Simon Rommel

This PhD position at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) is part of the European Doctoral Network ‘ANCHOR’ and focuses on advancing network architectures and control for tropospheric and cell-free networks, with a strong emphasis on 6G and next-generation wireless communications. The project addresses the growing demands for bandwidth, reliability, energy efficiency, and sustainability in future mobile networks by integrating terrestrial and airborne network components using radio, THz, and optical communications. As a PhD candidate, you will work on defining scenarios and requirements for tropospheric links and networks, analyzing their impact on network protocols and control schemes, and developing optimization and resource allocation algorithms for hybrid fibre-FSO-RF communications. You will also augment software defined networking (SDN) controllers to integrate tropospheric networking and implement network resource optimization, followed by performance evaluation and KPI analysis. The expected outcomes include new network architectures, SDN controller plugins, and performance evaluations for tropospheric networks. You will be embedded in the Quantum & Terahertz Systems (QTS) team within the Electro-Optical Communications (ECO) group of the Department of Electrical Engineering at TU/e, collaborating with a dynamic team of researchers and benefiting from extensive laboratory facilities and the Centre for Wireless Technology (CWTe). The ANCHOR network offers comprehensive training, secondments at partner institutions, and broad networking opportunities across academia and industry. Applicants should have a master’s degree in Electrical or Communications Engineering or Applied Physics, with excellent grades and a research-oriented mindset. Experience in dynamic mobile network architectures, network management, and relevant protocols is advantageous. Candidates must be able to work in interdisciplinary and international teams, be willing to undertake secondments abroad, and meet the EU Mobility rules (not having resided in the Netherlands for more than 12 months in the past 3 years). Proficiency in English at C1 level is required. The position offers a four-year full-time contract with a competitive salary (scale P: €3,059–€3,881 per month), year-end bonus, vacation pay, pension scheme, paid parental leave, and additional allowances for commuting, home working, and internet costs. International candidates benefit from a tax compensation scheme (30% facility) and support from the Staff Immigration Team. TU/e provides a vibrant, international research environment with high-quality training and career development opportunities. Applications must be submitted online and include a cover letter, CV with publications, and contact details for three references. The vacancy remains open until filled, with priority given to complete applications. For further information, contact Assistant Professor Simon Rommel (s.rommel@tue.nl).

This postdoctoral position at Eindhoven University of Technology focuses on developing quantum safe communications solutions for future telecommunications networks. The role addresses the critical challenge posed by quantum computing to current cryptographic methods, aiming to integrate post-quantum cryptography (PQC) and quantum key distribution (QKD) into real-world network protocols and security frameworks. The successful candidate will design and implement protocols and software components, benchmark their performance, and analyze their security, contributing to the advancement of secure communications infrastructure. The postdoc will join the Quantum & Terahertz Systems (QTS) team within the Electro-Optical Communications (ECO) group in the Department of Electrical Engineering. The QTS team is dynamic, with around thirty researchers, and the ECO group is recognized as a leading center for optical communications and networking, comprising over one hundred researchers. The position offers access to extensive laboratory facilities and the Quantum Communications Testbed NL (QuCT NL), a state-of-the-art infrastructure for developing and testing quantum safe communications and future quantum networks. Applicants should hold a PhD in Telecommunications Networks research or a related field such as Electrical Engineering or Computer Science. Essential qualifications include experience in network protocol design and implementation, network security protocols, security analysis, quantum key distribution, and post-quantum cryptography. Candidates must demonstrate high-quality academic research output, project management skills, and the ability to collaborate with both academic and industrial partners. Excellent English communication and leadership skills are required, and experience mentoring students is valued. The position offers a full-time contract for one year, with a competitive salary (scale 10: €4,241–€5,538 per month), a year-end bonus, vacation pay, and various allowances. International candidates benefit from dedicated support, including a staff immigration team, tax compensation (30% facility), and moving expense compensation. The university provides a vibrant, international research environment, high-quality training programs, and excellent campus facilities. To apply, candidates must submit a cover letter, CV with publications and references, and up to five selected best publications via the online application portal. The deadline for applications is February 26, 2026. Incomplete applications may not be considered, and applications by email or post are not accepted. For further information, contact Dr. Simon Rommel (s.rommel@tue.nl).

Tu/e is offering a postdoctoral position on attacks, countermeasures, and eavesdropping on quantum key distribution (QKD) within the Quantum & Terahertz Systems (QTS) team of the Electro-Optical Communications (ECO) group in the Department of Electrical Engineering. The project sits at the intersection of quantum communications, cryptographic security, and optical networking, and is closely linked to the Quantum Communications Testbed NL (QuCT NL), a field-deployed infrastructure used for research and development with academic and industrial partners. The successful candidate will investigate existing and novel attacks on QKD systems, design countermeasures, and assess their security implications. A key part of the work is to build a simulation and analysis framework that can validate and compare attacks and defenses, contribute to standardized protocols for QKD security testing, and develop hardware attack systems intended to eavesdrop on or otherwise compromise QKD implementations. The role is highly research-oriented and combines theoretical security analysis with practical experimental work. This postdoc will join a dynamic team of about thirty researchers in QTS and a larger optical communications and networking community at TU/e of more than one hundred researchers. The position offers access to extensive laboratory facilities and close collaboration with industrial partners. It is particularly suited to a researcher interested in quantum-safe communications, implementation security, side-channel attacks, and the evaluation of real-world quantum cryptographic systems. Eligibility highlights include a PhD in quantum communications, quantum security, or a closely related area such as Electrical Engineering or Computer Science. The post specifically asks for experience with QKD protocol design and implementation, protocol and implementation security analysis, and both theoretical and experimental work on quantum key distribution. Strong publication record, project management ability, teamwork, leadership, and excellent English communication skills are also expected. The appointment is full-time for 2 years, with the possibility of extension. Compensation follows Dutch university scale 10, with a gross monthly salary from €4,422 to €5,760, plus an 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus. Additional employment benefits include pension participation, training opportunities, campus facilities, childcare, sports access, wellbeing support, commuting/work-from-home allowances, immigration support, and possible relocation support. Applications are accepted online until 2026-08-31 (or until the position is filled). Applicants should provide a cover letter, a CV including publications and three references, and up to five self-selected best publications. Email and postal applications are not processed.