Let’s shape the future - University of Antwerp
The University of Antwerp is a dynamic, forward-thinking, European university. We offer an innovative academic education to more than 20000 students, conduct pioneering scientific research and play an important service-providing role in society. We are one of the largest, most international and most innovative employers in the region. With more than 6000 employees from 100 different countries, we are helping to build tomorrow's world every day. Through top scientific research, we push back boundaries and set a course for the future – a future that you can help to shape.
The Department of Electronics and ICT Engineering Technology in the Faculty of Applied Engineering is looking for a full-time (100%) doctoral scholarship holder in the field of Near-Field Integrated Sensing and Communications (ISAC) for future 6G wireless networks.
The offered position contributes to the Horizon Europe QUEST-6G project that introduces a framework combining reconfigurable intelligent systems, XL antenna arrays, new transmission modes, and quantum technologies to realize a multi-band, multi-functional 6G vision. Unlike conventional wireless systems operating only in the far field, future 6G deployments with XL antenna arrays naturally extend the radiative near-field region, where electromagnetic wave propagation follows spherical rather than planar wavefronts. This creates new opportunities for localization, environmental sensing, user tracking, gesture recognition, and high-resolution spatial mapping while simultaneously providing reliable wireless communications.
Position
- You will conduct high quality research under the supervision of Prof. Raf Berkvens and Prof. Jeroen Famaey as a member of the IDLab research group at imec and the University of Antwerp.
- You will closely collaborate with other researchers at IDLab.
- You will develop novel theoretical frameworks and signal processing techniques (traditional and/or AI based) for Near-Field ISAC in distributed cell-free 6G networks. The research will investigate the fundamental principles of hybrid Near-Field/Far-Field wave propagation and beam forming, exploiting the spatial degrees of freedom provided by spherical wavefronts to jointly optimize communication and sensing performance. You will design and analyse new algorithms for beam forming, beam focusing, localization, and sensing using XL and distributed reconfigurable antenna arrays. The aim is to enable simultaneous user communication, target detection, localization, tracking, and environmental sensing. The developed methods will be analytically characterized, optimized, and validated through simulation and experiments. IDLab has world-class research infrastructure, including a 6G Perceptive Radio Lab to conduct ISAC experiments with Software Defined Radios and programmable beamformers in a wide range of frequency bands.
- You will write detailed technical evaluation reports on the developed solutions, implementation, and experiments, leading to publications in major conferences and journals in the field of wireless communications, and/or embedded computing.
- You will carry out a limited number of teaching and research support tasks for the Electronics and ICT Engineering Technology Department (at most 20% of your time).
Profile
- You have a master’s degree in Computer Science, Telecommunications, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related field, or you will have obtained it by the time you start.
- You can demonstrate excellent study results (as a minimum requirement distinction and preferably great distinction).
- Your teaching competences are in line with the University of Antwerp’s educational vision.
- Your research qualities are in line with the faculty and university research policies.
- You act with attention to quality, integrity, creativity and cooperation.
- You have a profound knowledge of wireless communications and signal processing.
- You have at least intermediate knowledge of electromagnetics and antenna systems.
- You have strong programming skills in C/C++, Python and/or MATLAB.
- Knowledge of machine learning libraries (e.g., PyTorch or TensorFlow), SDR hardware (e.g., USRP), and software (e.g., GNURadio, MATLAB, LabView) is a plus.
- You are a team player and have strong communication skills.
- You have a high proficiency in oral and written English at the C1 level.
What we offer
- We offer a doctoral scholarship for a period of one year. Following a positive evaluation each year, the scholarship can be renewed for another three years.
- The planned start date is 1 October 2026, or as soon as possible after that date.
- Your monthly scholarship amount is calculated according to the scholarship amounts for doctoral scholarship holders.
- You will receive eco vouchers, internet-connectivity allowance, and a bicycle allowance or a full reimbursement of public transport costs for commuting.
- As a doctoral researcher, you will have access to a wide and varied range of courses and an educational credit through the Antwerp Doctoral School.
- An inspiring and modern work environment in The Beacon innovation hub, walking distance from the historical city center of Antwerp.
- Access to state-of-the-art lab infrastructure, including an AI compute cluster, and a recently deployed 6G Perceptive Radio Lab with cutting-edge Software Defined Radios and programmable beamformers to conduct real-world ISAC experiments.
- Find out more about working at the University of Antwerp here.
Want to apply?
- You can apply for this vacancy through the University of Antwerp’s online job application platform up to and including 10 August 2026 (by midnight Brussels time). Click on the 'Apply' button and complete the online application form. Be sure to include the following attachments:
- a motivation letter
- the requested degree
- your academic CV (research experience, work experience, teaching experience, educational record) including:
- a transcript of study results
- two reference letters with appropriate contact details
- an English proficiency certificate
- The selection committee reviews all applications as soon as possible after the application deadline. As soon as a decision is made, we will notify you. If you are still eligible after the pre-selection, you will be informed about the possible next step(s) in the selection procedure.
- If you have any questions about the online application form, please check the frequently asked questions or send an email to [email protected]. If you have any questions about the job itself, please contact prof. dr. Raf Berkvens ([email protected]) and prof. dr. Jeroen Famaey ([email protected]).
The University of Antwerp received the European Commission’s HR Excellence in Research Award for its HR policy. We are a sustainable, family-friendly organisation which invests in its employees’ growth. We encourage diversity and attach great importance to an inclusive working environment and equal opportunities, regardless of gender identity, disability, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation or age. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds and with diverse characteristics to apply.
