TU Delft’s Microwave Sensing, Signals and Systems (MS3) group and TNO’s (Dutch Organization for Applied Scientific Research) Networks department combine forces in the prestigious Future Network Services (FNS) flagship project to develop innovative solutions enabling joint communications and sensing (JCAS) in 6G networks.

In JCAS, communication and sensing services share a common network infrastructure and radio resources, with the technology and associated management solutions designed to flexibly achieve tailored trade-offs between energy consumption, resource utilization, communications (e.g. user throughput, latency, reliability) and sensing performance (e.g. resolution, probability of detection). We offer a Ph.D. research project focusing on joint optimization and assessment of waveform design, beamforming strategy and radio resource management mechanisms  (e.g. power control, antenna aperture sharing, beamforming, scheduling, adaptive waveform, handover control) on communication and sensing performance, aiming to optimize the utilization of the shared radio resources for dual-functional joint communication and sensing systems with balanced performance trade-offs!

Responsibilities

• Conduct in-depth research on waveform design, beamforming and radio resource management (RRM) for joint communications and sensing (JCAS) systems in 6G radio access networks, staying abreast of and contributing to the technological advancements in the field.
• Develop a parametrized wireless system-level simulation platform including configurable models for network layout, propagation environment, communication and sensing application/traffic characteristics, suitable JCAS waveforms, beamforming and RRM algorithms, verify its performance, use it to conduct system-level assessments of relevant performance metrics from a system and communication/sensing services perspective, and develop/tune jointly optimized waveform, beamforming and RRM solutions addressing joint goals.
• Support simulation studies by thorough theoretical analyses and measurements where possible.
• Contribute advancements to the scientific community through high-quality publications.
• Collaborate with industry partners, academic institutions, and research organizations to stay connected with the latest developments and foster collaborative opportunities.
• Prepare and defend the Ph.D. thesis, which summarizes the results of the research.

• MSc degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related field.
• Strong background in wireless networks and radars. Background in array signal processing and antennas is appreciated.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python or MATLAB.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Effective communication and collaboration skills.

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.

Fixed-term contract: 4 years (1.5+2.5).

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 € 2770 per month in the first year to € 3539 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.

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 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.