PhD position in AI-Driven RAN Optimization for 6G and O-RAN Architectures

About the Employer

Ghent University is a top-ranked University (ranked 90 worldwide according to the Shangai Ranking) located in Belgium. Employing more than 15.000 people, it is actively involved in education and research, management and administration, as well as technical and social service provision on a daily basis. It is one of the largest, most exciting employers in the area and offers great career opportunities. With its 11 faculties and more than 85 departments offering state-of-the-art study programmes grounded in research in a wide range of academic fields, Ghent University is a logical choice for its staff and students.

Within the faculty of Engineering and Architecture, the IDLab research group performs research on 1) connectivity and 2) data science & artificial intelligence. In these research areas we focus on 1) foundations, 2) system design, and 3) applications. IDLab collaborates with many universities and research centres worldwide and jointly develops advanced technologies with industry (R&D centers from international companies, Flanders’ top innovating large companies and SMEs, as well as numerous high-tech start-ups). In order to support the research, IDLab created a unique research infrastructure used in numerous national and international collaborations. IDLab is also a core research group of imec, the world-leading research and innovation hub in nanoelectronics and digital technologies. IDLab staff counts about 50 professors, 60 Post Doc researchers, 200 PhD researchers and 40 other staff members. These are spread over about 20 research teams.

The research for this PhD position will be conducted in the IDLab research cluster on Intelligent Wireless Networking.

Job Description

This PhD research aims to investigate beyond state-of-the art technology enablers for the next-generation cellular paradigm, called 6G. The main focus will be on Radio Access Network (RAN) optimisation mechanisms within the Open-RAN (O-RAN) framework to meet strict and diverse requirements of emerging use cases in the 6G era.

The research objectives include (but are not limited to): O-RAN based architectural integration of 5G/6G Terrestrial/Non-Terrestrial and Wi-Fi, development of advanced algorithms and optimisation techniques to enhance the performance and efficiency of the integrated RAN, spectrum management strategies for efficient utilisation of wireless resources and interference/jamming avoidance and methods for optimal unicast and multicast/broadcast transmissions, often empowering cutting edge AI/ML technologies such as Agentic AI, Wireless Physical Layer Foundation Model, etc..

The candidate will be validating and evaluating the developed mechanisms utilizing simulation tools and in-house cutting-edge cellular/Wi-Fi testbeds and tools.

Your main tasks will include:

• Studying state-of-the-art techniques and benchmarks in the domain of  the next generation O-RAN based wireless networks (including 6G both Terrestrial Network (TN) and Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN)(Satellite), and Wi-Fi).

• Design and implement novel techniques for next generation cellular communications, including among others RAN optimization with a focus on intelligent radio resource allocation, interference/jamming avoidance, cross-technology optimization (6G TN/NTN, Wi-Fi), empowering cutting edge AI/ML technologies such as Agentic AI, Wireless Physical Layer Foundation Model, etc.

• Collaborate towards a proof-of-concept implementation for testing and validating the created solutions using simulation and real-testbeds.

• Writing high-quality publications, targeting top journals and international conferences.

• You assist in limited educational tasks of the research group.

• Mentoring role by supervising master theses related to the subject of this PhD.

Your Profile

We are looking for a highly creative and motivated PhD student with the following qualifications and skills:

• You must have (or will receive in a few months) a Master’s degree in Computer Science Engineering, Master of Science in Information Engineering Technology, Master of Science in Electrical Engineering, or a related field.

• You are interested to do research in an academic environment for a 4 years period in view of a PhD degree.

• You have a strong background in wireless and mobile networks and machine learning.

• You have excellent coding skills; hands-on experience in programming languages, such as C++, Python, ….

• You have strong analytical skills to interpret the obtained research results.

• You are a team player and have strong communication skills.

• You can commit to timing and milestones set forward by different research projects.

• Your English is fluent (C1 CEFR level) both speaking and writing. 

Our Offer

• We offer a full-time position as a doctoral fellow, consisting of an initial period of 12 months, which - after a positive evaluation, will be extended to a total maximum of 48 months.

• The fellowship amount is 100% of the net salary of an AAP member in equal family circumstances. The individual fellowship amount is determined by the Department of Personnel and Organization based on family status and seniority. A grant that meets the conditions and criteria of the regulations for doctoral fellowships is considered free of personal income tax. Click here for more information about our salary scales

• All Ghent University staff members enjoy a number of benefits, such as a wide range of training and education opportunities, 36 days of holiday leave (on an annual basis for a full-time job) supplemented by annual fixed bridge days, bicycle allowance and eco vouchers. Click here for a complete overview of all the staff benefits (in Dutch).

Interested?

For further information, please contact Prof. Adnan Shahid, Ingrid Moerman, Dries Naudts, and/or Dr. Vasilis Maglogiannis.

How to apply?

Please apply via e-mail to Prof. Adnan Shahid. Applications should include:

• A motivation letter (highlighting why you believe you are a suitable candidate for the position & why you want this position).
• Curriculum Vitae.
• At least two reference contacts.
• Copy of your diploma (if already in your possession).
• Transcripts of study results.