Software-defined and programmable networking is a key enabling technology to support 6G in achieving their promises of increased scalability and flexibility at a lower cost. Deep network programmability, that is the ability to program the network fabric both vertically (control and data plane) and horizontally (end to end), is expected to characterize the new generation of mobile networks (6G), currently under development, towards supporting extreme performance requirements and service-specific operations. To this end, data plane programming capabilities in next-generation mobile networks can bring significant benefits with regards to network slicing and multi-tenancy, dynamic traffic engineering, offloading network functions to hardware accelerators, etc.

Specifically, the objective of the PhD project, conducted in collaboration with Ericsson, the leading mobile communications equipment manufacturer, is to investigate data plane programmability in the context of the new generation of mobile networks. The PhD will focus on the disaggregated Radio Access Network. Concretely, the candidate will investigate problems including but not restricted to the specification and implementation of a common abstraction layer for heterogenous programmable data planes, data plane multitenancy and modularization and programmable traffic management (i.e., scheduling radio resources).

The research is conducted within the scope of the Future Network Services: the 6G flagship project for the Netherlands where 60 leading ICT businesses, mobile operators, semiconductor manufacturers and research institutions, have united to spearhead the development of specific aspects of 6G: Software antennas, AI-driven network software, and groundbreaking 6G applications.

You will be embedded in the MNS group. The group focuses its research on the fundamental architectural problems that arise from the interconnection of systems and of data flows. We look at the emerging architectures that can support the operations of the future Internet. More information can be found here.

Within Ericsson Hungary, your work will be anchored to the team in Ericsson's Research Area Networks, which drives innovations towards 6G and the future network platform. Our local competence and expertise are in Radio Network (RAN) and Packet Core architectures and protocols, programmable networks, and network automation. More information is available here.

Tasks and responsibilities:

• focus on the development and evaluation of and end-to-end programmable data plane, supporting multitenancy and modularity, through the definition and implementation of a generic hardware abstraction layer, supporting heterogeneous systems e.g., GPUs, TPUs, FPGAs, SOCs;
• Investigate optimization aspects of network control and data plane functionality;
• develop appropriate proof of concept(s) to benchmark the performance or validate the applicability of proposed approaches;
• access a unique state-of-the-art testbed to also put theory to practice and be at the forefront of the Dutch 6G national ecosystem;
• become active in the research community and collaborate with other institutes and/or companies that are part of the project;
• publish and present work regularly at international conferences, workshops, and journals;
• assist in teaching activities (labs) and in supervising bachelor and master students.

Your experience and profile:

• Master's degree or equivalent program (completed or near completion: see below) in a relevant discipline, such as computer science, electrical and computer engineering, security and network engineering etc.;
• excellent programming skills (python, C/C++);
• prior experience in programmable networking technologies and DSLs such as eBPF and P4 is a plus;
• knowledge in mobile network architectures and protocols is a plus;
• the willingness to be part of an international research team;
• fluency in oral and written English and good presentation skills;
• commitment to maintaining an inclusive, collaborative, diverse, supportive work environment.

A temporary contract for 38 hours per week for the duration of 4 years (the initial contract will be for a period of 18 months and after satisfactory evaluation it will be extended for a total duration of 4 years). The preferred starting date is as soon as possible. This should lead to a dissertation (PhD thesis). We will draft an educational plan that includes attendance of courses and (international) meetings. We also expect you to assist in teaching undergraduates and master students.

The gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week and dependent on relevant experience, ranges between € 2,541 in the first year to € 3,247 in the last year (scale P). UvA additionally offers an extensive package of secondary benefits, including 8% holiday allowance and a year-end bonus of 8.3%. The UFO profile PhD Candidate is applicable. A favourable tax agreement, the ‘30% ruling’, may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement of Universities of the Netherlands is applicable.

Besides the salary and a vibrant and challenging environment at Science Park we offer you multiple fringe benefits:

• 232 holiday hours per year (based on fulltime) and extra holidays between Christmas and 1 January;
• Multiple courses to follow from our Teaching and Learning Centre;
• A complete educational program for PhD students;
• Multiple courses on topics such as leadership for academic staff;
• Multiple courses on topics such as time management, handling stress and an online learning platform with 100+ different courses;
• 7 weeks birth leave (partner leave) with 100% salary;
• Partly paid parental leave;
• The possibility to set up a workplace at home;
• A pension at ABP for which UvA pays two third part of the contribution;
• The possibility to follow courses to learn Dutch;
• Help with housing for a studio or small apartment when you’re moving from abroad.

Are you curious to read more about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits, take a look here.

Faculty of Science

The University of Amsterdam (UvA) is the Netherlands' largest university, offering the widest range of academic programmes. At the UvA, 42,000 students, 6,000 staff members and 3,000 PhD candidates study and work in a diverse range of fields, connected by a culture of curiosity.

The Faculty of Science (FNWI) has a student body of around 8,000, as well as 1,800 members of staff working in education, research or support services. Researchers and students at the Faculty of Science are fascinated by every aspect of how the world works, be it elementary particles, the birth of the universe or the functioning of the brain.

The mission of the Informatics Institute (IvI) is to perform curiosity-driven and use-inspired fundamental research in Computer Science. The main research themes are Artificial Intelligence, Computational Science and Systems and Network Engineering. Our research involves complex information systems at large, with a focus on collaborative, data driven, computational and intelligent systems, all with a strong interactive component.

The MultiScale Networked Systems (MNS) group is part of the Informatics Institute at the University of Amsterdam. The group focusses its research on multiscale systems e.g. cloud systems or clusters that define themselves by their dynamic size and scale, and on the network connecting them. The MNS group explores the emerging architectures that can support emerging applications across the future internet.

Want to know more about our organisation? Read more about working at the University of Amsterdam.