Career


Overview

The WiCI Center has Researcher, Engineer, and Student positions for the research, development, innovation, and entrepreneurship in Open/AI RAN, advanced wireless (e.g., HRLLC and NTN in 6G), rural broadband, and applications (e.g., agriculture automation, XR/metaverse, EdTech, and renewable energy). The positions offer opportunities of contributing to exciting projects such as the $16M ARA PAWR project, $20M ICICLE AI Institute project, $10M massive-MIMO O-RU project ArMORED, $42M O-RAN project ACCoRD, and other projects of the WiCI Center. Key missions include:

  • Collaborating with a broad ecosystem of public-private partners in advancing the frontiers of wireless systems (e.g., Open/AI RAN, 5G, 6G), edge/cloud computing, rural broadband, and applications;
  • Leading the large-scale, first-of-its-kind wireless living lab ARA which features bleeding-edge research and innovation platforms such as those for LEO satcom, high-capacity and long-distance wireless x-haul (e.g., free-space optical communications, mmWave, microwave), massive MIMO, xURLLC, communications and networking softwarization, XR, and precision agriculture; and
  • Leading Open RAN R&D and the operation of ARA-OTIC, the North America O-RAN Open Testing and Integration Center in central Iowa.

The work is conducted at Iowa State University (ISU), U.S.A. ISU is a major research university, and it has over 80 years of rich and distinguished history of transformative innovations in computing and electronics. For instance, faculty, students, and alumni have pioneered the world’s first electronic digital computer, world’s first portable phone, and world’s first handheld scientific calculator. As a 550+ acre development and having over 145 tenants employing over 2,500 people, the ISU Research Park hosts a vibrant startup community as well as R&D branches of major companies such as John Deere. In addition, many other established and start-up companies (e.g., Collins Aerospace, Emerson) are within 100 miles from ISU campus and are leaders in wireless communication and networking, XR and control systems, and their applications in various domains. ISU campus also offers a great life experience in the City of Ames, Iowa.

Three Research Assistant Professor positions are currently open, and applications can be submitted here by March 15, 2026. (Depending on whether the positions will be filled by the applicants by March 15, the positions may re-open late March or early/mid April; interested applicants may contact Prof. Hongwei Zhang on such opportunities.)

Detailed descriptions of the WiCI positions are enclosed below. Interested candidates are encouraged to email the WiCI Career Team with relevant background information (e.g., education, experience, transcripts, and/or publications) and the names of up to three references. Applications will be considered until the positions are filled. Different positions may become available over time; to receive notifications on new positions in the WiCI Center, please join the Google Group WiCI Career via  https://groups.google.com/g/wici-career. Questions/suggestions can be directed to Prof. Hongwei Zhang, Director of the WiCI Center. (Note: due to the volume of inquires, we may be unable to respond to each inquiry, but each inquiry is carefully considered and greatly appreciated.)

Detailed Position Description

For the Ph.D. positions, background in computer science, computer engineering, and/or electrical engineering is required, and experience in systems building, analytical studies, research, and/or telecom/software industry will be a strong plus.

For the Researcher position (i.e., research faculty/scientist, postdoc), prior research experience in wireless, networks, and/or distributed systems is invaluable. For instance, qualifications in any of the following areas are strong pluses:

  • Research experience and quality publications in advanced wireless systems (e.g., safety-critical wireless, URLLC, Open RAN, 6G/NextG);
  • Hands-on experience with cellular network platforms (e.g., O-RAN, srsRAN, OpenAirInterface, ONF SD-RAN), edge/cloud computing platforms (e.g., Kubernetes, OpenStack), SDN, and/or VNF;
  • Hands-on experience in designing, developing, deploying, and/or operating field-deployed wireless, network, and/or distributed systems;
  • Hands-on experiences in edge/cloud systems management, virtual machines/containers, Linux systems administration, shell scripting, etc;
  • Capability of building systems prototypes based on reference publications and/or open-source software;
  • Knowledge of wireless systems, networked/distributed systems, operating systems, virtualization, systems and network security;
  • Programming skills: Python, C, C++, Java, Web etc.

For the Systems/Software Engineer position, prior experience in wireless, networks, software, and/or distributed systems is invaluable. For instance, qualifications in any of the following areas are strong pluses:

  • Hands-on experience with cellular network platforms (e.g., O-RAN, srsRAN, OpenAirInterface, ONF SD-RAN), edge/cloud computing platforms (e.g., Kubernetes, OpenStack), SDN, and/or VNF;
  • Hands-on experience in designing, developing, deploying, and/or operating field-deployed wireless, network, and/or distributed systems;
  • Hands-on experience in open-source projects and open-source software systems;
  • Hands-on experiences in edge/cloud systems management, virtual machines/containers, Linux systems administration, shell scripting, etc;
  • Capability of building systems prototypes based on open-source software and/or reference publications;
  • Knowledge of systems/software engineering, DevOps, wireless systems, networked/distributed systems, operating systems, virtualization, systems and network security;
  • Programming skills: Python, C, C++, Java, Web etc.

For the Master and Undergraduate positions, we always welcome the opportunities of training and working with engineering/science students with experience/interest in research, programing, systems building, and experiential learning, as well as non-engineering/science students with experience/interest in project management, business operation (e.g., finance, accounting), marketing, entrepreneurship, communication, etc.