MSCA COFUND Ramon Llull - AIRA Postdoctoral Programme, Barcelona

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MSCA COFUND Ramon Llull - AIRA Postdoctoral Programme, Barcelona

Client:

Location: Barcelona, Spain

Job Category:

Other

EU work permit required:

Yes

Job Views:

3

Posted:

06.03.2025

Expiry Date:

20.04.2025

Job Description:

1st Call Opens : 20 December 2024 | Deadline: 20 February 2025

The Ramon Llull-AIRA Postdoctoral Programme (RAMON LLULL) offers 33 three-year fellowships —17 in 2024 and 16 in 2025— to train researchers in Catalonia's top R&D institutions in artificial intelligence (AI). The programme is led by the Computer Vision Centre (CVC-CERCA), along with AIRA partner institutions (IIIA-CSIC, BSC, IDEAI-UPC, IRII-CSIC-UPC) and eight other leading AI research institutions: UAB, UPF, UdG, URL, URV, Eurecat, i2CAT, and IJC-CERCA. These institutions, including five universities, two technology centres, and one clinical research institution, will recruit, host, and train fellows.

Supported by the Catalan Government through the AIRA Initiative, the RAMON LLULL Programme aims to advance researchers' careers through excellent human-centred AI research, leadership development, and interdisciplinary collaboration. The programme fosters interdisciplinary and intersectoral fundamental research in AI, adhering to Open Science principles and high-quality research standards.

Please, visit the website https://www.ramonllull-aira.eu, for further information and extended details on the application and selection process.

Research Theme Title: Quantum-AI Synergies: Quantum Computing for AI Acceleration and AI-Driven Quantum Advancements
Research Theme Code: RLA-i2CAT-01
Area of Application: Digital business and Industry.
Location: Barcelona
Principal Investigator: Josep Escrig
Email: [emailprotected]
Web: www.i2cat.net

Brief Theme Description:

We are seeking a researcher with a strong background in both Artificial Intelligence and Quantum Technologies, or with significant expertise in one of these fields and a keen commitment to build expertise in the other. This fellowship provides a unique opportunity to initiate a novel research line at the intersection of these two pioneering areas. The appointed fellow will drive research that explores how quantum computation can be utilized to accelerate AI, specifically through the application of quantum algorithms for neural network training and the integration of quantum states into AI models. This work will include studying quantum machine learning models and evaluating the potential benefits of quantum approaches in terms of speed and accuracy. Additionally, the fellow will have the opportunity to investigate how AI can uncover and enhance functionalities within Quantum Technologies. Research in this area will involve developing advanced quantum communication protocols, optimizing quantum operations, and identifying innovative applications for quantum systems in various domains.

The fellowship provides a unique opportunity for the researcher to establish new collaborations with prominent research institutions and industry partners, paving the way to bridge academic research with practical applications. The fellow will be responsible for initiating and fostering relationships with leading companies and research centers, actively contributing to advancements in the rapidly evolving field of AI-Quantum integration and building a foundation for impactful, long-term partnerships.

Available Infrastructures: ML cluster equipped with GPUs.
Possible Secondments: Opportunities for collaboration and secondment may be available with institutions specializing in Quantum Computing and AI, such as ICFO, UAB, UPV/EHU, or other European universities where we can establish new partnerships.
Keywords: Quantum Computing; Quantum Machine Learning; Quantum Algorithms; Neural Network Optimization; Quantum-AI Integration.

Fellows in the project will have the chance to:

• Pursue their own research project with a significant degree of work independence and further their career development and recognition.
• Work in a multi-disciplinary team of top world researchers in AI.
• Enhance their skills and knowledge through an individualized Training Programme.
• Have access to go on secondments to a global network of partnerships with a wide range of academic and non-academic profiles.
• Explore their ideas and conduct cutting-edge research without commercial constraints.
• Contribute to the advancement of scientific knowledge and societal well-being.

Which research topics are supported?

The programme offers a bottom-up approach in which ER fellows will be free to choose from a wide range of multidisciplinary research themes and topics in AI and related fields for its application in 7 major sub-themes: 1) Life Sciences; 2) Digital Health & Wellbeing; 3) Smart Mobility; 4) Personalised Education & Training; 5) Digital business & Industry; 6) Natural Resources, Agriculture & Environment; 7) Cultural Heritage & Inclusive Societies.

Timeline and evaluation process

• 20 February 2024: The call is closed, and all applications are reviewed for validation. All the applications lacking the required documentation and/or not meeting the mobility and experience rules will be discarded.
• During the next two weeks: Applicants will be contacted in case that any documentation is missing or incomplete, and they will be informed by email if they are eligible or not. A redress process will be enabled.
• During the next 10 weeks: All accepted applications will be assessed by the external evaluation committee, chosen and managed by the Catalan Agency for Management of University and Research Grants (AGAUR).
• During the next two weeks: Shortlisted candidates will be called to the interview phase.
• Two weeks later: The committee will rank all the applications and will communicate the result. The applicants will be offered the fellowship following the ranking provided by the external evaluation committee.
• Q2 2025: The accepted fellows will start their contract. Early incorporations are also possible.

What kind of contract will fellows have?

Selected fellows will receive a minimum gross salary of 38,900€/year, which excludes the employer’s contribution to social security but includes the employee’s tax and social security contributions. In Spain, net salary is calculated from the annual gross income by deducting income tax (IRPF) and social security contributions, which can change from year to year based on government updates. The income tax rate varies by income level, personal circumstances, and region, while social security deductions are currently around 6.50% for the employee. The remainder after these deductions is the net salary.

Hosting organizations are free to complement the minimum salary (Any supplement or additional payment may affect the amount of income tax owed). Details can be discussed during the negotiation phase.

A budget to cover the expenses for execution of the individual research projects will be available for the fellows and managed by the hosting institutions.

Selected fellows will be contracted by one of the research organizations involved in the project and will be affiliated to the Spanish Social Security during the stay, together with their potential family members.

Who can apply?

There are no nationality or age criteria. However, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Mobility rule: Applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Spain for more than 12 months within the three years immediately preceding the deadline of the co-funded programme’s call. For instance, the deadline for the 1st Open Call is 20 February 2025.
• Experienced Researcher (ER): Applicants must hold a doctoral degree at the time of their enrolment.

Documentation to be submitted

Compulsory documentation:

• Info from the Applicant
• CV in Europass template (max. 3 pages).
• Motivation letter (max. 2 pages).
• Letters of recommendation (min. two).
• Proof of Academic Records
• Digital copy of all academic certificates (Bachelor/Master/PhD).
• Candidates who have not yet formally been awarded the doctoral degree must include a letter from the doctoral school indicating that the thesis has been submitted and an estimated date for the thesis defense.

Research Proposal: Applicants must submit a comprehensive project description (maximum of 5 pages) that clearly outlines the excellence, impact, and implementation plan of their proposed research project.

• Proof of English Level: All candidates must demonstrate a proficient level of English, which will be assessed and scored during the interview stage of the evaluation process.

General criteria for evaluation:

• Project proposal and merits: 60% of the final mark.

Personal interview: 40% of the final mark.

The researchers will be selected following a transparent and supportive selection procedure according to the general principles and requirements of the Code of Recruitment of Researchers.

Candidates applying are required to submit via: