Doctoral Student In Optical Communications And Fiber Sensing

Join us at the Division of Communications, Antenna, and Optical Networks, and help advance knowledge in the rapidly evolving field of fiber sensing in optical communication networks.

Our modern connected world is built on an immense web of fiber-optic cables linking cities, countries, and continents (see, for example, submarinecablemap.com). While this global infrastructure was designed for data transmission, it holds an extraordinary potential: it can also act as a large-scale sensor of the surrounding physical environment. In this project, we explore both the opportunities and risks associated with this potential.

This PhD position is fully funded for 4 years (plus a possible extension based on teaching and department duties) at one of Europe's leading technical universities. The PhD student will be supervised by Assist. Prof. Christian Häger, in collaboration with Prof. Magnus Karlsson (IEEE & Optica Fellow), Prof. Mats Viberg, and Assoc. Prof. Marija Furdek. We have a very large network of international collaboration partners, with many possibilities for longer research visits abroad, for example to Germany, the Netherlands, the UK, or the USA. We offer some of the highest salaries for PhD students in Europe, full social benefits and health insurance, no tuition fees for PhD studies, financial support for relocation, and more; see below for details.

The starting date for this position is Fall 2026.

About us

At the Department of Electrical Engineering, research and education are performed in the areas of Communications, Antennas and Optical Networks, Systems and Control, Signal Processing and Biomedical Engineering, and Electric Power Engineering. We work with sustainable and smart solutions to societal challenges, such as energy efficiency and electrification in areas ranging from transport and production systems to communication solutions and biomedical engineering.

You will be part of a strong research team in optical communications, organized within the research center FORCE. The center brings together experts in communications, photonics, and electronics to tackle challenges in optical communications through a cross-disciplinary approach. The collaboration spans from components to networks, and from theoretical analysis to experimental implementation.

About the research project

Today’s telecommunication fibers are primarily designed for data transmission, but they can also serve as passive sensors of mechanical and acoustic environmental perturbations. While pervasive fiber sensing could enable many beneficial applications such as infrastructure monitoring and environmental awareness, it may also unintentionally capture sensitive information, including human activity or speech. Your work will focus on developing new numerical models, advanced machine learning algorithms, and signal processing methods to understand what information about the surrounding environment can be inferred from optical communication signals. This includes identifying both intended sensing capabilities and unintended information leakage, such as the detectability of human activity or speech-related vibrations. The goal is to establish a physics-based and system-level understanding of what can—and cannot—be sensed using existing telecom infrastructure, and to assess implications for privacy, security, and system design.

Who we are looking for

The following requirements are mandatory:

• To qualify as a Doctoral student, you must have a Master's degree (masterexamen) of 120 credits or a Master’s degree (magisterexamen) of 60 credits* in Electrical Engineering, Engineering Physics, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics or closely related fields.
• Strong background in digital communications, signal processing, and machine learning, with excellent grades in the core courses within these subjects
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English
• Independent, curious, and creative mindset

• for students with an education earned outside of Sweden, a 4-year Bachelor’s degree is accepted.

The following experience will strengthen your application:

• Experience in implementing and simulating digital communication systems (e.g., in Python or Matlab)
• Courses or experience in optical communication systems and/or fiber sensing

Swedish language skills are not required for this position. However, our department offers Swedish language courses free of charge.

What you will do

• Work on challenging research problems and contribute new knowledge to the research field.
• Develop your own scientific concepts and communicate the results of your research verbally and in writing in top journals and at international conferences
• Learn how to formulate research problems, conduct research, and validate results, with guidance from your supervisor(s) and colleagues.
• Take courses at an advanced level within the Graduate school of Electrical Engineering
• The position generally also includes teaching on Chalmers' undergraduate level or performing other duties corresponding to up to 20% of full time

Contract terms

• The Doctoral student position is fully funded from the start by a prestigious grant from the Swedish Research Council.
• The position is a fixed-term appointment for four years, with the possibility to teach up to 20%, which extends the position up to five years.
• A starting salary of 34,550 SEK per month (valid from May 25, 2025).
• Doctoral studies require physical presence throughout the entire study period. A valid residence permit must be presented by the study start date; otherwise the admission may be withdrawn.

What we offer

• As a Doctoral student at Chalmers, you are an employee and enjoy all employee benefits. Read more about working at Chalmers and our benefits for employees.
• A dynamic and inspiring working environment in the coastal city of Gothenburg.
• Read more about Sweden’s generous parental leave, subsidized day care, free schools, healthcare etc at Move To Gothenburg.

Chalmers is dedicated to improving gender balance and actively works with equality projects, such as the GENIE Initiative for gender equality and excellence.

If Swedish is not your native language, Chalmers offers optional Swedish courses to help you settle in.

Find more general information about doctoral studies at Chalmers here.

Application procedure

The application should be written in English and attached as PDF-files, as below. Maximum size for each file is 40 MB. Please note that the system does not support Zip files. Do not send applications by email

1. CV: (Please name the document: Surname_CV.pdf)

• Educational and professional background
• Awards and distinctions
• Teaching and pedagogical experiences
• Two references that we can contact

2. Personal letter, max 1 page: (Please name the document: Surname_Letter.pdf)

• A brief introduction about yourself.
• Describe your previous experience of relevance for the position (e.g. education, thesis work and, if applicable, any other research activities)
• Describe your future goals and future research focus

3. Bachelor's transcript and degree certificate (Please name the document: Surname_Bachelor.pdf)

4. Master's transcript and (if yet available) degree certificate (Please name the document: Surname_Master.pdf)

5. Bachelor's and (if yet available) master's thesis (Please name the documents: Surname_BThesis.pdf and Surname_MThesis.pdf)

Use the button at the foot of the page to reach the application form.

Please note: The applicant is responsible for ensuring that the application is complete. Incomplete applications and applications sent by email will not be considered. Contact details to references will be requested after the interview.

We welcome your application no later than February 28, 2026.

For questions, please contact:

Christian Häger, E2
Assistant Professor
christian.haeger@chalmers.se (This email address is for questions only. Please do not email your CV or any other application documents.)

*** Chalmers declines to consider all offers of further announcement publishing or other types of support for the recruiting process in connection with this position. ***

Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg conducts research and education in technology and natural sciences at a high international level. The university has 3100 employees and 10,000 students, and offers education in engineering, science, shipping and architecture. With scientific excellence as a basis, Chalmers promotes knowledge and technical solutions for a sustainable world. Through global commitment and entrepreneurship, we foster an innovative spirit, in close collaboration with wider society.
Chalmers was founded in 1829 and has the same motto today as it did then: Avancez – forward.