Postdoctoral Position in Electrical Engineering
Royal Institute of Technology
Sweden

Project description

Third-cycle subject: Information and Communication Technology

Wireless communication technology has evolved over five generations, but the demand for higher efficiency, availability, and reliability is never-ending. The physical layer of 5G and 6G networks revolves around the multi-antenna MIMO technology. 5G uses 64 antennas in each base station and four antennas in devices, which might grow by 5-10 times in 6G. Combined with well-designed signal processing algorithms, these antennas can be used for beamforming, spatial multiplexing, and integrated communication and sensing (ISAC).

In this doctoral project, you will contribute to cutting-edge 6G MIMO technology research and develop new communication theory and signal processing algorithms. The focus might be on Gigantic MIMO, cell-free networks, near-field communications, MIMO satellite communications, or ISAC. The research will be focused on the physical and media access control layers. Methods from MIMO communication theory, array signal processing, optimization, and machine learning will likely play a vital role. The research will mainly be theoretical, but KTH has testbeds for potential experiments. However, we are not looking for microwave engineers because no antennas or hardware will be built.

You will join the world-leading research group of Prof. Emil Björnson (IEEE Fellow, Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher) and work at the Division of Communication Systems at the EECS school. The research is funded by external projects, so there will be good opportunities to interact with the telecom industry.

You can read the paper “Enabling 6G Performance in the Upper Mid-Band by Transitioning From Massive to Gigantic MIMO”, arXiv 2407.05630 to learn more about the research we plan to conduct within this project.

Supervision: Professor Emil Björnson, Cicek Cavdar, Ki Won Sung

What we offer

• The possibility to study in a dynamic and international research environment in collaboration with industries and prominent universities from all over the world.
• A workplace with many employee benefits and monthly salary according to KTH’s Doctoral student salary agreement.
• A postgraduate education at an institution that is active and supportive in matters pertaining to working conditions, gender equality and diversity as well as study environment.
• Work and study in Stockholm, close to nature and the water.
• Help to relocate and be settled in Sweden and at KTH.

Admission requirements

To be admitted to postgraduate education (Chapter 7, 39 § Swedish Higher Education Ordinance), the applicant must have basic eligibility in accordance with either of the following:

• passed a second cycle degree (for example a master's degree), or
• completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 second-cycle higher education credits, or
• acquired, in some other way within or outside the country, substantially equivalent knowledge

In addition to the above, there is also a mandatory requirement for English equivalent to English B/6.

Selection

In order to succeed as a doctoral student at KTH you need to be goal oriented and persevering in your work. During the selection process, candidates will be assessed upon their ability to:

• independently pursue his or her work
• collaborate with others,
• have a professional approach,
• analyse and work with complex issues,
• and communicate effectively in English.

After the qualification requirements, great emphasis will be placed on personal skills. 

Target degree: Doctoral degree

Information regarding admission and employment

Only those admitted to postgraduate education may be employed as a doctoral student. The total length of employment may not be longer than what corresponds to full-time doctoral education in four years ' time. An employed doctoral student can, to a limited extent (maximum 20%), perform certain tasks within their role, e.g. training and administration. A new position as a doctoral student is for a maximum of one year, and then the employment may be renewed for a maximum of two years at a time. In the case of studies that are to be completed with a licentiate degree, the total period of employment may not be longer than what corresponds to full-time doctoral education for two years.

Union representatives

Contact information for union representatives.

Doctoral section (Students’ union on KTH Royal Institute of Technology)

Contact information for doctoral section.

To apply for the position

Apply for the position and admission through KTH's recruitment system. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the advertisement.

Applications must be received at the last closing date at midnight, CET/CEST (Central European Time/Central European Summer Time).

Applications must include the following elements:

• CV including your relevant professional experience and knowledge.
• Application letter with a brief description of why you want to pursue research studies, about what your academic interests are and how they relate to your previous studies and future goals. (Maximum 2 pages long). You must indicate whether you are most interested in mobile networks or satellite communications.
• Copies of diplomas and grades from previous university studies and certificates of fulfilled language requirements (see above). Translations into English or Swedish if the original document is not issued in one of these languages.Copies of originals must be certified.
• Representative publications or technical reports. For longer documents, please provide a summary (abstract) and a web link to the full text.

Other information

Striving towards gender equality, diversity and equal conditions is both a question of quality for KTH and a given part of our values.

For information about processing of personal data in the recruitment process.

It may be the case that a position at KTH is classified as a security-sensitive role in accordance with the Protective Security Act (2018:585). If this applies to the specific position, a security clearance will be conducted for the applicant in accordance with the same law with the applicant's consent. In such cases, a prerequisite for employment is that the applicant is approved following the security clearance.

We firmly decline all contact with staffing, recruitment agencies and job ad salespersons.

Disclaimer: In case of discrepancy between the Swedish original and the English translation of the job announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence.

About KTH

KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm has grown to become one of Europe’s leading technical and engineering universities, as well as a key centre of intellectual talent and innovation. We are Sweden’s largest technical research and learning institution and home to students, researchers and faculty from around the world. Our research and education covers a wide area including natural sciences and all branches of engineering, as well as architecture, industrial management, urban planning, history and philosophy. Read more here