Applications are invited for 10 PhD positions (“Doctoral Candidates”, DCs) to be funded by the Marie-Sklodowska-Curie Innovative Training Network “6thSense – Joint Communication and Sensing in 6G Networks” within the Horizon Europe programme of the European Commission.
6thSense follows a holistic approach to address these challenges by: (WP1) Going beyond traditional sub-6GHz systems and enabling sensing in new B5G/6G communication bands, i.e., millimetre-wave and visible light; (WP2) Addressing distributed sensing and networking challenges through architecture and protocol design; (WP3) Handling the analytical complexity of JCAS by combining the strengths of classical signal processing and optimisation models with advanced machine learning techniques; (WP4) Transferring these research contributions to industry-relevant applications in healthcare, manufacturing, and automotive sectors. 6thSense is an intersectoral and interdisciplinary cluster of excellence formed by electrical engineers and computer scientists that has pooled leading members of large EU initiatives (5G PPP), industry leaders (e.g., Nokia, Ford, Bosch) and academic institutions (e.g., KUL, TUDelft, Princeton, UCLA). Benefitting from this consortium, a comprehensive soft-skill training (WP5) and a tailored dissemination and exploitation strategy (WP6), the 10 PhD fellows will become highly employable in various industries, academia, or public government bodies.
Eligibility criteria
Applicants need to fully respect three eligibility criteria (to be demonstrated in the Europass CV):
Early-stage researchers (DCs) are those who are, at the time of recruitment by the host, in the first four years (full-time equivalent) of their research careers. This is measured from the date when they obtained the degree which formally entitles them to embark on a doctorate, either in the country in which the degree was obtained or in the country in which the research training is provided, irrespective of whether or not a doctorate was envisaged.
Conditions of international mobility of researchers:
Researchers are required to undertake trans-national mobility (i.e., move from one country to another) when taking up the appointment. At the time of selection by the host organisation, researchers must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of their host organisation for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to their recruitment. Short stays, such as holidays, are not taken into account.
English language: Network fellows (DCs) must demonstrate that their ability to understand and express themselves in both written and spoken English is sufficiently high for them to derive the full benefit from the network training.
Selection process
All applications proceed through the on-line recruitment portal on the website. Candidates apply electronically for one to maximum three positions and indicate their preference. Candidates provide all requested information including a detailed CV – Europass format obligatory – and motivation letter. During the registration, applicants will need to prove that they are eligible (cf. DC definition, mobility criteria, and English language proficiency). The deadline for the on-line registration is 25 January 2024.
The 6thSense Recruitment Committee selects between 20 and maximum of 30 candidates for the Recruitment Event which will take place in Leuven (Belgium) (Feb 2024). The selected candidates provide a 20-minute presentation and are interviewed by the Recruitment Committee. Candidates will be given a domain-relevant peer-reviewed paper (prior to the recruitment event) by their prioritised Supervisor and will be asked questions about this paper during the interview to check if the candidate has the right background/profile for the DC position. Prior to the recruitment event, skype interviews between the Supervisors and the candidates are recommended, along with on-line personality tests. In order to facilitate their travel, selected candidates (from outside Belgium) receive a reimbursement up to 500 euros (paid by the prioritised Supervisor). In order to avoid delays in reimbursements, candidates are asked to keep all invoices and tickets (cf. train, plane, hotel…). The final decision on who to recruit is communicated the day after the Recruitment Event (Feb 2024). The selected DCs are to start their research as quickly as possible (target: Before October 1, 2024, and at the earliest immediately after the recruitment event).