Head of Software & Data Systems Research Lab

About Software & Data Systems Research Lab

The Software & Data Systems Research (SDSR) Lab is one of the research labs within the Bell Labs Solutions Research organization and identifies, researches, and creates world-class software and data system technologies that will fuel an innovation pipeline for Nokia’s business units, internal incubation, and spin-out value creation channels. The research lab has a global footprint and investigates a diverse set of research topics. Topics include advanced data processing systems, AI/ML systems and tools, decentralized compute and networking systems, AI-enabled mobile devices and pervasive computing, emerging software principles and methodologies, and automated network operation. The lab is at the forefront of building a digital ecosystem and driving several technology partnerships with players in a broad spectrum of verticals. The SDSR Research Lab is intimately connected and works closely with the other research labs across Bell Labs Research (including Bell Labs Solutions Research and Bell Labs Core Research) to drive ground-breaking research that will lay the foundation for the world of 2030 and beyond.

The successful candidate will lead the Software & Data Systems Research Lab with team members in the USA and Europe. The successful candidate will be responsible for defining a unique, visionary research agenda for future software technologies, data systems, and the applications that build upon them, and will direct a team of leaders, researchers and engineers to execute the program. The successful candidate will be a member of the leadership team of Bell Labs Solutions Research. In this function, the successful candidate will be involved in shaping and guiding the organization’s larger research agenda and project portfolio, with the goal to identify successful and sustained innovations and to deliver them into the market. The successful candidate will maintain a strong relationship to the world’s best research institutions to attract the talent needed for successful delivery on the research program.

Main Responsibility Areas

• Define, develop, and execute a ground-breaking research program that provides disruptive innovations in the areas of AI/ML systems, mobile computing and pervasive systems, cloud computing, Web3 and decentralized systems, automated software creation, and federated data systems.
• Lead a team of research leaders to develop innovations that create new market and business opportunities beyond current Nokia’s product and service portfolio, understand associated research challenges and set up corresponding research projects.
• Pursue new avenues for non-linear value creation and transfer of research outcomes to internal incubation, licensing, or spin-out channels.
• Identify and ensure successful delivery of research outcomes to the Nokia business units.
• Collaborate very closely with other research labs in Bell Labs Solutions Research to create integrated solutions and experiences.
• Engage with partners, customers, academia, and members of the ecosystem to identify research challenges, validate technical solutions, and accelerate business opportunities through technology partnerships and joint proofs-of-concept.
• Dynamically contribute to and shape the research vision of the larger Bell Labs Solutions Research organization and identify opportunities around new emerging technology and market trends.

 

Key Interfaces

• All other units in Bell Labs Solutions Research, including specifically the Integrated Solutions and Experiences Research Lab, the AI Research Lab, the System Architecture and Solutions Design team, as well as the Head of Innovation Management.
• Strategy and Technology leadership teams, especially Strategic Partnerships, Nokia Strategy, Nokia Standards, Bell Labs Core Research, Technology Leadership, and Nokia Growth Partners/NGP Capital.

Position Requirements (Experience/Skills/Knowledge)

Essential Requirements:

• Ph.D. (or equivalent experience) in computer science, data science, software engineering, electrical engineering, mathematics, or related disciplines.
• A track record of exceptional creativity and out-of-the-box thinking by proposing novel and disruptive solutions that challenge existing paradigms and introduce innovative concepts previously unexplored in the industry.
• Broad technical interests and ability to interact with research teams on a wide variety of technical topics relevant to the Software & Data Systems Research Lab, including AI/ML systems, data science, mobile computing and pervasive systems, cloud computing, Web3 and decentralized systems, automated software creation, and federated data systems.
• Solid understanding of embedded systems and IoT technologies.
• Solid understandi