PhD in Network Architectures and Control for Tropospheric and Cell-Free Networks (ANCHOR)

Introduction

Are you passionate about improving wireless networks and developing technologies for 6G? To meet the requirements of future mobile networks, network architectures need to become more agile and will include terrestrial and airborne network components linked by radio and optical communications.

Job Description

Our society is on the brink of a new age with the development of new visionary concepts such as internet of things, smart cities, autonomous driving, smart mobility, and coverage everywhere. This stimulates the use of new deployment concepts, such as hybrid networks and airborne network components, to support the wireless communication evolution. The ANCHOR project focuses on meeting demands on bandwidth, reliability, energy efficiency, and sustainability, as well as extended coverage from underwater, terrestrial, and aerial network components, and leverages on untapped potential of THz and optical wavelengths alongside existing radio technologies.

This PhD position focuses on Dynamic Network Architectures and Control for Tropospheric and Cell-Free Networks. You will define scenarios and requirements for tropospheric links and networks, will analyze the impact of tropospheric networking on network protocols and control schemes, and will develop network optimization and resource allocation schemes and algorithms for link and network optimization with hybrid fibre-FSO-RF communications. You will further augment software defined networking controllers to integrate tropospheric networking with hybrid fibre-FSO links and will integrate the optimization and resource allocation algorithms, followed by evaluation of network scenarios, QoS, and performance. Expected results include proposed network architectures for tropospheric networks, incl. expected KPIs and performance evaluations, and network or SDN controller plugins for tropospheric link configuration, and link and network resource optimization.

Through ANCHOR you will be provided with a comprehensive training programme covering theoretical and practical skills relevant for innovation and long-term employability in a rapidly growing sector. This highly innovative training involves experts from twenty-four international partners from academia, research institutions and industry. You will be enrolled in the PhD program of TU/e and will have the chance to benefit from secondments at some of the partner institutions as well as wide-ranging networking opportunities across the consortium.

Throughout this PhD you will be embedded in the Quantum & Terahertz Systems (QTS) team within the Electro-Optical Communications (ECO) group of the Department of Electrical Engineering at TU/e. Within QTS you will work within a dynamic team of approximately thirty researchers and as part of ECO will be part of one of the leading groups on optical communications and networking with more than one hundred researchers. You will have the opportunity to work with and in the extensive laboratory facilities of the ECO group as well as TU/e’s Centre for Wireless Technology (CWTe). You will work closely with the second ANCHOR PhD at TU/e within the ICT Lab in the Signal Processing Systems group.

Job Requirements

• A master’s degree (or an equivalent university degree) in Electrical or Communications Engineering (or Applied Physics), with excellent grades.
• A research-oriented attitude.
• Previous experience in dynamic mobile network architectures and network management and control as well as familiarity with relevant protocols and tools are considered advantageous.
• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary team and interest in collaborating with international and industrial partners.
• Motivation to spend some time abroad for secondments.
• The EU ‘Mobility rules’ apply. For this vacancy this means that candidate students cannot have resided for more than 12 months during the period of 3 years immediately before the start of the PhD in the Netherlands.
• Motivated to develop your teaching skills and coach students.
• Fluent in spoken and written English (at least C1 level). 
  
  

Conditions of Employment

A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you: 

• Full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate assessment after nine months. You will spend a minimum of 10% of your four-year employment on teaching tasks, with a maximum of 15% per year of your employment. 
• Salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, paid pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale P (min. € 3,059 - max. € 3,881).  
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%. 
• High-quality training programs and other support to grow into a self-aware, autonomous scientific researcher. At TU/e we challenge you to take charge of your own learning process. 
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.  
• Unlimited access to the modern on‑campus TU/e Student Sports Center at an exceptionally affordable rate.
• An allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs. 
• A Staff Immigration Team and a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) for international candidates. 

On our website you can discover even more information about our conditions of employment. Build on your career at TU/e!

About us

We are a leading international university where scientific curiosity meets a hands-on mindset. We work in an open and collaborative way with high-tech industries to tackle complex societal challenges. Our responsible and respectful approach ensures impact — today and in the future. TU/e is home to over 13,000 students and more than 7,000 staff, forming a diverse and vibrant academic community.

Our university is located in Brainport Eindhoven — a world‑leading tech region with more than 7,000 high‑tech companies and strong R&D activity. Known for breakthroughs in AI, photonics, semiconductors and advanced manufacturing, Brainport is a place where technology serves people and society. Learn more about the Brainport region here.

The mission of the Department of Electrical Engineering is to acquire, share and transfer knowledge and understanding in the whole field of Electrical Engineering through education, research and valorization. We work towards a ‘Smart Sustainable Society’, a ‘Connected World’, and a healthy humanity (‘Care & Cure’). Activities share an application-oriented character, a high degree of complexity and a large synergy between multiple facets of the field.

Research is carried out into the applications of electromagnetic phenomena in all forms of energy conversion, telecommunication and electrical signal processing. Existing and new electrical components and systems are analyzed, designed and built. The Electrical Engineering department takes its inspiration from contacts with high-tech industry in the direct surrounding region and beyond.

The department is innovative and has international ambitions and partnerships. The result is a challenging and inspiring setting in which socially relevant issues are addressed.

Information

Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact the hiring manager Simon Rommel, Assistant Professor, [email protected] or +31 40 247 5704.

Visit our website for more information about the application process. You can also contact HR Services, [email protected].

Curious to hear more about what it’s like as a PhD candidate at TU/e? Please view the video.

Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our career page.

Application

We invite you to submit a complete application by using the apply button. The application should include a:

• Cover letter in which you describe your motivation and qualifications for the position.
• Curriculum vitae, including a list of your publications and the contact information of three references. Kindly note that we may reach out to references at any stage of the recruitment process. We recommend notifying your references upon submitting your application.

Ensure that you submit all the requested application documents. We give priority to complete applications.

We look forward to receiving your application and will screen it as soon as possible. The vacancy will remain open until the position is filled.

Please note

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post. 
• A pre-employment screening (e.g. knowledge security check) can be part of the selection procedure. For more information on the knowledge security check, please consult the National Knowledge Security Guidelines.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.