Research Associate – AI Systems Engineer (all genders)

Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS; Bayern; Hybrid; EUR 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible hours

Hybrid work

Professional seminars

Parking & charging stations

Health program

Job summary

Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS in Erlangen invites researchers with a Master’s (PhD preferred) in electrical engineering, telecommunications, computer engineering, robotics, or related fields to join the AI-Based Communication Systems group. You will develop AI-enabled wireless solutions, prototype demonstrations, and collaborate across hardware and software.

We offer flexible hours, hybrid work, onboarding, and opportunities to contribute to cutting-edge 5G/6G research, with

Qualifications

• Master’s degree (preferably with a PhD) in electrical engineering, telecommunications, computer engineering, robotics, or a related field.
• Experience in wireless communications, embedded AI, robotics, or signal processing.
• Hands-on experience in developing prototypes and technical demonstrations.
• Strong programming skills in Python and C/C++, with experience in AI frameworks.
• Solid background in signal processing and communication systems.
• Fluency in English; German is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Concept & Demonstration: Design, develop, and demonstrate proof-of-concept systems for AI-enabled autonomous communication systems with integrated sensing.
• Industrialization: Transfer research prototypes into robust demonstration platforms for industrial partners, customer engagements, and technology showcases.
• Embedded Intelligence: Develop, implement, and optimize AI/ML models on embedded platforms and hardware accelerators.
• Wireless Algorithms: Implement and optimize communication and signal processing algorithms for real-time wireless and sensing systems.
• Performance Validation: Evaluate system performance through simulations, laboratory experiments, and hardware-based testing.
• Project Support: Contribute to technical documentation, proposal preparation, and customer demonstrations.

Skills

Wireless communications

Embedded AI

Robotics

Signal processing

Python

C/C++

AI frameworks

Education

Master’s degree (PhD preferred) in Electrical Eng./Telecommunications/Computer Eng./Robotics

Tools

Python

C/C++

AI frameworks

Job description

Welcome to the Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS!

As the largest institute within the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, we have been conducting research for over 30 years in diverse fields such as artificial intelligence, microelectronics, sensor systems, data acquisition, signal processing, and signal transmission. Talented individuals from various engineering and natural science disciplines will find a wide range of exciting research topics under one roof. A few highlights that reflect our innovative strength include 5G/6G mobile communication technologies, generative AI in speech and signal processing, neuromorphic computing and X-ray imaging for e-mobility that’s just the beginning!

What sustainable solution will you find with us?

Be part of change

The group AI-Based Communication Systems within the Wireless Systems and Standardization (WSS) department in the Communication Systems division at Erlangen focuses on research, implementation and demonstrations of AI-enabled wireless communication systems. The group investigates machine learning and mathematical optimization techniques for sensing and communication applications to optimize radio link, end-to-end network performance, and edge inference across terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks. Our activities span a wide range of methodologies, from link/system-level simulation and data-driven experimentation to real-time evaluation with hardware-aware training and deployment.

• Concept & Demonstration: Design, develop, and demonstrate proof-of-concept systems for AI-enabled autonomous communication systems with integrated sensing.
• Industrialization: Transfer research prototypes into robust demonstration platforms for industrial partners, customer engagements, and technology showcases.
• Embedded Intelligence: Develop, implement, and optimize AI/ML models on embedded platforms and hardware accelerators.
• Wireless Algorithms: Implement and optimize communication and signal processing algorithms for real-time wireless and sensing systems.
• Performance Validation: Evaluate system performance through simulations, laboratory experiments, and hardware-based testing.
• Project Support: Contribute to technical documentation, proposal preparation, and customer demonstrations.

What You Contribute

• A Master's degree (preferably with a Ph.D.) in electrical engineering, telecommunications, computer engineering, robotics, or a related field.
• Experience in wireless communications, embedded AI, robotics, or signal processing.
• Hands-on experience in developing prototypes and technical demonstrations.
• Strong programming skills in Python and C/C++, as well as experience with common AI frameworks.
• A solid technical background in signal processing and communication systems.
• Fluency in English, both written and spoken; German language skills are a plus.

What We Offer

• Top of the line infrastructure at your workplace: With our state-of-the-art technologies, we develop solutions to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow.
• We value personal contact: With our structured onboarding process, you will quickly become familiar with our institute and be able to extend your network successfully.
• We take your needs seriously: We support your work-life balance by offering flexible working hours and hybrid work.
• Your goals and interests are important to us: We offer ongoing professional and personal seminars, coaching, and language classes.
• We offer complimentary parking spaces, charging stations for electric cars, covered bicycle parking, and showers at the institute.
• In-house health management, including sports courses, running groups, and relaxation seminars.

The weekly working time is 39 hours. The position can also be filled part-time, but as close to full-time as possible. The position is initially limited to 2 years with the aim to extend it subsequently. Appointment, remuneration and social security benefits are based on the public-sector collective wage agreement (TVöD). In addition, Fraunhofer may grant performance- and success-based variable compensation components.

We value and promote the diversity of our employees' skills and therefore welcome all applications - regardless of age, gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion, ideology, disability, sexual orientation and identity. Severely disabled persons are given preference in the event of equal suitability.

About Fraunhofer

The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft currently operates 74 institutes and research institutions throughout Germany and is the world’s leading applied research organization. Around 30 000 employees work with an annual research budget of 3.4 billion euros. The Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS, located in Erlangen, is the largest institute of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft with more than 1 200 employees.

With its focus on developing key technologies that are vital for the future and enabling the commercial utilization of this work by business and industry, Fraunhofer plays a central role in the innovation process. As a pioneer and catalyst for groundbreaking developments and scientific excellence, Fraunhofer helps shape society now and in the future.