Research Associate (Postdoc) in SDN/NFV for Quantum Communications Infrastructure Networks

The Interdisciplinary Centre for Security, Reliability and Trust (SnT), University of Luxembourg, invites applications from highly motivated and outstanding researchers in the broad area of software-defined networks (SDN) to work with the Signal Processing and Communications (SIGCOM) research group. SnT carries out interdisciplinary research in secure, reliable and trustworthy ICT systems and services, often in collaboration with industrial, governmental, or international partners. For further information, you may refer to www.securityandtrust.lu

The SIGCOM research group is headed by Prof. Symeon Chatzinotas, and mainly carries out research activities in the areas of signal processing for wireless communication systems, including satellite communications, and is currently expanding its research activities towards quantum information systems. Furthermore, our activities are experimentally driven and supported by the SDR CommLab, the SDN Lab, the 5G-Space Lab, our SW Simulators, and our OTA Facilities. For further information, you may refer to https://wwwen.uni.lu/snt/research/sigcom

The successful candidate will primarily contribute to the large EU research project Lux4QCI - Luxembourg Experimental Network for Quantum Communication Infrastructure). The project is part of the Digital Europe Program (DIGITAL) and aims to deliver the first experimental quantum communication infrastructure (QCI) network in Luxembourg. A distinctive feature is the by-design integration between the terrestrial and the satellite segment. Lux4QCI envisions making Luxembourg a QCI front-runner and a hub for secure key distribution across the EU. To achieve those goals, Lux4QCI will identify use cases of interest for application scenarios of quantum key-distribution (QKD)-enhanced secure communications. The intended QCI will be nationally deployed through multiple terrestrial optical fibres running hundreds of kilometers and interconnecting at least 5 points of presence. The network will rely on a hybrid configuration combining multiple QKD technologies over a range of multihop topologies (e.g. star, serial, and tree). The intended architecture contains an orchestrator collocated with a node. The orchestrator consists of a network manager with SDN/network-function virtualisation (NFV) algorithms for flow management/routing, a quantum key-distribution network (QKDN) controller, which performs routing control of key relay, and a QKDN manager, which monitors the status of the QKDN and assists the key management system (KMS) for key-management operations.

We are looking for people driven by excellence, excited about innovation, and looking to make a difference. If this sounds like you, you have come to the right place!

Your Role...

In summary, the position holder will be required to perform the following tasks:

• Contribute to all relevant aspects related to the design, development, and deployment of the SDN/NFV-based orchestrator for the Lux4QCI project
• Analyse interfaces for Lux4QCI integration into operational networks
• Integrate SDN/NFV capabilities into the Lux4QCI architecture
• Develop SDN flow management algorithms for both intra-domain and inter-domain key routing
• Develop NFVs for joint key storage management and key routing within the Lux4QCI orchestrator
• Contribute to the security analysis of the SDN signalling channels/SDN signalling through QKD-secured data streams
• Develop and test a Lux4QCI network and system-level simulator, including:
  Open-Flow-enabled network simulation through Mininet
  SDN-based flow management algorithms and NFV infrastructure within the orchestrator
  SDN controllers at the nodes’ interface with the intended secure KMS
• Contribute to the SDN Lab, with its network virtualization testbed for validation of new autonomous network-slicing algorithms and their performance evaluation in integrated terrestrial-satellite systems
• Disseminate results through scientific publications and conferences
• Contribute to different research projects, either coordinating technical contributions and/or preparing project deliverables
• Prepare new research proposals to attract industrial, national, and European projects
• Provide assistance in the supervision of PhD students

Your Profile...

• A PhD degree in Telecommunication Engineering, or Electrical Engineering, or Computer Science/Engineering with a focus on SDN
• Sound publication track record in relevant international conferences and top journals
• Expertise on SDN and NFV management and orchestration (MANO)
• Expertise on SDN controllers such as ONOS, Ryu, OpenDayLight
• Proved/strong experience in experimental works with Mininet, MANO platforms (e.g. OSM)
• Proved/strong implementation/deployment experience in network slicing and related tools (e.g. OpenStack)
• Strong programming skills in MATLAB, Python, or C++
• Experience of working with industrial projects or public funded research projects is highly desirable
• Highly committed, excellent team-worker, and strong critical thinking
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
• Background in quantum communications, especially QKD, will be considered as an asset

Here’s what awaits you at SnT...

• Exciting infrastructures and unique labs. At SnT’s two campuses, our researchers can take a walk on the moon at the LunaLab, build a nanosatellite, or help make autonomous vehicles even better
• The right place for IMPACT. SnT researchers engage in demand-driven projects. Through our Partnership Programme, we work on projects with more than 45 industry partners
• Be part of a multicultural family. At SnT we have more than 60 nationalities. Throughout the year, we organise team-building events, networking activities and more

In Short...

• Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract 24 Month (which may be extended up to five years)
• Work Hours: Full Time 40.0 Hours per Week
• Location: Kirchberg
• Job Reference: UOL05167
• The yearly gross salary for every Postdoctoral Researcher at the UL is EUR 77.167,08 (full time)

How to apply...

Applications in English should include:

• Curriculum Vitae with:
  Contact address
  For each degree received or currently enrolled in, provide the degree, institution name, institution city and country, and start date and date (or expected date) of graduation
  Include the title and short summary of your PhD Thesis and supervisor name (and Bachelor / Master Thesis if you did one)
  If you do not have yet received your PhD but will do soon, please include a tentative graduation date
  List of publications (authors, title, journal/conference name and date of publication). Provide a link in case of open access
  Name, affiliation and contact details of three referees
• Cover letter with motivations and topics of particular interest to the candidate (approx. 1 page)

All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply.

Early application is highly encouraged, as the applications will be processed upon reception. Please apply ONLINE formally through the HR system. Applications by Email will not be considered.

The University of Luxembourg embraces inclusion and diversity as key values. We are fully committed to removing any discriminatory barrier related to gender, and not only, in recruitment and career progression of our staff.

About the University of Luxembourg...

University of Luxembourg is an international research university with a distinctly multilingual and interdisciplinary character. The University was founded in 2003 and counts more than 6,700 students and more than 2,000 employees from around the world. The University’s faculties and interdisciplinary centres focus on research in the areas of Computer Science and ICT Security, Materials Science, European and International Law, Finance and Financial Innovation, Education, Contemporary and Digital History. In addition, the University focuses on cross-disciplinary research in the areas of Data Modelling and Simulation as well as Health and System Biomedicine. Times Higher Education ranks the University of Luxembourg #3 worldwide for its “international outlook,” #20 in the Young University Ranking 2021 and among the top 250 universities worldwide.

Further information

For further information, please contact: Dr Wallace ALVES MARTINS ([email protected] )