“IMDEA Networks is a nice mix of a strong work ethic and a collaborative spirit”

Get to know better our Research Assistant Professor in this interview given by the leader of the Distributed Systems and Networks Group

08 January 2026

Lucianna Kiffer, Research Assistant Professor at IMDEA Networks and head of the Distributed Systems and Networks Group, shares in this interview how her academic path led her to the institute and what motivated her to join an environment that combines high-level research with constant collaboration.

How did the opportunity to work at IMDEA Networks come about?

I was interested in staying in academia and academic research. So, after my postdoc at ETH, I was looking for faculty positions in Europe. I was obviously aware of IMDEA Networks, as it has a strong reputation in communication and information networks. Both of my PhD advisors have worked with different folks here, and through the academic community I already knew about the work being done at the institute. I also knew that there was a position open, partly because I had been in touch with Antonio a bit earlier about the possibility of doing another postdoc, and then I applied for the faculty position.

What attracted you the most to the institute?

It was an opportunity to work with people doing industry-leading research, and to be able to focus on research and on building a research team. I think it’s a very collaborative environment, and a wonderful location.

How would you summarize your first year at IMDEA Networks?

My first year here is also my first year as faculty, and I think a lot of it has been a learning opportunity. There are many skills involved in starting up a group.

Could you briefly explain your current research?

My research is mostly around what are called peer-to-peer networks. Instead of the usual way of accessing resources on the Internet, where you connect to a server that serves you information, in a peer-to-peer network you both act as a server: you give information, request information, and connect directly to others. There is no central point that everyone connects to; the system is more distributed. I focus on how these networks are built, the protocols running on top of them, and questions related to efficiency and security, including how these systems can be attacked, as well as the applications that run on top of them. Right now, one of the biggest use cases for peer-to-peer networks is cryptocurrencies.

What are the keys to working successfully at IMDEA Networks?

What is really nice about the space here is that it is a very social and collaborative environment, while at the same time being a place where people are doing a lot of high-level work. It’s a nice mix of a strong work ethic and a collaborative spirit.

What advice would you like to share with young people considering a scientific career?

Maybe not a skill, but the number one quality that best serves academic research is natural curiosity. When you work on a problem, research can sometimes feel like hitting your head against a wall for a while before finding solutions. If you are genuinely interested in the area, if you don’t need to be pushed to dig deeper and simply want to know more, that is a very good indication that research is right for you. I also think it’s important not to be afraid to reach out to people and try to make connections. Research is much more social than people often realize. Networking and collaboration are a big part of it. Especially early on, reaching out to professors—whether you are doing a thesis or want to work on projects can be very helpful, as people are often more receptive than students might expect. The same goes for reaching out to other students to build connections and collaborate. It’s particularly helpful at the beginning, and it’s a skill you need to have.