PhD Student

Ghent University is a world of its own. Employing more than 15.000 people, it is actively involved in education and research, management and administration, as well as technical and social service provision on a daily basis. It is one of the largest, most exciting employers in the area and offers great career opportunities.
With its 11 faculties and more than 85 departments offering state-of-the-art study programmes grounded in research in a wide range of academic fields, Ghent University is a logical choice for its staff and students.

The Department of Industrial Systems Engineering and Product Design of Ghent University at Campus Kortrijk is recruiting a Ph.D. student to join its Industrial Systems Engineering (ISyE) group. With an application-oriented mindset, the team designs and develops wireless communication solutions for applications in the Industry 4.0 domain. Specifically, this Ph.D. position aims to address network challenges for teleoperation and control using haptic feedback in the Tactile Internet paradigm. Based on solid expertise in mathematical and experimental aspects of communication theory, wireless communication solutions for 5G/6G will be developed and validated on real-world network platforms.

• At least 90% of your assignment will be spent on academic research in preparation of a doctoral dissertation. The research will focus on developing network communication solutions for Tactile Internet in industrial applications.
• Occasionally, you will assist in the research team's teaching activities, specifically in master courses in the Industrial Systems Engineering track.
• You will contribute to the internal and external services of the department.

Topic

• Tactile Internet is an upcoming field that enables the transmission of touch (haptic) feedback in addition to conventional audio-video communication. This opens up the gateway to a range of applications such as remote surgery, tele-repair and tele-maintenance, gaming, and education.
• Unlike audio-video communication, haptic feedback requires ultra-low latency (order of a few milliseconds) and ultra-high reliability (>99.9999%). This is impossible to guarantee by existing network technologies.
• Significant advancements (revamp and redesign) of the existing networks are crucial for realizing Tactile Internet. This opens up a range of interesting and challenging scientific directions.

• A full-time position as a doctoral fellow, consisting of an initial period of 12 months, which - after a positive evaluation - will be extended to a total maximum of 48 months.
• Your contract will start on 01/04/2024 at the earliest.
• You get the opportunity to present your research results at international conferences and publish them in scientific journals.
• The fellowship amount is 100% of the net salary of an AAP member (with current index) in equal family circumstances. The individual fellowship amount is determined by the Department of Personnel and Organization based on family status and seniority. A grant that meets the conditions and criteria of the regulations for doctoral fellowships is considered free of personal income tax. Click here for more information about our salary scales
• All Ghent University staff members enjoy several benefits, such as a wide range of training and education opportunities, 36 days of holiday leave (on an annual basis for a full-time job) supplemented by annual fixed bridge days, bicycle allowance and eco vouchers. Click here for a complete overview of all the staff benefits

• You hold a degree of Master of Science in one of the tracks: Communication Systems, Network Science, Wireless Communication and Sensing, Computer Science Engineering, or equivalent.
• You have experience in the design and implementation of network solutions. You have strong mathematical skills in the analysis of network systems. Working experience with robotic systems and AI/ML is considered a plus.
• You are proficient in one or more programming languages (C++, Python, Java, …) and eager to further improve your algorithmic programming skills.
• You are interested in academic and/or project-based research and development.
• Prior research experience or participation in extra training, conferences, etc. is recommended.
• Your English is fluent, both speaking and writing.
• You have excellent teaching and communication skills.

Submit your application by email to Prof. Vineet Gokhale at [email protected] .
Please include the following: your CV, motivation letter, copy of your diploma (if already in your possession), list of publications (if any) and any reference letters.