PhD Researcher: Integrated Underwater and Terrestrial Communication Networks

Organisation/Company The University of Edinburgh Department School of Engineering Research Field Engineering » Electronic engineering Engineering » Communication engineering Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Final date to receive applications 31 Dec 2026 - 12:59 (Europe/London) Country United Kingdom Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Offer Starting Date 1 Jun 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Horizon Europe - MSCA Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

We are seeking an outstanding Doctoral Candidate (DC) for a fully funded studentship as part of the prestigious Horizon Europe MSCA Doctoral Network “Advanced Network Connectivity using Harmonious Optical and Radio Technologies (ANCHOR)” The studentship covers UK fees and provides a generous salary, consumables, and travel budget.

Extending high-speed wireless data transfer to the underwater environment has several benefits that include environmental protection, national security, mineral exploration, and monitoring of vital underwater infrastructure among others. This need has led to increased research in underwater optical wireless communication (UOWC). Recent studies in controlled in-lab testbeds have shown the possibility of a Gbps data rate. But achieving reliable, robust and resilient data transfer in the challenging underwater channel remains a challenge.

This project will study UOWC and investigate approaches to link the underwater network to the much wider land and space communication networks.

This project is also to study the existing radiative transfer theoretical framework of photon propagation in underwater to formulate a signalling/waveform design that is best suited to the UOWC channel. This will be followed by designing a new resilient waveform for UOWC and developing a computer-based simulation to evaluate its performance. Finally, the study will use existing UOWC channel emulator to demonstrate the feasibility of the new signalling/waveform.

The ideal candidate for this project would have first degree and MSc/MEng in physics, electronic and electrical engineering or a related discipline. A passion for experimental work and capability to develop/apply mathematical modelling techniques will be particularly important for this project.

Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute  Country United Kingdom Geofield