"Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action (MSCA) Doctoral Candidate position in integrated circuits and signal processing for large-array transceivers in next-generation communication systems"

The Electrical Engineering unit at the Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences, Tampere University, invites applications for a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action (MSCA) Doctoral Candidate position.

The position is part of the EU-funded MSCA Doctoral Network ANCHOR and corresponds to Doctoral Candidate. The successful candidate will contribute to advancing energy-efficient, high-performance communication systems for next-generation wireless infrastructures.

About the ANCHOR Doctoral Network

ANCHOR is an EU-funded Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network that brings together leading universities and industry partners to train 15 doctoral candidates in next-generation communication technologies. The network addresses key challenges in future wireless infrastructures — including spectrum harmonization, 3D coverage, mobility, latency, capacity, and energy efficiency — by advancing integrated solutions across radio, THz, and optical domains. Through interdisciplinary research, international secondments, and structured cross-sectoral training, ANCHOR equips its doctoral candidates with strong theoretical foundations and practical expertise to drive innovation in Europe’s future telecommunications landscape. More information about ANCHOR network can be found here.

Job Description

The research focuses on developing signal processing concepts and energy-efficient, high-performance integrated circuit architectures for large-array transceivers in future communication systems, with emphasis on beamforming, near-field, and advanced receiver signal processing.

The Doctoral Candidate will:

• Develop and validate signal processing concepts for efficient large-array systems
• Design energy-efficient hardware architectures for beamforming
• Perform system-level modelling and simulations (e.g., MATLAB or similar tools)
• Design, tape out, and experimentally characterize integrated circuit prototypes
• Disseminate results through leading international journals and conferences
• Develop research collaboration with DCs in the Tampere University, ANCHOR network

The position includes secondments of 6 months at University College London (UCL) and 4 months at Altice Labs (Portugal), providing direct exposure to both academic and industrial research environments.

In addition to research duties, the candidate will complete all doctoral degree requirements at Tampere University, contribute to ANCHOR project deliverables, participate in network-wide training events, and actively disseminate results through scientific and professional channels. High-quality scientific publishing is expected throughout the project.

Requirements

This position follows the rules of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Networks.

To be eligible:

• The applicant must not hold a PhD degree at the time of recruitment.
• The applicant must hold a relevant master’s degree by the time the employment begins (start date: 01.08.2026, or as soon as possible thereafter, but no later than 31.12.2026).
• The applicant may be of any nationality.
• The applicant must comply with the MSCA mobility rule: they must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Finland for more than 12 cumulative months in the 36 months immediately before the recruitment date. Compulsory national service, short stays (e.g., holidays), and time spent as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention are not considered.

In addition, the selected candidate must apply for and be granted the right to pursue doctoral studies at Tampere University. A doctoral candidate must enroll as a doctoral student no later than six months after the start of the contract. Please visit the admissions webpage for more information on the requirements for the same. Formal English language requirements must be fulfilled by the time of enrollment in the doctoral program (not necessarily at the time of applying). Strong written and spoken English skills are essential for success in this position.

Desired Skills and Profile

We are seeking a highly motivated and research-oriented candidate with a strong interest in integrated circuit design and future communication systems, and a clear ambition to pursue a doctoral degree. The applicant should hold an M.Sc. (or equivalent) in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or a closely related discipline.

The ideal candidate is intellectually curious, open to acquiring new skills, and able to work rigorously and independently while contributing effectively to a collaborative, international research environment. Interest in an academic or industrial research career is highly valued. Experience in one or more of the following areas is considered advantageous, the more, the better.

• Knowledge in signal processing and system-level modelling
• Strong skills with numerical modelling and simulation tools (e.g., MATLAB, Python)
• Good knowledge in digital circuit and DSP hardware design
• Strong hands-on skills in ASIC design methodologies (e.g., HDL-based design, simulation, synthesis, place-and-route workflows)
• Good knowledge in analog circuit design
• Strong skills in analog/RF circuit design and simulation with tools like Cadence Virtuoso
• FPGA or RF-SoC prototyping experience

Hands-on experience with industry-standard EDA tools (e.g., Cadence, ModelSim or equivalent) is beneficial.

We offer

The doctoral candidate will be guided by a distinguished and internationally recognized supervisory team... [abbreviated for brevity, but include full if space]

The position is based at Tampere University’s Hervanta campus... Salary: fully funded 36-month fixed-term... estimated gross monthly salary is approximately €3,950... €4,450...

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted through Tampere University’s online recruitment system... deadline **7 April 2026**... Include cover letter, CV, degrees, transcripts.