Postdoctoral Researcher in Software Engineering

(MLOps for AI-Enabled Cyber-Physical Systems)

Deadline: 31 March 2026

The
IDeaLS Lab
at
AI4I
, Italy's new national AI center, is looking for a
highly motivated and experienced Postdoctoral Researcher
with strong expertise in
Software Engineering
,
Robotics
, or
AI-enabled Cyber-Physical Systems
. The successful candidate will contribute to cutting-edge research on
MLOps, intelligent software pipelines, and adaptive robotics
, working closely with research groups at
AI4I
and top collaborators abroad.

The Role
As a postdoctoral researcher, you will contribute to advancing foundational and applied
research at the intersection of AI, robotics, and large-scale intelligent systems
. You will work closely with interdisciplinary teams across AI4I as well as with top collaborators abroad, contributing to both academic excellence and high-impact industrial innovation.

Your Responsibilities
You will contribute to research activities including:

• Designing MLOps pipelines for autonomous and AI-enabled cyber-physical systems (AI-CPS), including UAVs and other intelligent robots.
• Developing adaptive learning and deployment frameworks enabling secure, trustworthy, and robust operation of AI models embedded in CPS.
• Conducting empirical and experimental studies at scale (simulation + real-world robotics testbeds).
• Collaborating with robotics experts, software engineers, and industry partners within AI4I.
• Publishing in top-tier Software Engineering and Robotics venues (ICSE, ASE, ICRA, IROS, TSE, JSS, etc.).
• Helping mentor junior researchers, PhD students, and engineers in the lab.

Contributing to the development of research prototypes and demonstrators for industrial partners, as well as supporting proposals for funding of national/international applications.

Required Qualifications

• PhD in Software Engineering, Robotics, Computer Science, AI, or closely related areas.

• Strong software engineering background, ideally including:

• Robotics, automation, and AI innovations

• DevOps / MLOps / CI/CD
• Large-scale systems
• Empirical software engineering

• Testing and validation of intelligent systems

• Solid programming skills (Python, C/C++, or similar).

• Experience with autonomous systems (UAVs, robots, self-driving systems) is a major plus.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in interdisciplinary teams.
• Excellent written and spoken English.

Well Received Qualifications

• Strong experience with ROS, Gazebo, AirSim, or other simulation environments.
• Relevant publications in SE + robotics / CPS.
• Experience with safety, explainability, or dependability of AI systems.
• Familiarity with HPC or large-scale experimentation pipelines.

What We Offer

• A pioneering research team: You will work alongside a highly talented and collaborative team of security researchers and engineers who share your passion for advancing AI safety, trustworthiness, and security. We foster an environment of innovation and mutual support, with clear pathways for career advancement and technical leadership.
• Research impact and visibility: We are committed to advancing both practical security solutions and fundamental research. You will have opportunities to publish at top-tier venues, while also contributing to national and European industrial research initiatives that shape the future of secure AI.
• Prime location at OGR Torino: Our offices are situated at OGR Torino, the city's leading technology and innovation hub. You'll be immersed in Italy's vibrant tech ecosystem with access to countless events, meetups, and a dynamic community of innovators and entrepreneurs.
• Comprehensive support and resources: We provide competitive compensation packages and full support for conference travel and professional development.

You'll have access to state-of-the-art high-performance computing infrastructure and GPU clusters essential for conducting cutting-edge AI, software engineering, and security research.

Salary range: €30,000 – €55,000 gross per year, depending on experience.

(Researchers relocating from abroad may be eligible for tax exemptions of up to 90%).

If you're passionate about shaping the future of AI security and want to see your research protect the next generation of AI systems, we'd love to hear from you. Let's build secure AI together

Position Details
Expected Start Date:
As soon as possible in 2026

Duration:
2 years (renewable)

Location:
Turin, Italy (on-site)

Supervision:
Sebastiano Panichella

Affiliation:
AI4I – The Italian Institute for Artificial Intelligence

• IDeaLS Lab – Intelligent Development and Large-Scale Systems Lab

How To Apply
Please submit the following documents in a single PDF:

• CV with list of publications
• Brief research statement (1–2 pages)
• Link to GitHub or personal webpage (if available)
• Names of two references

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

About The IDeaLS Lab At AI4I
The IDeaLS Lab conducts research on intelligent, adaptive, and dependable large-scale software systems, integrating expertise in:

• Software Engineering
• Machine Learning & MLOps
• Robotics & Cyber-Physical Systems
• Cloud & HPC ecosystems
• Interdisciplinary research.

As a postdoc here, you will join a rapidly growing European AI hub with exceptional opportunities for research impact, visibility, and leadership.

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 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.