Job description
Are you passionate about the theory, architecture and system-level design of future optical communication networks? This postdoc position focuses on multi-user free-space optical (FSO) satellite communication: moving from today’s point-to-point laser links towards scalable point-to-multipoint systems that can serve many users from a single satellite. You analyze communication architectures and trade-offs needed to enable secure, robust and cost-efficient laser communication systems for future…
space applications. Over the past decades MIMO has played a pivotal role in RF communications and with this position we pave the way to MIMO for FSO applications.
Information
Critical communication links are increasingly vulnerable to interference and jamming. Free-space optical communication is a promising complementary technology to radio-frequency communication because narrow laser beams are difficult to intercept and disturb. However, current laser communication terminals typically support only one counter-terminal at a time, while future scenarios require a single satellite to serve tens of users or platforms simultaneously, at a fraction of the cost.
This postdoctoral position focuses on the physical-layer theory and architecture of multi-user MIMO free-space optical FSO communication systems. Starting from a generalized satellite-to-multiple-user use case, you will define system requirements, channel models and key performance indicators (KPIs) such as the number of simultaneous users, data rate, coverage area, latency, availability, power efficiency and complexity.
You will investigate how optical power, bandwidth and spatial resources can be allocated across multiple users using time-, frequency-, space- and code-domain multiple access techniques, including TDMA, FDMA, SDMA and hybrid schemes. A central objective is to identify the fundamental communication- and information-theoretic trade-offs between user capacity, throughput, quality of service, coverage, security, hardware complexity and cost, and to determine the fundamental physical limits of multi-user FSO systems.
The research includes a state-of-the-art study of MIMO techniques for FSO communications, the translation of relevant concepts from RF massive MIMO to optical satellite links, and the development of analytical frameworks for comparing candidate architectures. The outcomes are expected to guide the design of scalable point-to-multipoint laser communication terminals capable of serving tens of simultaneous users.
You will work closely with a PhD candidate who focuses on simulation, coding, DSP algorithms and demonstrator implementation, while your work provides the theoretical foundations, performance analysis and architectural trade-offs that underpin these designs. It is foreseen that the postdoc may spend part of the time at TNO to contribute to a multi-user FSO lab and in-space multi-user demonstrator. Expected outputs include high-impact journal publications on FSO MIMO architectures, information-theoretic fundamental limits trade-offs and optimal multi-user communication architectures.
Throughout this postdoc, you will be embedded in the ICT Lab of the Signal Processing Systems group of the Department of Electrical Engineering at TU/e. Within the ICT Lab, you will work in a dynamic team of researchers under the leadership of Prof. Alex Alvarado. The lab studies information processing in a broad sense, including fundamental limits, coding, data processing techniques and architectures that approach these limits. Main areas of interest include free-space optical communications, fiber communications, source and channel coding, quantum computing, multi-user information theory, security and machine learning. We are proud that our fellow colleagues have won various prestigious grants and prices in the field of communication and information theory, including the Hamming Medal and the Shannon Award. You will also closely collaborate with an applied research team at TNO, where work is taking place towards in-orbit multi-user demonstration mission whereby practical results from the research can be directly applied. More information on TNO can be found here.
Requirements
- A PhD degree, or near completion of a PhD, in Electrical Engineering, Communications Engineering, Applied Physics, Computer Science, or a closely related field.
- A strong research profile in one or more of the following areas: communication theory, information theory, free-space optical communication, optical wireless communication, MIMO systems, coding, signal processing, satellite communications or related fields.
- Ability to define system-level research questions, derive requirements and perform architectural trade-off analyses for complex communication systems.
- Experience with analytical modeling, simulation and/or performance evaluation of communication systems, for example using MATLAB, Python or similar tools.
- Experience with free-space optical satellite communications, laser communication terminals, optical beam steering, RF multi-user MIMO, or defence/space communication systems is advantageous.
- A proven ability to publish in high-quality scientific venues and to communicate research results clearly to academic and applied-research partners.
- Ability to work independently while contributing to an interdisciplinary team with academic, applied-research, defence and industrial stakeholders.
- Interest in co-supervising PhD and MSc students and contributing to proposal work and knowledge-transfer activities such as workshops, technical reports and project meetings.
- Fluent in spoken and written English at least at C1 level.
Conditions of employment
Fixed-term contract: 2 years.
A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station.
In addition, we offer you:
- Full-time employment for 2 years.
- Salary in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale 10, ranging from € 4,422 (step 4) to € 5,760 gross base salary per month (full-time).
- In addition to your base salary, you will receive an 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus, both calculated based on your annual gross base salary.
- Generous leave options: a standard 29 days (based on a 38 hour working week) per year that you can increase to 41 days by working two hours more per week (flexible working hours). This is prorated if you work part-time.
- As a TU/e employee, you participate in the ABP pension scheme, providing retirement pension and pension benefits for surviving dependents and occupational disability. TU/e pays 70% of the pension premium, while employees contribute the remaining 30%.
- High-quality training programs on general skills, didactics and topics related to research and valorization.
- An excellent technical infrastructure, and on-campus children's day care.
- Unlimited access to the modern on‑campus TU/e Student Sports Center at an exceptionally affordable rate.
- We support your wellbeing with free 24/7 access to OpenUp, providing you and your family with mental health support, expert guidance, and online training.
- Partially paid parental leave and an allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
- A TU/e Postdoc Association that helps you to build a stronger and broader academic and personal network, and offers tailored support, training and workshops.
- A Staff Immigration Team is available for international candidates, as are a tax compensation scheme (the Expat Scheme) and a compensation for moving expenses.
On our website you can discover even more information about our conditions of employment. Build on your career at TU/e!
Employer
TU/e
We are a leading international university where scientific curiosity meets a hands-on mindset. We work in an open and collaborative way with high-tech industries to tackle complex societal challenges. Our responsible and respectful approach ensures impact — today and in the future. TU/e is home to over 13,000 students and more than 7,000 staff, forming a diverse and vibrant academic community. Discover what Light Up means to TU/e in our short company video.
Our university is located in Brainport Eindhoven — a world‑leading tech region with more than 7,000 high‑tech companies and strong R&D activity. Known for breakthroughs in AI, photonics, semiconductors and advanced manufacturing, Brainport is a place where technology serves people and society. Learn more about the Brainport region here.
Additional information
Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please apply on the TU/e website.
In case of questions, contact the hiring managers Dr. Yunus Gultekin (Y.C.G.Gultekin@tue.nl), Dr. Wim Korevaar (c.w.korevaar@tue.nl) or Prof. Alex Alvarado (a.alvarado@tue.nl).
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