ENG-PSR-CAC-2026-42 - Specialist support technician in XR Networking, Wi-Fi and Machine Learning

Universitat Pompeu Fabra - Department / School of Engineering; España; On-site; EUR 27,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

Universitat Pompeu Fabra - Department / School of Engineering in Barcelona seeks a Research Assistant to design and evaluate AI/ML-based solutions for Wi‑Fi networks supporting XR applications such as VR and AR. The role focuses on learning to select and configure protocols to meet throughput, latency and reliability requirements while optimizing spectrum use.

The work covers XR systems over Wi‑Fi, machine learning integration, and evaluation using simulations and experiments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Engineering in areas related to networks or artificial intelligence.
• Extensive knowledge of wireless networks, especially Wi‑Fi.
• Advanced programming skills in Matlab, Python and/or C.
• Experience in using simulation/experimentation for research in networks and communications.
• Proven experience in performance evaluation, analysis, simulation and experimentation.

Responsibilities

• Study the state of the art in wireless networks, XR networking and ML.
• Develop, implement and evaluate networking functionalities for XR over Wi‑Fi.
• Develop ML algorithms to improve operation of network functionalities.
• Contribute to writing research deliverables and publications.

Skills

Wireless networks knowledge

Artificial intelligence

Machine learning

Programming in Matlab

Python

C

Experience in simulation

Performance evaluation

English proficiency

Education

Engineering degree in networks / telecommunications / CS

Master's degree in related area

Tools

Matlab

Python

C

Job description

Universitat Pompeu Fabra - Department / School of Engineering

Organisation/Company Universitat Pompeu Fabra - Department / School of Engineering Department Engineering Research Field Computer science Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions Research Support Positions Application Deadline 12 Nov 2026 - 14:00 (Europe/Madrid) Country Spain Type of Contract Other Type of Contract Extra Information Indefinite according to article 23 bis of the “Llei 17/2022, de 5 de setembre, per la qual es modifica la Llei 14/2011, d'1 de juny, de la ciència, la tecnologia i la innovació Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 35 Offer Starting Date 1 Jan 2027 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Other EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? Yes

Offer Description

Research Assistant position in the area of XR networking, Wi-Fi and machine learning. In particular, the selected candidate will perform research activities related to the design and evaluation of AI/ML-based solutions for Wi-Fi networks able to support extended reality (XR) applications, such as virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). These applications impose stringent performance requirements in terms of throughput, latency and reliability. Thus, the goal is to develop mechanisms that learn to select and configure the set of communication protocols and functionalities that best suit every particular use case and scenario, thereby satisfying these requirements and efficiently using the available spectrum resources.

Main research field: Xarxes Sense Fils / Wireless Networks

Tasks to be performed:

Study of the state of the art in the field of wireless networks (e.g., Wi-Fi), XR networking and machine learning. In particular, to study how networking mechanisms can be improved through machine learning techniques.

Development, implementation and evaluation of communication, network and application functionalities, with special interest in extended reality (XR) systems over Wi-Fi networks.

Development and implementation of machine learning algorithms to improve the operation of communication and network functionalities.

Contribution to the writing of research project deliverables and scientific publications related to the above activities.

The duration of these tasks is estimated over a period of 6 months.

Group and complement: Group 3 + Level u

Dedication and working hours: Full time (35h/week).

Planned remuneration approx: 29.979,98€ gross per year

The expected start date is from January 1st, 2027, the job is in Barcelona .

Research Field Computer science

Additional Information

Eligibility criteria

Selection criteria: The selection of candidates will be made through the evaluation of their CV and, where appropriate, by means of a test and/or interview. The evaluation will be as follows:

• Academic background (0-40 points):
  • Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Engineering in areas related to networks (telecommunications, electrical engineering or computer science) or artificial intelligence. If the candidate has not completed their master’s studies, it will be assessed whether they are carrying out their master’s thesis or similar, and its topic.
• Other training and professional experience, suitability for the proposed profile (0-40 points):
  • Extensive knowledge of wireless networks in general, and Wi-Fi in particular.
  • Extensive knowledge of artificial intelligence and machine learning.
  • Advanced programming skills in Matlab, Python and/or C.
  • Experience in using simulation/experimentation for research in the areas of networks and communications.
  • Proven experience in performance evaluation, analysis, simulation and experimentation techniques.
• Other merits (0-20 points):
  • English proficiency.
  • Scientific publications in the area (wireless networks, XR networking and machine learning).

The minimum score to pass the selection process is 80 points. The candidate with the highest score in the selection process will be offered the position.