Postdoctoral Scholarship in Electronic Engineering

University of Antwerp

Department: Department of Electronics and Information and Communication Technologies
Faculty: Faculty of Applied Engineering
Institution: University of Antwerp
Employment Type: Full-time
Position: Doctoral Scholarship Holder

About the University

The University of Antwerp is a dynamic, forward-thinking European university. We offer innovative academic education to more than 20,000 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 6,000 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, which 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.
  • Collaborate closely with other researchers at IDLab.
  • Develop novel theoretical frameworks and signal processing techniques (traditional and/or AI-based) for Near-Field ISAC in distributed cell-free 6G networks.
  • Investigate the fundamental principles of hybrid Near-Field/Far-Field wave propagation and beamforming, exploiting the spatial degrees of freedom provided by spherical wavefronts to jointly optimize communication and sensing performance.
  • Design and analyse new algorithms for:
    • Beamforming
    • Beam focusing
    • Localization
    • Sensing using XL and distributed reconfigurable antenna arrays
  • Enable simultaneous:Analytically characterize, optimize, and validate developed methods through simulations and experiments.
    • User communication
    • Target detection
    • Localization
    • Tracking
    • Environmental sensing
  • Utilize IDLab's world-class research infrastructure, including the 6G Perceptive Radio Lab, to conduct ISAC experiments with Software Defined Radios and programmable beamformers across multiple frequency bands.
  • Write detailed technical evaluation reports on developed solutions, implementations, and experiments.
  • Publish research in leading conferences and journals in wireless communications and/or embedded computing.
  • Carry out a limited number of teaching and research support tasks for the Department of Electronics and ICT Engineering Technology (maximum 20% of working time).

Profile

You:

  • Hold (or will obtain before the start date) a Master's degree in Computer Science, Telecommunications, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related field.
  • Can demonstrate excellent academic results (minimum distinction, preferably great distinction).
  • Have teaching competences in line with the University of Antwerp's educational vision.
  • Possess research qualities aligned with the faculty and university research policies.
  • Act with attention to quality, integrity, creativity, and cooperation.
  • Have profound knowledge of wireless communications and signal processing.
  • Have at least intermediate knowledge of electromagnetics and antenna systems.
  • Have strong programming skills in C/C++, Python, and/or MATLAB.
  • Knowledge of the following is considered an advantage:Are a strong team player with excellent communication skills.
    • Machine learning libraries (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow)
    • SDR hardware (e.g., USRP)
    • GNURadio
    • MATLAB
    • LabView
  • Have English language proficiency at C1 level (spoken and written).

What We Offer

  • A doctoral scholarship for one year, renewable annually for up to three additional years following positive evaluations.
  • Planned start date: 1 October 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter.
  • Monthly doctoral scholarship according to the University's doctoral scholarship pay scales.
  • Eco vouchers.
  • Internet connectivity allowance.
  • Bicycle allowance or full reimbursement of public transport costs for commuting.
  • Access to extensive doctoral training and educational credits through the Antwerp Doctoral School.
  • An inspiring and modern working environment at The Beacon Innovation Hub, within walking distance of Antwerp's historic city centre.
  • Access to state-of-the-art research facilities, including:
    • AI compute cluster
    • 6G Perceptive Radio Lab
    • Cutting-edge Software Defined Radios
    • Programmable beamformers for real-world ISAC experiments

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted through the University of Antwerp's online application platform no later than 10 August 2026 (midnight Brussels time).

Your application must include:

  • Motivation letter.
  • Required degree certificate.
  • Academic CV including:Transcript of study results.
    • Research experience
    • Work experience
    • Teaching experience
    • Educational record
  • Two reference letters with contact details.
  • English proficiency certificate.

The selection committee will review applications shortly after the closing date. Candidates who pass the pre-selection will be informed about the next stages of the recruitment process.

Contact Information

For questions about the online application:

For questions about the position:

Equal Opportunity

The University of Antwerp has received the European Commission's HR Excellence in Research Award for its HR policy.

The University is a sustainable, family-friendly organisation that invests in employees' professional growth. It values diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunities regardless of gender identity, disability, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or age, and encourages applications from candidates from diverse backgrounds.

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