Frans Willems

The Eindhoven University of Technology invites applications for a PhD position in Hybrid FSO-RF-Fiber Channel Models and Transmission Schemes as part of the European Doctoral Network ANCHOR. This research opportunity is embedded in the ICT Lab of the Signal Processing Systems group within the Department of Electrical Engineering, offering a unique environment to advance the frontiers of wireless communications for 6G and beyond. The ANCHOR project addresses the growing demands for bandwidth, reliability, energy efficiency, and sustainability in next-generation networks. The focus is on hybrid networks that combine free-space optical (FSO), radio frequency (RF), and fiber links to enable flexible front-/mid-/backhauling in terrestrial and tropospheric scenarios. The successful candidate will develop accurate yet lightweight channel models for hybrid FSO-RF-Fiber links, design and optimize waveforms, modulation, coding, and low-level protocols, and propose innovative link architectures. The research will involve theoretical, simulation, and experimental analysis, supported by relevant simulation software and tools. As a PhD student, you will benefit from a comprehensive training program involving twenty-four international partners from academia, research institutions, and industry. Secondments at partner institutions and extensive networking opportunities are integral to the program. You will work closely with a dynamic team of approximately thirty researchers under the guidance of Professor Alex Alvarado and Professor Frans Willems, and collaborate with the Quantum & Terahertz Systems (QTS) team in the Electro-Optical Communications (ECO) group. Access to the Centre for Wireless Technology (CWTe) laboratory facilities will support your experimental work. The research themes include free-space optical communications, fiber communications, source and channel coding, information theory, security, and machine learning. The Department of Electrical Engineering at TU/e is renowned for its application-oriented research, international collaborations, and innovative approach to societal challenges. The university offers a vibrant academic community, excellent technical infrastructure, and a supportive environment for personal and professional growth. Employment conditions include a four-year full-time contract, competitive salary (scale P: €3,059–€3,881/month), year-end bonus, vacation pay, pension scheme, paid parental leave, commuting and internet allowances, and support for international candidates (including the 30% tax compensation scheme). You will spend a minimum of 10% of your time on teaching tasks, with opportunities to develop your teaching and coaching skills. Applicants must have a master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Communications Engineering, or Applied Physics with excellent grades, a research-oriented attitude, and proficiency in relevant software packages. Experience in signal processing, communication systems, channel modeling, and a strong understanding of physical-layer and data-link layer communications, information theory, and digital signal processing are advantageous. EU Mobility rules apply: candidates must not have resided in the Netherlands for more than 12 months in the 3 years before the PhD start. Fluency in English (C1 level) is required. To apply, submit your application online with a cover letter, CV, and contact information for three references. Only complete applications will be considered. The vacancy remains open until filled, with a deadline of March 2, 2026. For further information, contact Wim Korevaar at c.w.korevaar@tue.nl.

PhD opportunity at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) in the field of hybrid free-space optical (FSO), radio-frequency (RF), and fiber communications , as part of the EU-funded ANCHOR Doctoral Network. The project addresses future 6G and next-generation network challenges, with a focus on bandwidth, reliability, energy efficiency, sustainability, and extended coverage for terrestrial and aerial network components. The specific research topic is Hybrid FSO-RF-Fiber Channel Models and Transmission Schemes . The PhD will investigate combined FSO-RF-fiber links for flexible front-/mid-/backhauling in terrestrial and tropospheric networking scenarios. Main tasks include analyzing hybrid channels, developing accurate but lightweight channel models, designing jointly optimized transmission schemes, and proposing link architectures. The work also includes theoretical, simulation, and experimental evaluation, with expected contributions in waveform design, modulation, coding, and low-level protocols for hybrid channels. The PhD candidate will be embedded in the ICT Lab of the Signal Processing Systems group in TU/e’s Department of Electrical Engineering. The lab works on fundamental limits, data processing techniques, free-space optical communications, fiber communications, source coding, channel coding, multi-user information theory, security, and machine learning. The position also connects to the Quantum & Terahertz Systems (QTS) team in the Electro-Optical Communications (ECO) group and offers access to TU/e’s Centre for Wireless Technology (CWTe) . This is a structured doctoral training position within the ANCHOR consortium, involving 24 international academic, research, and industry partners. The candidate will benefit from a comprehensive training programme, secondments at partner institutions, and strong networking opportunities. The appointment is full-time for four years and includes teaching duties (minimum 10% of the employment over the PhD period, with up to 15% per year). Eligibility highlights include a master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Communications Engineering, or Applied Physics with excellent grades, strong motivation for research, interdisciplinary teamwork, interest in international collaboration, willingness to spend time abroad for secondments, and English proficiency at C1 level. EU mobility rules apply: applicants must not have resided in the Netherlands for more than 12 months during the three years immediately before the PhD start. Funding is provided through the EU-funded MSCA Doctoral Network ANCHOR , with salary and benefits according to the Dutch university collective labour agreement (scale P). The vacancy is open until the position is filled, and the posted deadline is 2026-08-30 . Contact for more information: Wim Korevaar (associate researcher), c.w.korevaar@tue.nl .