Call for Founding Heads of R&D Labs

A renewable 4-year appointment, with a pathway to a permanent position based on performance (KPIs and Targets). Organisation/Company AI4I Research Field Technology » Future technology Researcher Profile Leading Researcher (R4) Positions PhD Positions Country Italy Application Deadline 31 Jan 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Rome) Type of Contract Other Type of Contract Extra Information A renewable 4-year appointment, with a pathway to a permanent position based on performance (KPIs and Targets). Job Status Full-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No Offer DescriptionWe 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. below). 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. 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. Labs are at the center of an articulated organization: Collaboration: 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. Entrepreneurship: 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. Business Development: 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. What We Offer 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: Scientific and Strategic Leadership: 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. Outreach: Collaborating with marketing and business development teams to promote AI4I, expanding its reach and influence. Revenue Generation: 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. Acting as an interface between the Institute and external partners and users. AI Assets Development: Overseeing the creation and maintenance of reusable frameworks, libraries, and APIs aligned with industry needs. Key Success Metrics Your performance will be evaluated against annual and multi-year KPIs, including: Scientific Production: Delivering high-quality, peer-reviewed research with international visibility and impact across AI and its industrial applications. Revenue Growth: Securing external funding and building strong industrial relationships. Innovation: Driving IP creation and adoption of cutting-edge AI solutions. Managerial Proficiency: Delivering all lab projects on time, within budget, and to agreed service levels Qualifications We Are Looking For We seek leaders with: 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. Preferred Qualifications A PhD in a relevant field. Previous leadership roles in R&D centres. Proven experience as a founder or co-founder of an innovative startup. Experience in European R&D programs or public-private consortia. Ownership of patents or copyrights in AI or related industrial applications. How to Apply Submit your application exclusively through the online form by January 31, 2026, 11:59 PM CET: CV Scientific and Technological Plan for the Lab (max. 2,000 words) including:Proposed name for the lab. Scientific and technical focus. Scientific and applied objectives. Core competencies and core value proposition; measurable targets. Composition of the lab (human resources and other assets), with estimated costs. Expected sources and amount of revenue or funding over the next 4 years, beyond the initial budget. Contact information of three academic or professional references.Optional: Patents, publications, or code repository (e.g. GitHub) links. AI4I is committed to building diverse, inclusive teams and is an equal opportunity employer. Applications from underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged. Methodological Areas The Italian Institute of Artificial Intelligence is looking for candidates with strong scientific and technical knowledge in areas such as: Foundational Models Algorithmic Research Machine and Deep Learning Computer Vision Edge AI, TinyML, and Embedded AI Explainable AI Safe AI Federated, Parallel & Distributed, Computing/Learning Control Systems Optimization Planning and Scheduling Human-Machine Interaction Software Development AI Agents Physics-informed Machine Learning Synthetic Data Digital Twins Application Domains We also value experience applying AI in fields such as: Predictive Maintenance Autonomous Systems Decision Systems Industrial Automation and Robotics Quality and Process Control Software Development for Industrial Applications Logistics and Supply Chain Complex Systems Cybersecurity and Business Continuity for Industrial Applications Aerospace Systems Product and process Design, including model-based systems engineering and the digital thread Advanced Materials: AI-driven materials design and discovery Scientific Discovery, leveraging AI for automated experimentation and inverse design Technology Assessment, leveraging AI to evaluate emerging technologies, e.g., in healthcare About Us 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