This PhD position at KU Leuven, in collaboration with imec, focuses on the development of AI-enhanced digital signal processing (DSP) for wireless communications. The research is supervised by Prof. Sofie Pollin (KU Leuven) and co-supervised by Prof. Claude Dessert (IMEC), with the vacancy hosted primarily at imec in Leuven, Belgium. Imec is a world-leading research and innovation hub in nanoelectronics and digital technologies, working closely with KU Leuven to combine fundamental research with industrial partnerships. The WaveCoRE research centre in KU Leuven’s Department of Electrical Engineering (ESAT) specializes in wireless communication fundamentals and systems, with the Networked Systems group led by Prof. Pollin covering areas such as Cell-Free Massive MIMO, Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN), IoT, joint communication and sensing, machine learning-based signal processing, and SWIPT. The project aims to critically assess the state-of-the-art in machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) solutions for physical layer (PHY) DSP blocks in wireless systems. Traditionally, these blocks are designed using expert knowledge from communications theory, including filters, FFTs, modulation, coding, multiple-antenna operations, and hardware non-ideality compensation. The rise of AI has led to new approaches in PHY processing, with the potential to outperform traditional methods in certain scenarios, particularly for non-linear problems, hard-to-model behaviors, or cases with excessive complexity. The PhD researcher will review recent ML-based PHY solutions, identify the most promising DSP blocks for AI enhancement, and clarify which components cannot be improved by AI. The project involves refining criteria for AI relevance, selecting DSP blocks for new AI-based designs, developing and testing these solutions, and optimizing them for performance and complexity. The goal is to enable hybrid PHY implementations that combine traditional and AI-based blocks for optimal performance. The position offers a multidisciplinary research environment, access to imec’s world-class facilities, and collaboration with leading experts in wireless communication, signal processing, digital, analog, mm-wave design, and machine learning. The successful candidate will publish research in top-level journals and conferences, participate in international collaborations, and build an international network. The scholarship is for up to four years, subject to positive evaluations, and includes a competitive salary and funding. Applicants must have a master’s degree in electrical engineering, telecommunication engineering, or a related field, with exceptional grades and proficiency in English. Expertise in wireless communications and signal processing is required, with knowledge of channel modelling and MIMO considered a plus. Proficiency in Matlab or Python and strong interpersonal skills for working in an international team are also expected. KU Leuven is committed to diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity, providing a respectful and socially safe environment for all researchers.