Doctoral Researcher in Beyond 5G/6G Wireless Networks

We, at the University of Oulu, work as part of the international science community to produce new scientific information and science-based solutions. We are committed to educating future pioneers to build a more sustainable, intelligent, and humane world. Creating new, taking responsibility, and succeeding together are values that build a strong foundation for all our actions. We offer a working environment where individuals can cultivate their skills, do meaningful work, and develop professionally. Our university's several specialized research and service units enable extensive and diverse development and career opportunities for experts in various fields.

We are now hiring an enthusiastic and talented 

Doctoral Researcher

to join the research led by Associate Professor Mehdi Rasti in Sustainable energy systems empowering users with digital services in Centre for Wireless Communications - Networks and Systems (CWC-NS) research unit at Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering (ITEE), University of Oulu, Finland. This multidisciplinary research team spans across the Faculty of Technology and the Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering and is part of the 6G Enabling Sustainable Society Research Programme (https://www.6gflagship.com/6gess/ ) financed by the Academy of Finland and the University of Oulu.

About CWC

CWC is recognized as one of the world’s leading and most active research centres in wireless technologies. CWC is at the heart of the University of Oulu’s strategic focus area Digitalization and Smart Society and features the Academy of Finland’s Flagship programme 6G Flagship, which is the world’s first 6G research programme.

Research Description

The future society will be highly digitalized, hyper-connected and globally data driven. New digital services will be critically dependent on instant, virtually unlimited wireless connectivity. The expertise in wireless connectivity is one of the few major technical areas where Europe still retains a globally leading position, and the University of Oulu is strongly positioned to continue its pioneering role in wireless connectivity at global scale. UOulu’s 6G Flagship has since its establishment in 2018 engaged in speeding up digitalization via 5G-driven solutions and, importantly, taken a globally leading role in developing 6G, representing a fundamental leap in very high-capacity connectivity, edge AI and vertical services such as energy.

New connectivity-based technologies form the backbone of many verticals including future energy services. The intertwined nature of ICT and energy is a necessary precursor of sustainable societies and becomes even more pronounced when remote or developing areas are considered.

Fulfilling the requirements of diversified services including ultra-reliable low-latency communication (uRLLC), massive machine-type communication (mMTC), and enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), and their unified ones, with different KPIs, in terms of data rate, latency, reliability, mobility, scalability, and coverage, for various verticals including energy, health, and transport is a major challenge in designing and developing 6G networks. Furthermore, 6G will be a vertical-oriented and converged network of communication, control, and computation which can be realized and accelerated with the help of artificial intelligence, open RAN, and digital twin.  You will work with at least one of the following topics:

• Designing and developing data-driven machine-learning or optimization based resource allocation schemes for coexistence of uRLLC, eMBB, and  mMTC services,
• Vertical-specific slicing (e.g., slicing for energy vertical)
• Codesign of communication, control and computation in 6G networks
• Designing and developing 6G-based digital solutions (for example digital twins) for energy verticals to improve flexibility and sustainability

The research is supported by Profi6 funding awarded by the Academy of Finland and the University of Oulu to Associate Prof. Mehdi Rasti.

Job description

You will be expected to carry out cutting-edge research on the predefined subjects, disseminate research results through scientific publications and conference presentations, and take relevant postgraduate courses. You will be expected to create research results leading to an excellent doctoral thesis and complete your doctoral degree by the end of the 4-year period. You will also have the possibility to assist in the supervision of Master’s students and carry out teaching activities.

Qualification Requirements

• A Master’s degree (or close to completion) in communications engineering, electrical engineering, mathematics, physics, or related field with excellent grades. In case you haven’t obtained your degree yet, please specify the expected graduation date. Please note, that the degree must be completed prior to beginning the employment.
• Solid knowledge of applied mathematics, statistics, and one or more of the following subjects: communication/information theory, signal processing, optimization, wave propagation; solid knowledge of MATLAB programming.
• Strong mathematical background and rigorous analytical thinking.
• Excellent spoken and written English and multi-cultural communication skills.
• Ability to pursue both independent and collaborative research.
• Open-minded and enthusiastic approach to research.

See also the education requirements for doctoral training given by the University of Oulu Graduate School UniOGS .

What We Offer

• A competitive salary and numerous benefits (such as paid leave, pension, occupational healthcare, and holiday bonus).
• A place in a highly talented research group within a lively, cross-disciplinary, and international work environment.
• Possibility for research collaborations with our top-tier international partners and fully paid secondments.
• Possibility for internships with local industrial partners.
  

Contract And Salary

The contract is full-time and fixed-term for 4 years, during which you are expected to complete your doctoral degree. A trial period of 6 months is applied to the position. The starting date will be February 1st 2023 or soon thereafter.

The salary will be based on the levels [2–4] of the demand level chart for teaching and research staff of Finnish universities. In addition, a salary component based on personal work performance will be paid (maximum 50% of the job-specific component). The starting gross salary will be approx. 2300–2600€ per month (before taxes). The terms of employment are determined by the Collective Agreement for Finnish Universities.

How To Apply

Applications with all the required attachments must be submitted using the electronic application form by December 15th 2022(23:59 Finnish time). Please include the following attachments in PDF format:
1)      Curriculum vitaeand list of publications (if any) [max 4 pages].
2)      Motivation letter [max 2 pages summarizing: highlights of your prior studies, research, and innovation experience; your preferred research directions and challenges, your most valuable skills, characteristics, and competences; your ambition and personal goals for research].
3)      Certificates and transcripts of records of Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees [including official translations to English if the documents are not in English or Finnish].
4)      Contact information of two potential referees who may be asked to give a statement.

Only applications submitted through the electronic application form and containing all the required attachments will be considered. Top candidates will be invited for a remote interview.

The University of Oulu is a diverse and equal workplace, and we encourage everyone to apply regardless of their background.

Contact Details

For further information, please contact

Associate Prof. Mehdi Rasti: mehdi.rasti(AT)oulu.fi.

About Oulu, Finland

Finland has been crowned the world's happiest country in 2022 for the fifth year in a row. The capital of Northern Finland, the City of Oulu, is a combination of beautiful northern nature, vivid cultural life, and modern technology. Oulu is also known for its highly educated people and friendly, easy-going atmosphere. The residents of Oulu enjoy the high standard of living Finland is known for, while the cost of living is still affordable in national comparison. The Oulu region is home to over 250 000 people, making it the largest urban centre in northern Nordics and one of the fastest growing regions in Finland.