The Internet forms the backbone of today's economy and society. However, the energy consumption of the Internet is getting out of hand: it is projected to consume one fifth of global energy by 2025! This huge energy consumption also makes the Internet vulnerable to failures of its energy resources, for example due to low solar panel productions.

Therefore, our goal in this collaborative project between Computer Science, Mathematics and Integrated Circuit Design (Electrical Engineering) is to make the Internet energy-efficient and resilient towards energy failures.

We are looking for three PhD students in this interdisciplinary project who will work on one of the following related topics:

Focus is on the energy efficiency of wireless access networks, particularly WiFi and 5G. You will design and develop resource allocation algorithms for WiFi/5G networks to ensure high energy efficiency by finding the best operation parameters such as frequency, bandwidth, and antenna configurations. While the underlying hardware, so-called software-defined radios, facilitate this flexible operation by tuning various parameters of a wireless device, these different operation settings will lead to different energy consumption and latency figures that must be considered in resource allocation. You will investigate how to use the state-of-the-art networking paradigms and protocols to decrease the energy footprint of wireless access networks.

This PhD is part of the Design and Analysis of Communication Systems (DACS) group and supervised by dr. Suzan Bayhan and prof. Geert Heijenk.

Focus is on how the structure of the internet network and its energy supply affects internet outages. Different types of internet links (wireless/wired) and energy sources react differently to failures. Therefore, you will first create realistic mathematical models of 5G and its energy supply that take this into account, using random graph models. You will then investigate how this model reacts to probabilistic energy failures: what happens when some energy resources break down with some probability? Finally, you will investigate how to make 5G more robust against energy shortages. For example, can we predict which part of the internet will break down when an energy resource fails? And can we use optimization to find alternative paths for wireless signals to prevent these internet outages?

This PhD is part of the Mathematics of Operations Research group, and supervised by dr. Clara Stegehuis and prof. Nelly Litvak.

This PhD student would work towards circuit and system level development of low power solutions in a fully programmable Software Defined Radio application for mainstream communication devices such as in WiFi and 5G. Various building blocks such as filters, mixers, N-path circuits would be optimized from the perspective of power consumption with an aim for achieving programmability. We have access to advanced CMOS fabrication technology nodes for realizing the design solutions envisaged in this project to actual test-chip prototype and a well-equipped laboratory for evaluation of the test-chips.

This PhD student will be based at the Integrated Circuit Design Group, chaired by Prof. Bram Nauta

• (PhD1) You have, or are about to get, a MSc degree in Computer Science or in a closely related program. You have a strong background in communication networks, are familiar with optimization theory and/or mathematical modeling, and interested in applying this knowledge in wireless communication networks;
• (PhD2) You have, or are about to get, a MSc degree in in Mathematics, Physics, Network Science or in a closely related program. You are familiar with probability theory, graph theory and/or network science and you have some programming experience. You are interested in applying this knowledge on energy and internet networks;
• (PhD3) You have a MSc degree with excellent grades in Electrical Engineering, and a specialization in Analog or RF circuit design is must;
• You are a fast and independent thinker with good analytical and communication skills;
• You are an excellent teammate and are excited to work with scientists from different backgrounds;
• You are proficient in English.

1. Fill in our obligatory questionnaire via this link: https://forms.gle/FmgVrG8APRXPJFKL8.
2. AND click on the “Apply now” button at the end of the page.

The deadline to apply is August 7, 2020. The selection procedure includes an assessment, interview and scientific presentation. Interviews can already take place before the closing date when good candidates are found. The starting date can be as early as possible after the appointment.

The application should include:

• A motivation letter (maximum 2 pages A4) emphasizing your motivation, which position you are applying for (PhD1, PhD2, or PhD3) and your qualifications for this position,
• A detailed CV, summarizing your education, previous work experience, publication list (if available) and contact details of at least 2 referees,
• A list of all courses attended and grades acquired during your MSc and BSc courses,
• Your MSc thesis if available at the time of application,
• For PhD3: your TOEFL or IELTS score to verify the English proficiency.

For more information, please contact dr. Suzan Bayhan (PhD student 1, s.bayhan@utwente.nl, or dr. Clara Stegehuis (PhD student 2, c.stegehuis@utwente.nl. For information about PhD3 vacancy, please contact dr. Harijot Bindra h.s.bindra@utwente.nl

We offer 4-year, full time research position on a highly relevant topic, in a dynamic and international environment. The University of Twente (UT) offers excellent working conditions, an exciting scientific environment, and a green and lively campus with lots of sports facilities and an international scientific community!

• Salary ranging from € 2.395,- gross at the start to € 3.061,- gross in the 4th year.
• Excellent benefits including a holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary, a bonus of 8.3%.
• You will receive good secondary conditions, in accordance with the collective labour agreement CAO-NU for Dutch universities.
• We will make training program in with a plan for additional suitable education and personal development training.
• As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the Twente Graduate School.
• We provide an opportunity to work and interact with scientists from different academic backgrounds on a highly relevant project that is on the boundary between academic fields.

The University of Twente. We stand for life sciences and technology. High tech and human touch. Education and research that matter. New technology which drives change, innovation and progress in society. The University of Twente is the only campus university in the Netherlands; divided over five faculties we provide more than fifty educational programmes. The University of Twente has a strong focus on personal development and talented researchers are given scope for carrying out pioneering research.

The faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) comprises three disciplines that shape Information and Communication Technology. ICT is more than communication. In almost every product we use mathematics, electronics and computer technology and ICT now contributes to all of societies' activities. The faculty works together intensively with industrial partners and researchers in the Netherlands and abroad and conducts extensive research for external commissioning parties and funders. The research which enjoys a high profile both at home and internationally, has been accommodated in the multidisciplinary research institutes MESA+, CTIT and MIRA.