PhD position in "Integration of Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces and Machine Learning over THz Bands towards Future 6G Networks" - MSCA Cofund programme

2 Feb 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

IMT Atlantique

Department

Doctoral division

Research Field

Engineering » Communication engineering

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

France

Application Deadline

14 Feb 2024 - 12:00 (Europe/Paris)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

37

Offer Starting Date

1 Sep 2024

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

HE / MSCA COFUND

Marie Curie Grant Agreement Number

101126644

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description
The position is offered under a co-supervision/ co-tutelle track (2 years at IMT Atlantique + 2 years at Carleton university (Ottawa, Canada)
1.1. Domain and scientific/technical context

In the context of wireless communications evolution towards future 6G networks, the concept of smart radio environments, based on reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS), has been gaining a lot of traction. The idea of being able to change the propagation environment is not only conceptually interesting but also highly beneficial in a variety of scenarios. However, the development of RIS for applications in wireless communications is at its first stages, and many practical aspects still need to be thoroughly investigated

On the other hand, Terahertz (THz) frequency bands have a critical role a key enabler for 6G and beyond networks and services, complementing the lower frequency spectrum (sub-6 GHz, the mid bands, and the millimeter waves). The very large bandwidth available at terahertz frequencies can alleviate the spectrum scarcity problem of current wireless networks and open the door to wireless terabit-per-second (Tbps) links needed to support the 6G and beyond applications.

Finally, traditional approaches to wireless communications (theories, models, …) are showing serious limitations, especially in view of the increased complexity of communication networks. Research on machine learning (ML) applied to communications is currently attracting incredible interest.

1.2. Scientific/technical challenges

The thesis work is, hence, targeting the integration of the emerging reconfigurable intelligent surfaces and the increasingly indispensable machine learning over THz bands towards the satisfaction of future 6G networks Integration of Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces and Machine Learning over THz Bands towards Future 6G Networks. requirements. To achieve this, scientific problems (especially the understanding and modeling of the propagation phenomena in THz channels, and the analysis of their theoretical performance limits) and technical problems (especially the implementation options of reconfigurable intelligent surfaces, and the resulting hardware constraints) need to be tackled and solved.

1.3. Considered methods, targeted results and impacts

The thesis work will bring together elements from the wireless communications theory, propagation under- standing, artificial intelligence and machine learning, with the use of collected and/or available real world data. From the communications stand point, and after a state-of-the-art review of the existing methodologies and implementation approaches of RIS, a strategic decision on the adopted choice will be the first outcome. Then, the first direction will be a comprehensive modeling of the RIS-assisted communication scheme over THz channels, and the derivation of its analytical performance limits and metrics. The results will be assessed via software simulations. The second direction is the development of a simulated model of a realistic hardware platform, comparing its performance with the obtained analytical results, pinpointing the problems that were neglected/underestimated in the modeling stage, and going back to the optimization of the models. This cycle will be repeated to increase the comprehensiveness of the proposed models, defining the optimal complexity-performance trade-offs, and providing a demonstrative operational platform with its supporting functional understanding.

2. Partners and study periods
2.1. Supervisors and study periods

• IMT Atlantique: Prof. Samir SAOUDI  and Prof. Mustapha Benjillali , IMT Atlantique, Brest, France

  The PhD student will stay 2 years at Prof. Saoudi's lab.

• International partner: Prof. Halim YANIKOMEROGLU , Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada

  The PhD student will stay 2 years at Prof. Yanikomeroglu's lab.

• Industrial partner(s): A 3-month industrial stay will be organized: the industrial partner has not yet been fixed but will probably be part of the area of communication technology, such as Cisco, Telus, and IBM.

2.2. Hosting organizations
2.2.1. IMT Atlantique

IMT Atlantique , internationally recognized for the quality of its research, is a leading French technological university under the supervision of the Ministry of Industry and Digital Technology. IMT Atlantique maintains privileged relationships with major national and international industrial partners, as well as with a dense network of SMEs, start-ups, and innovation networks. With 290 permanent staff, 2,200 students, including 300 doctoral students, IMT Atlantique produces 1,000 publications each year and raises 18€ million in research funds.

2.2.2. Carleton University

Carleton University  is a dynamic research and teaching institution with a tradition of anticipating and leading change. The university sits on more than 100 acres, on a site between the Rideau River and the Rideau Canal, just a short distance from downtown Ottawa. The university provides an excellent education and experience to its more than 24,000 full- and part-time students at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Its more than 875 academic staff are recognized internationally for their scholarship and cutting-edge research in more than 50 disciplines.

Requirements

Research Field

Engineering

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

The proposed subject lies at the intersection of several active disciplines: the theory of wireless communications, the modelling of radio-frequency propagation, machine learning as a branch of computer science and the main component of artificial intelligence, and embedded hardware systems.

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Excellent

Research Field

Engineering

Additional Information
Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

IMT Atlantique

Country

France

City

Brest

Street

Campus de Brest Technopôle Brest-Iroise

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://www.imt-atlantique.fr/en/research-innovation/phd/seed

Contact

City

Brest, Nantes, Rennes

Website

https://www.imt-atlantique.fr/en

Street

Brest, Nantes, Rennes

E-Mail

[email protected]

STATUS: EXPIRED