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  • JOB
  • Spain

Doctoral Researcher in "Sensing Bounds and Algorithms for Perceptive Cell-Free Networks with Hybrid Intelligent Surfaces" (DC12 in MiFuture MSCA network)

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The Human Resources Strategy for Researchers
9 Mar 2024

Job Information

Organisation/Company
Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona
Department
Telecommunications and Systems Engeering
Research Field
Engineering » Electrical engineering
Engineering » Communication engineering
Researcher Profile
First Stage Researcher (R1)
Positions
PhD Positions
Country
Spain
Application Deadline
Type of Contract
Temporary
Job Status
Full-time
Hours Per Week
37.5
Offer Starting Date
Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?
Horizon 2020
Reference Number
HORIZON-MSCA-2022-DN-01 call
Marie Curie Grant Agreement Number
101119643
Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?
No

Offer Description

The Signal Processing for Communications and Navigation Research Group (SPCOMNAV) in the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona invites applications for a Doctoral Candidate position in the field of signal processing mm-Wave positioning and sensing in cell-free or distributed massive MIMO networks that include advanced structures such as different types of reconfigurable intelligent surfaces. The position is offered in the frame of the EU-funded Marie Skłodowska-Curie Industrial Doctorate MiFuture (https://mifuture.tsc.uc3m.es/). MiFuture network will develop a high-level personalized multidisciplinary programme to provide 15 Ph.D. candidates, supervised by committed experts from the industry and academia, with research competences and transferable skills (e.g., entrepreneurship, project management, IPR, open access) with the long-term goal to lead scientific advances in the new concepts arising in the field of wireless communications. These creative young researchers will face real world implementation, work across multiple European countries and organizations, become knowledgeable in standardization activities, present at workshops in front of researchers and industrial stakeholders and interact with the general public to make them aware of how 6G can help in their daily lives. This application is for project #12 within the MiFuture network.

Project tasks and objectives: The first objective is to derive the bounds and corresponding trade-offs between communications and positioning capabilities of the networks. We will consider networks that include the presence of hybrid (i.e. with active and passive) structures. The bounds will be used to choose the system parameters optimizing certain application-dependent key performance indicators. Next, channel estimation, sensing and positioning algorithms that are both practical and approach the bounds will be developed. Near-field and wide-band effects will be considered. Special attention will be devoted to the hardware impairments, which are nowadays one of the limiting factors in the use of large antenna systems and intelligent surfaces, since their real behavior strongly deviates from the standard models. The effect of hardware impairments will be analyzed, and they will be considered in the derivation of robust sensing/positioning algorithms.

The hired researcher will spend 18 months at Ericsson (Stockholm, Sweden), and 18 months at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (Bellaterra, Spain), with a short secondment at Instituto de Telecomunicaçoes (Aveiro, Portugal).

Expected Results: Statistical tools for the performance analysis and optimization of the communications and sensing capabilities of cell-free networks with hybrid intelligent surfaces. Characterization of the effects of hardware impairments. Development of robust low-complexity integrated communications and sensing algorithms.

In order to be eligible, the applicant should not be in possession of a PhD degree at the moment of being recruited. Recruited Doctoral Researcher can be of any nationality and must comply with the following mobility condition: they must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Spain for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before their recruitment date. Compulsory national service, short stays such as holidays and time spent by the researcher as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention are not taken into account.

A comprehensive description of the position is available at this link.

 

Where to apply

E-mail
gonzalo.seco@uab.cat

Requirements

Research Field
Engineering » Electrical engineering
Education Level
Master Degree or equivalent
Research Field
Engineering » Communication engineering
Education Level
Master Degree or equivalent
Skills/Qualifications

The Doctoral Researcher will enroll as a PhD student at PhD Programme on Electronic and Telecommunication Engineering of Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona (UAB) at latest by the date that their contract will start and will actively participate in all the research and training activities of MiFuture network, including participation to regular networking events and a short secondment to our academic partner Instituto de Telecomunicaçoes (IT), in Portugal. The Doctoral Researcher will spend 18 months at UAB (including the secondment at IT) and 18 months at Ericsson, Sweden. The offered contract at UAB is 36 months. The research work will focus on investigating the statistical statistical performance bounds and algorithms for positioning and sensing in cell-free or distributed massive MIMO networks that include advanced structures such as different types of reconfigurable intelligent surfaces.

The researcher will also participate in all the PhD-related activities (attending lectures and writing publications) required for a PhD thesis at UAB and will also participate in writing project deliverables and disseminating the project results through various social media channels. Publications are very important during the project duration. The researcher will be provided with supervision in a cross-sectorial team with deep expertise on satellite-based and terrestial wireless positioning , and with a blend of academic and industrial supervisors. Close collaborations with the other 14 doctoral researchers/doctoral candidates of the MiFuture network is also envisaged.

Specific Requirements
  • To be eligible to apply for the Doctoral Researcher position, you must have completed a master’s degree in a relevant area of engineering at the time of the application.
  • Successful candidate must fulfill the mobility condition explained above.
  • The applicant should have strong skills in Matlab.
  • Good knowledge about wireless communications and digital signal processing is desirable.
  • Additional skills that are highly appreciated in this position are the willingness to work hard in a cross-sector and multi-cultural environment, ability to work both independently and in a team, and interest in a research career.
Languages
ENGLISH
Level
Excellent

Additional Information

Benefits

Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) is known for its excellence in research and quality in teaching, and is a reference centre in Europe. The UAB is located only 25 minutes via public transportation from Barcelona’s city centre, a cosmopolitan metropolis lying on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. The main campus is located in Bellaterra, in the heart of one of the main industrial and technological poles of Mediterranean Europe. 

UAB is the top Spanish university according to the 2024 QS World University Ranking.

UAB caters to all aspects of university life. The campus is a true city of knowledge with almost 50,000 inhabitants: students, lecturers, researchers and administrative staff. It is organised with all the necessary services for the university community: residence halls (2,100 places), specialised libraries, a language learning centre, sport facilities (with a gym, pools, football pitch, etc.), healthcare centre, restaurants, stores and cafés. The international dimension of the UAB can be seen by the number of students enrolled from abroad, especially in master's degrees with 2,105 international students (35%), and PhD programmes with 1,692 international students (33%). There are over 45 master's degrees taught 100% in English. 

UAB promotes innovation, employability and entrepreneurship. It strives to foster research and transfer in all areas of knowledge and works closely together with the surrounding business and industrial community.

The SPCOMNAV research group is among the most recognized groups in the fielf of positioning techniques using either satellite or terrestrial signals. It pioneered the use of 4G/5G cellular signals for positioning, and it is now involved in the definition of positioning techniques for beyond 5G and 6G.

The salary will be based on MSCA Doctoral Candidate regulations and according to the country indexation coefficient. The gross salary for a fellow without a family is around 2770€ and for a fellow with family  (e.g., married/in recognized relationship/with children) is around 3270€. In addition to this, the fellow will get yearly holiday bonus and increments based on the labor agreement. Detail information about the remuneration be found here.

Eligibility criteria

In order to be eligible, the applicant should not be in possession of a PhD degree at the moment of being recruited. Recruited Doctoral Researcher can be of any nationality and must comply with the following mobility condition: they must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Spain for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before their recruitment date. Compulsory national service, short stays such as holidays and time spent by the researcher as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention are not taken into account.

Selection process

The selection process is merit-based according to 6 main criteria:  Study records, Work & research experience, Motivation, Letters of recommendation, Positive attitude & previous mobility, English proficiency.

Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Applicants are requested to send by email to gonzalo.seco@uab.cat :

  • CV.
  • Academic transcripts.
  • Names and contact of at least two references (optional)
Website for additional job details

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available
1
Company/Institute
Ericsson AB
Country
Sweden
City
Stockholm
Postal Code
164 80
Street
Torshamnsgatan 23
Geofield
Number of offers available
1
Company/Institute
Signal Processing for Communications and Navigation
Country
Spain
City
Bellaterra
Postal Code
08019
Street
Carrer de les Sitges, Cerdanyola del Valles
Geofield

Contact

State/Province
Barcelona
City
Cerdanyola del Valles
Website
Street
Campus UAB - Bellaterra
Postal Code
08193
E-Mail
gonzalo.seco@uab.cat

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