PpThe Italian Institute of Artificial Intelligence AI4I is seeking for young, talented and ambitious Heads of RD Laboratories to lead the next generation of AI research and development in AI-driven industries /p pWe welcome applications from researchers working across a wide range of AI domains – including Symbolic, Generative, Agentic, and Physical AI – as well as frontier research areas such as causality, neuro-symbolic AI, self-supervised learning, and AI for scientific discovery, who are keen to explore frontier questions and drive transformational applications at scale. We are eager to receive proposals to establish RD Laboratories in areas such as, among others, Reasoning Planning, Edge Intelligence, Advanced Computer Vision, Synthetic Data, Human Machine Interfaces, and Controls (cf. below). /p pOur RD Labs operate at the convergence of foundational research and real-world deployment (TRL 2 to TRL 6). They support short- and long-term innovation across strategic application domains, including manufacturing, robotics, engineering, product development, software development and testing, autonomous and decision systems, and new material discovery. /p pHybrid work: Flexible arrangements can be negotiated. /p pDeadline: January 31, 2026, 11:59 PM CET /p h3About Our RD Labs /h3 pRD Labs are the cornerstone of the Institute’s organizational structure. Each Lab may focus on either foundational AI methods or application-driven domains and is designed to expand well beyond its core endowment by attracting industrial collaborations and competitive research funding. /p pEach Lab will be at the frontier between fundamental AI methodologies and their rapid, scalable deployment in industry. The overarching goal is to deliver high-impact solutions while contributing to long-term technological leadership. Labs can integrate cross-disciplinary approaches (e.g., human-centered design, decision science, behavioral insights) to ensure AI technologies are adopted effectively and responsibly. /p pLabs are at the center of an articulated organization: /p ul libCollaboration: /b Collaboration and cross-fertilization between labs are strongly encouraged. /li libHPC AI Supercomputing Resources: /bAn extensive GPU-based accelerated computing facility and high-performance data infrastructure is available to support lab activities. /li libEngineering Support: /b A dedicated Engineering unit provides on‑demand, specialized support in high-performance computing (HPC), software engineering, data engineering, and more. /li libThe Institute for Advanced Study: /b The FCSP Institute of Advanced Study, as an integral part of AI4I organization, provides continuous contact with and exposure to cutting‑edge AI research at the world’s leading academic and industrial organizations, enriching and supporting advanced research activities. /li libAcademic Collaborations: /b A broad network of collaborations with leading research institutions and universities, through joint research programs, international grants, and doctoral grants, provides opportunities to broaden and deepen the scope of research. /li libEntrepreneurship: /b A “spin‑off friendly” policy and a network of agreements with VC funds, accelerators, etc., encourage entrepreneurship among AI4I researchers. This is further facilitated by our physical proximity to key players in the deep‑tech startup ecosystem. /li libBusiness Development: /b A dedicated business development unit ensures continuous exposure to numerous industrial partners, expanding opportunities for research and development. It also supports securing additional funding opportunities such as European and national grants. /li /ul h3What We Offer /h3 ul liA renewable 4‑year appointment, with a pathway to a permanent position based on performance (KPIs and Targets). /li liAn internationally competitive compensation package, enhanced by substantial incentive schemes, ensuring outstanding take‑home pay considering the combination of cost of living and dedicated tax benefits. /li liA start‑up grant comparable in scale to an ERC Starting Grant, directly managed by the Lab Head. /li liTax exemption of up to 90% for eligible researchers relocating to Italy. /li liRelocation package for national and international candidates. /li /ul h3Your Role: Head of RD Lab /h3 pAs the Head of an RD Lab, you will design, establish, and lead one of the Institute’s core research laboratories. You will be responsible for defining the RD plan for your lab: setting a long‑term vision and short‑ and long‑term goals; attracting world‑class talent, delivering scientific and technological breakthroughs; and positioning the Institute as one of the world’s leading centers for AI research and innovation. With support from the Institute’s core support functions and engineering infrastructure, your responsibilities will include: /p ul libScientific and Strategic Leadership: /b Designing cutting‑edge AI Research Development programs and solutions, meeting milestones, and achieving defined success metrics. Monitoring AI advancements, identifying opportunities for high‑impact innovation. /li libTeam Building: /b Leading a team of AI researchers and engineers to execute advanced research and develop practical software or platforms. /li libOutreach: /b Collaborating with marketing and business development teams to promote AI4I, expanding its reach and influence. /li libRevenue Generation: /b Attracting external funding from private and public sources to support the growth of your lab, including EU programs and strategic industry partnerships. /li libProject Management: /b Managing multiple projects simultaneously, establishing schedules, and resolving bottlenecks to ensure smooth execution. Acting as an interface between the Institute and external partners and users. /li libAI Assets Development: /b Overseeing the creation and maintenance of reusable frameworks, libraries, and APIs aligned with industry needs. /li /ul h3Key Success Metrics /h3 pYour performance will be evaluated against annual and multi‑year KPIs, including: /p ul libScientific Production: /b Delivering high‑quality, peer‑reviewed research with international visibility and impact across AI and its industrial applications. /li libRevenue Growth: /b Securing external funding and building strong industrial relationships. /li libInnovation: /b Driving IP creation and adoption of cutting‑edge AI solutions. /li libManagerial Proficiency: /b Delivering all lab projects on time, within budget, and to agreed service levels /li /ul h3Qualifications We Are Looking For /h3 pWe seek leaders with: /p ul liStrong track record in AI research and development, with a deep understanding of methods and architectures. /li liDemonstrated ability to lead complex, multidisciplinary RD programs, from design to implementation. /li liAbility to interact across academic, industrial, and institutional settings. /li liExperience in applying AI in sectors such as advanced manufacturing, autonomous systems, human‑machine interaction, or software development. /li /ul h3Preferred Qualifications /h3 ul liA PhD in a relevant field. /li liPrevious leadership roles in RD centres. /li liProven experience as a founder or co‑founder of an innovative startup. /li liExperience in European RD programs or public‑private consortia. /li liOwnership of patents or copyrights in AI or related industrial applications. /li /ul h3How to Apply /h3 pSubmit your application exclusively through the online form by January 31, 2026, 11:59 PM CET: /p ul liCV /li liScientific and Technological Plan for the Lab (max. 2,000 words) including: ul liProposed name for the lab. /li liScientific and technical focus. /li liScientific and applied objectives. /li liCore competencies and core value proposition; measurable targets. /li liComposition of the lab (human resources and other assets), with estimated costs. /li liExpected sources and amount of revenue or funding over the next 4 years, beyond the initial budget. /li liContact information of three academic or professional references. /li /ul /li liOptional: Patents, publications, or code repository (e.g. GitHub) links. /li /ul h3Diversity Equal Opportunity /h3 pAI4I is committed to building diverse, inclusive teams and is an equal opportunity employer. Applications from underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged. /p h3Methodological Areas /h3 pThe Italian Institute of Artificial Intelligence is looking for candidates with strong scientific and technical knowledge in areas such as: /p ul liFoundational Models /li liAlgorithmic Research /li liMachine and Deep Learning /li liComputer Vision /li liEdge AI, TinyML, and Embedded AI /li liExplainable AI /li liSafe AI /li liFederated, Parallel Distributed, Computing/Learning /li liControl Systems /li liOptimization /li liPlanning and Scheduling /li liHuman‑Machine Interaction /li liSoftware Development /li liAI Agents /li liPhysics‑informed Machine Learning /li liSynthetic Data /li liDigital Twins /li /ul h3Application Domains /h3 pWe also value experience applying AI in fields such as: /p ul liPredictive Maintenance /li liAutonomous Systems /li liDecision Systems /li liIndustrial Automation and Robotics /li liQuality and Process Control /li liSoftware Development for Industrial Applications /li liLogistics and Supply Chain /li liComplex Systems /li liCybersecurity and Business Continuity for Industrial Applications /li liAerospace Systems /li liProduct and process Design, including model‑based systems engineering and the digital thread /li liAdvanced Materials: AI‑driven materials design and discovery /li liScientific Discovery, leveraging AI for automated experimentation and inverse design /li liTechnology Assessment, leveraging AI to evaluate emerging technologies, e.g., in healthcare /li /ul h3About Us /h3 pThe Italian Institute for Artificial Intelligence (AI4I) was founded as a research institute to perform transformative, application‑oriented research in Artificial Intelligence, driving innovation and industrial progress. The Institute is designed to engage and empower gifted, entrepreneurial, and ambitious researchers who are committed to generating real‑world impact at the intersection of science, technology, and industrial transformation. /p pCompetitive salaries, performance‑based incentives, access to dedicated high‑performance computing resources, state‑of‑the‑art laboratories, and strong industrial collaborations are among the distinctive features that define AI4I. The Institute fosters a dynamic international environment and an ecosystem that supports the creation and growth of innovative startups. /p pAI4I’s mission is to advance scientific research, technology transfer, and, more broadly, Italy’s innovation capacity, promoting positive impact across industry, services, and public administration. To achieve this, the Institute contributes to building a research and innovation infrastructure that leverages AI methods, with a special focus on manufacturing processes and the broader Industry 4.0 value chain. /p pAI4I also maintains strategic relationships with leading organizations in Italy and abroad, including Competence Centers and European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs), positioning itself as an attractive destination for researchers, companies, and startups seeking collaboration and impact. /p /p #J-18808-Ljbffr