PhD in Underwater Drone Swarms, Signal Processing, and Sensing at Ghent University and imec

A PhD position is available at Ghent University and imec for research on unified communication, localization, and sensing for autonomous underwater missions. The project focuses on developing hybrid signal processing approaches that combine localization, communication, and sensing using acoustic signals, with the goal of advancing underwater navigation and robotic swarm operations. The research will address challenges unique to underwater environments, such as multipath propagation, Doppler shifts, and signal attenuation, by designing novel acoustic modulation schemes and adaptive beamforming techniques. The candidate will work on both hardware and software aspects, including embedded system co-design for energy-efficient operation. The research group is multidisciplinary, with expertise in robotics, wireless communication, and embedded systems, and offers opportunities for collaboration with industry and defense partners. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in signal processing, communication systems, and embedded programming, with additional experience in PCB design and underwater acoustics considered a plus. The position is based in Ghent, Belgium, and offers the chance to contribute to high-impact research in marine robotics and environmental monitoring. Application instructions and further details are available via the provided links.