Distributed Data Architectures researcher

I2cat Foundation is looking for a Researcher to join our Artificial Intelligence area.

The successful candidate will work within the Disitrbuted Data Architectures team on projects related to Data Spaces, a set of reference architectures and standards that define decentralized architectures to securely share datasets between different organizations. Examples of topics that the team currently works on include:

• Implementation of Data Space solutions with a wide variety of partners from the public and private sectors from the mobility, industry and health sectors.


• Integration of big data and stream processing techniques to improve existing Data Space solutions in processing large and / or real-time datasets that are currently not supported.


• Integration of data usage policy definition and enforcement tools into Data Space solutions. This will allow our solutions to offer automatic enforecement of data usage policies defined by data providers and guarantee that consumers adher to these policies.


• Integration of data protection and Privacy-Enhacing Technologies (PETs) into data spaces. Examples of these technologies include data anonymization, data encryption, differential privacy, etc. The technologies will provide another layer of protection by allowing data providers to process their datasets before sharing them.


• Participate in the definition of reference architectures and standards at the European level. This will allow us to increase the visibility of the team at the European level and influence the direction of Data Space standards based on our experience.

Candidates are not expected to take part in all of these activities. Based on the profile of the successfull candidate and their interests, they will be integrated into the team and start working on one of the mentioned topics.

Responsabilities of the successful candidate:

• Participate in the design of innovative data sharing solutions based on state-of-the-art reference architectures and tools


• Indepdently develop R&D solutions using a variety of tools and programming languages (Java, Python, Kafka, Spark)


• Analyze and relay technical requirements and results of the developed R&D solutions to the team lead and other team members


• Participate in the writing and editing of deliverables associated with the projects


• Participate in the writing of new R&D funding proposals

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.

Want to know more? Visit our webpage! www.i2cat.net

What will you enjoy?

• 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 is an organization committed to equal opportunities. That is why we seek to increase the number of women in those areas where they are underrepresented, and therefore explicitly encourage female candidates to apply.

I2CAT is an organization committed to creating an environment where we celebrate diversity, and where we provide the dedicated support that our employees need, regardless of their disability.

If what you have read sounds good to you... let’s have a coffee and we will tell you more!

In case you liked it, but it is not your job offer, you may know someone else who fits perfectly and whom you would like to recommend!

Minimum requirements:

• MSc in computer science, big data, data engineering or similar


• Proven experience with with Java, Python and willingness to learn new programming languges


• Experience with big data and stream processing tools such as Spark, Apache Kafka, Flink or similar


• Analytical mindset able to propose solutions to new and known problems and carry on research proactively


• Excellent English level, both written and oral.


• Pro-active individual who can work with loosely defined goals.


• Good communication skills.

Nice to have:

• PhD related to big data, data engineering, data privacy protections or similar


• Knowledge about concepts related to data usage control and experience with data usage policy definition languages such as LUCON


• Experience in European research projects under the funding programs H2020 or Horizon Europe


• Experience working in Agile teams with tools such as Jira or Trello


• Professional level in Spanish and Catalan