Department
The School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering at the University of Essex hosts research in communications, networking, signal processing and modelling under severe energy, bandwidth and safety constraints. The posts are based in the Unconventional Communications and Computing Laboratory (UC2), led by Dr Michael T. Barros. The appointments are part of BRAINET (Networked Distributed Neural Interfaces for Interference-Based Brain Stimulation), an MSCA Doctoral Network.
Duties of the Role
You will register for a PhD at the University of Essex and undertake doctoral research aligned to one of two Essex-hosted BRAINET projects. DC4 develops multiphysical communications for networked power and information transfer (magnetoelectric, NFC, ionic media and optics), characterising biophysical limitations of the human head and designing an optimised system under those constraints. DC5 develops a multimodal communication system for subdural brain implants enabling networking, including efficient signal processing and data compression methods, and evaluation of safety, reliability and long-term viability.
You will contribute to project deliverables, produce publishable outcomes, and participate in BRAINET training and consortium activities. Planned secondments depend on project assignment: DC4 includes Aalborg University (3 months) and INRIA (3 months); DC5 includes INRIA (3 months) and G.TEC (3 months).
Skills and qualifications required
You should have a good honours degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Computer Science, Biomedical Engineering, Communications Engineering, Signal Processing, Physics, Mathematics, or a closely related discipline. A Masters degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Computer Science, Biomedical Engineering, Communications Engineering, Signal Processing, Physics, Mathematics, or a closely related discipline is desirable.
You must be eligible to register for a PhD at Essex. You will need strong quantitative skills, research-grade programming ability (e.g., Python/MATLAB), and the ability to run rigorous computational experiments with reproducible workflows.
Familiarity with communication systems, signal processing, biophysical channel modelling, and/or neural/physiological signals is desirable; evidence of strong research aptitude and rapid learning is essential. You must be willing and able to undertake international secondments.
Please note (MSCA mobility rule)
Applicants must comply with the MSCA Doctoral Networks mobility rule: in general, they must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the UK for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before their recruitment date; eligibility will be checked during recruitment.
The University of Essex is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from all sections of the community, particularly from groups underrepresented within the University, including women and non-binary people.
At the University of Essex, internationalism and diversity is central to who we are and what we do. We are committed to being a cosmopolitan, internationally oriented university that is welcoming to staff and students from all countries, faiths and backgrounds, where you can find the world in one place.
To support this commitment we have our, a staff-led network that promotes and celebrates the rich cultural diversity among Essex staff, and our Colchester campus based, which hosts regular services, meetings and events organised by our chaplains and faith representatives.