Doctoral Researcher in Optical Satellite Communications

Your role

As an Industrial PhD candidate in collaboration with SES, you will conduct advanced research on high-capacity coherent optical feeder links for ground-to-satellite communication, addressing real operational challenges of future satellite systems. The research will focus on atmospheric impairments, link availability, and scalable high-data-rate transmission concepts aligned with SES’s roadmap for next-generation optical infrastructure.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Investigating atmospheric effects on ground-to-space optical communication, including turbulence-induced fading, scintillation, beam wander, wavefront distortions, and cloud/aerosol impacts
• Developing physical-layer models and mitigation techniques for coherent optical uplinks, including adaptive modulation, coding, diversity schemes, and advanced receiver processing
• Developing simulation frameworks and performance analysis tools to assess link availability, reliability, and throughput under realistic operational conditions
• Exploring system-level trade-offs between optical terminal design, atmospheric mitigation techniques, and network performance
• Aligning the research with industrial needs and roadmaps for future optical satellite systems, e.g., high-capacity feeder links
• Publishing results in leading peer-reviewed journals and presenting at major international conferences

Your profile

• MSc or MEng degree in Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications Engineering, Photonics, Applied Physics, or a closely related field
• Strong background in digital communication systems, signal processing, and applied mathematics, demonstrated through academic performance and/or prior research work
• Knowledge of optical communication systems, physical-layer concepts, or optical beam propagation
• Knowledge of atmospheric propagation effects, free-space optical (FSO) communication, or satellite communication systems is a strong advantage
• Familiarity with optical systems, photonics, or laser-based communication technologies is a plus
• Ability to develop simulation models and analyze complex system performance under realistic conditions in one of MATLAB, Python, C/C++
• Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving skills, and ability to work on multidisciplinary challenges
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in an international academic–industrial research environment

Language Requirements:

Applicants must demonstrate at least B2-level proficiency in the language of their thesis. For details and accepted certificates, please visit the Application for admission – Doctoral Candidates.

We offer

• A modern, dynamic university with a personal and inclusive atmosphere. Multilingual and international character. Staff coming from more than 90 countries. Member of The Guild of European Research Intensive Universities
• An exceptional research environment, supported by skilled staff and high-quality equipment. Strong links to professional sectors and the Luxembourg labour market. A unique urban campus with excellent infrastructure
• A partner for society and industry. Cooperation with European institutions, innovative companies, the Financial Centre and a wide range of non-academic partners including ministries, local governments, associations, and NGOs

How to apply

Applications should include:

• Curriculum Vitae : For each degree received or currently enrolled in, provide the degree, institution name, institution city and country, and date (or expected date) of graduation. Include the title and short summary of your final (Bachelor/Master) Thesis if you did one
• Cover letter presenting your motivation for this doctoral thesis topic, and explaining how your qualifications and aspirations align with its academic focus
• Transcript of all modules and results from university-level courses taken

Early application is highly encouraged, as the applications will be processed upon reception. Please apply ONLINE formally through the HR system. Applications by Email will not be considered.

All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply. In line with our values, the University of Luxembourg promotes an inclusive culture. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and are dedicated to upholding equality and respect for our employees and students.

General information:

• Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract 36 Month, extendable up to 48 months if required
• Work Hours: Full Time 40.0 Hours per Week
• Location: Kirchberg Campus
• Internal Title: Doctoral Researcher
• Job Reference: UOL08094

The yearly gross salary for every Doctoral researcher at the UL is EUR 41976 (full time).

About us

The University of Luxembourg is an international research university with a distinctly multilingual and interdisciplinary character.

The Interdisciplinary Centre for Security, Reliability and Trust (SnT) at the University of Luxembourg is a leading international research and innovation centre in secure, reliable and trustworthy ICT systems and services.We play an instrumental role in Europe by fueling innovation through research partnerships with industry, boosting R&D investments leading to economic growth, and attracting highly qualified talent. We look for researchers from diverse academic backgrounds to contribute to our projects in areas such as: Network Security, Information Assurance, Model-driven Security, Cloud Computing, Cryptography, Satellite Systems, Vehicular Networks, and ICT Services & Applications.

The Signal Processing and Communications (SIGCOM) research group of SnT conducts research aimed at designing, emulating and testing new high-performance systems for the future of mobile and satellite communications. Fields of applications range from 5G/6G telecommunications to satellite-based internet connectivity. For details, you may refer to the following: https://wwwen.uni.lu/snt/research/sigcom.

In addition, SIGCOM hosts the following experimental facilities:

• 6GSpaceLab: Facility for the design and testing of 5G/6G non-terrestrial networks
• CommLab: Real-time wireless testbeds for DSP in satellite and terrestrial systems
• HybridNet Lab: In-lab validation of the advent orchestration of large-scale autonomous and heterogeneous network systems
• TelecomAI Lab: AI-driven solutions for 5G/6G and non-terrestrial networks
• CSAT Lab: Design, fabrication, and measurement of advanced antenna technologies