Researcher position to investigate on satellite constellation planning for IoT scenarios

The Space Communications Research Group is investigating different research lines related to the deployment of satellite networks. In particular, the development of new communication protocols to integrate Internet of Things (IoT) technologies in satellite constellations has become one of the main research topics of the group.

Narrowband-IoT (NB-IoT) is becoming one of the relevant IoT technologies that is being extended in different domains. Its application in satellite systems is currently being discussed. These systems can provide global coverage and ubiquitous services to terrestrial devices. One of the main challenges that needs to be tackled is the orchestration of a satellite constellation that provides this service. Satellite operations are commonly planned, and the tasks are executed following a proper schedule. In this case, this schedule must include interaction with IoT sensors, which could be random or periodic behavior. The definition of algorithm that is able to define this schedule is crucial for the survivability of the constellation.

The candidate will investigate techniques for constellation planification in order to integrate IoT operations. For this reason, the candidate shall review and understand current technologies that address this challenge, and extend it with novel approaches. It is expected to develop solutions that could be deployed in future satellite missions.

As a summary, the tasks associated to this job are the following ones:

- Review the state of the art related to satellite planification and optimization problems

- Investigate in novel technologies to orchestrate satellite with IoT operations

- Investigate in optimization techniques/models to be integrated in this scenario

- Design and implement a software solution that is able to manage this constellation

- Study the limitations and enhancements of the proposed solution

- Publish the research results in conferences and Q1/Q2 journals

Who we are:

The i2CAT Foundation is a CERCA centre with the vision of leading the challenge of designing and building the digital society of the future based on research and innovation in advanced digital technologies. Highlighting the generation of talent and in order to generate economic and social impact, i2CAT wants to turn Catalonia into a creative, empowered and innovative society, where knowledge and digital technology are at the service of people, promoting:

- The generation of excellence knowledge aimed at solving the challenges of companies, citizens and public administration (mission-driven research).
- The collaboration and establishment of synergies with other agents of the local ecosystem of research and digital innovation to co-develop solutions and products that generate a transformative impact.
- The digital empowerment of citizens through digital, open, participatory social innovation with territorial capillarity.
- The leadership of pioneering initiatives and tractors that increase the international projection and visibility of Catalonia as a digital and innovative country.

i2CAT is a constantly growing organization that has extensive experience in the leadership and development of research and innovation projects at national and international level in the technological fields of 5G, Internet of Things (IoT), virtual and immersive technologies, Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, Space Communications and digital society technologies.

Want to know more? Visit our webpage! (http://www.i2cat.net/)

What do we offer:

• You will be part of a multicultural team. We have a fun loving and friendly international work environment.


• Be in contact and work with cutting-edge technology


• Work in challenging R&D projects


• Fix + variable salary


• Option of flexible retribution (restaurant card, transport card, medical insurance, kindergarten)


• Flexible working schedule - We know you have a life outside of work and we will work with you to make sure it's kept that way


• Fridays afternoon off


• Intensive work schedule in July & August


• Home-office option


• Open space office in Barcelona


• Free fruit every week


• Discounted Gym-access


• 25 vacation days per year


• Casual dress code


• Let us know which trainings you need


• You will have the opportunity to attend tech conferences and events.

The i2CAT Foundation seeks to increase the number of women in those areas where they are underrepresented and, therefore explicitly, encourages women to apply.

The i2CAT Foundation seeks to increase the number of persons with disabilities among its workforce, and therefore explicitly encourages this collective to apply.

The following skills are needed:

- Telecommunications or Aerospace Master or PhD degree achieved

- Knowledge on satellite dynamics (i.e. orbits, attitude, etc.)

- Knowledge on satellite planning schemes

- Knowledge on optimization problems formulation

- Experience on software design and development

- Enthusiasm to investigate novel solutions in this field

- Capability to face unknown topics

- Advanced English-level

The following skills are desired:

- Experience in programming languages (C, C++, Rust, etc.)

- Knowledge on Unified Modelling Language

- Experience on satellite simulation tools (e.g. STK, Matlab)

- Experience in CubeSat developments or experimentation