Junior Researcher - Doctoral Candidate

Responsibilities

• Conduct original doctoral research on security, sovereignty, and spectrum performance in multi-operator 5G/6G environments.
• Develop and implement analytical frameworks and anomaly detection models for roaming and cloud-based network deployments.
• Engage with operational requirements and insights provided by Telefónica as part of the SpecX industrial partnership.
• Publish research findings in leading peer-reviewed venues and contribute to SpecX project deliverables.
• Participate in SpecX network-wide training events, workshops, and consortium meetings across Europe.
• Complete a planned secondment (typically 3–6 months) at an industrial or academic partner within the consortium.
• Enrol in and fulfil the requirements of the UC3M PhD Programme in Telematics Engineering.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Telecommunications Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Strong background in mobile networks (5G/LTE), network security, or cloud computing architectures.
• Solid analytical and programming skills, specifically in Python or similar languages.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
• Eligibility under MSCA mobility rules (must not have resided or carried out main activity in Spain for more than 12 months in the 36 months prior to recruitment).
• Must be in the first four years of your research career and not yet awarded a doctoral degree.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with 3GPP standards related to roaming (e.g., SEPP, N32 interface) or cloud-native architectures (e.g., O-RAN, MEC).
• Experience with anomaly detection, machine learning, or AI-based approaches in networked systems.
• Prior research experience demonstrated through thesis work, publications, or relevant internships.
• Knowledge of regulatory and policy frameworks governing telecommunications spectrum and data sovereignty.

Benefits

• Fully funded doctoral position under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions framework with a competitive monthly living and mobility allowance.
• Enrolment in the UC3M PhD Programme in Telematics Engineering.
• Access to a pan-European research network of 15 doctoral candidates and 10+ beneficiary institutions.
• Structured training programme including technical courses and international secondments.
• Direct contract with Telefónica, one of the world's largest telecommunications operators.

About the Company

Telefónica is a global leader in the digital revolution, connecting people across more than 35 countries. We focus on creating the best digital ecosystem for our customers through Red, IoT, Cloud, Cybersecurity, and Innovation. We are committed to diversity, inclusion, and responsible business practices.