15 Prestigious PhD Student Positions in beyond-5G mm-Wave Antenna Systems                                                 Domain: Antennas, integrated circuits and signal processing


 Are you looking for high quality doctoral-level training in and outside academia?

The European Innovative Training Network 'MyWave' on Efficient Millimetre-Wave Communications for beyond-5G wireless communications offers 15 prestigious, fully funded PhD student positions in the area of millimetre-wave antennas, integrated circuits and signal processing, starting in the autumn of 2019. The MyWave consortium consists of 8 leading European R&D laboratories from universities, industries, and technology institutes in the domain of wireless infrastructure which are located in The Netherlands, Sweden, Belgium and Germany.

Research:
Our society is on the brink of a new age with the development of new visionary concepts such as internet of things, smart cities, autonomous driving and smart industries. This stimulates the use of the mm-wave frequencies up to 100 GHz to support much higher data rates and to increase the capacity of mobile wireless communication systems to enable future beyond-5G infrastructure. This requires new system concepts such as Distributed Massive Multiple-Input-Multiple-Output (DM-MIMO) in which instead of a single base-station, the cell is covered by multiple remote antenna stations, all connected to a central unit. To overcome existing limitations, such as poor power efficiency and poor signal quality, MyWave will focus on an innovative antenna system concept utilizing both silicon and III-V semiconductor technologies, advanced signal processing concepts and radio-over-fibre interconnect between a central unit and the remote antenna stations.

MyWave establishes a unique and well-structured training network with leading R&D labs from European industries, universities and technology institutes in the domain of wireless infrastructure and a proven track-record in joint collaborations. The 15 Early Stage Researchers (ESRs) will form a research team that is embedded in leading industrial and academic R&D labs. This will bridge the gap between the various disciplines by uniting their research efforts to solve the challenges.
From the 15 individual PhD projects are 5 positions hosted by the TU/e. They are advertised seperately on the TU/e website.

Training programme:
MyWave will provide the PhD students with a comprehensive set of theoretical and practical skills relevant for innovation and long-term employability in a rapidly growing sector. This highly innovative training will cover several inter-disciplinary areas. Each PhD student will be enrolled in a doctoral programme and is jointly supervised by supervisors from the academic and industry sector. Each PhD student will do a secondment of 18 months abroad at one of the industrial partners (TU/e, CHALMERS, KIT, Fraunhofer, ERICSSON, NXP, KEYSIGHT, United Mondilithic Semiconductors (UMS), GAPWAVES, IMST).

PhD Position 'Multi-physics modelling for improving design-time and energy-efficiency of highly Integrated active antenna arrays'(secondment; KEYSIGHT Technologies)

At mmwaves, the active frontend components have to be directly integrated with the radiating elements. Due to the high density of radiating elements, the heat generated by the electronics has a major impact on the system performance and has to be taken into account during the design process. For this, accurate multiphysics modelling tools are required. This project aims at developing such a modelling framework by decomposing the structure into different computational domains. Each domain is calculated using the most suitable computational method for that physical structure. The interaction between the domains is taken into account by generalised (3D) scattering operators at the interfaces between the domains. In this way, high computational efficiency and accuracy can be radiating elements. Due to the high density of radiating elements, the heat generated by the electronics has a major impact on the system performance and has to be taken into
account during the design process. For this, accurate multiphysics modelling tools are required. This project aims at developing such a modelling framework by decomposing the structure into different computational domains. Each domain is calculated using the most suitable computational method for that physical structure. The interaction between the
domains is taken into account by generalised (3D) scattering operators at the interfaces between the domains. In this way, high computational efficiency and accuracy can be achieved, reducing the amount of design cycles while optimising the energy efficiency of the overall solution.

Applicants should have, or expect to receive, a Master of Science degree or equivalent in a computational discipline related to Electrical Engineering or Applied Physics discipline and should not have more than four years of research experience. In addition to the formal ESR qualifications, selection is also based on the performance of the candidates in other works (e.g. thesis and advanced level courses), as well as through interviews and assignments. Besides good subject knowledge, emphasis will be on creative thinking, motivation, ability to cooperate, initiative to work independently and personal suitability for research training. Previous experience in the area of antennas, electronics and signal processing as well as proficiency in using scientific and engineering software packages such as Matlab, ADS, etc. are advantageous. For the PhD positions the EU 'Mobility rules' apply. This means that candidate students cannot have resided for more than 12 months during the period of 3 years immediately before the start of the PhD, in the prospective host country (Example: a candidate student who has stayed in The Netherlands for more than 12 months in the last 3 years cannot be hired by the university in The Netherlands).

We offer a challenging job at a dynamic and ambitious university through a fixed-term appointment for a period of 4 years. The research in this project must be concluded with the attainment of a Ph.D. degree. As an employee of the university you will receive a competitive salary as well as excellent employment conditions. A salary is offered starting at € 2325, per month (gross) in the first year, increasing up to € 2972, per month (gross) in the last year. Moreover, an 8% bonus share (holiday supplement) is provided annually. Assistance for finding accommodation can be given. The university offers an attractive package of fringe benefits such as excellent technical infrastructure, child care, savings schemes, and excellent sports facilities. TU/e also offers you the opportunity for personal development by developing your social and communication skills. We do this by offering every PhD student a series of courses that are part of the PROOF program as an excellent addition to your scientific education.