PhD in Wireless-Native Physical AI Systems

Aalborg University; Aalborg Kommune; On-site; DKK 301,000 - 391,000; Full time

Job summary

Aalborg University invites applications for a PhD stipend in wireless-native Physical AI Systems within the Wireless Communications study programme. The position is based at the Department of Electronic Systems and aims to advance integration of AI with wireless sensing and communication using robotic platforms and edge intelligence.

Candidates hold a Master’s degree in a related field, with strong mathematical and analytical skills and an interest in interdisciplinary research across AI,

Qualifications

• PhD stipends are allocated to individuals who hold a Master's degree.
• PhD stipends are normally for a period of 3 years.
• It is a prerequisite for allocation of the stipend that the candidate will be enrolled as a PhD student at the Technical Doctoral School of IT and Design in accordance with Ministerial Order No. 1039 of August 27, 2013.

Responsibilities

• Investigate wireless-native physical AI systems with focus on AI integration with wireless sensing and communication.
• Develop models and algorithms for the joint design of sensing, communication, inference, and action, and contribute to a robotic platform.
• Collaborate across researchers in wireless communications, sensing, machine learning, and robotics.

Skills

Python

PyTorch

TensorFlow

Education

Master's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, data science, mathematical engineering, robotics, or a closely related field

Tools

Python

PyTorch

TensorFlow

Job description

PhD in Wireless-Native Physical AI Systems

The Department of Electronic Systems at The Technical Faculty of IT and Design invites applications for a PhD stipend in the field of wireless-native Physical AI Systems within the general study programme Wireless Communications; as per January 1, 2027, or as soon as possible thereafter.

In electronic engineering, Aalborg University is known worldwide for its high academic quality and societal impact. The Department of Electronic Systems employs more than 200 people, of which about 90 are PhD students, and about 40 % of all employees are internationals. In total, it has more than 600 students in its BSc and MSc programs, which are based on AAU's problem-based learning model. The department leverages its unique research infrastructure and lab facilities to conduct world-leading fundamental and applied research within communication, networks, control systems, AI, sound, cyber security, and robotics. The department plays an active role in transferring inventions and results into applications in close collaboration with industrial partners worldwide. You can read more about the department at www.es.aau.dk.

Your work tasks

The PhD project will investigate wireless-native physical AI systems, with a particular focus on the integration of artificial intelligence with wireless sensing and communication. The research will study how radio signals and multimodal sensor observations can be jointly exploited by intelligent physical systems, such as robots, vehicles, and distributed autonomous agents, to perceive and interpret their environment and support timely physical action. A central objective will be to develop wireless sensing and communication methods that are designed together with AI-based inference, rather than treating connectivity as a separate layer. Particular attention will be given to how latency, interference, reliability, incomplete observations, and limited wireless resources affect sensing, inference, and decision-making, and how communication and sensing resources can be designed according to their value for the task being performed.

The project will combine fundamental research in wireless sensing, communication, and networking with AI-driven inference and robotic experimentation. The PhD student will develop models and algorithms for the joint design of sensing, communication, inference, and action, and is expected to contribute to a real robotic platform integrating multimodal sensors, wireless connectivity, edge intelligence, and robotic actuation. This platform will enable system-level validation of new approaches in dynamic physical environments and provide a basis for studying how wireless sensing and AI interact in real systems. The work will be carried out in close collaboration with researchers in wireless communications, sensing, machine learning, and robotics, with the ambition of producing contributions relevant to leading venues in both the communications and AI communities.

Your competencies

We are looking for a candidate with a Master's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, data science, mathematical engineering, robotics, or a closely related field. The candidate should have solid mathematical and analytical skills and a strong interest in the interplay between wireless systems and Artificial Intelligence.

Experience with one or more of machine learning, wireless communications, signal processing, multimodal sensing, robotic perception, optimization, or control will be an advantage.

The candidate should be comfortable with scientific programming, for example in Python and common machine-learning frameworks such as PyTorch or TensorFlow, and be motivated to combine theoretical work with algorithm development and experimental validation. We value curiosity, independence, and the ability to collaborate across disciplines in an international research environment spanning communication theory, networking, information theory, sensing, machine learning, and robotics.

Qualification requirements

PhD stipends are allocated to individuals who hold a Master's degree. PhD stipends are normally for a period of 3 years. It is a prerequisite for allocation of the stipend that the candidate will be enrolled as a PhD student at the Technical Doctoral School of IT and Design in accordance with the regulations of Ministerial Order No. 1039 of August 27, 2013 on the PhD Programme at the Universities and Certain Higher Artistic Educational Institutions. According to the Ministerial Order, the progress of the PhD student shall be assessed at regular points in time.

Who we are

The successful candidate will be hosted by the Connectivity Section at the Department of Electronic Systems, Aalborg University. The Connectivity Section works in communication theory, wireless communications, and networking. Its research activities include low-latency and time-constrained communication, satellite and non-terrestrial networking, the interplay between AI/machine learning and communications, communication and sensing, quantum communications, and experimental work on open radio access networks. The group offers a dynamic and international research environment with strong opportunities for collaboration across wireless communications, sensing, and AI. The PhD student will work closely with the faculty members and postdocs that work in related areas.

Aalborg University wants to reflect the surrounding society and has diversity as a core value. Therefore, everyone, regardless of personal background and orientation, is encouraged to apply for the position.

The assessment of candidates for the position will be carried out by qualified experts. Shortlisting will be applied. This means that after the application deadline, the head of the department, with the assistance of the hiring committee, will select the applicants to be assessed. All applicants will be informed whether they have been shortlisted for assessment or not.

The hiring process at Aalborg University may include a risk assessment as a tool to identify potential risks associated with new hires, ensuring the safety, compliance, and integrity of the workplace.

Salary and terms of employment

The employment is in accordance with the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities and the Ministerial Order on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities. Furthermore, your terms of employment and salary are in accordance with the collective agreement between the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations and the state (AC collective agreement).

Aalborg University

- Knowledge for the world

Aalborg University is an international workplace with more than 3,700 employees. We offer real-world-oriented education and create world-class research results through collaboration between researchers, students, and public and private companies. This is how we achieve insights, new solutions to societal problems, and knowledge that changes the world. Our main campus is in Aalborg, but we also have campuses in Esbjerg and Copenhagen.