PhD position in 1-Bit Foundation Models for Smart Farming

Pervasive Wireless Systems Group

Deadline for receipt of applications: February 14th, 2025 23:59 AoE (15 February 2025, 13:59h Europe/Madrid Time)

IMDEA Networks’ Pervasive Wireless System Group headed by Prof. Domenico Giustiniano invites applications for PhD positions in the framework of HORIZON-MSCA-2023-DN-01-01 ANT Project

The project aims to develop a data curation and integration pipeline for farming data of varying modalities and quality, enabling deployment on edge devices using energy-efficient 1-bit foundation models (BitFM). It includes decision mechanisms for activation based on network conditions, energy availability, and task frequency. The project also seeks to enhance BitFM reliability by augmenting its outputs with proprietary foundation models when needed. Expected results include identifying Agritech use cases for BitFM, designing and evaluating system architecture under different conditions, and fine-tuning methods for low-confidence responses. The PhD, under UC3M, involves secondments at TU Delft for system design and UNIFR for system evaluation, with joint papers as deliverables.

The position offers:

• the possibility to interact and collaborate with major telco industry players
• a vibrant, collaborative, multi-cultural and English-speaking environment
• the prospect to publish at top-tier venues in networking
• the high quality of life of the region of Madrid, Spain, where we are based.

The position requires:

• a degree in telecommunication engineering, electrical engineering, computer science or related field, with a solid academic record
• excellent programming skills
• fluency in written and spoken English
• enthusiasm for interdisciplinary research.
• Desirable skills/interests: signal processing, electronic design, machine learning (the applicant should be proficient in at least one or two of the skills)

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement No. 101169439.

Equal Employment Opportunity

IMDEA Networks Institute aims to increase the proportion of women and therefore qualified female applicants are explicitly encouraged to apply. Until a balanced ratio of men and women has been achieved at the institute, preference will be given to women if applicants have similar qualifications. IMDEA Networks Institute actively promotes diversity and equal opportunities. Applicants are not to be discriminated against in personnel selection procedures on the grounds of gender, ethnicity, religion or ideology, age, sexual orientation (anti-discrimination). People with disabilities who have the relevant qualifications are expressly invited to apply.