructures available at i2CAT.

The researcher is expected to generate publications throughout this work, and actively contribute to the OpenVerso project.

Who we are:

i2CAT Foundation is a non-profit research and innovation center that promotes mission-oriented R&D activities on advanced Internet architectures, applications and services. The center stands for a new open innovation framework, fostering the collaboration between companies, public administration, the academic environment and end-users.

i2CAT’s activities span the areas of Research, playing a key role in the EU Framework Program for Research and Innovation; Strategic Projects, leading local initiatives that strengthen the digital policies of public administration, and Technology Transfer, fostering R&D collaboration with companies to develop innovative market-oriented solutions.

Want to know more? Visit our webpage!

What do we offer:

• You will be part of a multicultural team. We have a fun loving and friendly international work environment.
• Be in contact and work with cutting-edge technology
• Work in challenging R&D projects
• Fix + variable salary
• Option of flexible retribution (restaurant card, transport card, medical insurance, kindergarten)
• Flexible working schedule - We know you have a life outside of work and we will work with you to make sure it's kept that way
• Fridays afternoon off
• Intensive work schedule in July & August
• Home-office
• Open space office in Barcelona.
• Free fruit every week
• Discounted Gym-access
• 25 vacation days per year
• Casual dress code
• Let us know which trainings you need
• You will have the opportunity to attend tech conferences and events.

The i2CAT Foundation seeks to increase the number of women in those areas where they are underrepresented and, therefore explicitly, encourages women to apply.

The i2CAT Foundation seeks to increase the number of persons with disabilities among its workforce, and therefore explicitly encourages this collective to apply.