PhD Student Position in Trustworthy Agentic AI for 6G Networks

Resilient AI Networking Lab

Networks Data Science Group

Deadline for receipt of applications: December 15th, 2025 23:59 AoE (16 December 2025, 13:59h Europe/Madrid Time)

IMDEA Networks Institute invites applications for a fully funded PhD position in the area of trustworthy and agentic Artificial Intelligence (AI) for next-generation (6G) mobile networks. The successful candidate will join the Wireless Networking Group and the Networks Data Science Group, and contribute to the Agile-6G research thrust on trustworthy-by-design Agentic AI for autonomous 6G network control.

6G networks will operate through deeply integrated AI systems capable of real-time decision-making across the entire communication stack. However, as seen in domains such as aviation, transportation, and automated decision-making, AI systems can fail silently, behave unpredictably, or interact in unexpected ways. Agile-6G tackles these challenges by advancing Agentic AI—AI systems that pursue complex goals with minimal human supervision while adhering to explicitly defined intents and safeguards.

The selected PhD candidate will design, deploy, and evaluate Agentic AI mechanisms to enable trustworthy, explainable, and adaptive automation in 6G networks. This includes developing algorithms that reveal and validate the logic of AI-driven decisions, ensuring predictable multi-agent interactions across the network stack, and embedding development-time intents for safe and reliable runtime behavior.

The position offers:

• hands-on training in building and operating experimental 5G/6G-like platforms

• direct exposure to cutting-edge research on AI trustworthiness, agentic AI, and network control

• opportunities to work with large-scale real-world measurement and experimentation data

• a vibrant, collaborative, multicultural and English-speaking research environment

• the prospect to publish at top-tier venues in networking, systems, and AI

• the high quality of life offered by the Madrid region

The position requires:

• a degree in Computer Science, Telecommunications Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field, with a solid academic record

• excellent programming skills

• strong interest in AI-driven mobile networks, agentic AI, or AI safety/trustworthiness

• at least one of the following:

• experience with networking systems, wireless communications, or distributed systems

• strong background in machine learning or AI pipeline design

• fluency in written and spoken English

• motivation to pursue interdisciplinary research involving both AI and communication networks

This position could be cofinanced by MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and the ESF+ under the predoctoral grant associated to the Project PID2024-163089NB-I00 (Agile-6G), which is currently selected for funding under the Definitive Resolution Proposal of Generación de Conocimiento 2024 call.

Candidates shall submit by the call deadline a CV, a motivation letter, and two reference letters.

Equal Employment Opportunity

IMDEA Networks Institute is committed to increasing the proportion of women in research and strongly encourages qualified female candidates to apply. Until a balanced representation is achieved, preference may be given to female applicants when qualifications are comparable. IMDEA Networks promotes diversity and equal opportunities, and does not discriminate on the grounds of gender, ethnicity, religion, ideology, age, sexual orientation, or disability. Applicants with disabilities who meet the relevant qualifications are explicitly encouraged to apply.