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PhD Position: Structured Signal Processing and Learning for Wireless Communications

Opening for: PhD student

The wireless communication systems beyond 5G aim to enhance connectivity with a drastic increase in the number of connected devices and improved quality of service requirements in terms of data rate, latency, reliability, and scalability. To this end, we need new physical layer signal processing for the futuristic systems to efficiently acquire and process the resulting enormous amount of data. An important emerging approach is the deep learning-based techniques. The state-of-the-art deep learning solutions for wireless communications are indeed very promising due to their learning abilities. However, they lack interpretability and come with no performance guarantees. In this PhD project, we will investigate the integration of the traditional signal processing algorithms with performance guarantees, and the tools from deep learning, combining the best of both worlds. The challenge here is to understand the right balance between the model-driven and data-driven methods. Our goal is to explore the different combinations of the two approaches and develop new solutions for signal detection and channel acquisition. We also characterize the performance limits of this hybrid analytical framework, aiming at new wireless system designs with improved reliability and connectivity.

The Circuits and System Group seeks for enthusiastic PhD candidates to work on this project. The research will focus on

1. Understanding the limitations and challenges of the signal processing for wireless technologies beyond 5G
2. Developing new solutions for signal detection and channel acquisition using model-based deep learning
3. Analyzing the performance guarantees of the derived solutions in terms of achievable data rates and reliability of the communication (outage and error probabilities)

Requirements

1. An MSc degree in an engineering discipline relevant to PhD research
2. Strong background in applied mathematics, particularly, real analysis, probability, and linear algebra
3. Background in wireless communications is desirable, but not mandatory
4. Experience in programming e.g., Python, MATLAB, R
5. Good verbal and written English skills
6. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
7. Ability to work in a collaborative environment

To apply, please follow the process indicated on the formal vacancy announcement. and upload the following:

1. Curriculum vitae
2. Motivation letter (max. 1 page)
3. A detailed list of university courses (Bachelor and Master) with grades
4. List of publications (if any)
5. Full contact information of two references

Contact

dr. Geethu Joseph

Assistant Professor

Signal Processing Systems Group

Department of Microelectronics

More information

Additional information

In The Netherlands, almost all PhD positions are linked to funded research projects. This has several implications:

• PhD students are employed: they receive a salary rather than a grant. Most projects have a duration of 4 years.
• Positions become available once a project is funded. This can happen at any time during the year.
• It typically takes 6 to 9 months for a project proposal to receive funding. In this period, a position may be anticipated but the outcome remains insecure. Once a project is funded, the open position needs to be filled as soon as possible.

If you are interested in our research, it merits to inquire whether openings will be available. We collect resumes of prospective PhD students throughout the year, for each of our research tracks.

General requirements

We make our selection based on the following general requirements:

• Formal requirements regarding prior education: you should have earned an MSc degree at a recognized institute for higher education.
• Background: you should have a background that fits the requirements of the project
• Excellence: your Grade-Point-Average should be above 8 (10). Also your MSc thesis should have received a grade above 8 (10).
• English: you should be able to communicate well in english (written and oral). Provide TOEFL/IELTS scores if available.
• Originality: your MSc thesis or later work (publications) should reflect some original ideas. Critical and independent thinking is very important.
• Team player: you should be able to work well in a team of other project members.

Your resume should contain contact information of prior advisors/supervisors who can provide feedback.