Doctoral student in beyond 5G processing

Background
Recent growth in the research activities and the well-established educational programs of the School of Information Technology (ITE) is enabling a significant expansion.

In 2018 the total research expenditures exceeded 70 MSEK and the school hosted over 850 students. Over the next two years, the School will grow significantly. 

The global commercialization of 5G is currently taking off. Both academia and industry are now actively looking into beyond 5G systems, to identify service requirements, key drivers, and challenges. Many techniques have been identified as key candidates for beyond 5G, including but not limited to, Large Intelligent Surfaces (LIS), Cell-free massive MIMO, drone communication, and Millimeter-wave/Terahertz communication. Among others, distributed and cooperative massive MIMO is an enabling technology for many of these beyond 5G systems.

This project focuses on efficient digital baseband processing algorithms and hardware for beyond 5G wireless systems. More specifically, the project will explore system-algorithm-hardware-software co-design to tackle new research challenges in the implementation of distributed massive MIMO technology for Large Intelligent Surfaces (LIS) and Cell-free massive MIMO.  To achieve this objective, researchers from Lund University, Linköping University, and Halmstad University collaborate to conduct three PhD projects on distributed processing algorithm and architecture, low-complexity digital front ends, and high-level design methodologies using many-core processor architecture.

Description
The Halmstad PhD project should attempt to answer the following research questions from the hardware architecture aspect: (1) Considering algorithms targeting beyond 5G applications, what is the suitable processing/architectural infrastructure? (2) Can we automatically map a specific algorithm used for beyond 5G on a distributed many-core platform under both performance/timing and energy constraints? (3) Can we enhance the results of such mapping by incorporating hardware accelerators and increasing the heterogeneity in the distributed architecture? (4) Is it possible to design a distributed coarse-grained reconfigurable architecture (CGRA) that merges the optimized architectures in order to provide a general platform for the family of beyond 5G applications, including future algorithms?

This is a full-time position available from January 1st 2021 (or as soon as possible afterwards) for a period of four years (extended one year at a time, subject to satisfactory progress of the Ph.D. study). Enough resources to fund experiments and conference travels are available.

The selected PhD student will be responsible for conducting research within the project and for participating in the required PhD course activities. The employment also includes teaching responsibilities corresponding to a maximum of 20% of full-time. The PhD student will work in an environment of internal researchers with diverse backgrounds.

Qualifications
An ideal candidate should have a Master's degree in Computer Engineering or a related field. A strong background in digital circuit design and prior experience in hardware description language is desired. Familiarity with EDA design environments and programming skills are important. Knowledge of digital communications, 5G, machine learning, and reconfigurable logic is a plus.

Students expecting to finalize their degree the coming month are also welcome to apply. Only persons who are being admitted, or already have been admitted, to doctoral studies at an institution of higher education may be appointed doctoral students. (The Higher Education Ordinance Chapter 5, § 3). The student’s ability to benefit from doctoral studies will be taken into account when we make the appointment. (The Higher Education Ordinance Chapter 5, § 5).

The applicant should have a Masters degree in Computer Engineerings or closely related fields. Students expecting to finalize their degree during the autumn 2020 are also welcome to apply.

Salary
Doctoral students are employees of the University and paid a salary according to a uniform salary scale, adjusted in relation to the progress in education.

The position includes studies up to a doctoral degree and is annually extended in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance Chapter 5, §7. The total employment period is four years but may be extended to a maximum of five years if the student performs 20% teaching or other tasks within the university.

Application
Applications should be sent via Halmstad University's recruitment system Varbi (see link on this page).

1. a cover letter stating the purpose of the application and a brief statement of why you believe that your background and goals are well-matched with the goals of this position,

2. a Curriculum Vitae that includes at least:
a list of previous degrees, dates, and institution, transcripts for higher-education studies until most recent available

3. copies of previous transcripts and degrees,

4. summary (1-2 pages) of the master’s thesis

5. a copy of previous publications and software samples, if any, and

6. contact information for three reference persons.

List of qualifications and other documents that the applicant wishes to refer to should be enclosed with the application. All copies must be attested.

General Information
We value the qualities that diversity and gender balance bring to our organization. We therefore welcome applicants with different backgrounds, gender, functionality and, not least, life experience. The working language at Halmstad University is English and knowledge of the Swedish language, while not required to start working, will always be helpful for living Sweden. Also for daily life, English is spoken widely and Sweden has the highest English Proficiency index in the world. Learning to speak Swedish will, for example, make it easier to interact with public and private services, to follow local and national issues, to participate in teaching junior students, and to participate in administrative and leadership roles. National Swedish language courses (SFI) are
available on campus.


You can read more about Halmstad University at http://hh.se/english/discover/discoverhalmstaduniversity.9285.html