PhD Scholarship in Optimization of Optical Links

DTU Electro invites applications for a PhD position in AI-driven optimization of optical links based on nano-lasers, within the Villum Investigator program "Power-Efficient Fiber-Optic Communication" (POPCOM) and DNRF Center for NanoPhotonics (NANOPHOTON). The position focuses on developing signaling optimization frameworks to maximize spectral and power efficiency. 

As data-center traffic continues to grow, the energy consumption of optical links has become a critical bottleneck, with power efficiency (measured in J/bit) increasingly rivaling spectral efficiency as a key performance metric. This project will investigate how AI-driven techniques can jointly optimize nano-laser-based transmitters and their waveforms to reduce energy consumption while sustaining high data rates, contributing to more sustainable next-generation optical communication infrastructure. 

Responsibilities and qualifications
We seek a motivated, curious, and outgoing PhD candidate with a solid background in fiber optics, laser-physics, communication engineering, machine learning, and AI-based agentic frameworks. Experience applying machine learning or AI-based optimization frameworks to communication systems and laser modelling, as well as experimental work, is a plus.

The project goal is to develop an AI-driven optimization framework and apply it to realize robust transmitter and receiver architectures that enable power-efficient signaling at the maximum allowable spectral efficiency. The project will cover both algorithm development and experimental implementation.

We offer an opportunity to develop expertise in various domains, including but not limited to:

• Reinforcement learning for the design of optical links
• Development of nano-laser physical system models and data-driven models
• Realization of experimental procedures for testing the developed frameworks
• Building fiber-optic transmission systems
• Investigating transmission performance in practical test-beds

As a PhD candidate at DTU, you will take part in an educational program of 30 ECTS tailored to your needs, covering technical subjects as well as the "soft skills" needed for a successful career in industry or academia.

Your tasks will include research and development of AI-driven methods for mitigating impairments associated with short-range optical links, using energy-efficient signal processing solutions. The overall goal will be to maximize the information rate given the energy-consumption constraint. Specifically, you will focus on the following areas:

• Gradient-based learning for symbol and pulse shaping
• Model-free reinforcement learning strategies for signal pre-distortion
• Physics-informed neural networks
• Maintenance of the GitHub repository for the developed code
• Organizing and managing joint experiments with collaboration groups

You must have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree.

Approval and Enrolment 
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU's rules for the PhD education. 

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and appointment terms
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. Please see DTU’s salary structure for scientific staff: www.inside.dtu.dk/en/human-resources/during-employment/salary/salary-structures.

The period of employment is 3 years.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information 
Further information may be obtained from Professor Darko Zibar, dazi@dtu.dk and Professor Jesper Mørk jesm@dtu.dk.

You can read more about DTU Electro at https://electro.dtu.dk/. 

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark. Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “PhD relocation to Denmark and startup “Zoom” seminar” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU. 

Application procedure 
Your complete online application must be submitted no later 1 November, 2026 (23:59 Danish time). Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae 
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale

You may apply prior to obtaining your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it. 

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply. As DTU works with research in critical technology, which is subject to special rules for security and export control, open-source background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates for the position.

DTU Electro  
DTU Electro employs more than 300 skilled researchers with competencies in electrical and photonics engineering. As a department, we strive towards creating sustainable energy and a greener internet, as well as strengthening cyber security and health technology. Working with industry and public organizations is one of our top priorities to find and implement new solutions to our society. We aim to offer education, research, and innovation of the highest standard, and our focus on application-oriented research enables us to work across many engineering disciplines and research areas, such as IT and the medical and health sciences. We have a close collaboration with researchers from all over the world, just as we collaborate with industry and public authorities about the dissemination of solutions based on electrical and photonics engineering as their key enabling technologies. 

DTU – For the benefit of society since 1829
DTU is one of Europe's leading elite technical universities. Through research and education at an international top level, we create solutions to the major societal challenges of our time and help secure Europe's global leadership in sustainable technological development. Since Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU almost 200 years ago, our mission has remained the same: We develop and create value through the natural and technical sciences for the benefit of society. DTU has 13,800 students, 1,600 PhD students, and 6,500 employees. We work in an international environment and have an inclusive, stimulating, and informal work culture. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland and collaborates with the best universities around the world.