Postdoctoral Fellow and AI Scientist in Optical Wireless Communications, LiFi, and Lightweight AI/ML at University of Dubai

The University of Dubai is seeking candidates for two research positions as part of a 3-year RDI research project focused on LiFi, optical wireless communications, and lightweight AI/ML for adaptive systems. The project is a collaboration involving Prof. Diana W. Dawoud (University of Surrey), Prof. Harald Haas, and Prof. Boon Ooi, and aims to advance the state-of-the-art in optoelectronic receiver design and AI-driven system adaptation. Postdoctoral Fellow (Optoelectronic Receiver Design for Solar-Powered LiFi / Dual-Mode Photodetectors): The postdoctoral fellow will lead R&D on optoelectronic receiver hardware for a solar-powered optical wireless communication platform. Responsibilities include designing and prototyping a dual-mode photodetector array, developing front-end electronics, and establishing laboratory workflows for electro-optical characterization. The fellow will also support system integration, collaborate with the AI/software team, and contribute to technical reporting and publications. Applicants must have a PhD in Electrical Engineering, Photonics, Optoelectronics, Optical Communications, or a related field, with hands-on experience in photodetectors, lab instrumentation, and data analysis using Python or MATLAB. AI Scientist (Lightweight ML for SLIPT Control and Adaptive Optical Wireless Systems): The AI Scientist will provide part-time, specialized support for the design, training, and optimization of lightweight machine learning models enabling SLIPT control, adaptive modulation, and environment-aware prediction. The role involves dataset preprocessing, model prototyping, benchmarking, and collaboration with hardware teams. Candidates should have a PhD or MSc in Machine Learning, Computer Engineering, Data Science, or a related discipline, with strong Python-based ML skills and experience in lightweight modeling techniques. Both positions are funded as part of the RDI project, with the postdoctoral fellow being a full-time role and the AI Scientist a part-time, project-based position. The application deadline is February 25, 2026. For more information or to apply, candidates should use the University of Dubai career portal links or contact Prof. Diana W. Dawoud via LinkedIn. The project offers an excellent opportunity to work at the intersection of optical wireless communications, AI, and hardware systems, with collaboration across leading academic and industry partners.