R&D Development Manager

The Italian Institute of Artificial Intelligence AI4I is seeking for young, talented and ambitious Heads of R&D Laboratories to lead the next generation of AI research and development in AI-driven industries
We 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 R&D Laboratories in areas such as, among others, Reasoning & Planning, Edge Intelligence, Advanced Computer Vision, Synthetic Data, Human Machine Interfaces, and Controls (cf. Our R&D 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.
Hybrid work: Flexible arrangements can be negotiated.
About Our R&D Labs
R&D 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.
Each Lab will be at the frontier between fundamental AI methodologies and their rapid, scalable deployment in industry. Labs can integrate cross-disciplinary approaches (e.g., human-centered design, decision science, behavioral insights) to ensure AI technologies are adopted effectively and responsibly.
Labs are at the center of an articulated organization:
Collaboration and cross-fertilization between labs are strongly encouraged.
HPC & AI Supercomputing Resources: An extensive GPU-based accelerated computing facility and high-performance data infrastructure is available to support lab activities.
Engineering Support: A dedicated Engineering unit provides on‑demand, specialized support in high-performance computing (HPC), software engineering, data engineering, and more.
The Institute for Advanced Study: 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.
Academic Collaborations: 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.
A “spin‑off friendly” policy and a network of agreements with VC funds, accelerators, etc., Business Development: A dedicated business development unit ensures continuous exposure to numerous industrial partners, expanding opportunities for research and development. A renewable 4‑year appointment, with a pathway to a permanent position based on performance (KPIs and Targets).
An 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.
A start‑up grant comparable in scale to an ERC Starting Grant, directly managed by the Lab Head.
Tax exemption of up to 90% for eligible researchers relocating to Italy.
Relocation package for national and international candidates.
Your Role: Head of R&D Lab
As the Head of an R&D Lab, you will design, establish, and lead one of the Institute’s core research laboratories. You will be responsible for defining the R&D 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:
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.
Team Building: Leading a team of AI researchers and engineers to execute advanced research and develop practical software or platforms.
Collaborating with marketing and business development teams to promote AI4I, expanding its reach and influence.
Attracting external funding from private and public sources to support the growth of your lab, including EU programs and strategic industry partnerships.
Project Management: Managing multiple projects simultaneously, establishing schedules, and resolving bottlenecks to ensure smooth execution. AI Assets Development: Your performance will be evaluated against annual and multi‑year KPIs, including:
Delivering high‑quality, peer‑reviewed research with international visibility and impact across AI and its industrial applications.
Securing external funding and building strong industrial relationships.
Delivering all lab projects on time, within budget, and to agreed service levels
Strong track record in AI research and development, with a deep understanding of methods and architectures.
Demonstrated ability to lead complex, multidisciplinary R&D programs, from design to implementation.
Ability to interact across academic, industrial, and institutional settings.
Experience in applying AI in sectors such as advanced manufacturing, autonomous systems, human‑machine interaction, or software development.
A PhD in a relevant field.
Previous leadership roles in R&D centres.
Experience in European R&D programs or public‑private consortia.
Ownership of patents or copyrights in AI or related industrial applications.
Submit your application exclusively through the online form by January 31, 2026, 11:59 PM CET:
Scientific and Technological Plan for the Lab (max. Proposed name for the lab.
Composition of the lab (human resources and other assets), with estimated costs.
Optional: Patents, publications, or code repository (e.g. The Italian Institute of Artificial Intelligence is looking for candidates with strong scientific and technical knowledge in areas such as:
Algorithmic Research
Computer Vision
Control Systems
Planning and Scheduling
Human‑Machine Interaction
Software Development
Physics‑informed Machine Learning
Synthetic Data
Digital Twins
Industrial Automation and Robotics
Quality and Process Control
Software Development for Industrial Applications
Cybersecurity and Business Continuity for Industrial Applications
Product and process Design, including model‑based systems engineering and the digital thread
Advanced Materials: AI‑driven materials design and discovery
The 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.
Competitive 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.
AI4I’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.
AI4I 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.
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