Who are we looking for ?
The ISPIC research unit is seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate to work in the field of Extra-Large MIMO (XL-MIMO) communications, also known as ultra-massive MIMO. This emerging technology dramatically scales up antenna arrays to enhance connectivity, reliability, and service quality for next-generation wireless networks such as 6G.
The doctoral work will take place within the WAVE-XL project (PID2024-160457OB-I00) under the tentative thesis title: “Array Signal Processing for Extra-Large MIMO Communications: A Holographic Perspective.” The research will aim to uncover the fundamental limits of XL-MIMO systems and develop new models, signal processing methods, artificial intelligence (AI) tools, and optimization algorithms grounded in electromagnetic (EM) principles. The project is inherently interdisciplinary, bridging communication theory, signal processing, antennas, and electromagnetics.
The research plan will cover two major challenges central to the development of XL-MIMO technology: near-field effects and deployment costs:
- Near-field operation, where the transmission distance becomes comparable to the array size, requires new propagation models and enables significant enhancements such as increased channel capacity, exploitation of a third polarization dimension, beamfocusing capabilities, and Location Division Multiple Access (LDMA).
- Cost and implementation complexity remain significant obstacles for building extremely large arrays. However, emerging solutions (including holographic metasurfaces and wave-domain processing) offer promising paths toward scalable, cost-effective architectures.
By advancing both theoretical foundations and practical transceiver designs, the project aims to overcome these challenges and contribute to the efficient deployment of XL-MIMO technologies in future 6G systems.
What do we offer?
- We offer a 4 year predoctoral contract in the framework of the WAVE-XL project (PID2024-160457OB-I00) funded by the MICIU/AEI /10.13039/501100011033/FEDER, UE.
- Annual gross salary according to the EPIF (RD 103/2019) and CTTC salary tables applicable to predoctoral researchers (R1A). Full-time contract: 7,5 h/day. Flexibility.
- Expected professional category:
Exceptional candidates may be considered even if they do not meet all the requirements. In this case the professional category will be based on the qualifications and experience of the applicant according with CTTC professional categories procedure
(https://www.cttc.cat/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/CTTC-Professional-categories.pdf).
- Career development opportunities within CTTC depending on performance, research results and availability of future positions.
- Prospect start date: 01/02/2026.
- Continuous training, access to lab facilities, state of the art infrastructure and polyvalent working spaces, participation in scientific events and R&D projects, complementary skills development.
- Enrolment in a PhD Program (PhD fees paid by CTTC).
- We have great benefits for employees:
- Paid time off: vacation (33 working days per year), holidays, sick and parental leave and more, according to CTTC collective agreement and internal policies
- Up to 3 days of Telework per week (2 fixed + 1 upon request). Other requests may be studied to accommodate special needs. Working time policy
Qualifications and Experience
- We are looking for a highly motivated, enthusiastic, energetic person, aiming at significantly improving his or her career perspectives in both public and private sectors. The successful applicant should have the competencies of the R1A category and will be considered as predoctoral research staff in training.
- Required qualification/skills/experience
At the time of the formalization of the contract:
- Candidates must have a degree of Licenciado, Engineer, Architect, or a University Graduate degree with at least 300 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) credits, or a Master’s degree, or an equivalent qualification.
- Candidates must have been admitted to a doctoral program.
- Candidates cannot have a previous PhD degree.
- Other skills that are valuable, but not mandatory are:
- Good competencies associated with their university degrees, especially in the field of signal processing, communications and/or electromagnetics, and good competence in mathematics.
- Strong oral and written English communication skills.
- Creativity, open-mindedness and integration skills are highly appreciated.
Even if you do not meet all the technical requirements, we encourage you to apply. Selection will be based on the following criteria:
Criterion 1. Academic and/or scientific-technical background of the candidate (up to 50 points).
- Subcriterion 1.a): Scientific-technical contributions (up to 45 points). The candidate’s academic record and other curricular achievements will be assessed, as well as their relevance to the tasks to be performed, based on the candidate’s training and professional experience.
- Subcriterion 1.b): Mobility and internationalization (up to 5 points). The relevance and impact of the candidate’s stays at national and international research centers and/or in the industrial sector on their research career will be evaluated, taking into account the prestige of the host institution and the activities carried out during the stay.
Criterion 2. Suitability of the candidate for the research activities to be undertaken (up to 50 points). The candidate’s suitability for the program, project, or research activities to be carried out will be evaluated, based on their prior training and experience. The added value that the project will represent for the candidate’s research career, as well as the value contributed to the host center and research team, will also be taken into consideration.
How to apply?
All applications must include:
- A complete CV, including a list of publications and the contact details of two potential referees
- Transcripts of the BSc and MSc degrees.
- Copy of the BSc degree diploma (and MSc degree diploma, if available).
- Cover letter stating the motivation and suitability of the candidate.
The application documents must be submitted in pdf format through this online application.
*ONLY APPLICATIONS VIA WEB WILL BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION.*
CVs and any other information gathered during this process will be handled confidentially.
Who are we?
- The Center Tecnològic de Telecomunicaciones de Catalunya (CTTC) is a non-profit public sector research institution dedicated to fundamental and applied research activities, focused mainly on technologies related to the physical, data link and network layers of communication systems and Geomatics.
- CTTC received the “HR Excellence in Research” award in 2015 from the European Commission and successfully passed into the Award Renewal phase in 2023. This is a recognition of the Institute’s commitment to develop a Human Resources Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R), designed to bring the practices and procedures in line with the principles of the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers (Charter and Code). Our institution’s comprehensive analysis and HRS4R action plan meet all the requirements of progress and quality of our HR policies. CTTC promotes itself as a provider of a stimulating and favourable work environment for researchers.
- The CTTC is located in the beautiful Mediterranean Technological Park of Castelldefels, a science park that houses the Polytechnic University of Catalonia, research institutions, innovative companies and startups. The PMT-UPC is located 10 minutes’ walk from the beach and the city center of Castelldefels, also close to childcare centers, public schools and the best international schools. It can be reached by car, train (RENFE) and various bus lines.
- We have 2 buildings on campus, with state-of-the-art facilities, comfortable work spaces, meeting rooms, and multipurpose spaces, as well as social spaces.
- The institute has a multicultural environment with more than 130 members (scientific, technical and administrative staff) from all over the world.
CTTC offers and promotes a diverse and inclusive environment and welcomes applicants regardless of age, disability, gender, national origin, race, religion, or sexual orientation.
The CTTC seeks to increase the presence of women in those areas where they are underrepresented and therefore explicitly encourages them to stand as candidates.
It is also committed to increasing the number of people with disabilities in its workforce and therefore encourages their applications.