Funding reference
Fondo IPCEI - Intervento Infrastrutture e servizi cloud (CIS)
D.M. di attivazione 27 giugno 2022 - D.D. di apertura 23 febbraio 2024
Prog. n. IPCEI-CL_0000007 - CUP C68H24000600006
Istanza prot. n. 108417 del 14/05/2024 - Comunicazione di ammissione
Intervento del PNRR M4C2-I2.1
Responsabile del Procedimento: Alessandro Dalla Torre
PIANO NAZIONALE DI RIPRESA E RESILIENZA (PNRR)
MISSIONE 4 “Istruzione e ricerca” - COMPONENTE 2 “Dalla ricerca all’impresa”
INVESTIMENTO 2.3 “Potenziamento ed estensione tematica e territoriale dei centri di trasferimento tecnologico per segmenti di industria”
CONVENZIONE DI SOVVENZIONE PER LA REGOLAMENTAZIONE DEI RAPPORTI DI ATTUAZIONE, GESTIONE E CONTROLLO RELATIVI AL PROGETTO “DIPS – Digitalization and Innovation of Public Services”
CUP B67H22005810008
Responsabile del Procedimento: Alessandro Dalla Torre
FBK is looking for a developer in the field of Energy Efficient Embedded Systems and tinyML; this position is partially funded by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR)
Fondazione Bruno Kessler (FBK) is a private research institution devoted to excellence in research in numerous disciplines and designated to the role of keeping the Autonomous Province of Trento in the mainstream of European and international research. Each research area is assigned to a specific research Centre, of which there are twelve totals. Information regarding the research Centres, their activities and production are available at http://www.fbk.eu/research-centers.
In particular, Digital Society (DigiS) is a research center of Fondazione Bruno Kessler (FBK) formed by a multidisciplinary team of more than 100 researchers, technologists, and managers (including Ph.D. and students). It is organized in 9 research units dedicated to specific research areas in the AI and ICT domain and two support units focusing on project management and technology maturation. Our mission is to perform advanced research and develop innovative digital technology to address the future digital society’s key challenges. Digital technology has a pervasive impact on our lives and is reshaping our society. The challenge is to ensure that digital technology becomes a steppingstone to create a more sustainable, inclusive, and secure society. More information is available at https://digis.fbk.eu/#vision.
Workplace Description
The candidate will be working in the Energy Efficient Embedded Digital Architectures - E3DA research unit of the DigiS research center. The E3DA research unit focuses on wireless resource-constrained embedded technologies with a system-level approach targeting energy efficiency and Artificial Intelligence (AI) embedding at the very edge. Energy Efficiency in networked embedded systems is one of the leading research challenges, particularly in recent years where the pervasiveness of smart, tiny low-cost electronics and new wireless protocol availability is enabling the Internet of Things (IoT). The activity spans from hardware-software development for low-power wireless smart sensing devices to power management techniques, low power multi-hop wireless protocols, and on-board processing in resource-limited devices. We also apply RF technology for proximity detection and localization techniques. The unit applies the research results in several application domains, such as those typical of pervasive and wearable computing and IoT.
Background information and description of research projects
These positions are offered within the following project: IPCEI Next Generation Cloud Infrastructure and Services (CIS): 8ra and the FBK CAITE project
The 8ra Initiative is a strategic European endeavour dedicated to create a resilient and scalable digital infrastructure tailored to Europe’s needs. At its core is the Important Project of Common European Interest on Next Generation Cloud Infrastructure and Services (IPCEI-CIS), bringing together 12 EU member states and about 120 industrial and research partners to drive Europe’s digital sovereignty.
The main goal of IPCEI-CIS is to establish a "Multi-Provider Cloud-Edge Continuum" that operates independently of any single provider. This continuum embodies the seamless fusion of cloud and edge computing, enabling the flexible allocation of resources and applications between the cloud and the network edge. In 8RA, FBK is responsible for the project Cybersecurity & AI at the Edge (CAITE) whose aim is twofold. First, it aims to bring AI at the edge, by providing scalability and resource efficiency through the development of cooperative, distributed AI algorithms, optimising data, energy, and processing resources while adapting to the different computational environments and capabilities. Second, the project emphasises the creation of security, privacy-enhancing, and trust-aware services to ensure resilience and compliance in distributed AI-enabled applications. Three research centers of FBK cooperate and develop CAITE: the Augmented Intelligence Center, the Center for Cybersecurity, and the Digital Society Center.
DIPS - Digitalization and Innovation of Public Services project
The activities related to this position will be carried out mainly within the DIPS project (https://www.dipsproject.it/), focusing on the deployment of innovative solutions based on artificial intelligence and deep learning, and their validation in real industrial environments.
DIPS – Digitalization and Innovation of Public Services project obtained the “Seal of Excellence” from the European Commission as a project of excellence that participated in the context of the Digital Europe Program for the creation of a network of European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIH). EDIHs aim to accelerate the digital transformation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and public administration. DIPS, as a Seal of Excellence and as a beneficiary of national funding with PNRR funds, is therefore part of this network.
DIPS will offer services to SMEs and PAs for their digital transformation in Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity. These services, designed to support businesses at every stage of digital transformation and innovation, offer a complete approach that goes from the conception to the implementation of technological strategies, while ensuring protection and sustainability. Job Description
The successful candidate will support the research and development of tinyML and edge AI techniques applied to resource-constrained platforms and IoT scenarios.
The focus will be on developing libraries and tools, and applying AI strategies to create robust, reliable, and performant yet scalable, hardware-aware and efficient neural models. The neural tasks addressed can focus on different kinds of sources (i.e., audio, images and video data, or biosignals). The E3DA unit within the CAITE project will strongly contribute to the efficiency aspect.
The successful candidate will contribute to the following tasks: Design and develop tinyML solutions for efficient task-specific model finetuning; Develop specific tinyML solutions implementing techniques (e.g., pruning, quantisation, early exit) for faster inference and learning on constrained resources; Develop metrics and tools to evaluate explainability; optimise trade-offs with robustness and accuracy; Support the implementation of a tool for tinyML developers.
Depending on organizational needs, the selected candidate may also be involved in additional activities or projects within the Centre
Job requirements
The ideal candidate should have: Master in Computer Science, Information Engineering, Electronics Engineering or equivalent; Good programming skills in Python, or C, C++, Java; Background in artificial intelligence; Specific expertise in tinyML/edgeAI techniques such as quantisation, pruning, distillation, compression techniques, etc.; Hands-on experience with git and software development and debugging environments; Language assessment according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR): level of knowledge required. Knowledge of English will be verified during the interview on a technical or scientific topic and must be equal to or exceed level B2. Definitions of levels can be found at the following link https://www.coe.int/en/web/common-european-framework-reference-languages/level-descriptions; Ability to work both independently and in a team environment; Good communication and relational skills; Strong orientation to results, determination, flexibility and aptitude for problem-solving. Furthermore, the following elements will be positively evaluated: Specific expertise in energy-efficient embedded systems and/or microcontroller programming; Having already experienced a research work environment.
Employment
Type of contract: fixed-term contract
Working hours: full-time (38 h per week)
Start date: Preferably November 2025
End date: 31/12/2026
Contract type: CCPL Research Foundation Personnel (https://trasparenza.fbk.eu/ita/Personale/Contrattazione-collettiva/Rinnovo-CCPL-delle-Fondazioni) for a Fourth level technician, the current gross annual remuneration is Euro 29.577,98.
Workplace: Povo, Trento (Italy)
Benefits: flexi-time, company subsidized cafeteria or meal vouchers, internal car park, welcome office support for visa formalities and for research in accommodation, supplementary pension (Resaver, Laborfonds) and health fund (Sanifonds), family-work balance, free training courses, support on bank account opening, discount on public transport, sport, language course fees, counseling and psychological support service. More info at https://www.fbk.eu/en/work-with-us/
Application
Interested candidates are requested to submit their application by completing the online form (https://jobs.fbk.eu/). Please make sure that your application contains the following attachments (in pdf format): detailed CV including relevant past experiences; cover letter indicating motivation and why the candidate is suitable for this position.
Application deadline: 08/10/2025
Selection process and assessment criteria
The Evaluating Committee will be appointed by the People Innovation for Research Director at the end of the application deadline.
The recruiting process will be handled in accordance with the “Gender and generational equal opportunities, as well as the employment inclusion of people with disabilities in public contracts financed with the resources of the PNRR and PNC” guidelines and with the Foundation's Gender Equality Plan.
The Committee may compile the short-list of the candidates admitted to the interview, remotely or in presence. The short-list shall be compiled based on the requirements set out in the call (contained in the requirements of the job description), with the support of the screening of CVs and any other required documents.
Candidates with a minimum score will be admitted to the interview phase. Shortlisted candidates must do at least one interview with the Committee. In case of specific need, the Selection Committee can also meet remotely, by teleconference or videoconference, provided that all members can be identified and that they are able to follow and intervene in the discussion, as well as to receive, transmit and view documents.
During the evaluation step, evaluation support tools such as tests or questionnaires may be used. Furthermore, group tests and/or practical tests may be administered.
Evaluation criteria
The selection process includes two evaluation moments led by the Commission: the screening and the interview phase.
The screening process will be based on the evaluation of the qualifications and expertise that the candidate expresses on the resume. A maximum of 40 points will be allocated to this assessment phase and only candidates obtaining at least 25 points will be admitted to the interview.
The interview scores will be assigned to candidates by the Commission according to the following criteria: the presentation of their technical profile; the knowledge about the scientific domain, the experience in working for research projects and the language skills.
A maximum of 60 points will be allocated to this assessment phase. The interview is considered as “passed” if the applicant obtains at least 45 points.
The final score will be used to generate the final suitability list for each job position.
Results of the selection process
All candidates will be notified via email once the selection process has been completed.
The suitability list may be used to fill the position in case the successful candidate doesn’t accept the job offer.
At the website https://jobs.fbk.eu/ in the "Selection results" section, will be published the details of the selection process and the final results.
Diversity & Inclusion policy
FBK actively seeks diversity and promotes inclusion in the workplace. The main aims of the FBK Diversity & Inclusion policy are to: promote gender equality across the research domains and on all levels by encouraging qualified female candidates to apply for job positions and by implementing specific improvements and measures as stated in the Gender Equality Plan (GEP) foster young talents development by offering opportunities to grow become a disability-inclusive organization by encouraging applications from candidates with a disability (Law 68/99). We provide special assistance to applicants during the recruitment procedure and reasonable arrangements for disabled staff promote a healthy work-life balance by offering a package of flexible working arrangements and facilities (telework, individual working time, parental leave, etc). The FBK operates in compliance with current legislation concerning fixed-term contracts. Candidates with disabilities are invited to state whether they belong to the categories referred to in Law 68/99, and to indicate this in the curriculum vita sent in application for recruitment.
Processing of personal data
Pursuant to art. 13 of EU Regulation No. 2016/679 (GDPR), we inform you that your personal data shall be processed for the management of the selection process and of the obligations connected to it, through manual, electronic and informatic means and will be guaranteed within privacy and security standards as indicated in the full privacy policy.
In order to ensure and respect the principles of publicity, transparency and impartiality, the name of the successful candidate and the names of suitable candidates will be published on the FBK website following acceptance of the position. For further information, please contact the People Innovation for Research Department at jobs@fbk.eu.