Research and development

Call for Postdoctoral Researcher in AI-Based Software Quality Assurance (AQUA Lab)

Deadline: Position to be filled as soon as possible, call ends at the latest 30/September/2026

The AI-based Software Quality Assurance (AQUA) Lab at AI4I is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Researcher with strong expertise in Software Engineering and Artificial Intelligence to contribute to cutting-edge research on AI-assisted software testing and debugging.

The successful candidate will join a dynamic, interdisciplinary research environment and will contribute to both foundational research and applied innovation in AI-driven software quality assurance, possibly in collaboration with industrial partners.

The Role

As a postdoctoral researcher, you will contribute to advancing research at the intersection of AI and Software Engineering, with a strong focus on improving how software is tested and improved in the era of AI.

You will work closely with academic and industrial collaborators, contributing to high-impact research, prototypes, and technology transfer initiatives within the AQUA Lab lead by Dr. Alessio Gambi.

Your Responsibilities

You will contribute to research activities across one or more of the following areas:

  • Developing AI-based methods for automated test generation using large language models, symbolic techniques, and real-world software artifacts (e.g., logs, traces, bug reports).
  • Developing AI-based approaches to support developers during debugging activities.
  • Conducting empirical software engineering studies on large-scale, real-world systems.
  • Building and evaluating research prototypes and experimental platforms for AI-assisted software testing and debugging.
  • Publishing research results in top-tier venues in Software Engineering and AI.

Required Qualifications

  • PhD in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, or a closely related field.
  • Strong background in at least one of the following:
    • Software testing and verification
    • Empirical software engineering
    • AI/ML applications in software engineering
  • Solid programming skills (e.g., Python, Java, or similar).
  • Experience with AI techniques (e.g., LLMs, NLP, machine learning) applied to software engineering problems.
  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively in interdisciplinary teams.
  • Excellent written and spoken English.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience with:
    • Large Language Models (LLMs) and prompt engineering
    • Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) systems
    • Symbolic execution or hybrid (neuro-symbolic) approaches
  • Background in automated test generation, regression testing, or test optimization.
  • Familiarity with experimental evaluation on large codebases or industrial systems.
  • Publications in top-tier Software Engineering or AI venues.
  • Experience in academic or industrial collaborations.

What We Offer

· A highly collaborative research environment

You will join a dynamic and interdisciplinary team working at the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and Software Engineering, fostering collaboration, creativity, and intellectual growth in an open research setting.

· High-impact research opportunities

You will contribute to and lead cutting-edge research in AI-based software quality assurance, targeting top-tier venues in Software Engineering and AI, while addressing real-world challenges in testing and continuous development.

· Strong academic and industrial network

Through collaborations with leading universities, research institutes, and industrial partners, you will expand your professional network and engage in impactful joint research and technology transfer initiatives.

· Access to advanced infrastructure and data

You will have access to high-performance computing (HPC) resources, modern software engineering infrastructures, and experimental platforms for evaluating AI-driven testing approaches in realistic settings.

· Bridging research and real-world impact

You will contribute to the development of prototypes and solutions with direct industrial relevance, enabling tangible impact on software quality, testing practices, and AI adoption in engineering workflows.

· Professional development and mobility

We support your growth through funding for conferences, workshops, summer schools, and international research visits, as well as opportunities to mentor students and contribute to teaching and dissemination activities.

· Competitive compensation

We offer a competitive salary commensurate with experience, along with access to state-of-the-art computational resources essential for conducting cutting-edge research in AI-driven software engineering.

How to Apply

Please submit the following documents in a single PDF:

  • Curriculum Vitae (including list of publications)
  • Research statement (1–2 pages)
  • Link to GitHub or personal webpage (if available)
  • Names and contact details of two references

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

About Us

The Italian Institute for Artificial Intelligence (AI4I) was founded as a research institute to perform transformative, application-oriented research in Artificial Intelligence, driving innovation and industrial progress. The Institute is designed to engage and empower gifted, entrepreneurial, and ambitious researchers who are committed to generating real-world impact at the intersection of science, technology, and industrial transformation.

Competitive salaries, performance-based incentives, access to dedicated high-performance computing resources, state-of-the-art laboratories, and strong industrial collaborations are among the distinctive features that define AI4I. The Institute fosters a dynamic international environment and an ecosystem that supports the creation and growth of innovative startups.

AI4I’s mission is to advance scientific research, technology transfer, and, more broadly, Italy’s innovation capacity, promoting positive impact across industry, services, and public administration. To achieve this, the Institute contributes to building a research and innovation infrastructure that leverages AI methods, with a special focus on manufacturing processes and the broader Industry 4.0 value chain.

AI4I also maintains strategic relationships with leading organizations in Italy and abroad, including Competence Centers and European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs), positioning itself as an attractive destination for researchers, companies, and startups seeking collaboration and impact.

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