Postdoc in Distributed Multi-Antenna Signal Processing and Flexible Radio Resource Management for 6G Integrated Terrestrial/Non-Terrestrial Networks

The Interdisciplinary Centre for Security, Reliability and Trust (SnT) invites applications from highly motivated and outstanding researchers in the general area of edge artificial intelligence (AI) for 6G networks within its Signal Processing and Communications (SIGCOM) research group. 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

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...

The successful candidate will primarily contribute to the large Horizon Europe research project ETHER – sElf-evolving terrestrial/non-Terrestrial Hybrid nEtwoRks that is to start on 01/01/2023. ETHER is going to provide a framework for the integrated terrestrial/non-terrestrial network ecosystem that involves an efficient and zero-touch resource management, provides solution for key radio access network challenges, and identifies the business opportunities for potential stakeholders. To realize this novel system concept, ETHER relies on a multi-layered and unified space-aerial-terrestrial architecture, leveraging the benefits of Artificial Intelligence/ Machine Learning for the optimization of the highly complex and heterogeneous “network of networks”. In the context of ETHER, the successful candidate will work on distributed antenna transmission methods, such as distributed beamforming methods involving a number of low Earth orbit satellites, together with methods for flexible radio resource management, e.g. power/bandwidth assignment, scheduling.

In summary, the position holder will be required to perform the following tasks:

• Contribute to the development of distributed beamforming and radio resource management (power/frequency) solutions for the Horizon Europe project ETHER, aiming towards an efficient 6G integrated terrestrial/non-terrestrial architecture
• Provide solutions for a number of impairments related to the collaborative transmission from distributed flying nodes, such as time/carrier unsynchronization
• Handover optimization between moving platforms and terrestrial nodes
• Implement software-based testing environment to compare and evaluate the proposed techniques
• Disseminating results through scientific publications and conferences
• The candidate is expected to actively contribute to the different research projects, either coordinating technical contribution and/or preparing project deliverables
• Preparing new research proposals to attract industrial, national, and European projects
• Providing assistance in the supervision of PhD students

Your Profile...

• A PhD degree in Telecommunication Engineering or Electrical Engineering with a focus on wireless and mobile communications
• Very strong background in signal processing and convex/non-convex optimization
• Sound knowledge of digital communications and digital filtering
• Sound publication track record in relevant international conferences and top journals
• Strong programming skills in MATLAB or C/C++
• Experience of working with industrial projects or public funded research projects is highly  desirable
• Highly committed, excellent team-worker, and strong critical thinking
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English

Here’s what awaits you at SnT...

• 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
• 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

Find out more about us!

In Short...

• Contract Type: Befristeter Vertrag 24 Monat
• Work Hours: Full Time 40.0 Stunden pro Woche
• Location: Kirchberg
• Job Reference: UOL05374

The yearly gross salary for every Postdoctoral Researcher at the UL is EUR 77167 full time

How to apply...

Applications in English should include:

• Curriculum Vitae, including:
  • Contact address
  • For each degree received or currently enrolled in, provide the degree, institution name, institution city and country, and start date and date (or expected date) of graduation
  • Include the title and short summary of your PhD Thesis and supervisor name (and Bachelor / Master Thesis if you did one)
    • If you do not have yet received your PhD but will do soon, please include a tentative graduation date
  • List of publications (authors, title, journal/conference name and date of publication). Provide a link in case of open access
  • Name, affiliation and contact details of three referees
• Cover letter with motivations and topics of particular interest to the candidate (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 ONLINE formally through the HR system. Applications by Email will not be considered.

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).