PhD student in Machine learning

Do you have a background in machine learning and interested in telecommunications? You have a chance to contribute to development of sensing methods for new distributed MIMO systems.

Your work assignments

The research focus for the advertised position is machine learning for telecommunications. The position is part of the project "Machine learning for sensing in distributed wireless systems" which is conducted in collaboration between Linköping University (LiU) and Lund University (LU). Read more here: https://elliit.se/project/machine-learning-for-sensing-in-distributed-wireless-systems/

Distributed MIMO-systems (D-MIMO) is an emerging research direction that is focused on development of communication systems with better coverage, throughput, and stability. The project aims to use D-MIMO infrastructure and machine learning to perform real-time sensing, such as positioning, intrusion detection, fire detection and detection of other types of anomalies.

As a PhD student in this project, you will contribute to the development of new models and methods in machine learning for D-MIMO integrated sensing. This includes working with large amounts of data generated by a unique D-MIMO testbed at Lund University, extending existing and creating new deep learning-based models for anomaly detection, theoretical and numerical studies of detection quality, creating new distributed computational pipelines and optimizing communication costs. You will also contribute to the integration and testing of the models in real D-MIMO environments, in close collaboration with a PhD student at Lund University who is specialized in telecommunications.

As a PhD student, you devote most of your time to doctoral studies and the research projects of which you are part. Your work may also include teaching or other departmental duties, up to a maximum of 20 per cent of full-time.

Your qualifications

You have gratuated at Master’s level in machine learning, computer science, statistics, or a related area that is considered relevant for the research topic of the project, or have completed courses with a minimum of 240 credits, at least 60 of which must be in advanced courses in the subject areas mentioned above. Alternatively, you have gained essentially corresponding knowledge in another way.

A successful candidate should have excellent study results. It is also desirable that the applicant has a strong background in mathematics and statistics. The applicant should be skilled at implementing new models and algorithms in a suitable software environment, with documented experience, as well as skilled at estimating and optimizing complexity of algorithms. Experience in telecommunications and experience of programming in Python are desirable. The applicant should furthermore have a strong drive towards solving real world problems by doing fundamental research; the ability and interest to work collaboratively; and strong communication skills. The applicant should be able to communicate freely in oral and written English.

Your workplace

You will be part of the research group that is part of ELLIIT, which is a strategic research environment funded by the Swedish government. ELLIIT stands out by the quality and visibility of its publications, and its ability to attract and retain top talented researchers. The research group consists of two senior researchers (in machine learning and telecommunications) and two doctoral students: one doctoral student is recruited through this call and the other through a similar call at Lund University (LU). The research in this project will be based on a unique D-MIMO testbed located at LU and the expertise of one of the world's leading MIMO researchers who is a part of the research group: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/6736761

The main focus of the doctoral student at LiU is machine learning for D-MIMO systems, while the doctoral student at LU is expected to focus more on telecommunications aspects of the project such as design aspects, software, hardware, implementation of the models in real environments and real-time testing. If you are more interested in such aspects, you are welcome to apply for the corresponding position which is going to be announced at LU soon.

The current position is formally based at the Division of Statistics and Machine Learning (STIMA) at the department of computer and information science. At STIMA, we conduct research and education in both statistics and machine learning, at the undergraduate, advanced and PhD levels. STIMA is characterized by a modern view of the statistical subject, where probabilistic models are combined with computational algorithms to solve challenging complex problems, as well as a statistical view of machine learning which clearly integrates the two subject areas within the division.

Linköping University is one of the leading AI institutions in Sweden, and researchers in the project have links to various prominent national AI initiatives and steering groups, such WASP and AI commission.

The employment

When taking up the post, you will be admitted to the program for doctoral studies. More information about the doctoral studies at each faculty is available at Doctoral studies at Linköping University

The employment has a duration of normally four years’ full-time equivalent. Extension of employment up to five years is based on the degree of teaching and institutional assignment. Further extensions may be granted in exceptional circumstances. You will initially be employed for one year, after which your employment will be renewed for a maximum of two years at a time, depending on your progress through the study plan. 

Starting date by agreement but latest on 15^th of August 2026.

Salary and employment benefits

The salary of PhD students is determined according to a locally negotiated salary progression.

More information about employment benefits at Linköping University is available here.

Union representatives

Information about union representatives, see Help for applicants.

Application procedure

Apply for the position by clicking the “Apply” button below. Your application must reach Linköping University no later than April, 13, 2026.

Applications and documents received after the date above will not be considered.

In the application please provide a personal letter (first field in the application form). This letter should contain a paragraph where you briefly explain/list the qualifications that you believe are particularly relevant for the research topic. This paragraph should start with the words “Suitability for research topic:”.