Doctoral student in Electrical Engineering focusing on sensing and Machine Learning for distributed MIMO systems

Description of the workplace

The Department of Electrical and Information Technology conducts high-quality research in a variety of areas in Electrical Engineering, ranging from pure theoretical research to applied projects in close collaboration with industry. The department consists of about 100 active researchers, divided into four main divisions; Communications Engineering, Electromagnetics and Nanoelectronics, Integrated Electronic Systems and Secure and Networked Systems. The position is associated to the Division of Communications Engineering. The research carried out at this division focuses on next generation wireless systems, from theory to practice.

Being a doctoral student

As a doctoral student, you are both admitted as a student and employed at Lund University.

As a doctoral student, you will be trained in a scientific approach. In short, you will be trained to think critically and analytically, to solve problems independently using the right methods, and to develop an awareness of research ethics. In addition, you will have the opportunity to work on projects, to develop your leadership and pedagogical skills. Throughout your studies, you will be guided by supervisors. Doctoral studies end with a thesis and a doctoral degree.
More about being a doctoral student at LTH on lth.se. 

Subject and project description

Wireless systems are becoming an increasingly important part of our everyday life. Using Machine Learning on measured wireless propagation channels as a means to observe the environment in which the system is deployed and perform detection and monitoring of intrusions, fire incidents, etc., has become an increasingly important topic, In particular, the current research direction towards distributed MIMO (D-MIMO) systems opens new and exciting possibilities, with better spatial resolution on measurements. 

The project ”Machine learning for sensing in distributed wireless systems” is a cooperation between Linköping University (LiU) and Lund University (LU). Two doctoral students, one at each university, will pursue this project in cooperation. The focus at LU, this position, is on wireless propagation studies, data collection and implementation of machine learning, while the LiU focus is on new models and methods for machine learning.
More about the project (elliit.se/project/machine-learning-for-sensing-in distributed-wireless-systems).

Work duties

You will primarily devote yourself to your doctoral programme, which includes participation in research projects as well as third cycle courses, seminars and conferences.

You will focus on wireless propagation studies, data collection and implementation of machine learning, centered around a world-leading real-time software-defined D-MIMO testbed, developed at the Department. The competence you develop on wireless D-MIMO, and implementation of machine learning in these systems, complements the work performed at LiU. Together with the doctoral student at LiU you will advance the knowledge about, and understanding of, the new possibilities for sensing brought by future D-MIMO-based wireless systems in combination with machine learning.

The duties also include participation in teaching and other departmental work (however, a maximum of 20% of working hours).

Qualifications

To be eligible for admission and employment as a doctoral student, you must fulfil the requirements below.

Admission requirements 

A person meets the general admission requirements for third-cycle courses and study programmes if the applicant: 

• has been awarded a second-cycle qualification, or
• has satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second cycle, or
• has acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.

A person meets the specific admission requirements for third cycle studies in Electrical Engineering if the applicant has: 

• at least 60 second-cycle credits in subjects of relevance to Electrical Engineering, or.
• a MSc in Engineering in Biomedical Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Engineering Mathematics, Nanoengineering, Engineering Physics or Information and Communication Engineering.

Additional requirements

In order to complete the doctoral programme in question, the following are also required:

• Very good knowledge of English, spoken and written.
• Good ability to work independently and to formulate and tackle research problems.
• Good written and oral communication skills.
• Good ability to cooperate.

Other qualifications

For the doctoral programme in question, the following are considered as other qualifications:

• Good knowledge of wireless communication systems, especially in the context of multiantenna systems.
• Fundamental knowledge of signal processing techniques for communication.
• Experience from using/implementing machine learning and related tools.
• Good programming skills in MATLAB and/or Python.
• Fluency in mathematics, especially within linear algebra and optimization.

We offer

Lund University is a public authority which means that employees get particular benefits, generous annual leave and an advantageous occupational pension scheme. 
More about working at Lund University on lu.se. 

About the employment

The employment is a fixed-term employment at full time, starting as soon as possible by agreement, however no later than December 1, 2026.
Third cycle studies at LTH consist of full-time studies for 4 years. In the case of teaching and other departmental duties, the employment is extended accordingly. Doctoral studentships are regulated in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), chapter 5, 1-7 §§. 
More about terms of employment for doctoral students on Lund University’s Staffpages. 

How to apply

Applications shall be written in English and include:

• CV and a cover letter stating the reasons why you are interested in the doctoral programme/employment and in what way the research project corresponds to your interests and educational background.
• Copies of issued study certificates and/or awarded degree certificates. These must confirm that you meet the general and specific admission requirements for the doctoral programme and show that you have the subject knowledge required for the doctoral programme project.
• Other documents you wish to be considered (grade transcripts, contact information for your references, letters of recommendation, etc.)

We welcome your application.

About the Faculty of Engineering