PhD Position Title
Doctoral Researcher in Microwave Engineering for Next-Generation Cellular Wireless
PhD Position Summary
Aalto University is where science and art meet technology and business. We shape a sustainable future by making research breakthroughs in and across our disciplines, sparking the game changers of tomorrow and creating novel solutions to major global challenges. Our community is made up of 13 000 students, 400 professors and close to 4 500 other faculty and staff working on our dynamic campus in Espoo, Greater Helsinki, Finland. Diversity is part of who we are, and we actively work to ensure our community’s diversity and inclusiveness. This is why we warmly encourage qualified candidates from all backgrounds to join our community.
The Department of Electronics and Nanoengineering conducts research and arranges related courses in the fields of electromagnetics, micro and nanotechnology, radio engineering, and space technology. The department research groups have active national and international collaboration with several institutes and companies. Research groups are working with world-class research facilities and instruments; the largest clean rooms in the Nordic countries are located in the Micro- and nanotechnology centre Micronova.
We are now looking for a talented and highly motivated
Doctoral Researcher in Microwave Engineering for Next-Generation Cellular Wireless
Cellular industry has been devoting significant efforts to enhance the fifth-generation (5G) cellular, aiming at 5G-advanced and sixth-generation (6G). One of the most distinguishing features of these next generation radios is improved service coverage AND higher data rates. However, coverage and data rate are actually trade-off metrics since the radio systems that try to offer abundant bandwidth for increasing data rates are also more prone to losses in signal power transmission over-the-air; this is the first technical challenge that we address during the doctoral study. The trade-off is pronounced for indoor users, particularly for those in low- and zero-energy buildings because the highly insulated air-tight building structures typically also block radio waves very effectively. Another distinguishing feature of the next generation cellular is the ability of privacy-respected sensing of surrounding environments and localization of targets by “re-using” the ambient radio communications signals. Environmental sensing and target localization of indoor users, aiming at efficient use of the energy and space and improved safety and security in the building, is typically realized by various types of cameras, but relying on optical cameras is associated with the risk of privacy violation; this is the second technical challenge to be tackled in the present doctoral thesis opportunity. The mentioned two challenges are addressed by developing indoor building elements that allow improved radio coverage for indoor users, as well as environmental sensing and target localization of indoor users. By installing many low-power indoor radio heads, connected to a base station, the proximity of the user to at least one of them ensures good signal coverage. Radio waves reach users with a smaller number of interactions with building structures, leading to smaller losses compared to the case of communicating with outdoor base stations. Furthermore, radio-based sensing and localization is inherently incapable of sensing privacy-related information of people, e.g., their physical appearance. Antenna-embedded building elements such as walls, windows, window or door frames, are therefore an attractive solution to achieve BOTH indoor radio coverage AND privacy-respecting sensing of environment and localization of targets.
Eligibility and requirements
In order to be eligible for the present open doctoral student position, interested applicants must have a valid certificate from an English proficiency test and that of a Master’s degree in relevant field of Electrical Engineering; see https://www.aalto.fi/en/doctoral-education/eligibility-and-language-requirements-in-doctoral-admissions for eligibility where cases not requiring the said certificates are also indicated. In addition, high average grade as well as excellent grades on courses like electromagnetic fields, antennas and microwave engineering are expected. Applicants may be a fresh M.Sc in electrical engineering, or gained already some experience of antennas, microwave components and/or systems in industry. We expect the applicants to be open-minded for new research, eager to learn more, and fit to teamwork. Experience of numerical computation and electromagnetic simulation tools is expected.
Our Offer
The expected starting salary for a doctoral researcher is approximately 2750 €/month and salary will increase with responsibilities and performance over time. The selected candidate will need to apply for the study right in doctoral studies at Aalto University School of Electrical Engineering. The following contracts are in two stages, ending up with the total of 4 years before which a doctoral thesis is supposed to be ready for reviews by external experts. As an employer, Aalto University provides excellent learning and development opportunities as well as occupational health care services, commuter ticket benefit and versatile physical activity services by Unisport. The contract includes occupational health benefits and Finland has a comprehensive social security system. The cost to move to Finland is at the applicant’s own expense. Preferable starting time is in the spring 2025.
Application Deadline
March 31, 2025
