PhD Studentship Opportunity: Physical Layer Algorithm Design in 6G Non-Terrestrial Communications

Applications are invited to apply for two full 3-year PhD Studentship in 6G especially on Non Terrestrial Communications (NTN). The role will include both theoretical and applied research in the well-equipped 6GIC/ICS at University of Surrey, UK. Future wireless communication networks are expected to provide a much more satisfying service to people by building uninterrupted and ubiquitous connectivity to everyone, everything, and everywhere with ultra-high data rate, extremely high reliability and low latency. Non terrestrial communications have emerged as a key enabler for seamless connectivity in the upcoming generation networks. This kind of network can support high data rate communications among aerial platforms (i.e., unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), high altitude platforms (HAPs), and satellites (Sat)) and cellular networks, achieving anywhere and anytime connections.

These projects have the potential to collaborate extensively with both internal and external partners including Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd, particularly, but not exclusively in the following areas: 

• Evolutionary air interface solutions for NTNs
• Unification of non-terrestrial and terrestrial networks
• Constellation network managements
• High throughput satellites technologies
• LEO and vLEO wireless communications
• UAV/HAPS wireless communications
• Technologies for inter-satellite links (ISLs) communications 

Introduction of the supervisors:

Dr Gaojie Chen, (Senior Member, IEEE), received the Ph.D. from Loughborough University, U.K., in 2012. He is currently an Assistant Professor with the Institute for Communication Systems, 5GIC & 6GIC, University of Surrey. His current research interests include satellite communications, cognitive radio, the Internet of Things, secrecy communications, and random geometric networks. He serves as an Associate Editor for the IEEE ComL, WCL and JASC-Machine Learning in Communications.

Prof Pei Xiao, (Senior Member, IEEE) is currently a Professor of Wireless Communications with the 5GIC, Institute for Communication Systems, University of Surrey. He has published extensively in the fields of communication theory, antenna design, and signal processing for wireless communications.

This project is advertised initially for an October 2022 start, but later start dates are also possible.

This project is open to worldwide students starting in October 2022 intially but later start dates are also possible.

Entry requirements

Master degree with distinction in Telecommunications; Electrical Engineering; Applied Mathematics

IELTS Academic 6.5 overall with 6.0 in Writing, or equivalent

How to apply

Applications should be submitted via the https://www.surrey.ac.uk/postgraduate/information-and-communication-systems-phd programme page on the "Apply" tab.

Please clearly state the studentship title and supervisor on your application. Please submit CV, initial research proposal; two academic reference letters; module scripts

Funding

The studentship will cover the international (home) tuition, living expenses, and international conference trip costs.

ICS SURE fund

Closing date for applications

Accept all year round applications

Application enquiries

For application enquiries, please contact Dr Gaojie Chen gaojie.chen@surrey.ac.uk

Studentship ref

PGR-2122-081

Advert information