Designing Greener Wireless Systems: PhD Position in Energy-Efficient Wireless Transceivers KU Leuven in Belgium

This PhD position, hosted at imec in Leuven, Belgium, is a collaboration between imec and KU Leuven under the supervision of Prof. Sofie Pollin (KU Leuven) and Prof. Claude Desset (IMEC).

The research is situated within the WaveCoRE research centre in KU Leuven’s Department of Electrical Engineering, focusing on wireless communication fundamentals and systems. The project aims to address the growing energy consumption of wireless communication networks, especially as new frequency bands and advanced technologies are introduced for 6G and beyond. The main goal is to improve the energy efficiency of future wireless transceivers by developing predictive power consumption models and simulation environments. This will enable the exploration and optimization of various transceiver architectures and configurations before physical implementation, supporting both design and run-time control mechanisms for maximum energy efficiency.

The research will build on IMEC’s decade-long expertise in power modeling and optimization, integrating models for digital processing, analog front-end, and power amplifiers. Key challenges include adapting models for new frequency bands (such as FR3, 7–24 GHz), improving the accuracy of exploratory power models, linking digital power estimates to hardware design, and investigating trade-offs in advanced algorithms and architectures. The project also considers the broader sustainability and life cycle analysis of transceiver hardware, including the energy impact of machine learning solutions. As a PhD student, you will join a multidisciplinary team of experts in wireless communication, signal processing, digital and analog design, and machine learning, with access to imec’s world-class facilities.

You will have opportunities to publish in top journals and conferences, build an international network, and participate in collaborations. The position offers a four-year PhD scholarship (subject to positive evaluations), competitive salary, and funding for international activities.

Applicants should have a master’s degree in electrical engineering, telecommunication engineering, or a related field, with strong academic performance and English proficiency. Experience in wireless communications, signal processing, and digital or analog design is required, along with interpersonal skills for working in an international team. KU Leuven and imec provide an inclusive and diverse research environment.

Applications must be submitted via the imec website, referencing code 2026-152. For more information, contact Prof. Sofie Pollin or Prof. Claude Desset by email.