2 Ph.D. positions in Statistical Physics in Advanced Multiuser Communications at Department of Electronics and Telecommunications, NTNU, Norway (IME-026-2006).

Two Ph.D. scholarships is offered within the area of Statistical Physics in Advanced Multiuser Communications at the Department of Electronics and Telecommunications (http://www.iet.ntnu.no) in the Faculty of Information Technology, Mathematics and Electrical Engineering, The Norwegian University of Science and Technology. The Ph.D. scholarships are financed by The Research Council of Norway (NFR) and is part of the project SPAM (Statistical Physics in Advanced Multiuser Communications) involving researchers from both statistical physics and communications engineering.

Background: The interconnection between digital communications and statistical mechanics was established only recently. It stems from the binary natures of digital signals in communications, and of electron spins in quantum mechanics. Exploiting these analogies, both fields - communications engineering and statistical physics - can greatly benefit.

Goal: The goal of this PhD project is to apply concepts from statistical mechanics in order to improve, analyze, and design new high-rate wireless multiuser communication systems. The candidates will be supervised by Prof. Ralf R. Müller and be associated with the Signal Processing Group at the Department of Electronics and Telecommunications at NTNU, (s)he will work in a strong and active scientific environment, and the project will incorporate collaboration with several foreign partners, as well as active international publication of research results. The scholarships will also include a 6 months visiting research scholarship to another foreign university that is in the lead internationally within this field.

We seek highly motivated individuals holding a masters degree in electrical engineering, communication technology, statistical physics, mathematics, or other relevant disciplines. The candidates must be formally qualified for Ph.D. studies at NTNU. General information about doctoral studies at NTNU can be found at http://www.ime.ntnu.no/Dr.gradsstudier. It is demanded that the scholarship holders apply for, and are accepted for, the Ph.D. study programme at NTNU as soon as possible after hiring. Interested candidates are encouraged to contact Professor Ralf R. Müller (e-mail: ralf@iet.ntnu.no; phone: +47-735-94417) for further information.

Award holders at NTNU are normally appointed for 4 years with 25% of the time spent on specified work. This work is primarily linked to teaching and is usually divided so that a relatively large part is done in the first half of the period of the appointment.

The position is remunerated according to wage levels 39 to 58 on the Norwegian State salary scale, with gross salary from NOK 292.000 to NOK 406.200 a year, of which 2% is deducted for the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund. The appointment will be made in accordance with current regulations with relevant parts of “Supplementary guidelines for employment as research fellow at NTNU”.

The goal of the announced positions is to obtain a PhD degree. Applicants must agree to participate in organised doctoral study programmes within the period of the appointment. The successful applicants must agree to the conditions laid down for public employees. A contract will be drawn up regarding the period of appointment and work-related duties for award holders.

The national labour force must reflect the composition of the population to the greatest possible extent. It is therefore a major political objective to achieve a balance of age and gender and to recruit persons with an immigrant background. Immigrants are encouraged to apply for this post. NTNU wants to increase the proportion of women in its scientific posts. Women are encouraged to apply. The application must contain information about education, examinations and previous experience. Certified copies of testimonies and documents must be attached. Three copies of publications and any other work which the applicant wishes to be taken into account should also be enclosed. Joint works will be considered. If it is difficult to specify the input of the applicant in a joint work, a short summary should be attached outlining the applicant’s input. The applicant should also submit a short description of the research s/he intends to carry out during the period of the scholarship, drawn up in co-operation with the institute. Applications are to be sent to the Norwegian University of Scie nce and Technology, Faculty of Information Technology, Mathematics and Electrical Engineering, Gamle Fysikk, Sem Sælands vei 5, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway. The application deadline is 12.05.2006. The file number for the position (Jnr. IME-026-2006) is to be clearly stated on the application.