About the research group and the project
The Signal Processing in Communications Group is looking for motivated candidates to pursue a doctoral degree and to be enrolled in the PhD Program in Information and Communications Technology (Doc_TIC from the University of Vigo, Spain.
GPSC is an internationally recognized research group in the area of wireless communications, having ample experience in baseband signal processing, waveform analysis, terrestrial television, satellite communications, spectrum monitoring, etc. The group counts with a strong network of top international collaborators in academia and industry, offering a wide range of possibilities for research stays and internships. Many GPSC alumni have achieved positions in industry-leading international tech companies, as well as in academic and government institutions across Europe.
We offer a 4-year pre-doctoral position under the project Advanced Signal Processing in Perceptive Next-generation Networks (ASPEN), funded by the program “Proyectos de Generación de Conocimiento 2025 Agencia Estatal de Investigación MINISTERIO DE CIENCIA E INNOVACIÓN" of the government of Spain (ref. PID2025-167766OB-C21). ASPEN will explore wireless signal processing and network architecture solutions that exploit simultaneous location and communication techniques to support next-generation wireless services; and to develop robust, low-complexity signal processing techniques for Integrated Sensing and Communications (ISAC) transceivers balancing the requirements in terms of data rate, sensing accuracy, and efficiency.
Depending on the focus subject of their thesis, the PhD student will contribute to the project in one or more of the following topics: i) Signal processing algorithms for ISAC, including full-duplex and multi-antenna systems, hybrid beamforming, waveform design, and security and privacy against eavesdropping. ii) Technologies for ISAC including compressed sensing-based channel modeling and estimation, location algorithms, joint estimation and reception, channel ray-tracing, and training sequence design. iii) Perception-based algorithms for physical layer (PHY) management in ISAC wireless systems, including limited feedback channel state information, link adaptation, precoder selection, and radio resource allocation. iv) Research and development of Open Source tools for wireless communications, including standard 3GPP technologies and the application of Machine Learning approaches to the PHY and MAC layers, with emphasis on perception-enhanced techniques such as channel prediction and charting.
What is funded
The contract will be full-time and cover a maximum of 4 years. This period may include a post-doctoral period of up to 12 months, if the PhD degree is obtained within the first 36 months. Tuition fees in the PhD program and research stays are also covered as per the conditions of the funding institution, which establish a gross salary of 25.400 €/year. Note that in Spain, every employment contract includes benefits such as health insurance and unemployment coverage.
Eligibility criteria
- Master’s degree in Telecommunications/Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or Mathematics, with a strong background in signal processing, digital communications and/or wireless networks.
- Excellent academic record.
- Fluent in English and possess excellent communication skills.
- Specific Requirements:
- Background (Research/Professional) in digital signal processing and statistics for communications (modulation, channel estimation, detection, estimation, equalization, etc.).
- Background (Research/Professional) in state-of-the-art wireless networks (5G / WiFi7 / etc.).
- Background (Research/Professional) in digital communications and channel characterization (digital transmitters and receivers, MIMO signal processing, multicarrier waveforms, Doppler characterization, propagation, multipath, spectrum analysis, ray tracing, radio location, etc...).
- Proficient use of high-level numeric computation languages and simulation development for communications (MATLAB, Python, R, channel simulators, SDR equipment, and similar technologies…).
Candidates must meet the eligibility criteria for the Doc_TIC program. Candidates must have at least a Spanish Master’s degree, or a degree in the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) that grants access to the PhD program, or any other degree equivalent to the European Qualifications Framework level 7; in the fields of Telecommunications Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or Mathematics. Preference will be given to candidates with a strong background in digital signal processing, wireless communications, wireless networks, statistics, or electromagnetism. Applications from candidates unable to certify the required academic degree will be directly rejected.
Recruitment process
The official application process will be conducted through the University of Vigo. Participating in the EoI phase is neither a requirement nor a merit for the official application process, the EOI is merely an early-informative step.
The full process has the following stages (chronologically):
- Candidates submit an Expression of Interest (EoI) by October 31st.
- Once the official University of Vigo call applications is open, an email will be sent to all tentative candidates who have submitted EoIs to notify them of this fact. Candidates will then proceed to the submission of their formal application. Bear in mind that following the application process is mandatory.
- The selection committee will evaluate those applications received through the official application process. After this point the selection procedure, calendar and committee decisions will follow the guidelines established in the University of Vigo call.
EoI requirements:
Prospective applicants should provide an up-to-date CV, letter of motivation, and the names and contact details of at least one referee qualified to comment on their scientific/professional track record and expertise. Please send the documents to: gomezcuba@gts.uvigo.es