Applications are invited for a 3-year PhD position within the field of digital signal processing for design of next generation high-speed optical communication systems. The start date is flexible, but preferably before October 1, 2015.

The project is interdisciplinary and will cover topics within the field of non-linear dynamics, machine learning and optical communication. The group has already a strong track record and industry collaboration in the application of digital signal processing and machine learning techniques to optical communication systems.

The main focus of the project is nonlinear inference, especially within the context of optical communication systems that operate in the nonlinear regime. The project will deal with topics such as inverse scattering theory (IST) for the nonlinear Schrödinger equation, Bayesian filtering and nonlinear transmission systems. The project will be carried out within at the Department of Photonics, Technical University of Denmark (DTU). The project is in close collaboration with DTU Compute, sections for Dynamical Systems (DynSys) and Cognitiv Systems (CogSys). The project may benefit from international collaboration with partners at University of California Santa Barbara and Stanford University.

In order to satisfy future demands on the data capacity, optical communication systems are experiencing a paradigm shift by moving to sophisticated modulation formats such as quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM). For higher order QAM signaling, optical fiber nonlinearities can severely limit the achievable transmission distance. Mitigation of optical fiber nonlinearities is therefore essential, as it will allow launching more power into the fiber and thereby enhance the overall capacity. One approach of mitigating the nonlinearities is to implement sophisticated signal processing based on IST from soliton theory and channel estimation at the receiver. Another approach would be to focus on the transmitter side and investigate various pre-distortion techniques.

The objective of the project is to explore novel interference cancellation approaches  which would provide resilience towards optical fiber channel nonlinearities. Most promising techniques will be incorporated and evaluated in an experimental test-bed environment.

Qualifications
Candidates should have a master's degree in engineering or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to the master's degree in engineering. Candidates with experience in digital communication, optical communication, digital signal processing, machine learning, pattern recognition or some other related fields of signal processing are encouraged to apply.

Moreover the candidate shall have additional skills as:

• Ability to work independently, to plan and carry out complicated tasks, and to be a part of a large, dynamical group
• Good communication skills in English, both written and spoken
• Experience with optical transmission systems employing advanced modulation formats
• Industrial experience is highly appreciated.
• Experience with experimental optical setups
• Experience using MATLAB or similar
• Innovative skills and the ability to generate new ideas

Application
To apply, please read the full job advertisement at www.career.dtu.dk.  

Application deadline: 22 May 2015

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