Call for Founding Heads of R&D Labs

Join to apply for the Call for Founding Heads of R&D Labs role at AI4IOverview***This opportunity is located in Turin, Italy.*** Arrangements for hybrid work can be negotiated.AI4I (The Italian Institute of Artificial Intelligence) is seeking talented and ambitious Heads of R&D Laboratories to lead the next generation of AI research and development in AI-driven industries. We welcome applications from researchers across AI domains including Symbolic, Generative, Agentic, and Physical AI, and frontier areas such as causality, neuro-symbolic AI, self-supervised learning, and AI for scientific discovery. We invite proposals to establish R&D Laboratories in areas such as Reasoning & Planning, Edge Intelligence, Advanced Computer Vision, Synthetic Data, Human Machine Interfaces, and Controls.Labs operate at the convergence of foundational research and real-world deployment (TRL 2 to TRL 6) to support innovation across manufacturing, robotics, engineering, product development, software development and testing, autonomous and decision systems, and new material discovery.Hybrid work: Flexible arrangements can be negotiated.Deadline: February 28, 2026, 11:59 PM CETWhat We OfferA 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 support available for successful candidates.Your Role: Head of R&D LabAs 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 MetricsYour 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 levelsQualifications We Are Looking ForWe 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 QualificationsA 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 ApplySubmit your application exclusively through the online form by February 28, 2026, 11:59 PM CET:CVScientific 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.Diversity & Equal OpportunityAI4I is committed to building diverse, inclusive teams and is an equal opportunity employer. Applications from underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged.Methodological AreasThe Italian Institute of Artificial Intelligence is looking for candidates with strong scientific and technical knowledge in areas such as:Foundational ModelsAlgorithmic ResearchMachine and Deep LearningComputer VisionEdge AI, TinyML, and Embedded AIExplainable AISafe AIFederated, Parallel & Distributed, Computing/LearningControl SystemsOptimizationPlanning and SchedulingHuman-Machine InteractionSoftware DevelopmentAI AgentsPhysics-informed Machine LearningSynthetic DataDigital TwinsApplication DomainsWe also value experience applying AI in fields such as:Predictive MaintenanceAutonomous SystemsDecision SystemsIndustrial Automation and RoboticsQuality and Process ControlSoftware Development for Industrial ApplicationsLogistics and Supply ChainComplex SystemsCybersecurity and Business Continuity for Industrial ApplicationsAerospace SystemsProduct and process Design, including model-based systems engineering and the digital threadAdvanced Materials: AI-driven materials design and discoveryScientific Discovery, leveraging AI for automated experimentation and inverse designTechnology Assessment, leveraging AI to evaluate emerging technologies, e.g., in healthcareAbout UsAI4I (The Italian Institute of Artificial Intelligence) 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.Seniority levelDirectorEmployment typeFull-timeJob functionResearch, Analyst, and Information TechnologyIndustriesResearch ServicesDiversi ty & Equal Opportunity and other sections above remain part of the description for compliance.Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at AI4I by 2xGet notified about new Head of Research And Development jobs in Paris, Île-de-France, France. #J-18808-Ljbffr