PI Ikerbasque Permanent Positions 2026 – Deusto Smart Mobility Group – University of Deusto

The Vice-Rectorate for Research and International Relations together with the Faculty of Engineering and the Deusto Smart Research Group welcomes expressions of interest from outstanding researchers interested in applying to the upcoming Ikerbasque Permanent Positions 2026 call with the University of Deusto as the host institution.

Ikerbasque the Basque Foundation for Science offers highly competitive permanent research positions to attract experienced researchers with an established international track record. Successful candidates will be appointed as Ikerbasque Research Associates or Research Professors and will carry out their research in close collaboration with a Basque host institution.

About the University of Deusto
The University of Deusto is a leading research institution in the Basque Country with strong international orientation and a commitment to excellence in research and knowledge transfer. The university hosts dynamic research groups across a wide range of disciplines including social sciences engineering health and digital technologies.

About the Deusto Smart Mobility Research Group

Deusto Smart Mobility is a research team of the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Deusto linked to DeustoTech. Since 2007 the group has worked on the application of information and communication technologies to transport logistics and mobility. Its current activity combines artificial intelligence data analytics optimisation simulation IoT edge computing and ubiquitous computing with applications in mobility logistics smart cities digital health industry energy and cognitive environments.

The selected candidate would join a team with experience in European national and regional projects doctoral training knowledge transfer and collaboration with companies and public 2020-2025 the group produced 38 JCR publications supervised 6 completed PhD theses hosted 9 postdoctoral contracts and participated in 7 international projects including coordination or leadership of work packages in Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe projects.

• Research teams website
• Research teams Principal Investigator: Enrique Onieva Caracuel

We Offer

• Institutional support in preparing the Ikerbasque application
• Integration into a dynamic and interdisciplinary research environment
• Access to research infrastructure and collaboration networks
• Support in identifying funding opportunities and team building

Application deadline

• Deadline for submitting applications: 30 June 2026
• Contact information:

• Hold PhD completed before January 2018.
• Have a strong publication record
• Demonstrate scientific independence and leadership potential
• Have experience in attracting competitive research funding
• Show the ability to develop and lead innovative research lines
• Align with or complement the research priorities of the Deusto Smart Mobility Research Group
• Have a research profile in one or more of the following areas: artificial intelligence machine learning reinforcement learning explainable AI optimisation simulation data analytics intelligent transport systems smart mobility logistics IoT edge computing ubiquitous computing digital twins smart cities digital health assisted living energy systems or cognitive environments
• Experience in knowledge transfer collaboration with companies or public administrations participation in European consortia research group leadership doctoral training or coordination of research tasks will be positively valued.

Senior candidates with a consolidated research career are particularly encouraged to apply.

Other valuable aspects

• We are looking for a person with professional competences empathy ability to work in a team motivation for innovation and research ability to adapt and that identifies with the mission of the University of Deusto.
• The University of Deusto supports the inclusion of people with disabilities. It therefore encourages this condition to be indicated in applications in the case of having a certificate of disability equal to or greater than 33%.

Application Procedure

Interested candidates should apply via the Inscríbete / Apply button located at the top right of this page. Please attach the following documentation (IN A SINGLE PDF FILE):

• CV (including full publication list competitive research funding research projects and evidence of academic leadership and international experience)
• Brief statement of research interests and future research plans (max. 5 pages)
• Two academic recommendation letters (which if preferred can be submitted directly by the referees to )

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Selected candidates will receive guidance and institutional endorsement to prepare a competitive proposal for the Ikerbasque Permanent Positions call.