Research Associates in Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface-Empowered 6G Networks

The Interdisciplinary Centre for Security, Reliability and Trust (SnT) invites applications from highly motivated and outstanding researchers in the general area of Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface-Empowered 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 6G-Space Lab, our SW Simulators, and our OTA Facilities. 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 candidates will primarily contribute to the large-scale Horizon Europe project TERRAMETA- Terahertz Reconfigurable Metasurfaces for ultra-high rate wireless communications (https://terrameta-project.eu/) and the Luxembourg national project RISOTTI-Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces for Smart Cities. Both projects aim at optimizing the performance of forthcoming 6G networks through the deployment of reconfigurable intelligent surfaces in both low (sub-6 GHz) and high frequency (millimeter-wave and THz) bands. In addition, the candidates are expected to disseminate results through scientific publications and conferences and actively contribute to the preparation of new research proposals to attract industrial, national, and European projects and to the day-to-day supervision of PhD students.

Your Profile...

Qualification: The candidates are required to be holders of a PhD degree in Telecommunication Engineering or Electrical Engineering with a focus on wireless and mobile communications.

Experience: The ideal candidates should have a strong background in signal theory, digital communications, and signal processing with focus on a number of the following subjects:

• Wireless and mobile communications. Background on either satellite or millimeter wave/THz communications is highly desirable
• Multiple-antenna transmission and reception methods in fading channels, both narrowband and frequency-selective. Topics of interest are: massive-MIMO, cell-free massive MIMO, hybrid analog-digital beamforming, distributed antenna systems
• Digital signal processing
• Detection and estimation theory
• Resource allocation and optimization in communication networks

Mathematical Tools: The candidates should have knowledge in a number of the following tools used for the analysis and optimization of communication networks, such as:

• Convex/non-convex optimization
• Machine learning: supervised, unsupervised, and reinforcement learning. Knowledge of federated learning is considered a plus
• Graph theory and graph signal processing
• Random matrix theory
• Statistical signal processing
• Stochastic geometry

Software tools: Good programming skills in a number of widely used software tools, such as Matlab, Python, C/C++, is required.

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!

How to apply...

Applications should include:

• Curriculum Vitae
  • 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 have not 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.

General information:

• Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract 24 Month (extendable)
• Work Hours: Full Time 40.0 Hours per Week
• Location: Kirchberg
• Job Reference: UOL06235

The yearly gross salary for every Postdoctoral Researcher at the UL is EUR 83099 (full time)

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) and/or Dr. Zaid Abdullah (zaid.abdullah@uni.lu).