The Interdisciplinary Centre for Security, Reliability and Trust (SnT) invites applications from highly motivated PhD candidates in the area of hybrid terrestrial/non-terrestrial 6G networks. SnT carries out interdisciplinary research in secure, reliable and trustworthy ICT systems and services, often in collaboration with industrial, governmental or international partners. For further information, you may refer to www.securityandtrust.lu
The research group focuses on wireless/satellite communications and networking and is headed by Prof. Symeon Chatzinotas. The research areas focus on the formulation, modelling, design, and analysis of future 5G and beyond communication networks that are capable of supporting new services in a cost-efficient manner. Use cases of interest include IoT verticals, unmanned aerial vehicles, integrated satellite-space-terrestrial networks, quantum communications and key distribution, spectrum management and coexistence, tactile Internet, and autonomous transportation. As far as technical enablers are concerned, we leverage expertise on massive MIMO cell-free communications, smart-radio environments through the use of intelligent surfaces, machine-type and ultra-reliable and low-latency communications, edge computing and caching, RAN slicing, and network softwarization and visualization. Finally, due to the large-scale nature, complexity, and heterogeneity of 5G and beyond networks, for their analysis and optimization we use tools such as artificial intelligence/machine learning, graph theory and graph-signal processing, and convex/non-convex optimization. Furthermore, our activities are experimentally driven and supported by the SDR CommLab, the SDN Lab, the 5G-Space Lab, our SW Simulators, and our OTA Facilties. For further information, you may refer to https://wwwen.uni.lu/snt/research/sigcom
The successful candidate will work under the academic supervision of Prof. Symeon Chatzinotas and Dr. Konstantinos Ntontin and join a strong and motivated research team.
We’re looking for people driven by excellence, excited about innovation, and looking to make a difference. If this sounds like you, you’ve come to the right place!
Your Role
This is a fully funded position for 3 years (extendable to an additional 4th year) within the large scale Horizon Europe Doctoral Networks project ELIXIRION-rEaLIzing healthcare 4.0 eXploIting the 6G netwoRk evolutION that will start on 01/11/2023. ELIXIRION comprises 10 partners and is going to create the first fully-integrated, inter- and multi-disciplinary, highly-innovative training and research network that will set the foundations of the emerging Health 4.0 (H4.0) paradigm by leveraging, developing, and advancing 6G technologies targeting to: i) provide all citizens/patients with a wide range of services of different requirements, such as low latency for latency-critical applications, high speed for data hungry services and ubiquitous secure access to healthcare resources, anytime, anywhere, respecting all privacy aspects, and ii) ensure a secure, effective, and democratized healthcare ecosystem to all involved stakeholders, while creating a sustainable open H4.0 market facilitating access to innovators.
In the context of ELIXIRION, your role as a PhD candidate will be to devise an artificial intelligence-enabled optimization framework for the self-evolving autonomous non-terrestrial networks that incorporate low-Earth orbit satellites, high-altitude platforms, and unmanned air vehicles, as well as edge computing and caching capabilities, so to meet the required performance criteria. Such networks are envisioned to provide critical health-related communication to remote/rural areas that lack a terrestrial infrastructure.
Your Profile
Qualification: The candidate should possess an M.Sc./M.Eng. Degree in Telecommunication Engineering, signal processing, or a closely related field in Electronic, Electrical and Computer Engineering
Experience: The ideal candidate should have a strong background in signal theory and digital communications, substantiated by relevant coursework/assignments. In addition, a background and interest in a number of the following areas is required:
- Wireless and mobile communications. Background on either satellite or millimeter wave/THz communications is considered a plus.
- Multiple-antenna transmission and reception methods in fading channels. Topics of interest are massive-MIMO, cell-free massive MIMO, hybrid analog-digital beamforming, distributed antenna systems.
- Digital signal processing.
- Detection and estimation theory.
- Edge computing and caching.
- Resource allocation and optimization in communication networks.
Mathematical Tools: The candidate should have knowledge in a number of the following tools used for the analysis and optimization of communication networks
- Convex/non-convex optimization
- Machine learning: supervised, unsupervised, and reinforcement learning. Knowledge of federated learning is considered a plus
- Graph theory and graph signal processing
- Random matrix theory
- Statistical signal processing
- Stochastic geometry
Software tools: Good programming skills in a number of widely used software tools, such as Matlab, Python, C/C++, is required.
Here’s what awaits you at SnT
- A stimulating learning environment. Here post-docs and professors outnumber PhD students. That translates into access and close collaborations with some of the brightest ICT researchers, giving you solid guidance
- Exciting infrastructures and unique labs. At SnT’s two campuses, our researchers can take a walk on the moon at the LunaLab, build a nanosatellite, or help make autonomous vehicles even better
- The right place for IMPACT. SnT researchers engage in demand-driven projects. Through our Partnership Programme, we work on projects with more than 55 industry partners
- Multiple funding sources for your ideas. The University supports researchers to acquire funding from national, European and private sources
- Competitive salary package. The University offers a 12 month-salary package, over six weeks of paid time off, meal vouchers and health insurance
- Be part of a multicultural family. At SnT we have more than 60 nationalities. Throughout the year, we organise team-building events, networking activities and more
- Boost your career. Students can take advantage of several opportunities for growth and career development, from free language classes to career resources and extracurricular activities
But wait, there’s more!
In Short
- Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract 36 Month (extendable up to 48 months if required)
- Work Hours: Full Time 40.0 Hours per Week
- Location: Kirchberg
- Employee and student status
- Job Reference: UOL05800
- The selected candidate will be recruited no earlier than 01/11/2023 and the position involves mobility to the premises of partners of ELIXIRION for a total duration of 6 months
The yearly gross salary for every PhD at the UL is EUR 39953 (full time)
How to apply
Applications should be submitted online and include:
- Full CV, including:
- For each degree received or currently enrolled in, provide the degree, institution name, institution city and country, and date (or expected date) of graduation. Include the title and short summary of your final (Bachelor / Master) Thesis if you did one
- List of publications (if any)
- Name, affiliation and contact details of three referees
- Transcript of all modules and results from Bachelor/Master-level courses taken
- Cover letter (approx. 1 page)
All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply.
Early application is highly encouraged, as the applications will be processed upon reception. Please apply formally through the HR system. Applications by email will not be considered. In addition, apart from the HR system, the candidates are advised to also apply through the ELIXIRION portal: ELIXIRION Online register (elixirion-mc.eu)
The University of Luxembourg embraces inclusion and diversity as key values. We are fully committed to removing any discriminatory barrier related to gender, and not only, in recruitment and career progression of our staff.
About the University of Luxembourg
University of Luxembourg is an international research university with a distinctly multilingual and interdisciplinary character. The University was founded in 2003 and counts more than 6,700 students and more than 2,000 employees from around the world. The University’s faculties and interdisciplinary centres focus on research in the areas of Computer Science and ICT Security, Materials Science, European and International Law, Finance and Financial Innovation, Education, Contemporary and Digital History. In addition, the University focuses on cross-disciplinary research in the areas of Data Modelling and Simulation as well as Health and System Biomedicine. Times Higher Education ranks the University of Luxembourg #3 worldwide for its “international outlook,” #20 in the Young University Ranking 2021 and among the top 250 universities worldwide.
Further information
For further information, please contact: Dr. Konstantinos Ntontin (kostantinos.ntontin@uni.lu).