PhD position in sparse IoT NTN LEO constellations.

The Mobile Wireless Internet (MWI) team at i2CAT is looking for a PhD candidate to investigate on techniques to enable Reliable Multicast Services over sparse IoT NTN LEO constellations.

Sparse NTN LEO constellations based on NB-IoT radios and on core network extensions to support store and forward (S&F) operation are currently being standardized in 3GPP R19. The main use of these constellations is the connections of IoT sensors and actuators deployed in remote locations, where satellite operators can use these constellations to extend the NB-IoT service provided by terrestrial operators.

This PhD thesis will investigate the viability of providing a new type of services over these sparse LEO constellations, which we refer to a reliable multicast services (RMS). RMS consist of transmitting data to a large number of devices in a reliable manner, where firmware upgrades delivered to vehicles on the road is a canonical example, which is expected to grow at 14% CAGR between 2024 and 2031. 

The selected candidate will be responsible for:

• Understanding the state of the art on the topics related to the PhD topic
• Reporting the PhD progress on a weekly basis to the PhD advisors.
• Working autonomously during the week to validate hypothesis/experiments agreed during the weekly meetings.
• Setup the tools required to executed the PhD (e.g. network/constellation simulators)
• Analyse results and suggest enhancements
• Proactively propose ideas for algorithms and protocol extensions developed in the PhD

The PhD will have to address the following challenges:

• Identify required extensions to 3GPP protocols and related network design aspects to enable RMS over 3GPP IoT NTN systems.
• Design transport and application layer protocols that are efficient in delivering reliable data over sparse LEO IoT NTN constellations.
• Design RMS content delivery planning algorithms that fulfill SLAs between the satellite network operator and the application providers.

The selected PhD candidate will work with the MWI NTN team at i2CAT and will have a as co-advisor for the PhD a professor from UPC. In addition to the academic team, the PhD candidate will also interact with a commercial satellite operator that is funding this PhD position.

Who we are:

The i2CAT Foundation is a non-profit research and innovation center that promotes mission-driven R&D activities on advanced Internet architectures, applications, and services. More than 15 years of international research define our expertise in the fields of 5G, IoT, VR, and Immersive Technologies, Cybersecurity, Blockchain, AI, and Digital Social Innovation. The center partners with companies, public administration, academia, and end-users to leverage this knowledge in order to meet real social and business challenges.

The greatest value of i2CAT is the talent of the people who make up our human team. We enjoy a team of people from more than 13 different nationalities and work every day to create and foster a work environment where we all feel comfortable creating, innovating and growing.

Want to know more? Visit our webpage! www.i2cat.net

What will you enjoy?

• Work from our offices or from home, whichever works best for you. We only ask for one day in person at the office to coordinate with the rest of the team.
• This is a full-time vacancy.
• We have a flexible work schedule respecting your work-life balance.
• Reduced working hours on Fridays and in July and August.
• Fix + variable salary based on objectives.
• You decide wether you preferr to receive your salary in 12 or 14 payments.
• Optional benefits: Configure your salary according to your needs. We offer you the option of restaurant vouchers, public transport vouchers, nursery services, and medical insurance.
• Annual leave of 27 working days.
• We have fruit in the office to promote a healthy lifestyle
• Free coffee and tea.
• If you are interested, you can participate in events of your sector.
• You will work with a laptop. You can choose your operative system, Mac, Linux or Windows.
• Company social and team-building events (virtual & in-person).
• You can develop your own and personal training programme with our support.
• We will work so that you have a career plan to promote your growth and development.

Where will you do it?

At i2CAT we already have an established ‘work-from-home’ policy for some time. You can work from home or from the office, whichever suits you best. We expect that you attend the office one day per week to stay connected with your team and to engage with other colleagues

If you decide to come to the office, we are located in Zona Universitària, next to the Campus Nord of the UPC, within a multidisciplinary and multicultural environment. It is a very well-connected area (metro, tram, bus) with bars and restaurants around.

Our offices are designed with an open-office concept where everything is light and transparency. We have a variety of workspaces so that you don't have to be at the same table all day.

i2CAT is an organization committed to equal opportunities. That is why we seek to increase the number of women in those areas where they are underrepresented, and therefore explicitly encourage female candidates to apply.

I2CAT is an organization committed to creating an environment where we celebrate diversity, and where we provide the dedicated support that our employees need, regardless of their disability.

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