PhD Position Optimzation of Interdependent Telecom and Urban infrastructures

Challenge: Uncovering the interdependency between telecommunications networks and urban infrastructures

Change: Developing data analysis and modelling methods to understand the interdependency

Impact: Better design to enhance telecom and urban performance

PhD position: Optimization of interdependent telecom and urban infrastructures

Job description

The functioning of cities depends more than ever on urban infrastructures like transportation networks, power grids, water networks, Internet of Things sensors, and analytics platforms that gather data from those infrastructures, as well as telecommunications networks. To fully support the operation of cities, telecommunications networks also need to evolve, offering, e.g., ubiquitous connectivity and decentralised data-center capabilities to optimize urban performance. This project aims to explore how telecommunications networks and urban infrastructures interdepend and co-evolve, and to identify network designs that can further enhance global telecommunications and urban performance.

This exciting PhD project presents several scientific challenges, including developing advanced models for interdependent or co-evolving telecom and urban infrastructures driven by real-world data, surpassing state-of-the-art synthetic models; collecting and integrating diverse datasets, including entity matching; and combining expertise from, e.g., network data science and telecommunications to address the above modeling and design questions.

You will be part of a leading team in network data science within the Multimedia Computing Group (MMC) in Computer Science. We share a drive to understand and optimize complex systems ranging from social, technical, to economic systems. The supervision team consists of Dr. Huijuan Wang from MMC and Dr. Eric Smeitink from KPN and the Network Architectures and Services Group.

In your role, you will collaborate with partners and external collaborators from, e.g., NExTWORKx and other projects on critical infrastructures. Fostering an inspiring, friendly, and supportive environment, we meet regularly, share ideas and knowledge, and you will receive the support you need to evolve as a scientist.

Job requirements

In order to be successful, you bring:

• MSC in Computer Science, Physics, Engineering, mathematics or related disciplines with a strong background in data analysis, mathematical modeling and algorithms
• Good programming skills in Python/C/C++
• Good oral and written skills in English
• Enjoys working in an international and inter-disciplinary research group

To thrive as a PhD candidate, it’s crucial to have a strong research mindset driven by curiosity and passion for your topic. Reflecting on your motivation for pursuing a PhD trajectory is essential, as this path involves unique challenges and uncertainties inherent to scientific exploration. Success requires dedication, adaptability, the ability to analyze complex problems, manage your time effectively, innovate and stay resilient under pressure. Combined with the ability and willingness to work independently and collaborate well, these qualities are indispensable for a fulfilling PhD journey. These experiences will build you as an independent researcher, expand your professional network, and pave the way for diverse career paths, inside or outside academia.

About TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)

Delft University of Technology is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society.

Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science

The Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) brings together three scientific disciplines. Combined, they reinforce each other and are the driving force behind the technology we all use in our daily lives.