Open position: 2 PhD Studentships in Wireless Communications/ Machine Learning
Duration 4 Years
Funding / Stipend: The PhD position is funded for 4 years, including a monthly stipend and a travel budget to present at international conferences, workshops and seminars. The studentship will cover fees and a stipend of € 18,500 per annum.
Contact Dr John Dooley
Closing Date 5pm (GMT) on Friday, 4 Feb 2022
General Research Theme of the PhD Projects
Industrial and residential customers of cellular network operators (e.g. Vodafone) are demanding higher capacity, lower latency and higher data-rate solutions in order to realise new and emerging solutions for industrial automation, autonomous vehicles and internet of things (IoT). Major advances are needed beyond the current wireless infrastructure deployed today. A fundamental change in the division of tasks between hardware and software in basestations is going to happen. It will be the inventors of the most innovative and practical solutions that stand to create the biggest impact and provide the most competitive products for future generations of cellular networks.
The objective of this project is to design, build and test a proof-of-concept for 6G cellular communications systems, building on the current state-of-the-art for high-speed wireless communications. Machine learning and artificial intelligence techniques are becoming a powerful tool in wireless communications; research applications include network optimisation, antenna design, modelling and linearization. However, it is only with the knowledge of the limitations of the hardware used in these networks that one can optimise performance most effectively.
The project is based initially on 5G hardware, for which there are sub 6GHz and mmWave hardware testbenches in Maynooth University. Recently proposed machine learning techniques form a starting point for the publications that will come from this project and we are working closely with two semi-conductor companies working on 6G hardware. The group in Maynooth University is also a very active member of two Science Foundation Ireland research centres, namely: CONNECT and ADVANCE CRT. There are approximately 10 third level institutions in Ireland within these centres, plus a much wider network of international collaborators from academia and industry.
Outputs from this project will be extremely desirable to both the academia and industry as the planning for 6G commercial solutions are expected to begin in earnest by 2024. The two PhD projects will focus on the development and optimisation of the hardware and software solutions for 6G infrastructure to solve wide bandwidth signal generation, low latency hardware design, network edge intelligent functionalities and wider network performance optimisation.
PhD Studentship
The PhD position is funded for 4 years, including a monthly stipend and a travel budget to present the research outputs at international conferences, workshops and seminars. The studentship will cover fees and a stipend of € 18,500 per annum. The successful candidate will be enrolled on the PhD programme in the Department of Electronic Engineering at Maynooth University. The successful candidate will write their thesis on topics related to Machine Learning and System Design for 6G Wireless Communications, supervised by Dr John Dooley for the entire duration of their PhD programme.
The successful candidate will be an integral part of the overall research programme that Dr Dooley is leading around the topic of emerging wireless communications systems. The successful candidate will be prepared to work with Dr Dooley’s network of collaborators who are among the leading scholars working on state-of-the-art technologies in electronic engineering, RF and Microwave hardware, machine learning, field programmable gate arrays and mathematics.
In addition to PhD supervision, the successful candidate, where relevant, will benefit from a wide range of training activities, namely, a range of modules for transferable skills such as research integrity, research management, entrepreneurship, patents, etc. The student may also benefit from summer/winter schools and an overseas research visit to our collaborators in the US and UK.
The successful candidate will be supported to present their research findings at major international conferences, workshops and seminars within the scope of their research projects.
Duties and Responsibilities
Undertake postgraduate research in the area of agreed research project.
Work closely with the academic supervisor to ensure that the progress of the individual project is in line with the objectives of Dr Dooley’s research programme.
Work effectively within a wider team that includes world-renowned researchers from industry and academia.
Attend and participate in all training events and supervisory meetings.
Prepare PhD progress reports.
Present and publish research outputs to both academic and non-academic audiences.
Attend and participate in academic and non-academic conferences, events and seminars.
Contribute to teaching/training of undergraduate and postgraduate project students working with Dr. Dooley’s group.
As the description of the duties and responsibilities cannot be exhaustive, it is worth mentioning that the PhD student may be required to undertake other duties that are broadly in line with the objectives of their research projects.
Qualifications, Expected Skills and Competencies
PhD applicants must hold at least a first or upper second-class honours Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical, Electronic Engineering, Physics, Computer Science or a related discipline.
Excellent background in mathematics/signal processing/electronics.
An aptitude for experimental work.
Strong mathematical, analytical, and programming skills.
Highly proficient English language skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication, including presentation skills.
Excellent organisational skills, attention to detail and the ability to meet deadlines.
Ability to think logically, create solutions and make informed decisions.
Willingness to work collaboratively in a research environment.
A strong commitment to their own continuous professional development.
Application Process / Additional Information
Applications must be sent by e-mail to Dr John Dooley ([email protected]). Early applications are strongly encouraged.
Applications should include:
A cover letter explaining the applicant’s motivation and interest in the project topic. Any relevant background and/or experience needs to be mentioned.
A Curriculum Vitae that includes the applicant’s educational qualifications and any scientific publications and achievements.
Academic transcripts.
Two academic references.
Informal enquiries concerning the advertised position, accompanied with the CV and a motivation letter, can be made to Dr John Dooley ([email protected]).
Applications will close at 5pm (GMT) 4th Feb 2022. The received applications will be analysed after the application deadline, and the shortlisted candidates will be invited to a Skype interview.