ABOUT THE ROLE
With currently 3 billion people lacking access to broadband internet worldwide, European operators are struggling to fill the white areas with insufficient or non-existent connectivity. In light of the early promises of 6G wireless networks, it is tempting to consider non-terrestrial networks as complementary to the ground-based radio and fiber infrastructure. However, radio frequency-based satellite systems are nearing their capacity limits and cannot be scaled further. Free-space optical technology is a natural alternative to deliver greater capacity and to better address data security needs by leveraging quantum key distribution. The first optical intersatellite links are being deployed in commercial networks at relatively low data rate (10 Gbps). However, once the most important remaining research challenges are resolved, they could rapidly expand and serve as a catalyst for the development of a new communication backbone in the sky, consisting of aerial and space optical nodes at different altitudes.
The overarching aim of the FOCAL project is to train a new generation of highly qualified doctoral candidates in developing innovative aerial and space optical wireless technologies that will provide future telecommunication networks with ubiquitous connectivity, resilience, and quantum-proof security. In addition to contributing to the fundamental understanding and technical know-how of such networks through co-supervised individual research projects, FOCAL will train talented and innovative researchers with multidisciplinary expertise and skills that are desirable in this European industrial sector. This will be achieved through a combination of theoretical and hands-on research training provided by a unique consortium of 16 academic and 10 industrial partners from 8 countries, resulting in collaborative research including co-supervision and secondments, as well as transferable training skills, which is necessary for prosperous careers in this prominent R&I area.
More information on the project can be found on the following URL:https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101169042
The role is fixed term for a duration of36 months.
The role of this position is to design adaptive transmission schemes based on Software Defined system architectures to develop a highly reconfigurable free space optics (FSO) network for inter-satellites (ISL) and satellite to optical ground station (OGS) links, offering hardware flexibility and reduced system size. Machine Learning-based methods will be developed to enable optimal link adaptability under varying channel conditions. Main Objectives include:
- Channel modelling and adaptive signalling design for LEO-OGS or LEO ISLs to optimize link availability.
- Proposing ML-based methods to enable link adaptability under varying channel/PE conditions.
- Investigating software defined-based platforms and software defined networking solutions to offer flexibility and reconfigurability for practical implementation of adaptive transmission techniques.
- Design of adaptive signalling techniques through adaptive modulation and coding for optimal performance under different channel conditions and addressing a wide range of channel coherence times.
The candidate will work closely with other DCs and industry partners including Airbus, Nokia, DLR, TESAT, TNO. Months of secondment will be spent with Archangel Lightworks (UK Oxford), University of Edinburgh (UK Edinburgh), and Ecole Centrale Mediterranee (France Marseille). A series of training sessions, conferences, and meetings will require the candidate to be able to work towards deadlines. The successful candidate may be sponsored for a work visa or a Global Talent visa, subject to individual eligibility and conditions.
Further information is available in therole description.
ABOUT THE TEAM
This Research Project is being delivered within Optical Communications Research Group (OCRG) of the Department of Mathematics, Physics and Electrical Engineering.
ABOUT YOU
Applicants should hold a master's degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering or Telecommunications Engineering, or a bachelor's degree in those subjects with significant experience, and have demonstrable specialist expert knowledge intelecommunication or electrical engineering.
Further information about the requirements of the role is available in theperson specification.
If you would like an informal discussion about the role, please contact Xicong Li at
To apply for this vacancy please click 'Apply Now'.
Your application should include:
(1) a covering letter,
(2) a CV,
(3) Master [alternatively, the expected graduation date of Master degree] and Bachelor diplomas (in a single PDF file),
(4) Master and Bachelor grades' transcripts (in a single PDF file),
(5) The name and contact information of two references or two recommendation letters (in a single PDF file).
ABOUT US
Northumbria University is a research-intensive university that unlocks potential for all. We change lives regionally, nationally, and internationally through education and research, tackling the global challenges of our age to transform society and the economy. Find out why we were named Times Higher Education's University of the Year in 2022 and Modern University of the Year in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025.
Northumbria recorded the biggest rise of any UK university for research power in the Research Excellence Framework for the second time in 2021 and is now ranked top 25 in the UK for this measure.
One of the largest universities in the UK with over 37,000 students from more than 140 countries, filled with world-leading research, award-winning partnerships, and students at the heart of an outstanding experience. Discover more about us .
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Our Values and Behaviours were co-created by colleagues from a range of roles across the University, who worked collaboratively to consider what it feels like to work for Northumbria, and where we need to continue to transform together to achieve what's important to us.
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We are an on-campus organisation where colleagues work regular patterns of hours and on campus, with some flexibility on the timing of their hours and the location of their work in discussion with their manager. Our campus locations include our City and Coach Lane Campuses in Newcastle upon Tyne and our London campus.
Northumbria University is committed to creating an inclusive culture where we take pride in, and value, the diversity of our staff. We encourage and welcome applications from all members of the community. The University holds bronze Athena Swan and Race Equality Charter awards in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender and race equality, we are a Disability Confident Leader and are participating in the Stonewall Diversity Champion Programme. We also hold the HR Excellence in Research award for implementing the concordat supporting the career Development of Researchers and are members of the Euraxess initiative to deliver information and support to professional researchers. The University has implemented a range of flexible working arrangements, and we are happy to explore candidate requirements as part of the recruitment process.
We are committed to keeping your data safe so it's important for you to know how we use any personal data you give us. For more detailed information, access our Privacy Policy .We are seeking a high-calibre and self-motivated doctoral candidate (DC) to join the prestigious Marie Skłodowska-Curie project "Free-space Optical Communications for Aerial-satellite networks. The project is funded by Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) while this UK position is funded by EPSRC.
