Researcher on NTN, HAPs, Space-Air Edge Computing, and Autonomous UAV Communications (m/f/x)

In order to fill a fixed-term position in full-time (39.83 hours/week = 100%) at the earliest possible date, we are looking for a

Researcher on NTN, HAPs, Space-Air Edge Computing, and Autonomous UAV Communications (m/f/x)

The Institute of Networked Energy-Efficient Systems is dedicated to advancing autonomous, energy-efficient cloud-based networks that support cutting-edge services and innovations. We are assembling a talented international team committed to pioneering research and teaching in this dynamic field.

We are looking for a highly motivated researcher to join an ambitious research program aimed at developing the next generation of intelligent non-terrestrial and aerial communication networks. The position addresses the fundamental challenge of how Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN), High-Altitude Platforms (HAPs), satellites, aerial platforms, terrestrial cellular networks, and distributed edge-computing resources can be jointly orchestrated to provide resilient, low-latency, energy-efficient, and autonomous connectivity for cellular-connected Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and future space-air-ground integrated networks.

The researcher will join the Institute of Networked Energy-Efficient Systems at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Ruhr University Bochum. This is a full-time position with immediate availability.

Scope: full-time Duration: fixed-term, 3 years Start: at the earliest possible date Apply by: 2026-10-05

Your tasks

• Design and develop novel architectures for integrated terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks spanning satellites, HAPs, UAVs, terrestrial cellular systems, and distributed edge-cloud infrastructures.
• Investigate edge computing in space and air, including dynamic computation offloading, service placement, distributed processing, and resource orchestration across highly mobile and heterogeneous platforms.
• Develop innovative radio and network resource management mechanisms for cellular-connected UAV communications, considering three-dimensional mobility, interference, coverage, energy, latency, and reliability constraints.
• Design autonomous network management and orchestration mechanisms for UAV communications, including intent-driven control, closed-loop optimization, self-configuration, self-healing, and adaptive mobility-aware connectivity.
• Explore AI- and learning-based approaches for network optimization, traffic prediction, mobility management, handover, beam management, resource allocation, and autonomous decision making in space-air-ground networks.
• Develop digital twin frameworks for NTN, HAPs, aerial networks, and cellular-connected UAV systems, integrating communication, mobility, computation, and energy models.
• Prototype and experimentally validate proposed solutions using network and system-level simulation platforms, software-defined infrastructures, edge-cloud testbeds, and, where applicable, UAV and wireless communication platforms.
• Collaborate closely with researchers working on wireless communications, 5G/6G networks, NTN, satellite and aerial networks, edge-cloud computing, artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, and network orchestration.
• Participate in interdisciplinary research projects involving both academic and industrial partners.
• Publish research findings in leading conferences and journals in wireless communications, networking, mobile computing, edge-cloud computing, autonomous systems, and 5G/6G technologies.
• Contribute to research project planning, execution, reporting, and proposal preparation.
• Assist in the supervision of student projects and junior researchers.
• Support teaching activities in areas related to wireless and mobile communications, 5G/6G systems, non-terrestrial networks, cloud-edge computing, distributed systems, and autonomous network management.
• Support the organization of outreach activities related to the Institute’s research activities.

Your profile

• Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Telecommunications, or a related field.
• Prior publications in renowned transactions, journals, and the proceedings of reputable conferences are highly desirable and advantageous.
• Wireless Communications and Mobile Networks, 5G/6G Radio Access Networks and Core Networks, Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN), Satellite Communications, and High-Altitude Platforms (HAPs)
• UAV Communications, Aerial Networks, and Three-Dimensional Mobility Management, Distributed Systems, Cloud-Edge Computing, and Edge Computing in Space and Air
• Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for Communication Networks, Radio Resource Management, Interference Management, Beam Management, and Mobility/Handover Optimization
• Autonomous Network Management, Network Orchestration, and Closed-Loop Control, Optimization, Reinforcement Learning, and Decision-Making Algorithms
• Familiarity with frameworks and tools such as ns-3, OMNeT++, MATLAB, Python, PyTorch, Kubernetes, Docker, OpenAirInterface, srsRAN, or related communication and edge-computing platforms
• Knowledge of 3GPP 5G/5G-Advanced and emerging 6G technologies, including NTN specifications and cellular-connected UAV communications, is highly desirable.
• Ability to independently and proactively design, execute, and analyse experimental research., Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
• Strong scientific writing and communication abilities , Ability to collaborate effectively in multidisciplinary and international teams , Strong motivation to pursue high-impact research

[https://jobs.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/jobposting/21d6002782eaa4c26ebf53070d240c268308f81a0?ref=AfA](https://jobs.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/jobposting/21d6002782eaa4c26ebf53070d240c268308f81a0?ref=AfA)