PhD Position Robust Machine Learning for 6G mmWave Sensing and Communication in Smart Environments

Job description

This PhD position focuses on "robust mmWave communication and sensing in smart environments." As part of this role, you’ll develop algorithms to detect and track objects using Doppler shift and Angle of Arrival (AoA) analysis of Channel State Information (CSI) at mmWave receivers. Additionally, you’ll work on dynamically configuring and allocating Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface (RIS) elements to optimize sensing and communication. You’ll evaluate these solutions on TU Delft’s state-of-the-art testbed facilities, driving advancements in cutting-edge technology.

As part of the 6thSense MSCA Doctoral School, you’ll collaborate with top international research institutions and industry leaders, including Nokia, Bosch, and NI. Enjoy a highly competitive salary, access to a leading-edge lab with high-end SDRs, and a tailored soft-skills program designed to support your career development.

You’ll be joining an international team exploring groundbreaking solutions for next-gen 6G systems. Here, you’ll tackle exciting challenges in wireless technology, building on your strengths—whether they lie in theory (like optimization, machine learning, signal processing) or in hands-on skills (like software-defined radios and RF engineering).

This position also includes two unique research visits:

• 5-month visit to Prof. Yasaman Ghasempour’s lab at Princeton University
• 3-month visit to Nokia Bell Labs in Stuttgart
   

Your home base will be the Embedded Systems group at TU Delft, where you’ll be supervised by Dr. Arash Asadi, head of Wireless Communication and Sensing LAB (WISE). As part of this diverse and passionate group, you’ll work alongside academic staff, fellow PhD candidates, and postdocs who are dedicated to pushing the boundaries of network science. We prioritize open discussions, idea-sharing, and regular collaboration to deepen our understanding of complex networks—technological, biological, and social. To support your growth as a scientist, you’ll also benefit from comprehensive training throughout your PhD journey.

Are you interested to know more about the our department, group of lab? Please feel free to visit our webpages: 

• About the Software Technology department

• About the Embedded Systems group

• About the WISE lab

Let’s shape the future of communication together!

Job Requirements

Required expertise:

We are looking for candidates with a background in at least one of the following domains in the context of wireless communications:

• RF engineering/software-defined radios
• Signal processing and radar
• Mathematical modeling and optimization
• Physical layer security

General requirements:

• Good track record in Master's and Bachelor's degrees
• Strong analytical or implementation skills
• Strong programming skills in one or more of the following languages:  Rust, MATLAB, Python
• Good command of the English language (written and spoken)

Conditions of international mobility of researchers:

Researchers are required to undertake trans-national mobility (i.e., move from one country to another) when taking up the appointment. At the time of selection by the TU Delft, the candidate must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the Netherlands for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the recruitment. Short stays, such as holidays, are not taken into account.

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology) 

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context. 

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration. 

Challenge. Change. Impact! 

Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science 

The Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) brings together three scientific disciplines. Combined, they reinforce each other and are the driving force behind the technology we all use in our daily lives. Technology such as the electricity grid, which our faculty is helping to make completely sustainable and future-proof. At the same time, we are developing the chips and sensors of the future, whilst also setting the foundations for the software technologies to run on this new generation of equipment – which of course includes AI. Meanwhile we are pushing the limits of applied mathematics, for example mapping out disease processes using single cell data, and using mathematics to simulate gigantic ash plumes after a volcanic eruption. In other words: there is plenty of room at the faculty for ground-breaking research. We educate innovative engineers and have excellent labs and facilities that underline our strong international position. In total, more than 1000 employees and 4,000 students work and study in this innovative environment. 

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science. 

Conditions of employment 

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met. 

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2872 per month in the first year to € 3670 in the fourth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills. 

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.  

For international applicants, TU Delft has the Coming to Delft Service. This service provides information for new international employees to help you prepare the relocation and to settle in the Netherlands. The Coming to Delft Service offers a Dual Career Programme for partners and they organise events to expand your (social) network.

Additional information
If you would like more information about this vacancy or the selection procedure, please contact Dr. Arash Asadi via a.asadi@tudelft.nl

Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than December 1, 2024 via the application button and upload the following manditory documents:

• A cover letter in which you explicitly state your topic of interest, the research plan, and why you find yourself a suitable candidate for this topic (max. 800 words).
• Resume/CV including: applicant's educational and research background, Professional skills,List of publications, and Two reference letters
• Copies of your BSc and MSc degrees and transcripts.
• Names and contact information of at least three relevant references

You can address your application to Dr. A. Asadi.

Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements. 

Please note:

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post. 
• A pre-employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.
• A knowledge security check will be part of the selection procedure.
  (for details page 45: national knowledge security guidelines).
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.