PhD Position: AI-enhanced DSP for Wireless Communications 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 co-supervision of Prof. Claude Dessert (IMEC). 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 research centre WaveCoRE in KU Leuven’s Department of Electrical Engineering (ESAT) focuses on 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 centers on the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into digital signal processing (DSP) for wireless communications, specifically at the physical layer (PHY). Traditionally, PHY DSP blocks are designed using expert knowledge from communications theory, including filters, FFTs, modulation, coding, multiple-antenna operations, and hardware non-ideality compensation. Recently, AI and machine learning (ML) have emerged as promising tools for enhancing PHY processing, especially for non-linear problems, hard-to-model behaviors, and cases where traditional solutions are too complex.

As a PhD researcher, you will critically review the state-of-the-art in ML-based PHY solutions, identify DSP blocks where AI can outperform traditional approaches, and clarify which components are best left to conventional methods. You will refine criteria for AI relevance, focusing on domains such as non-ideal hardware effects, interference, and complex mobile multi-path environments. In the second phase, you will select promising DSP blocks, propose new AI-based designs, and develop and test these solutions through extensive simulations. The goal is to enable hybrid PHY implementations that combine traditional and AI-based blocks for optimal performance and complexity trade-offs.

You will join a large imec community working on research, implementation, and prototyping of future communication systems, collaborating with experts in wireless communication, signal processing, digital, analog, mm-wave design, and machine learning. The position offers a unique opportunity to develop innovative, multidisciplinary technology and shape future wireless networks. You will publish your research in top-level journals and conferences and participate in international collaborations.

Eligibility: Applicants must hold 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; knowledge of channel modelling and MIMO is a plus. Proficiency with Matlab or Python and strong interpersonal skills for working in an international team are expected.

Funding: The position offers a PhD scholarship for up to four years (subject to positive evaluations), a competitive salary, and access to imec’s world-class facilities. You will benefit from an inclusive research environment and opportunities to build an international network through conferences and collaborations.

Application: Applications must be submitted via the imec website. Mention reference code 2026-015 on your application form. For more information, contact Prof. dr. ir. Sofie Pollin ([email protected]) or Prof. dr. ir. Claude Dessert ([email protected]).

KU Leuven is committed to diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity, fostering a respectful and socially safe environment for all researchers.