PhD Position in 6G Non-Terrestrial Communication

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 built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft 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. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

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. Technology such as the electricity grid, which our faculty is helping to make completely sustainable and future-proof. At the same time, we are developing the chips and sensors of the future, whilst also setting the foundations for the software technologies to run on this new generation of equipment – which of course includes AI. Meanwhile we are pushing the limits of applied mathematics, for example mapping out disease processes using single cell data, and using mathematics to simulate gigantic ash plumes after a volcanic eruption. In other words: there is plenty of room at the faculty for ground-breaking research. We educate innovative engineers and have excellent labs and facilities that underline our strong international position. In total, more than 1000 employees and 4,000 students work and study in this innovative environment.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science.

Conditions of employment
Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from €3059 - €3881 gross per month, from the first year to the fourth year based on a fulltime contract (38 hours), plus 8% holiday allowance and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%.

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.

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

Will you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job? TU Delft is committed to make your move as smooth as possible! The HR unit, Coming to Delft Service, offers information on their website to help you prepare your relocation. In addition, Coming to Delft Service organises events to help you settle in the Netherlands, and expand your (social) network in Delft. A Dual Career Programme is available, to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands.

Additional information
If you would like more information about this vacancy or the selection procedure, please contact Dr. Arash Asadi, via a.asadi@tudelft.nl.

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

Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 25 March 2026 via the application button and upload the following documents:

CV including your educational and research background, Professional skills and List of publications
Motivational letter in which you explicitly state your topic of interest, the research plan, and why you find yourself a suitable candidate for this topic (max. 800 words)
Copies of your BSc and MSc degrees and transcripts

You can address your application to Dr. Arash Asadi.

Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements.

Please note:

You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
As part of knowledge security, TU Delft conducts a risk assessment during the recruitment of personnel. We do this, among other things, to prevent the unwanted transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology. The assessment is based on information provided by the candidates themselves, such as their motivation letter and CV, and takes place at the final stages of the selection process. When the outcome of the assessment is negative, the candidate will be informed. The processing of personal data in the context of the risk assessment is carried out on the legal basis of the GDPR: performing a public task in the public interest. You can find more information about this assessment on our website about knowledge security.
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PhD Position in 6G NTN Communication