Applied Artificial Intelligence Senior Scientist

PIC's Applied AI group develops and deploys advanced AI methodologies to transform how scientific data are analyzed across domains. We are seeking a Senior Scientist in Applied Artificial Intelligence to consolidate and expand this activity, leading innovative research and development in data-driven science and AI-based data analysis., You will work as a lead researcher within the Applied AI Group at PIC. Your job main responsibilities will include:

• Lead the design and implementation of AI/ML models for scientific data analysis and image restoration across multiple research domains.
• Collaborate with scientists in astronomy, particle physics, materials science, quantum technologies and bioimaging to identify requirements and develop domain-adapted yet generalizable AI workflows.
• Work with PIC's computing and data engineering teams to ensure efficient integration of AI applications in distributed computing environments.
• Supervise and mentor junior researchers and PhD students within the Applied AI Group.
• Publish scientific results in peer-reviewed journals and contribute to open-source software and FAIR data initiatives.
• Identify and help secure new projects and funding opportunities in the field of applied AI for scientific research.
• Teach and coordinate the PIC Deep Learning course.

In alignment with the IFAE's Severo Ochoa strategic program, the position will also contribute to:

• Strategic support for IFAE's Severo Ochoa pillars, developing and applying AI methodologies for the Einstein telescope and Medical Physics programs, ensuring scalable data analysis, uncertainty quantification, and real-time decision frameworks.
• Integration of AI across IFAE domains, fostering collaboration with groups in neutrino physics, quantum technologies, cosmology, and materials science to transfer and adapt machine learning methods between disciplines.
• Community development and training, maintaining and expanding the PIC Deep Learning course, contributing to open-source software development, and supporting capacity building efforts across IFAE and its partnering institutions.

Do you have experience in Software development?, Do you have a Doctoral degree?, We expect from you:

• Strong ability to understand complex experimental and data environments and design AI solutions addressing specific scientific challenges.
• Demonstrated experience in deep learning, representation learning, and AI-based image/signal restoration.
• Experience developing and training deep learning models on large-scale datasets and multi-GPU or distributed computing environments.
• Proactive, independent, and capable of leading multidisciplinary projects.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Experience supervising postdoctoral researchers or students in a scientific or technical setting.
• Proven track record of scientific publications and project coordination.
• Ability to define and communicate a long-term vision for AI applications in scientific data analysis., * PhD in Science (Physics, Computer Science, Mathematics, Materials Science, or related).
• Minimum of ten (10) years of scientific programming experience.
• Experience with modern AI frameworks (e.g. PyTorch, Jax).
• Strong programming experience in Python, including the design of AI-driven data processing and analysis pipelines using scientific and data engineering libraries (e.g., Numpy, Pandas, PyTorch, JAX, Scikit-learn).
• Excellent command of written and spoken English.

The process of evaluation and selection guarantees the principles of open competition, publicity and transparency, according to the following criteria:

• Research track record of scientific publications and project coordination, 25
• Experience developing deep learning models on large datasets and distributed computing environments, 25
• Experience handling complex experimental and data environments in different disciplines, 25
• Experience supervising postdoctoral researchers or students, 25

• Full-time contract (40 hours/week).
• Temporal contract Indefinido Actividades Cientifico Técnicas
• The position will correspond to "INVESTIGADOR/A TITULAR" within the professional categories of the IFAE.
• Salary will be proportional to experience and qualifications within the corresponding category range.
• Work with interesting experimental science. Travelling to scientific singular infrastructures. Opportunity to gain experience learning first-hand. Personal growth, innovation, and learning every day.
• The selected candidate is expected to join the IFAE as soon as possible.

The Institut de Física d'Altes Energies (IFAE) is a public consortium of the Generalitat de Catalunya, the Autonomous Government of Catalonia, and the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB, a public university) whose main objective is to carry out research and to contribute to the development of high energy physics from a theoretical, experimental and technological point of view. IFAE has the status of a "University Institute" attached to the UAB and its premises are within the campus of the University.