PhD Studentship in Wireless Communications and Signal Processing (Imperial College London & BBC R&D) Imperial College London in United Kingdom

Imperial College London, in partnership with BBC R&D, invites applications for a fully funded PhD studentship in Wireless Communications and Signal Processing. The successful candidate will join the Communications and Signal Processing Research Group within the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, working under the supervision of Professor Bruno Clerckx (Imperial College London) and Dr David Vargas (BBC R&D).

This project is supported by an EPSRC IDLA award and BBC R&D, offering a unique opportunity to collaborate with leading academic and industry experts. The research will focus on innovative multi-antenna processing approaches to enhance mobile broadband capacity in rural areas. Key topics include network deployment architectures (such as co-located versus distributed/cell-free MIMO), advanced transmitter architectures, and cutting-edge signal processing techniques (digital, analogue, and hybrid processing).

As a PhD student, you will develop expertise in communication theory, wireless communications, signal processing for communications, and microwave systems. The project emphasizes practical impact, with regular collaboration and mentoring from BBC R&D staff, ensuring that your research aligns with real-world industry needs. You will have access to advanced resources, opportunities for industry secondment, and support for travel to collaborators and conferences.

The studentship covers home tuition fees and provides a generous stipend at the UKRI London rate (approximately £22,780 per year, tax-free for 2025/26), plus a £5,000 per year industry top-up for four years. Research expenses and travel are also supported. Overseas applicants are welcome but must cover the difference between home and overseas fees.

Applicants should hold a first-class Master’s degree (or equivalent MSc) in Electrical and Electronic Engineering or a closely related discipline. Suitable backgrounds include wireless communications, communication theory, signal processing, and microwave systems. Candidates must be highly motivated and meet the eligibility requirements for postgraduate study at Imperial College London.

To apply, submit your application via the Imperial College London portal, selecting the Electrical and Electronic Engineering Research Program and Communications and Signal Processing Research Group. Indicate Professor Bruno Clerckx as your potential supervisor and include a covering letter, research statement, and CV. For further guidance or queries, contact [email protected].

The closing date for applications is 4 January 2026. The successful candidate should ideally be able to start on the first day of the 2026/27 academic year (26 September 2026).

Imperial College London is renowned for its focus on science, engineering, medicine, and business, consistently ranking among the top universities worldwide. This studentship offers an exceptional pathway to develop advanced skills and make a significant impact in the telecommunications industry.