Engineer position to investigate on Lunar Communications and Earth Observation Science Data Downlink scenarios for an ESA project

The Space Communications Research Group from i2CAT is currently investigating novel satellite communications technologies that enable emerging applications in Earth Observation (EO) and 5G/IoT domains. One of the research lines is associated with satellite-to-satellite interactions. This kind of communication tackles aspects like Inter-Satellite Link developments, Satellite Network protocols (like Bundle Protocol), among other aspects. This job position is related to this research line.

Specifically, an Engineer position is open to participate in an ESA project to investigate in (1) Lunar Communications and (2) Earth Observation Science Data Downlink scenarios. Specifically, the project aims at exploring the benefits of the Bundle Protocol (BP) from Delay Tolerant Networks (DTN) in these two scenarios. The Lunar Communications case takes in consideration the interaction between devices and satellites over and around the Moon with the ground segment on Earth. Additionally, the Earth Observation Science Data Downlink case evaluates the BP with EO satellites and relay satellites.

The candidate will address (1) the definition of those scenarios indicating different aspects (e.g. satellite systems, orbits, target areas, etc.), (2) the definition of the requirements to be satisfied with these scenarios, (3) Design of the scenarios in a Java-based simulator, (4) the execution of these scenarios, and (5) the discussion of the retrieved results. The outcome of the project will contribute in the standardization of a new version of the BP promoted by ESA.

As a summary, the tasks associated to this job are the following ones:
(1) Review the state-of-the-art of Lunar Communications and Earth Observation missions, Bundle Protocol, and DTN technologies.
(2) Definition of the two scenarios and their requirements
(3) Design and implementation of the proposed scenarios in the simulator
(4) Disseminate the results by means of scientific publications

Who we are:

The i2CAT Foundation is a CERCA centre with the vision of leading the challenge of designing and building the digital society of the future based on research and innovation in advanced digital technologies. Highlighting the generation of talent and in order to generate economic and social impact, i2CAT wants to turn Catalonia into a creative, empowered and innovative society, where knowledge and digital technology are at the service of people, promoting:

- The generation of excellence knowledge aimed at solving the challenges of companies, citizens and public administration (mission-driven research).
- The collaboration and establishment of synergies with other agents of the local ecosystem of research and digital innovation to co-develop solutions and products that generate a transformative impact.
- The digital empowerment of citizens through digital, open, participatory social innovation with territorial capillarity.
- The leadership of pioneering initiatives and tractors that increase the international projection and visibility of Catalonia as a digital and innovative country.

i2CAT is a constantly growing organization that has extensive experience in the leadership and development of research and innovation projects at national and international level in the technological fields of 5G, Internet of Things (IoT), virtual and immersive technologies, Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, Space Communications and digital society technologies.

Want to know more? Visit our webpage!  (http://www.i2cat.net/)

What do we offer?

• Work from our offices or from home, whichever works best for you. We only ask for two days in person at the office to coordinate with the rest of the team.
• This is a full time vacancy
• You will have a flexible work schedule so that you can reconcile your personal life with the professional one.
• Intensive hours every Friday of the year and every day in July and August
• Fix + variable salary
• Possibility of receiving part of your remuneration in kind (restaurant, transport, nursery or medical insurance)
• 25 working days of annual leave (the common 22 + 3 additional ones)
• You can access the UPC gym at a reduced price
• If you are interested, you can participate in events of your sector.
• You will work with a laptop. You can choose your work environment, Mac, Linux or Windows.
• You can ask us for training of your interest.
• 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 telework policy for some time. You can work from home or from the office, whichever suits you best. We ask that you attend the office two days per week, one to stay connected with the team and the other one to establish relations.

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 do not have opaque rooms). 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 the female collective to apply.

i2CAT is an organization committed to diversity and we seek to increase the number of people with disabilities in our team.

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