Research Associate / PhD Student (f/m/d): Physical Layer Security and Hardware Demonstrator Development

The project aims to develop, implement, test, and demonstrate physical-layer security strategies that exploit wireless channel characteristics, multi-antenna transmission, and adaptive signal processing to improve the confidentiality, integrity, and authenticity of wireless communications.

The Chair of Theoretical Information Technology at TUM offers a position as

Physical Layer Security and Hardware Demonstrator Development

Physical-layer security is becoming increasingly important for protecting next-generation wireless networks against eavesdropping, spoofing, manipulation, and other adversarial attacks. Conventional cryptographic methods alone may not be sufficient for highly dynamic, distributed, or resource-constrained wireless systems. The project aims to develop, implement, test, and demonstrate physical-layer security strategies that exploit wireless channel characteristics, multi-antenna transmission, and adaptive signal processing to improve the confidentiality, integrity, and authenticity of wireless communications.

You will design, implement, and analyze physical-layer security strategies using advanced simulation and measurement platforms. Specific tasks include:

• Implementing physical-layer security strategies derived from theoretical work, such as wiretap codes, artificial-noise transmission, secure beamforming, physical-layer authentication, and channel-based secret-key generation.
• Simulating wireless communication systems under different adversarial scenarios, including passive eavesdropping, active spoofing, and intentional jamming.
• Analyzing the influence of realistic propagation channels, mobility, hardware impairments, and imperfect channel-state information on the achievable security performance.
• Implementing selected physical-layer security strategies on RFSoCs or software-defined radios.
• Conducting real-world experiments to investigate deviations between theoretical models, software simulations, channel emulations, and hardware implementations.
• Working closely with partners at TUD and theoretical researchers on algorithm development, performance analysis, implementation, and experimental validation.

To be qualified for this position, you should have

• Excellent master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Communications Engineering, or a related field
• Strong knowledge in wireless communication systems and channel coding
• Proficiency in at least one programming language (e.g. Python, C++)
• FPGA programming experience
• Interest in hands‑on experimentation and hardware prototyping

The following points are considered a bonus

• Experience with SDR platforms (e.g., USRP, NI VST, Ettus devices)
• Experience with spectrum analyzers or signal generators
• Experience with RF hardware (spectrum analyzer, network analyzer, etc.) and software defined radios
• Prior knowledge of wireless communication systems (MIMO-OFDM, LTE, 5G-NR)
• Prior knowledge of information theory Our offer
• Access to state‑of‑the‑art lab facilities at the TUM ACES Lab
• Collaboration with leading researchers at TUM and TUD
• Opportunity to contribute to cutting‑edge physical layer security research with real‑world impact
• A dynamic, international research environment and support for publication at top conferences/journals
• Subject to personal qualifications, employees are remunerated in salary group E 13 TV-L

How to apply

Please send us your application by e-mail (jobs.lti.cit@tum.de with „PHYSEC“ in the subject line), including the following documents:

• CV, copies of relevant certificates and diplomas (or transcript of records if not yet finished)
• Short description of your research interests and your motivation for the application
• Master thesis and up to 3 publications (if available)
• Contact information for two references

General Information

The Technical University of Munich (TUM) is aiming to increase the number of women employees, and applications from women are expressly welcomed. Applicants with disabilities, with essentially the same suitability and qualification, will be preferred. As you apply for a position at TUM, you will provide personal data; please note our data protection information according to Art. 13 Data Protection Basic Regulation (DSGVO) on the collection and processing of personal data in connection with your application, http://go.tum.de/554159. By submitting your application, you confirm that you have taken note of the data protection information of the TUM.

Contact

Prof. Holger Boche
Technical University of Munich
School of Computation, Information and Technology
Chair of Theoretical Information Technology
Theresienstrasse 90, 80333 Munich
https://www.ce.cit.tum.de/en/lti/team/boche/

The position is suitable for disabled persons. Disabled applicants will be given preference in case of generally equivalent suitability, aptitude and professional performance.

Data Protection Information:
When you apply for a position with the Technical University of Munich (TUM), you are submitting personal information. With regard to personal information, please take note of the Datenschutzhinweise gemäß Art. 13 Datenschutz-Grundverordnung (DSGVO) zur Erhebung und Verarbeitung von personenbezogenen Daten im Rahmen Ihrer Bewerbung. (data protection information on collecting and processing personal data contained in your application in accordance with Art. 13 of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)). By submitting your application, you confirm that you have acknowledged the above data protection information of TUM.

Kontakt: jobs.lti.cit@tum.de