Luleå University of Technology is in strong growth with world-leading competence in several research areas. We shape the future through innovative education and ground-breaking research results, and based on the Arctic region, we create global social benefit. Our scientific and artistic research and education are conducted in close collaboration with international, national and regional companies, public actors and leading universities. Luleå University of Technology has a total turnover of nearly SEK 2,1 billion per year. We currently have 1,900 employees and 18,700 students. In the coming years, multi-billion investments will be made in large projects in Northern Sweden to create a fossil-free society both nationally and globally. Luleå University of Technology is involved in several of these cutting-edge research projects and in the societal transformation that they entail. We offer a broad range of courses and study programmes to match the skills in demand. We hope that you will help us to build the sustainable companies and societies of the future.

The department of Computer Science, Electrical and Space Engineering at Luleå University of Technology (LTU) is offering two PhD student positions to carry out research with the Signal Processing group in the area of next generation space-terrestrial wireless communications and sensing. We are looking for ambitious and creative candidates with a master’s degree and strong analytical skills, who wish to contribute to cutting edge research in this area.
The work will be conducted within the SMART 6GSAT multidisciplinary research center and in collaboration with the Royal Institute of Technology, along with a broad partnership of companies, authorities, organizations and regions. Funding of the positions is through the European Regional Development Fund.

Subject description
The subject includes signal processing with emphasis on development and optimization of algorithms for processing single and multi-dimensional signals that are closely related to applications and applied research.

Project description
For the 6th generation (6G) wireless systems, low-Earth orbiting (LEO) satellites will be integrated with terrestrial systems to achieve true global coverage, by extending low latency broadband and IoT services to all rural areas and remote locations with high energy efficiency.
To achieve this goal and to avoid interference, signals from satellites, ground and base stations, and many users need to be integrated in an energy-efficient manner using massive and distributed MIMO, reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS) and possibly other emerging technologies. Furthermore, besides the traditional communication services new objectives such as integrated sensing (ISAC) and localization are becoming important for 6G. The research will mainly be theoretical, but LTU has testbeds for potential experiments.

Duties
As a PhD student you are expected to perform both experimental and theoretical work within your research studies as well as communicate your results at national and international conferences and in scientific journals. Most of your working time will be devoted to your own research studies. In addition, you can have the opportunity to try the teacher role.
The primary purpose of this research project is to investigate some of the fundamental aspects and methods how to communicate, sense, and localize, using wireless signals between the LEO space and the ground in an energy efficient manner using concepts such as MIMO and RIS.
The research will be carried out at the Division of Signals and Systems at LTU under the supervision of Associate Professor Rickard Nilsson and Professor Jaap van de Beek. The research results will be published in top-level journals and conferences and prepare you for a career in academia and industry.

Qualifications
To qualify for a PhD student position, you must have a master’s degree, or equivalent in signal processing, wireless communications, or mathematics. The research will focus on the signals in the physical layer but can also cover aspects of the media access control and network layers. The research is expected to use methodology from signal processing, communication theory, mathematics, wave propagation, electromagnetics, optimization, machine learning, and networking.
Strong documented experience in these areas is commendable, particularly by having published your work. Candidates should have an excellent mastering of the English language, both orally and in writing.
A master’s degree awarded no more than five years before the application deadline provides a useful qualification. Candidates who have been awarded a master's degree at an earlier date may also be considered if there are special grounds, for example, different types of statutory leave of absence.

Further information
Employment as a PhD student is limited to 4 years, with placement in Luleå, Sweden, and with the possibility for an extension of up to one year corresponding to fulfillment of department duties. Starting date is according to agreement between the two parties.

For further information about the PhD position, please contact Associate Professor Rickard Nilsson (+46) 920-49 1594, rickard.o.nilsson@ltu.se, or Professor Jaap van de Beek, (+46) 920-49 3383, jaap.vandebeek@ltu.se.

Union representatives:
SACO-S Diana Chroneer,(+46 )920-49 2037 diana.chroneer@ltu.se
OFR-S Marika Vesterberg, (+46) 920-49 1721 marika.vesterberg@ltu.se

In case of different interpretations of the English and Swedish versions of this announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence.

Application
We prefer that you apply for this position by clicking on the apply button below. The application should include a CV, copies of diplomas and grades from university studies, a copy of your MSc thesis, and a brief account of why you want to conduct research, your academic interests within the scope of the research project, and how they relate to your previous studies and future goals (maximum one page long). Mark your application with the reference number below. Your application, including diplomas, must be written in English or Swedish.

Last application date: January 11, 2026.
Referencenumber: 4758-2025