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The i2CAT Foundation is seeking a Director for its Space Communications (SC) Research Group. This group leads research and innovation activities in the field of satellite communications, with a particular focus on Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN).

The SC group is actively exploring the integration of satellite systems into 5G and 6G architectures and protocols, enabling novel services such as NB-IoT and direct-to-handset connectivity. It also investigates the seamless adoption of service mobility and geolocation management in MANO systems, as well as the in-orbit virtualization capabilities required to achieve smart, zero-touch orchestration of space infrastructures. In parallel, the group contributes to the deployment of Quantum Communication Networks, leveraging satellite-based global coverage as a key enabler.

With a strong track record in EU R&D programmes, national (Spanish and Catalan) funding schemes, and bilateral collaborations with both industry and public entities, the SC group operates at the forefront of technological advancement. It maintains a continuously evolving research roadmap to guide its activities and identify emerging research opportunities.

A cornerstone of the SC group’s mission is to enhance i2CAT’s strategic capabilities in the space domain, fostering collaboration with the foundation’s other eight research groups to maximize impact and innovation potential.

Candidates Responsibilities :

The successful candidate is expected to :

• Lead the Space Communications Research Group , composed of 22 researchers and engineers working across three strategic research lines.
• Drive alignment with i2CAT’s overall strategic objectives , contributing to scientific and technological excellence while maximizing the organization’s impact on technology, the economy, and society.
• Shape and contribute to i2CAT’s space strategy , ensuring effective coordination and collaboration across other research groups within the foundation.
• Act as a key representative and spokesperson for i2CAT in the space domain, engaging with stakeholders, participating in strategic meetings, and representing the organization in public events and forums.
• Support and guide the professional development of the team members within the SC group, fostering talent growth and technical leadership.
• Define, update, and maintain the group’s Research & Innovation roadmap , in coordination with the Directors of Research and Development, Innovation, and Business Development.
• Develop and maintain a Satellite Mission Roadmap , ensuring that the group has access to pioneering infrastructure that enables cutting-edge research activities.
• Foster cross-disciplinary collaboration with other research and innovation groups at i2CAT to address complex, multi-technology challenges.
• Plan and manage resources effectively across the SC group’s research and innovation lines, ensuring optimal execution and results.
• Secure public and private funding for the group’s activities by nurturing innovative ideas and identifying relevant funding opportunities, including EU programs like Horizon Europe.
• Establish and grow a strategic network of partners and collaborators, coordinating with i2CAT’s business development team to build long-term, impact-driven relationships.
• Coordinate the definition and exploitation of technological assets , working closely with the Directors of Technology and Innovation to drive impact through intellectual property licensing or spin-off creation.
• Promote the group’s scientific engagement by planning and supporting participation in relevant working groups and scientific communities, ensuring continuous exposure to state-of-the-art research.
• Support i2CAT’s communication and outreach efforts , advising on the content, channels, and target audiences for disseminating the group’s activities and outcomes.

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.

• Work from our offices or from home, whichever works best for you. We only ask for one day 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 based on objectives.
• You decide wether you preferr to receive your salary in 12 or 14 payments.
• Optional benefits : Configure your salary according to your needs. We offer you the option of restaurant vouchers, public transport vouchers, nursery services, and medical insurance.
• Annual leave of 27 working days.
• We have fruit in the office to promote a healthy lifestyle
• Free coffee and tea.
• 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 one day per week to stay connected with your team and 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 was granted the "HR Excellence in Research" award by the European Commission in 2018, recognizing our commitment to aligning HR practices with the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct. As part of the HRS4R strategy, we ensure Open, Transparent, and Merit-based Recruitment (OTM-R) in all selection processes.

Diversity is key to progress and innovation, and at the i2CAT Foundation, we actively work to create an inclusive and equitable environment where everyone can develop their full potential. That’s why we are committed to plurality and aim to increase the number of people with functional diversity within our team.

We seek talented individuals with diverse perspectives to enrich our team. In our selection processes, we are committed to promoting female talent and are particularly interested in the experience of women and other underrepresented groups in the scientific and technological fields. This will help us be better prepared to tackle complex challenges. If candidates have similar qualifications, priority will be given to those belonging to one of these groups.

We know that talent manifests in many different ways, and we are eager to discover new perspectives!

If what you’ve read sounds good to you... let’s have a coffee, and we’ll tell you more! As part of the recruitment team, I would be happy to meet you, hear about your experience, and see how you could fit into our team.

And if you liked it but this isn’t the right opportunity for you, maybe you know someone who would be a perfect fit and whom you’d like to recommend!

Requirements

• PhD in Telecommunications Engineering, Computer Science, or a related discipline.
• At least 3 years of postdoctoral experience in R&D, ideally within research centres, academia, or high-tech industry.
• Proven experience in leading technical teams, with excellent leadership, coordination, and mentoring skills.
• Demonstrated expertise in grant and research proposal writing, particularly for competitive funding programmes.
• Hands-on experience in satellite missions, especially involving CubeSat platforms.
• Technical background in embedded systems and satellite technologies, such as microcontrollers and FPGAs.
• In-depth technical knowledge of radio systems, with a focus on their application to space communications.
• Experience or familiarity with quantum technologies, particularly in the context of communication systems.
• Project management experience in engineering or digital technology contexts, with a solid understanding of planning, execution, and reporting.
• A strong scientific and technical publication track record (relevant h-index and remarkable number of citations).
• Strategic vision, leadership capacity, and a strong results-driven mindset.
• Analytical thinking and decision-making capabilities, with the ability to tackle complex technical and organizational challenges.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills, with fluent spoken and written English.

Nice to have :

• Recognition for research excellence, such as awards or honors received for scientific contributions.
• Experience as a member of an international space agency or equivalent organizations, with insight into space policy, programs, or mission design.
• Supervision or co-supervision of MSc or PhD students, or experience hosting research interns and visiting scholars.
• Editorial experience, such as serving as an editor or guest editor of scientific journals, and active participation as a reviewer in Q1-ranked journals.
• Background in complementary research fields relevant to the SC group, such as :

Positioning techniques

• Quantum instruments in space environments
• Machine Learning (ML) or Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithms
• Satellite-to-satellite communications
• Hardware expertise (e.g., systems engineering, PCB design and integration)
• Software expertise (e.g., FPGA development, embedded systems programming)
• Ability to manage uncertainty and adapt to dynamic environments, with a proactive, constructive, and collaborative attitude.
• Ability to engage in institutional dialogue and represent i2CAT at national and international levels.
• International experiences in research field and research mobility will be positively valued.
• Catalan and / or Spanish domain will be a plus.

Candidates applying are required to submit the following documents :

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