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Postdoctoral Associate

Job Title: Postdoctoral Associate
Position no: 22529F
Hours per week: 40

Position Summary

Commonwealth Cyber Initiative (CCI) - Virginia Tech welcomes applications and nominations for a Postdoctoral Associate to conduct research in the CCI xG Testbed and O-RAN Open Testing Integration Center (OTIC) Washington DC Metro Area. The CCI xG Testbed, led by Dr. Aloizio Da Silva, is looking for motivated and talented researchers with expertise in Cellular Communication Network, Open RAN, Software Defined Radio (SDR), Software Defined Network (SDN), Network Function Virtualization and Edge-computing systems design.

Researchers will carry out research in network systems, with focus on large-scale experimentation using open-source (i.e srsRAN) and open-standards (i.e. O-RAN) to realize open-architecture technologies. Also, the researchers will leverage the O-RAN OTIC Washington DC Metro Area North America through testing & evaluation, showcase, enhancements, prototyping, and research on O-RAN solutions.

The xG Wireless Testbed group specializes in the application and development of advanced hardware and software technologies to future advanced wireless networks and packet networks for 5G and beyond, data center, smart city, smart agriculture, vehicular, military and IoT applications. Virginia is uniquely positioned to demonstrate global leadership in secure cyber physical systems (CPS), including underlying cybersecurity technologies. The Commonwealth’s strengths include an unrivaled density of IT talent, industry, and venture capital, creating a highly fertile environment for innovation and tech-based economic growth.

To support the CCI research efforts, this position will include the development of innovative xG network architectures and testbed experiments in collaboration with academic, commercial, and government researchers using the CCI xG Testbed and O-RAN OTIC.

This position is a hybrid position physically located in Arlington, Virginia.

Required Qualifications

  • PhD in Computer Engineering or Computer Science or a related field with a communications and networking background. PhD must be awarded no more than four years prior to the effective date of appointment with a minimum of one year eligibility remaining.
  • Hands-on experience with experimental research in wireless communications and with testbeds
  • Solid background in network softwarization
  • Solid background in wireless communication
  • Demonstrated ability to working effectively with on a diverse team
  • Track record in publishing in high-impact peer-reviewed journals and conferences.
  • Proven strong communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience with computer network technologies
  • Experience with 5G and Beyond 5G technology

Job Duties

% of Time Duties / Responsibilities Essential / Marginal
40 Research, software development and experimental work for new radio systems and advanced wireless networks in the following fields:
  • O-RAN hardware and software architecture
  • O-RAN testing & evaluation, prototype and proof-of-concept
  • Digital design of programmable network elements;
  • Network function programmability and virtualization;
  • High data rate communication networks (10/100 Gbps, up to 1 Tbps);
  • Mobile edge-computing, with focus on low-latency communication;
  • AI/ML applied to wireless networks;
  • Multi-Access and Mobile Edge computing (MEC);
  • Container-based architecture for networking;
  • 5G/IoT multi-technology network ecosystem convergence and development;
  • NFV Management and orchestration (MANO).
 Essential
20 Work leading to publications in high-quality, high-impact journals and presentations at international conferences in conjunction with internal and external research collaborations in industrial and academic laboratories in U.S. and beyond. Essential
20 Participating in proposal development. Essential
10 Mentoring PhD and MS students on their dissertation and theses. Essential
10 Interacting with the CCI Hub and Nodes in Northern, Coastal, and Central Virginia to coordinate the xG testbed deployment and establish best practices. Essential

Hiring Manager: Aloizio Da Silva
Email address: aloiziops@vt.edu