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University of Auckland

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Funded PhD in Sunlight-Backscatter Communication for Maintenance-Free Environmental Sensing University of Auckland in New Zealand

Degree Level

PhD

Field of study

Computer Science

Funding

Fully funded three-year PhD position. Scholarship includes NZ$34,569 stipend per annum, tuition fee coverage, and additional research support for travel to conferences and collaborator visits. Applications from domestic and international candidates are welcome.

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Country

New Zealand

University

University of Auckland

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Keywords

Computer Science
Signal Processing
Electrical Engineering
Optics
Monte Carlo Simulation
Low-power Electronics
Field Experimentation
Embedded System
Mechatronics
Physics

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About this position

Funded PhD opportunity in sunlight-backscatter communication for maintenance-free environmental sensing at the University of Auckland, based in Dunedin, New Zealand. The project sits in the School of Computer Science and is supervised by Dr Talia Xu in collaboration with Prof. Wen Hu (University of New South Wales).

This is a systems-level, full-stack PhD focused on building resilient communication for remote, off-grid environmental sensing where power is scarce and infrastructure is unavailable. The research combines electrical engineering, computer science, mechatronics, wireless communications, signal processing, optics, embedded firmware, simulation, and outdoor field experimentation.

The core idea is to communicate by reflecting and modulating sunlight already present in the environment, enabling ultra-low-power sensing devices that can operate in maintenance-free settings. Key challenges include maintaining reliable links under changing sunlight and cloud conditions, designing ultra-low-power wake-up and data exchange mechanisms, and validating performance through network modeling and real-world deployments.

The position is fully funded for three years. The scholarship provides a NZ$34,569 annual stipend, tuition fee coverage, and additional support for research travel, including conferences and collaborator visits. Both domestic and international applicants are welcome.

Ideal applicants will have a strong background in computer and electrical engineering, computer science, physics, or a related field, plus practical skills in low-power circuits, analog/digital design, embedded systems, communications, optics, or programming for modeling and data analysis. A hands-on mindset and interest in building and testing real-world systems are especially valued.

To apply, email Dr. Talia Xu with a 1-page statement of interest, CV, and academic transcript(s). Applications are accepted all year round.

Funding details

Fully funded three-year PhD position. Scholarship includes NZ$34,569 stipend per annum, tuition fee coverage, and additional research support for travel to conferences and collaborator visits. Applications from domestic and international candidates are welcome.

What's required

Applicants should have a strong background in computer and electrical engineering, computer science, physics, or a related field. The ideal candidate should have a solid foundation in at least one core area: low-power circuits, analog/digital design, embedded systems, wireless protocols, signal processing, optics, or strong programming for modeling, simulation, and data analysis. A hands-on mindset and interest in building and testing real-world systems are emphasized.

How to apply

Email a brief 1-page statement of interest, CV, and academic transcript(s) directly to Dr. Talia Xu at [email protected]. The university will respond directly after enquiry.

More information can be found here

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