PhD position in Adaptive Protocols for Decentralized Wireless Networks

Secure Mobile Systems Group

Deadline for receipt of applications: April 14, 2026 23:59 AoE (15 April 2026, 13:59h Europe/Madrid Time)

The IMDEA Networks Institute offers one fully funded PhD position in the area of Adaptive Protocols for Decentralized Wireless Networks. The research associate will contribute to the newly established Secure Mobile Systems Group. The main focus of the work will be on adaptable protocols for decentralized wireless/mobile networks and systems. Goal is to enable off-the-shelf systems (such as WiFi-based, LoRa-based, or 5G/6G-based systems) to form emergency networks in case of crisis. These systems shall seamlessly transition between normal operation and crisis mode by switching over into decentralized, island, or direct-mode operation, while maintaining the ability for efficient and secure operation. This allows to leverage local power, compute, and communication abilities even if (part of) the core network is affected by an outage. The research associate will employ methods such as reverse engineering to understand and modify the behavior of off-the-shelf systems. This forms the basis for designing, implementing, and experimentally evaluating adaptive protocols and solutions. The research associate will contribute to building up the newly founded Secure Mobile Systems Group. 

The position offers:

• a unique opportunity to investigate state-of-the-art mobile/wireless systems
• the prospect to publish at top-tier venues in mobile/wireless systems 
• a vibrant, collaborative, multi-cultural and English-speaking environment
• a strong international component with a German collaboration partner 
• the high quality of life of the region of Madrid, Spain, where the lab is based.

The position requires:

• an MSc degree in Computer Science, Telecommunication Engineering, Information Technology, Electrical Engineering or related fields, with excellent academic record
• experience in wireless communications and knowledge of at least two out of WiFi, LoRa, 5G/6G technologies
• excellent system-level programming skills in C/C++ to be able to contribute to the NexMon platform (www.nexmon.org)
• background on reverse engineering and comprehensive knowledge in the field of cybersecurity 
• knowledge on performing system level experimentation in wireless systems
• fluency in written and spoken English
• enthusiasm for research of complex real-world communication systems

Candidates shall submit by the call deadline a CV, a motivation letter, and two reference letters through the IMDEA Networks Institute hiring portal, at:

https://careers.networks.imdea.org/

Publications relevant to the position:

[A] M. Stute, F. Kohnhäuser, L. Baumgärtner, L. Almon, and M. Hollick, S. Katzenbeisser, B. Freisleben, RESCUE: A Resilient and Secure Device-to-Device Communication Framework for Emergencies, IEEE Transactions on Dependable and Secure Computing 19(3), 1722–1734. May 2022. https://10.1109/TDSC.2020.3036224.

[B] R. Ruiz, J.O. Lacruz, B. Bloessl, M. Hollick, and J. Widmer, HELIX: High-speed Real-Time Experimentation Platform for 6G Wireless Networks. Proceedings of the 23rd Annual International Conference on Mobile Systems, Applications and Services (ACM Mobysis). 305–318. https://doi.org/10.1145/3711875.3729152.

[C] M. Schulz, J. Link, F. Gringoli, and M. Hollick, Shadow Wi-Fi: Teaching Smartphones to Transmit Raw Signals and to Extract Channel State Information to Implement Practical Covert Channels over Wi-Fi, 16th Annual International Conference on Mobile Systems, Applications, and Services (ACM MobiSys). 256–268. 2018. https://doi.org/10.1145/3210240.3210333 

[D] H. Brunner, R. Hofmann, M. Schuß, J. Link, M. Hollick, C.A. Boano, and K. Römer. Leveraging Cross-Technology Broadcast Communication to build Gateway-Free Smart Homes, 17th International Conference on Distributed Computing in Sensor Systems (IEEE DCOSS). 9 pages. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1109/DCOSS52077.2021.00014

[E] D. Steinmetzer, D. Wegemer, M. Schulz, J. Widmer, and M. Hollick. Compressive Millimeter-Wave Sector Selection in Off-the-Shelf IEEE 802.11ad Devices, 13th International Conference on emerging Networking (ACM CoNEXT). 414–425. 2017. https://doi.org/10.1145/3143361.3143384 

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.