PhD Position in 6G NTN Communication

This PhD position focuses on 6G Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) communication, with an emphasis on ambient backscatter for terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks (TN/NTN) as part of the European Horizon project IoT-ZERO.

Job description

Are you passionate about next-generation wireless systems and ultra-low-power communication? Do you want to contribute to the development of satellite-enabled 6G IoT technologies that operate without batteries? Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) invites applications for a PhD position on Ambient Backscatter for Terrestrial and Non-Terrestrial Networks (TN/NTN) as part of the European Horizon project IoT-ZERO.

About the Position

Future 6G systems must support billions of Internet of Things (IoT) devices that operate autonomously for years without battery replacement. This PhD project explores new (backscatter) communication techniques for future 6G systems that operate across terrestrial and satellite networks. The goal is to enable ultra-low-power IoT devices to communicate reliably by intelligently reflecting existing radio signals instead of generating their own transmissions.

A key research challenge is designing communication methods that remain robust in dynamic wireless environments, including scenarios involving satellite connectivity, while maintaining near-zero energy operation.

Your research may include:

• Designing and evaluating energy-efficient modulation and communication schemes
• Modeling and analyzing wireless backscatter links in terrestrial and satellite scenarios
• Investigating intelligent reflection mechanisms for improved link performance
• Developing signal processing techniques for time-varying wireless channels
• Or any other creative method for solving near-zero energy operations. We do value creative minds!

You will work at the intersection of communication theory, signal processing, and ultra-low-power system design.

Research Environment

You will join the Embedded Systems group at TU Delft within the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS). The group conducts cutting-edge research on energy-efficient wireless systems, distributed sensing, and embedded intelligence.

The position is part of the European SNS JU project IoT-ZERO, which develops secure, event-driven, and close-to-zero energy IoT technologies across terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks. You will collaborate with leading European partners, including universities, research institutes, satellite technology providers, and industrial stakeholders.

You will work closely with Prof. Arash Asadi and Prof. Przemysław Pawełczak and collaborate with PhD students and postdoctoral researchers within an international and multidisciplinary consortium.

The project includes collaboration opportunities with European satellite and 6G research initiatives and provides access to advanced SDR platforms, RF measurement equipment, and wireless experimentation facilities. Throughout your PhD journey, you will receive comprehensive scientific training as well as professional development support.

Job requirements

• MSc degree in Electrical Engineering, Wireless Communications, Applied Physics, or related discipline
• Excellent academic record
• Analytical and mathematical skills
• Programming skills in MATLAB and/or Python
• Experience with SDR platforms (e.g., USRP, GNU Radio) is a plus
• Good command of the English language (written and spoken)

Required expertise

We are looking for candidates with a strong background in one of the following domains in the context of wireless communications:

• Wireless physical layer design (modulation, coding, synchronization, channel modeling)
• Satellite and NTN communication systems, including Doppler modeling
• Backscatter communication, RFID, or reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS)
• Signal processing for time-varying and delay–Doppler channels
• Electromagnetics or metasurface design (experience with CST Studio Suite / High Frequency Structure Simulator is a plus)

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. We educate innovative engineers and have excellent labs and facilities that underline our strong international position.

#EUfunded This is an EU funded project, named IoT-ZERO, within the Horizon Europe Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking (SNS JU) program.