PhD student position in wireless network information theory at Chalmers University, Sweden

At the Department of Signals and Systems, we conduct world-leading research in biomedical engineering, antennas, signal processing, control, automation, mechatronics and communication systems. Our research deals to a large extent with the modeling and development of efficient systems for extracting and processing information. Systems our researchers deal with include for instance e-Health, hearing aids, robotics, power chains, and mobile telephony.

The department has about 120 employees, divided into three research divisions and one administrative unit. A majority of our activities are gathered at campus Johanneberg, except for some research in medical engineering which is done at Sahlgrenska and an education unit at campus Lindholmen. The department offers more than 70 courses, of which are most included in the Masters Programs; "Biomedical Engineering", "Systems, Control and Mechatronics", and "Communication Engineering".
Information about the division
The research at the Division of Communication Systems and Information Theory is focussed on methods and algorithms for digital communication systems. We are involved in the design of next-generation cellular communication systems, of vehicular communication systems to enable traffic safety, of fibre-optic communication systems, and of hardware-constrained communication links. Our research is diverse and includes fundamental studies as well as application-driven and multidisciplinary projects. The Division employs about 35 persons, a number that will increase in the near future, as we have been successful in attracting research grants. We offer an intellectually stimulating, international research environment with many opportunities for collaboration around the world. English is the working language. Candidates of any nationality are welcome to apply.

Job description
The candidate will join a research team whose current goal is to design autonomous and flexible wireless communication networks that achieve unprecedented network throughput. We use tools from information theory, communication theory, and applied mathematics to

• develop accurate yet analytically tractable models for wireless communication networks; 
• derive realistic fundamental limits on the throughput achievable on wireless communication networks when the cost of acquiring synchronization and network knowledge, and the limitations due to latency constraints are taken into account 
• devise novel communication strategies that optimally exploit network coordination.

The research objective for the Ph.D. student position is to assess the impact of channel uncertainty, imperfect synchronization, and transceiver impairments on the capacity of wireless communication networks. By means of information-theoretic tools, the candidate will determine the cost of acquiring network knowledge in wireless communication networks and devise communication strategies that maximize the effective data throughput, once the cost of acquiring network knowledge is accounted for.

The Ph.D. position is supported by a grant from the Swedish Research Council.

A Ph.D. student position is an appointment that offers the opportunity to obtain a Ph.D. degree. With a Ph.D. degree in this area, you will be in great demand from Swedish as well as international industry. You will have also a solid basis for further academic research. The employment is limited to a maximum of five years.  Up to 20% of this time will be used for undergraduate teaching and other departmental work, and the remaining part is devoted to research and to the courses required for a Ph.D. degree. A monthly salary is paid. The position can commence in Spring 2013.

Qualifications
You should have a Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering, Engineering Physics, Applied Math, or similar, and high grades in the core courses. A strong background in mathematics is required; knowledge of information theory and wireless communication systems is an advantage as well as skills in simulation techniques. You should be fluent in English (both written and spoken), be an independent, proactive thinker with excellent collaborative skills, and be able to communicate your results in writing and in presentations.

The undergraduates are normally taught in Swedish, although the graduate level teaching is in English. Thus good language skills are required. Applicants who do not have Swedish as native language should be able to teach in Swedish after two years of employment.
Application procedure

The application should be marked with Ref 20120356 and written in English. The application should be sent electronically and be attached as pdf-files, as below:

1. Application: (Please name the uploaded document in ReachMee as: APPLICATION, family name, ref. number)
   - CV,
   - attested copies of education certificates, including grade reports and other documents, English language test, e.g. TOEFL score,
   - letters of recommendation from academic institutions and/or previous employers (optional),
2. A letter of application detailing your specific qualifications for the position (named: QUALIFICATIONS, family name, ref. number)
   - maximum one A4 page
3. Publications: (named: PUBLICATION, family name, ref. number)
   - relevant work such as bachelor's or master's thesis (or outline of a thesis under preparation).

Please use the button at the foot of the page to reach the application form. The files may be compressed (zipped).

Application deadline: 2012-12-30

For questions, please contact:
Assistant professor
Giuseppe Durisi
Communication systems
durisi@chalmers.se
+46 31 772 18 02

Chalmers University of Technology conducts research and education in engineering sciences, architecture, technology-related mathematical sciences, natural and nautical sciences, working in close collaboration with industry and society.

The strategy for scientific excellence focuses on our eight Areas of Advance; Built Environment, Energy, Information & Communication Technology, Life Science, Materials Science, Nanoscience & Nanotechnology, Production and Transport. The aim is to make an active contribution to a sustainable future using the basic sciences as a foundation and innovation and entrepreneurship as the central driving forces. Chalmers has around 10,000 students and 2,800 employees. New knowledge and improved technology have characterised Chalmers since its foundation in 1829, completely in accordance with the will of William Chalmers and his motto: Avancez!