Research Vacancies

2 X PhD by Research Positions (Research Ireland [SHIELD: Intelligent Reflecting Surface for Enhanced Integrated Sensing and Communication to Protect Vulnerable Road Users])

• Closing Date for Applications: 7th January, 2026
• School: School of Computer Science and Information Technology
• Futures of Networks, Systems & Cybersecurity (nasc)
• College: College of Science, Engineering and Food Science
• Contract Type: Fixed Term Whole-Time Job
• Type: Research
• Project: SHIELD: Intelligent Reflecting Surface for Enhanced Integrated Sensing and Communication to Protect Vulnerable Road Users
• Stipend: See advert for details

Project summary

Applications are invited for two fully-funded PhD Studentships to join our research team at the nasc Research Centre, with an anticipated start date of March 2026.

Each position is for 48 months, offering a tax-free stipend of €25,000 p.a., with tuition fees covered at the EU rate. The positions will be based at the School of Computer Science and Information Technology, University College Cork, within the nasc Research Centre.

The successful candidates will contribute to the progress of the SHIELD project under the supervision of Dr. MD Noor-A-Rahim and will work closely with postdoctoral researchers, as well as academic and industry collaborators.

PhD Position 1 – Wireless Networks & Intelligent Sensing

The first PhD position will focus on research activities related to wireless networks, machine learning, and intelligent sensing for transportation systems. Applicants with experience or interest in wireless networks and communications, machine learning and computer vision, intelligent transportation systems, intelligent sensing and localization, or signal processing are encouraged to apply.

PhD Position 2 – Edge Communication & Computing

The second PhD position will focus on edge communication and computing aspects of the SHIELD project. Candidates with experience or interest in intelligent reflecting surfaces, wireless resource optimization, edge/fog communication for intelligent transportation systems, edge-assisted sensing and localization, or federated learning are encouraged to apply.

Requirements

Applicants should hold (or be in the near-completion phase of) a Master’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, telecommunications, or another relevant discipline. Candidates with a first-class honours undergraduate degree may also be considered, provided they have prior research publications in the areas listed above. Ideally, applicants will demonstrate an interest in both theoretical analysis and practical system design, with a strong motivation to work on intelligent systems. Evidence of research potential (such as prior journal publications or conference papers in high-impact venues) will be considered highly advantageous.

The School of Computer Science & IT (CSIT) at UCC is part of three major Irish SFI-funded research centres, CONNECT - Centre for Future Networks & Communications, Insight - Centre for Data Analytics, Lero - Irish Software Research Centre and it is also hosting two large doctoral training centres (ADVANCE and INSIGHT).

The successful applicants will receive a stipend of €25,000 per annum for up to four years and an annual contribution of €5,750 towards tuition fees. Non-EU candidates may apply but they may have to cover extra fees themselves. In line with our Athena SWAN ambitions we especially encourage women to apply for this position.

If the successful applicant’s first language is not English they will have to provide evidence of English language proficiency https://www.ucc.ie/en/study/comparison/english/postgraduate/

General enquires about the PhD position can be made to Dr. MD Noor-A-Rahim. Email: md.noorarahim@ucc.ie

Start date: March 2026

Application Information

To Apply: Applications by email to Mary Noonan at m.noonan@cs.ucc.ie and must include "PhD by Research (SHIELD) Application” in the subject line. Applications must include, in PDF format only:

· Full CV with a publication record (list all publications).

· Transcript of results for all university-level modules and courses.

· One-page abstract describing the final-year undergraduate project or MSc project.

· One-page statement outlining your research interests, explicitly referring to one or more of the areas listed above.