CALL 21-2026-1 – Research Position R2 in Sustainable AI

Centre Tecnològic de Telecomunicacions de Catalunya (CTTC); España; On-site; EUR 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off: 33 days/year

Telework: up to 2 fixed days per week

Flexible working hours

Career development & training

Annual performance-related pay

Job summary

Centre Tecnològic de Telecomunicacions de Catalunya (CTTC) invites applications for a researcher (R2) to join the Sustainable Artificial Intelligence (SAI) unit on a permanent basis. The role focuses on developing sustainable and trustworthy AI, with experiments on ML methods for pervasive systems and innovative hardware platforms.

The candidate will support research activities, collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, publish in top venues, and contribute to workshops and international

Qualifications

• PhD in Computer Science, Data Science, Applied Mathematics, Signal Processing, or related field (at the time of signing the contract).
• Knowledge in machine learning theory.
• Valuable: Python (pytorch, tensorflow, CUDA) and/or Julia; Hands-on processing units; Demo/proofs-of-concept; Publication record and communication; Open-source contributions.

Responsibilities

• Carry out high-quality fundamental and applied research in sustainable and trustworthy AI.
• Publish research results in leading international journals and top-tier conferences.
• Present research outcomes at international scientific events.
• Contribute to organization of special sessions, workshops, and dissemination activities.
• Participate in national and international collaborative research projects.

Skills

ML theory

Python

PyTorch

TensorFlow

CUDA

Julia

Demo/POC development

Hardware experience

Publications/communication

Open-source contributions

Education

PhD in Computer Science/related field

Job description

Organisation/Company Centre Tecnològic de Telecomunicacions de Catalunya (CTTC) Research Field Computer science Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Positions PhD Positions Application Deadline 25 Oct 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Madrid) Country Spain Type of Contract Permanent Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 37.5 Offer Starting Date 1 Jan 2027 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Who are we looking for?

Scientific and technical description of the activity to be carried out

The Sustainable Artificial Intelligence (SAI) research unit is seeking a highly motivated researcher (R2) to join our team with a permanent position. This is an exciting opportunity for an ambitious researcher interested in advancing the state of the art in sustainable and trustworthy artificial intelligence. The successful candidate will contribute to the development of methodological and experimental machine learning approaches that can be efficiently implemented on both conventional computing platforms (CPU, GPU) and emerging computational paradigms, including neuromorphic computing and quantum technologies.

The position holder will actively support the research and experimental activities of the SAI Research Unit, including:

• Designing and developing innovative machine learning methods for sustainable and trustworthy AI.
• Conducting experimental research on AI solutions for pervasive systems and services.
• Supporting laboratory activities, proof-of-concept developments, and field trials.
• Contributing to the implementation and evaluation of AI models across conventional and unconventional hardware platforms.
• Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams in the execution of research projects and technology validation activities.

As part of the SAI Research Unit, the selected researcher will be expected to:

• Carry out high-quality fundamental and applied research in the fields of sustainable and trustworthy AI.
• Publish research results in leading international journals and top-tier conferences.
• Present research outcomes at international scientific events.
• Contribute to the organization of special sessions, workshops, and scientific dissemination activities related to the research topics of the unit.
• Participate in national and international collaborative research projects.

We are looking for a highly motivated, enthusiastic, energetic person, aiming at significantly improving his or her career perspectives in both public and private sectors. Competencies corresponding to the R2 professional category according to CTTC’s Professional Categories Policy.

Specific Requirements

• Required
  • PhD in Computer Science, Data Science, Applied Mathematics, Signal Processing, or related field (at the time of signing the contract) (10 points)
  • Knowledge in machine learning theory (10 points)
• Valuable
  • Knowledge in Python (pytorch, tensorflow, CUDA) and/or Julia (10 points)
  • Hands-on experience with different processing units (5 points)
  • Preparation of demos or proofs-of-concept (5 points)
  • Publication record and communication skills (3 points)
  • Demonstrated contributions to open-source libraries (3 points)

Even if you do not meet all the technical requirements, we encourage you to apply.

The candidates’ past performance but also future potential will be considered as criteria for selecting researchers.

Languages ENGLISH Level Excellent

Additional Information

• We offer a permanent contract
• Annual gross salary according to the profile of the candidate
• Full-time contract: 7,5 h/day. Flexibility
• Continuous training, access to lab facilities, state of the art infrastructure and polivalent working spaces, participation in scientific events and R&D projects, complementary skills development.
• We have great benefits for employees
  • Paid time off: vacation (33 working days per year), holidays, sick and parental leave and more
  • Telework: up to 2 fixed days per week. An additional third day may be considered upon request and approval for justified work-life balance or special personal circumstances.
  • Flexible working hours for work-life balance.
  • Career development opportunities through professional progression and continuous training.
  • Annual performance-related compensation and other incentive schemes according to CTTC’s compensation policies.
  • Possibility to complement the salary with personal grants.

CVs and any other information gathered during this process will be handled confidentially

Additional comments

Who are we?

• The Centre Tecnològic de Telecomunicacions de Catalunya (CTTC) is a non-profit public sector research institution dedicated to fundamental and applied research activities, focused mainly on technologies related to the physical, data link and network layers of communication systems and Geomatics.
• CTTC received the “HR Excellence in Research” award from the European Commission in 2015 and entered the Award Renewal phase in 2023. This recognition reflects the Institute’s commitment to implement a Human Resources Strategy for Researchers ( HRS4R ), aimed at aligning its practices and procedures with the principles of the European Charter for Researchers, as well as the Open, Transparent and Merit-Based Recruitment (OTM-R) principles. CTTC actively promotes a stimulating and favourable work environment for researchers.
• The CTTC is located in the beautiful Mediterranean Technological Park of Castelldefels, a science park that houses the Polytechnic University of Catalonia, research institutions, innovative companies and startups. The PMT-UPC is located 10 minutes’ walk from the beach and the city center of Castelldefels, also close to childcare centers, public schools and the best international schools. It can be reached by car, train (RENFE) and various bus lines.
• We have 2 buildings on campus, with state-of-the-art facilities, comfortable workspaces, meeting rooms, and multipurpose spaces, as well as social spaces.
• The institute has a multicultural environment with more than 150 members (scientific, technical and administrative staff) from all over the world.

CTTC offers and promotes a diverse and inclusive environment and welcomes applicants regardless of age, disability, gender, national origin, race, religion, or sexual orientation.

The CTTC seeks to increase the presence of women in those areas where they are underrepresented and therefore explicitly encourages them to stand as candidates.

It is also committed to increasing the number of people with disabilities in its workforce and therefore encourages their applications

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute Centre Tecnològic de Telecomunicacions de Catalunya Country Spain State/Province Spain City Castelldefels Postal Code 08860 Street Avinguda Carl Friedrich Gauss, 7, 08860 Castelldefels, Barcelona Geofield