Context And Mission

Internet of Things (IoT) involves massive numbers of sensing devices with different capabilities, ranging from low-complexity sensors to smart cameras and actuators, generating huge volumes of data, which can be transformed into valuable knowledge through Artificial Intelligence (AI) and big data technologies. In this context, an effective combination of edge and cloud computing technologies (a.k.a. compute continuum) has been rising as an emerging paradigm that: (1) allows bringing computation closer to the data sources, bringing down latency and energy consumption with respect to cloud computing, enabling novel real-time services for domains such as smart city; and (2) provides high-performance capabilities for data intensive algorithms. Moreover, the advent of newest communication technologies (e.g., 5G) can offer the necessary bandwidth, ultra‐low latency, and massive device connectivity needed to distribute applications across the compute continuum, and also supports novel architectures for Multi-access Edge Computing (MEC). Unfortunately, edge and cloud computing and networks technologies have been evolving in parallel, and they are not fully integrated, leaving a gap that must be addressed to jointly leverage the compute computing capabilities.
The research activities will be focused on one or several of the following topics, among others:
1. Design of orchestration policies that meet specific application requirements, jointly taking into account computing and communication resources in a distributed edge/cloud computing environment.
2. Explore architectures and protocols to support the integration of edge computing in 5G and beyond communication systems.
3. Development of advanced data analytics pipelines, addressing different application domains, including but not limited to smart mobility, precision agriculture, etc.


Key Duties

- Support the research on policies and architecture design for edge computing in 5G, leveraging advanced edge devices (featuring GPUs, many-core, FPGAs, etc.) and a 5G testbed
- Develop system prototypes featuring advanced data analytics pipelines, for the smart mobility, precision agriculture, etc.
- Support the execution of ongoing research projects by attending technical meetings and writing technical reports
- Generate scientific outcomes (journal and conference paper writing and presentation)


Requirements

Education
- Bachelor degree or MSc in Computer Science or Communications or related discipline

Essential Knowledge and Professional Experience
- Python and edge/cloud computing technologies
- 5G and MEC architectural aspects

Additional Knowledge and Professional Experience
- Knowledge of optimization and AI/ML techniques for resource management will be considered an asset
- Knowledge about parallelism and HPC systems will be considered an asset
- C/C++ programming
- Fluent English both written and spoken

Competences
- Candidates should be proactive and self-motivated, with positive work attitude
- Ability to take initiatives, prioritize tasks and work under set deadlines
- Ability to work both independently and within a team
- Analytical thinking, problem-solving and result-oriented attitude


Conditions


- The position will be located at BSC within the Computer Sciences Department
- We offer a full-time contract (37.5h/week), a good working environment, a highly stimulating environment with state-of-the-art infrastructure, flexible working hours, extensive training plan, restaurant tickets, private health insurance, support to the relocation procedures
- Duration: Open-ended contract due to technical and scientific activities linked to the project and budget duration
- Holidays: 23 paid vacation days plus 24th and 31st of December per our collective agreement
- Salary: we offer a competitive salary commensurate with the qualifications and experience of the candidate and according to the cost of living in Barcelona
- Starting date: March 2024