Hardware/software co-design to improve non-functional metrics in edge-ai systems (RE1)

The High-Performance Embedded Systems (HPES) laboratory aims at enabling the adoption of hardware, software, and artificial intelligence (AI) high-performance solutions in embedded systems as its center of gravity, but also in any system with some form of criticality, like cars, airplanes, and satellites. Our work is mainly carried out in the context of bilateral projects with several processor companies as well as several European-funded projects. For a complete list of publications of the group in the last years, please visit this link.

The objective of this position is to work in techniques for edge-ai system hardware and software (system software and AI libraries) co-design with the goal of improving functional metrics AI model accuracy) and non-functional metrics like average performance, guaranteed performance (execution time determinism), and resilience to hardware faults. These techniques will address a set of challenges related to the lack of software and hardware support to achieve the desired levels for those metrics, and in fact, will focus on providing efficient hardware and software solutions that contribute to that goal.

The candidate is expected to be in the last phases of his/her Master studies on related topics to embedded systems and have an estimated date of finishing his/her Master studies in computer science, or similar, in 2026. This position offers the possibility to collaborate with research institutions and industry from several European locations, thus offering enriching experiences and opportunities to learn. Key Duties

• Contribute to the research in hardware and software codesign to improve functional metrics (FM) and non-functional metrics (NFM) in edge-ai systems with different criticality levels. D
• Develop hardware solutions that increase the level of those FM and NFM that can be achieved

• Education

• Being in the last stages of Master Degree on Embedded Systems and/or AI

• Essential Knowledge and Professional Experience

• Experience in edge-ai system's software design and development
• Experience in AI modelling, libraries, and frameworks
• Experience in parallel programming OpenMP)

• Additional Knowledge and Professional Experience

• Experience in computer architecture in general
• Good communication skills including good command of the English language (written and spoken)

• Competences

• Problem-solving, pro-active, result-oriented work attitude
• Ability to take initiative, prioritize and work under set deadlines pressure
• Ability to work independently and in a team

• The position will be located at BSC within the Computer Sciences Department
• We offer a full-time contract a good working environment, a highly stimulating environment with state-of-the-art infrastructure, flexible working hours, extensive training plan, restaurant tickets, private health insurance, support to the relocation procedures
• Duration: 7 months
• Holidays: 22 days of holidays + 6 personal days + 24th and 31st of December per our collective agreement
• Salary: we offer a competitive salary commensurate with the qualifications and experience of the candidate and according to the cost of living in Barcelona
• Starting date: 01/07/2026