IT Project Manager

Deadline for receipt of applications: August 30, 2026 23:59 AoE (31 August 2026, 13:59h)

IMDEA Networks Institute invites applications for an IT Project Manager

We are looking for an experienced IT Project Manager to lead the strategic adoption of Artificial Intelligence tools and workflows across the institute’s research and administrative operations. The successful candidate will design and execute a structured AI integration roadmap, evaluating platforms such as locally-hosted LLMs, AI-assisted research tools, and intelligent automation for IT operations (AIOps). This role involves close collaboration with research groups to identify high-impact use cases, managing vendor relationships, and ensuring compliance with data sovereignty and ethical AI guidelines within a European research environment.

Beyond AI deployment, the candidate will oversee the migration of legacy services toward a modern, containerized infrastructure based on Kubernetes and private cloud technologies, improving reliability, scalability, and cost efficiency of the institute’s compute and storage resources. Strong project management skills, hands-on experience with cloud-native architectures, and the ability to communicate technical strategy to non-technical stakeholders are essential.

The candidate will also lead the institute’s compliance process toward the Esquema Nacional de Seguridad (ENS) certification, Spain’s national cybersecurity framework mandatory for public research institutions receiving public funding. They will work closely with research and administrative teams to embed security-by-design practices and maintain ongoing compliance documentation, while liaising with Spain’s CCN (Centro Criptológico Nacional) and relevant oversight bodies.

Experience in academic or public research institutions is a strong plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead a structured AI integration roadmap, evaluating platforms such as locally-hosted LLMs, AI-assisted research tools, and intelligent automation for IT operations (AIOps).
• Oversee the migration of legacy services toward a modern, containerized infrastructure based on Kubernetes and private cloud technologies, improving reliability, scalability, and cost efficiency of the institute’s compute and storage resources. Co-design hardware blocks with software running on embedded ARM cores and host servers.
• Drive compliance process towards the Esquema Nacional de Seguridad (ENS) certification, Spain’s national cybersecurity framework mandatory for public research institutions receiving public funding.
• Embed security-by-design practices and maintain ongoing compliance documentation, while liaising with Spain’s CCN (Centro Criptológico Nacional) and relevant oversight bodies.

Requirements

• Over 7 years of experience in IT Departments
• Leadership and management skills in an IT environment
• Proven experience in the areas of AIOps and ENS compliance
• Knowledge of Security-by-Design practices
• A proactive approach to problem-solving with strong decision-making skills
• Excellent organizational skills
• Proficiency in written and spoken English

We offer

• Full time contract
• Competitive salary
• Working in a collaborative, multi-cultural and English-speaking environment in a high-level Research Institute in the field of networks
• IMDEA Networks promotes a tolerant, diverse and creative work environment that is respectful of all people as well as Gender Equality
• High level of English (English will be the working language)

Equal Employment Opportunity

IMDEA Networks Institute aims to increase the proportion of women and therefore qualified female applicants are explicitly encouraged to apply. Until a balanced ratio of men and women has been achieved at the institute, preference will be given to women if applicants have similar qualifications. IMDEA Networks Institute actively promotes diversity and equal opportunities. Applicants are not to be discriminated against in personnel selection procedures on the grounds of gender, ethnicity, religion or ideology, age, sexual orientation (anti-discrimination). People with disabilities who have the relevant qualifications are expressly invited to apply.