Doctoral scholarship holder resilient communications for future 6G networks University of Antwerp in Belgium

Doctoral scholarship holder in resilient communications for future 6G networks at the University of Antwerp, within the Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Science, and the IDLab-UAntwerp research group embedded in imec.

This PhD project sits at the intersection of wireless communications, 6G networks, resilient cellular systems, and energy optimization. The research contributes to the imec.prospect Resilient Communications (ResCom) project, which aims to create resilient-by-design communication architectures that can maintain connectivity and service continuity during crises affecting both the public and emergency responders.

The core scientific objective is to develop novel energy optimization mechanisms for sustaining network operation during long-term energy provision failures. The work includes building energy consumption models for modern cellular base stations, accounting for multiple components such as idle static power, MIMO operation, pilots, dynamic bandwidth, and transmit-power-dependent consumption. The candidate will design graceful shutdown strategies so that network capabilities degrade in a controlled way over time, while also exploring how renewable energy sources can extend network lifetime.

Beyond energy-related failure scenarios, the broader ResCom project addresses resilience against communication jamming, backhaul failure, and core network failure. The project therefore offers a strong research environment for students interested in robust future communication infrastructures, experimental validation, and applied network engineering.

Research will be conducted in IDLab-UAntwerp, a core imec research group with around 100 members working on advanced wireless communications, integrated sensing and communications (ISAC), non-terrestrial networks, AI-driven future communication networks, and AI solutions. The project benefits from access to strong infrastructure, including a GPU lab, software-defined radios, programmable beamformers, an AI compute cluster, and a newly deployed 6G Perceptive Radio Lab.

The candidate will work under the supervision of Prof. Jeroen Famaey, collaborate closely with researchers at IDLab-UAntwerp, and contribute to technical reports, simulations, experiments, and publications in major conferences and journals in wireless communications, signal processing, and/or embedded computing. Teaching assistance in lab sessions may take up to 10% of the workload.

Eligible applicants should hold, or be close to obtaining, a master’s degree in Telecommunications Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Informatics, Computer Science, or a closely related field. Strong academic performance, a solid background in wireless communications and signal processing, programming experience in C/C++, Python, and/or Matlab, and excellent English proficiency are expected. Experience with energy-efficient communications, network energy modelling, optimisation, machine learning, SDR platforms such as USRP, and tools such as GNURadio, Matlab, or LabView is advantageous.

This is a doctoral scholarship for an initial period of one year, renewable after positive evaluation up to four years in total. The planned start date is between November 2026 and January 2027. The scholarship includes standard doctoral funding and additional employee-style benefits such as eco vouchers, internet-connectivity allowance, teleworking allowance, and either a bicycle allowance or full public transport reimbursement.

Applications must be submitted online by 28 September 2026. Applicants should upload the required degree documents, transcripts, motivation letter, CV, English proficiency certificate, and at least two references.