Senior Researcher for 3GPP 5G/6G NTN

The i2CAT Foundation is looking for a Senior Researcher for 3GPP 5G/6G Non-Terrestrial Networks to join our Mobile Wireless Internet area.

The MWI team is participating in a project developing new technologies for next generation mobile networks that integrate space communication segments. This project involves a satellite operator with an ambitious plan to launch a LEO satellite constellation next year.

The selected Researcher will work in a team that is developing a next generation mobile core network architecture, which can enable scenarios where the base station (e/gNB) is not always connected to the core network segment. This is an important requirement in LEO constellations, where the base station included in the regenerative satellite payload does not always have visibility with the ground segment.

The researcher will work in the integration of an existing open source Core Network project Magma (https://www.magmacore.org/), developed originally by Facebook, and which has now become an official Linux Foundation project. This technology has a tremendous support in the industry and is now being expanded in different directions. Other Core Networks will be used in the project too, both privative and open source (e.g., Open5GS).

The selected candidate will be part of the MWI team that includes other researchers and R&D engineers working in the same project.

The work will include:

• Understanding 3GPP specifications
• Deploying testbeds including Magma and Open5GS used to demonstrate the proposed concepts
• Study and benchmark the capabilities included in Magma Open5GS
• Developing new extensions to Magma to address the project requirements, together with standalone pieces of code and applications
• Proposing new algorithms or system architectures that improve the performance of Magma in satellite and ground segment environments

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 ask for two days 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
• Optional benefits: Travel pass, restaurant vouchers, nursery services support, medical insurance
• Annual leave of 27 working days
• We have fruit in the office to promote a healthy lifestyle
• 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 two days per week: one to stay connected with your team and another one 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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