PhD Position in Electrical Engineering - Battery-Free IoT for 6G and Satellite Networks

Join TU Delft to advance close-to-zero-energy 6G communication for billions of future IoT devices. In this PhD, you will develop breakthrough ambient backscatter technologies spanning terrestrial and satellite networks, contributing to sustainable, battery-free connectivity. You will work in an international research environment that values scientific excellence, creativity, meaningful connections, and even makes room for good conversations over high-quality tea.

Job description

As a PhD candidate, you will contribute to the Horizon Europe project IoT-ZERO by developing new communication techniques for ultra-low-power IoT systems in terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks (TN/NTN). Your research will focus on ambient backscatter communication, signal processing, and energy-efficient wireless design for future 6G systems.

Topics may include:

• Modulation design
• Wireless channel modeling
• Intelligent reflection mechanisms
• Delay-Doppler signal processing
• Creative approaches to near-zero-energy operation

You will work at the intersection of wireless communications, embedded systems, and satellite-enabled IoT. A key challenge is enabling reliable communication in dynamic wireless environments while minimizing energy consumption. Your work will contribute to scientific advances in 6G, sustainable connectivity, and future satellite-IoT integration.

You will join the Embedded Systems group within TU Delft’s Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS), a leading environment for research in energy-efficient wireless systems and distributed intelligence. As part of a European consortium, you will collaborate with universities, research institutes, satellite technology providers, and industry partners, while working closely with Prof. Arash Asadi, Prof. Przemysław Pawełczak, and a multidisciplinary research team.

The position offers access to advanced SDR platforms, RF measurement equipment, and wireless experimentation facilities. You will have opportunities to publish at leading conferences, contribute to international 6G initiatives, and grow through TU Delft’s PhD training programme, technical courses, and professional development support.

Job requirements

• You hold an MSc degree in Electrical Engineering, Wireless Communications, Applied Physics, or a closely related discipline.
• You have a strong academic record and demonstrated analytical and mathematical skills relevant to communication systems research.
• You have experience with wireless physical layer design, such as modulation, coding, synchronization, or channel modeling.
• You have programming experience in MATLAB and/or Python for simulation, modeling, or signal processing.
• You have expertise in satellite communications, backscatter communication, RIS, or time-varying wireless channels, or are eager to develop it.
• Experience with SDR platforms such as USRP or GNU Radio is considered an advantage.
• You are motivated to work creatively and collaboratively in an international, multidisciplinary research environment.
• You have an excellent command of spoken and written English.

TU Delft as an employer

As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

This position is part of the EU-funded Horizon Europe project IoT-ZERO within the Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU) programme.