Research & Innovation develops the concepts that shape the evolution of mobile networks and supports their adoption in international standards. We are seeking Senior Research/Standardization Specialists to strengthen our 6G RAN activities. In this role, you will develop technical concepts and contribute to 3GPP RAN3 standardization in one or more areas, including disaggregated RAN architecture, RAN internal and RAN–Core interfaces, cloud-native protocol evolution, AI-enabled RAN, quality of service, network data collection, service awareness, performance monitoring, and network slicing. You will work across research, product, and standards organizations to translate innovation into technically sound proposals, intellectual property, standards contributions, and future product capabilities. Depending on your background, the role may emphasize research and concept development or direct representation of Nokia in 3GPP RAN3.
Responsibilities- Lead and contribute to Nokia’s 6G standardization activities in 3GPP RAN3 working group in at least one of the following areas:
- Disaggregated RAN architecture and relevant interfaces for future mobile networks deployments.
- Evolution of RAN-Core interface and modernization towards cloud native protocols.
- Innovative AI use cases to help optimize RAN performance and optimizing RAN to support AI traffic.
- Quality of service (QoS) framework, service characteristics awareness in RAN, and performance monitoring.
- Architecture and protocol enhancements enabling efficient network data collection and utilization for analytics, automation, and network optimization.
- Evolution of network slicing in 6G.
- Collaborate with Nokia Research, Bell Labs, product teams, and ecosystem partners to translate innovations into standards and products.
- Generate valuable intellectual property and support the adoption of Nokia innovations within industry standards.
- Influence Nokia’s technology and standards strategy in the areas of RAN architecture and 6G evolution.
Note:
You will be acting as Nokia researcher on one of the above-mentioned areas responsible for technical contributions, concept development, numerical evaluations, and aligning standardization research with Nokia's 6G priorities.
OR
You will be acting as Nokia’s delegate representative to 3GPP RAN3 working group, taking ownership of technical contributions, agenda shaping, consensus building, and alignment of standardization outcomes with Nokia’s 6G research and business priorities.
Qualifications- Master’s degree or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Communications Engineering, Computer Science, or a related discipline.
- Strong expertise in 5G and 6G mobile communication systems, RAN network architecture, 3GPP-defined interfaces and protocols.
- Good understanding of RAN-Core interfaces, AI use cases for RAN, network data collection, and other RAN related topics.
- Experience in technology development, research, and patent creation.
- Demonstrated ability to serve as an effective 3GPP delegate or researcher.
- Strong analytical, communication, negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to work effectively across research, engineering, product, and standards organizations in a global environment.
- Familiarity with AI-driven methodologies, including data-driven and agentic workflows.
- Experience working in multinational and cross‑cultural environments.
- Strong ability to operate in highly complex, innovation‑driven organizations.
- Proactive in scouting, assessing, and applying state‑of‑the‑art research results.
- Fluent in English, both spoken and written.
It would be nice if you also had:
- 5+ years of research experience in 6G‑relevant topics.
- Proven track record of technical leadership of research projects.
- Experience with AI-RAN and participation in relevant fora like AI-RAN Alliance.
Personal Attributes
- Humble personality with outcome-oriented behaviour.
- Excellent networking and collaboration abilities across organizational boundaries.
- Open‑minded, adaptable, and resilient in fast‑evolving research and standardization environments.
- Analytical and structured with the ability to cut through complexity and prioritize effectively.
- Passion for continuous learning and professional growth.
- Strong willingness to take on new challenges.
Nokia is a global leader in connectivity for the AI era. With expertise across fixed, mobile and transport networks, powered by the innovation of Nokia Bell Labs, we’re advancing connectivity to secure a brighter world.
Our recruitment process
We act inclusively and respect the uniqueness of people. Our employment decisions are made regardless of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. We are committed to a culture of inclusion built upon our core value of respect.
If you’re interested in this role but don’t meet every listed requirement, we still encourage you to apply. Unique backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences enrich our teams, and you may be just the right candidate for this or another opportunity.
The length of the recruitment process may vary depending on the specific role's requirements. We strive to ensure a smooth and inclusive experience for all candidates. Discover more about the recruitment process at Nokia.
- Flexible and hybrid working schemes
- A minimum of 90 days of Maternity and Paternity Leave, with the option to return to work within a year following the birth or adoption of a child (based on eligibility)
- Life insurance to all employees to provide peace of mind and financial security
- Well-being programs to support your mental and physical health
- Opportunities to join and receive support from Nokia Employee Resource Groups (NERGs)
- Employee Growth Solutions to support your personalized career & skills development
- Diverse pool of Coaches & Mentors to whom you have easy access
- A learning environment which promotes personal growth and professional development - for your role and beyond
Skills Required
- Master's degree or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Communications Engineering, Computer Science, or a related discipline
- Strong expertise in 5G and 6G mobile communication systems
- Strong expertise in RAN network architecture and 3GPP-defined interfaces and protocols
- Understanding of RAN-Core interfaces, AI use cases for RAN, network data collection, and related RAN topics
- Experience in technology development, research, and patent creation
- Demonstrated ability to serve as an effective 3GPP delegate or researcher
- Strong analytical, communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills
- Ability to collaborate across research, engineering, product, and standards organizations in a global environment
- Familiarity with AI-driven methodologies, including data-driven and agentic workflows
- Experience working in multinational and cross-cultural environments
- Ability to operate in complex, innovation-driven organizations
- Proactive scouting, assessment, and application of state-of-the-art research results
- Fluent spoken and written English
- 5+ years of research experience in 6G-relevant topics
- Technical leadership of research projects
- Experience with AI-RAN and participation in forums such as the AI-RAN Alliance
Nokia Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Nokia and has not been reviewed or approved by Nokia.
-
Equity Value & Accessibility — Equity programs include a global employee share purchase plan with company matching and multi‑year share awards. These mechanisms broaden participation and tie rewards to long‑term outcomes.
-
Healthcare Strength — Health coverage includes major medical plans with supplementary options such as vision, legal services, and care navigation. The range of offerings indicates comprehensive support for medical needs.
-
Parental & Family Support — A global policy grants paid leave for new parents regardless of gender and provides structured return‑to‑work support. Company‑paid life insurance further strengthens family protection across regions.
Nokia Insights
What We Do
At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together. As a trusted partner for critical networks, we are committed to innovation and technology leadership across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. We create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs. Adhering to the highest standards of integrity and security, we help build the capabilities needed for a more productive, sustainable and inclusive world.
