Fundació per a la Universitat Oberta de Catalunya
PhD Researcher for the “GAIA Pathfinder” European Project within the WINE Resear
Fundació per a la Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, Villa Espana Colonia, Texas, United States
Organisation/Company Fundació per a la Universitat Oberta de Catalunya Research Field Computer science Technology » Telecommunications technology Engineering Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Country Spain Application Deadline 7 Jan 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Madrid) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 38,5 Offer Starting Date 2 Feb 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Other EU programme Reference Number 101256099 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No
Offer Description We are seeking a PhD student to develop the project ‘ MultiLearn: A multimodal approach to language learning: a window into the linguistic skills of children with neurodevelopmental disorders‘. The project is led by researchers Alfonso Igualada and Núria Esteve-Gibert, members of the GRECIL research group, affiliated with the eHealth Centre (Centre for Human and Planetary Health Research) at the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC).
GAIA Pathfinderis a groundbreaking European research project redefining the Internet of Things. GAIA aims to create the first biodegradable, battery-free, and infrastructure-aligned IoT systems that communicate using ambient cellular signals. Our vision: an environmentally sustainable, self-powered, and truly ubiquitous IoT ecosystem.
This is not a simulation nor theoretical project, you will build a real working prototype of ambient backscatter tags operating over 3GPP cellular bands, using biodegradable materials. You’ll be part of a top-tier European consortium with partners in France, Portugal, Finland, Germany, and Spain.
Responsibilities: Design and implement ambient backscatter communication protocols aligned with 3GPP standards (LTE/5G). Develop and test SDR-based prototypes using OpenAirInterface (OAI) and Ettus USRPs. Integrate backscatter tags with biodegradable antennas and substrates, collaborating with materials and electronics experts. Analyze and model link budgets, modulation schemes, and network coexistence for backscatter-enabled IoT. Participate in multi-partner integration and field trials on real cellular networks.
You will collaborate with senior researchers across Europe, publish in top IEEE venues, and have the opportunity for research stays at leading institutions abroad.
A three-year, full-time pre-doctoral contract will be offered, with a scheduled start date is February 2026. The contract is governed by the provisions of Article 21 of Law 14/2011, of 1 June, on Science, Technology and Innovation.
Contracts for applicants recruited under the terms of a pre-doctoral contract prior to the start of the grant must comply with the maximum term permitted by Law 14/2011 of 1 June. (Shortlisted candidates must provide their employment history or a sworn declaration).
For work on site, the principal location will be the UOC Campus, at Rambla del Poblenou 154-156, Barcelona. At the UOC, we work with an open working model that combines remote working with work on-site, according to organizational needs and the nature of the tasks involved.
About the UOC A leader in e-learning, our pioneering university is a digital native with global reach and a mandate for public service. We've been providing accredited, high-quality online education for the last 30 years, and our mission is lifelong development of people's talent. We conduct research with a transformative approach to generate social and economic impact.
At the UOC, we're not all the same. And this works very much in our favour. The differences between who we are and what our experiences and ideas are make us stronger. In our mission to work with the best talent, we do all we can to ensure equal opportunities, ignoring aspects such as gender, age, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or any other physical, personal or social aspect other than merit and abilities. Likewise, we will assess any reasonable adjustments that candidates require in order to put themselves forward for the position. Contact us at seleccio@uoc.edu if, at any stage of the selection process, you need some form of adaptation.
The UOC's recruitment and selection processes are based on the principles of Open, Transparent and Merit-based Recruitment (OTM-R).
Research Field Technology » Telecommunications technology Education Level Master Degree or equivalent
Research Field Engineering Education Level Master Degree or equivalent
Specific Requirements
Candidate Profile: Hold a Spanish pre-EHEA degree (llicenciatura, enginyeria or arquitectura) or a bachelor's degree with at least 300 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) credits, a university master's degree, or equivalent qualification. Holds an MSc in Telecom., Comp. Science, EE, or related fields. Must not have previously completed a doctoral degree. Meet the entry requirementsfor admission to a doctoral programme. When the contract starts, they must be admitted to or enrolled in the doctoral programme. Their staff grade will be trainee pre-doctoral researcher. Experience in wireless networks, signal processing, and backscattering techniques. Understands 3GPP and UHF RFID protocol fundamentals To accredit a level of English from C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Residency in Spain for the duration of the contract.
If you are not yet taking a doctoral programme and wish to apply, visit https://www.uoc.edu/en/studies/doctorates .Explore the doctoral programmes available and request theWelcome and Information Service. Once you have the login details for the Virtual Campus, go to: Procedures > Doctoral programme admissions documentation > How to apply for admission to a doctoral programme with a competitive grant, research contract or research grant.
Also of interest: Is eager to learn and work with GNU Radio and Software Defined Radios (SDRs). Enjoys working in a multidisciplinary environment combining hardware, networks, and materials science.
Languages ENGLISH Level Excellent Research Field Computer scienceTechnologyEngineering Years of Research Experience 1 - 4
Additional Information You'll be joining an organization with an open working model that combines teleworking with working on site. You'll be working in an environment where everyone has equal opportunities and equal access to resources and people, regardless of their location or teleworking choices. You'll be provided with the computer equipment and ergonomic material you need to work both from home and on site at the UOC. You'll have training possibilities to continue your professional development. You'll finish work early on Fridays. You'll have 24 days of vacation, 9 personal leave days and 4 UOC holidays. You'll be able to work reduced summer hours (35 hours a week), subject to organizational requirements. You'll have well-being benefits such as activities to look after your health, a medical service, a physiotherapy service and, if required, assessment and adaptation of your workplace.
Selection process To take part in the selection process, you must register as a candidate in the Join our team section of our website ( www.uoc.edu ). Once you have registered, complete your profile in the candidate section in order to submit your application.
Additional comments
This contract is Funded by the European Union under the project with Grant Agreement Number 101256099.
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Offer Description We are seeking a PhD student to develop the project ‘ MultiLearn: A multimodal approach to language learning: a window into the linguistic skills of children with neurodevelopmental disorders‘. The project is led by researchers Alfonso Igualada and Núria Esteve-Gibert, members of the GRECIL research group, affiliated with the eHealth Centre (Centre for Human and Planetary Health Research) at the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC).
GAIA Pathfinderis a groundbreaking European research project redefining the Internet of Things. GAIA aims to create the first biodegradable, battery-free, and infrastructure-aligned IoT systems that communicate using ambient cellular signals. Our vision: an environmentally sustainable, self-powered, and truly ubiquitous IoT ecosystem.
This is not a simulation nor theoretical project, you will build a real working prototype of ambient backscatter tags operating over 3GPP cellular bands, using biodegradable materials. You’ll be part of a top-tier European consortium with partners in France, Portugal, Finland, Germany, and Spain.
Responsibilities: Design and implement ambient backscatter communication protocols aligned with 3GPP standards (LTE/5G). Develop and test SDR-based prototypes using OpenAirInterface (OAI) and Ettus USRPs. Integrate backscatter tags with biodegradable antennas and substrates, collaborating with materials and electronics experts. Analyze and model link budgets, modulation schemes, and network coexistence for backscatter-enabled IoT. Participate in multi-partner integration and field trials on real cellular networks.
You will collaborate with senior researchers across Europe, publish in top IEEE venues, and have the opportunity for research stays at leading institutions abroad.
A three-year, full-time pre-doctoral contract will be offered, with a scheduled start date is February 2026. The contract is governed by the provisions of Article 21 of Law 14/2011, of 1 June, on Science, Technology and Innovation.
Contracts for applicants recruited under the terms of a pre-doctoral contract prior to the start of the grant must comply with the maximum term permitted by Law 14/2011 of 1 June. (Shortlisted candidates must provide their employment history or a sworn declaration).
For work on site, the principal location will be the UOC Campus, at Rambla del Poblenou 154-156, Barcelona. At the UOC, we work with an open working model that combines remote working with work on-site, according to organizational needs and the nature of the tasks involved.
About the UOC A leader in e-learning, our pioneering university is a digital native with global reach and a mandate for public service. We've been providing accredited, high-quality online education for the last 30 years, and our mission is lifelong development of people's talent. We conduct research with a transformative approach to generate social and economic impact.
At the UOC, we're not all the same. And this works very much in our favour. The differences between who we are and what our experiences and ideas are make us stronger. In our mission to work with the best talent, we do all we can to ensure equal opportunities, ignoring aspects such as gender, age, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or any other physical, personal or social aspect other than merit and abilities. Likewise, we will assess any reasonable adjustments that candidates require in order to put themselves forward for the position. Contact us at seleccio@uoc.edu if, at any stage of the selection process, you need some form of adaptation.
The UOC's recruitment and selection processes are based on the principles of Open, Transparent and Merit-based Recruitment (OTM-R).
Research Field Technology » Telecommunications technology Education Level Master Degree or equivalent
Research Field Engineering Education Level Master Degree or equivalent
Specific Requirements
Candidate Profile: Hold a Spanish pre-EHEA degree (llicenciatura, enginyeria or arquitectura) or a bachelor's degree with at least 300 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) credits, a university master's degree, or equivalent qualification. Holds an MSc in Telecom., Comp. Science, EE, or related fields. Must not have previously completed a doctoral degree. Meet the entry requirementsfor admission to a doctoral programme. When the contract starts, they must be admitted to or enrolled in the doctoral programme. Their staff grade will be trainee pre-doctoral researcher. Experience in wireless networks, signal processing, and backscattering techniques. Understands 3GPP and UHF RFID protocol fundamentals To accredit a level of English from C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Residency in Spain for the duration of the contract.
If you are not yet taking a doctoral programme and wish to apply, visit https://www.uoc.edu/en/studies/doctorates .Explore the doctoral programmes available and request theWelcome and Information Service. Once you have the login details for the Virtual Campus, go to: Procedures > Doctoral programme admissions documentation > How to apply for admission to a doctoral programme with a competitive grant, research contract or research grant.
Also of interest: Is eager to learn and work with GNU Radio and Software Defined Radios (SDRs). Enjoys working in a multidisciplinary environment combining hardware, networks, and materials science.
Languages ENGLISH Level Excellent Research Field Computer scienceTechnologyEngineering Years of Research Experience 1 - 4
Additional Information You'll be joining an organization with an open working model that combines teleworking with working on site. You'll be working in an environment where everyone has equal opportunities and equal access to resources and people, regardless of their location or teleworking choices. You'll be provided with the computer equipment and ergonomic material you need to work both from home and on site at the UOC. You'll have training possibilities to continue your professional development. You'll finish work early on Fridays. You'll have 24 days of vacation, 9 personal leave days and 4 UOC holidays. You'll be able to work reduced summer hours (35 hours a week), subject to organizational requirements. You'll have well-being benefits such as activities to look after your health, a medical service, a physiotherapy service and, if required, assessment and adaptation of your workplace.
Selection process To take part in the selection process, you must register as a candidate in the Join our team section of our website ( www.uoc.edu ). Once you have registered, complete your profile in the candidate section in order to submit your application.
Additional comments
This contract is Funded by the European Union under the project with Grant Agreement Number 101256099.
#J-18808-Ljbffr