PhD Researchers in Molecular Communications
Explore cutting-edge molecular communication systems for healthcare, industrial, and environmental applications at FAU’s Institute for Digital Communications.
Best for:Best for master’s graduates in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or Computational Biology with a passion for interdisciplinary research and hands-on experimental work in emerging communication technologies.
Overview
This PhD programme at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg focuses on **Molecular Communication (MC)**, a revolutionary approach where information is encoded into molecular properties for nano- and micrometer-scale communication. Projects span healthcare (e.g., drug delivery, gut-brain axis modulation), industrial monitoring, and environmental sensing. Candidates will engage in interdisciplinary research combining communication theory, experimental hardware design, and collaborations with chemistry, biology, and medicine. The programme offers structured supervision, international research stays, and hands-on experimental work in state-of-the-art testbeds.
What you'll do
- Develop theoretical and experimental models for molecular communication systems in healthcare, industrial, and environmental contexts.
- Design and optimize drug delivery systems using communication-theoretic principles, including hardware for drug carriers and nanoparticles.
- Model the cardiovascular system as a communication channel for targeted treatment and health monitoring applications.
- Investigate therapeutic modulation of natural signaling pathways (e.g., gut-brain axis) using information-theoretic tools.
- Design and analyze airborne molecular communication systems inspired by natural odor communication.
- Construct and validate experimental molecular communication testbeds in collaboration with chemistry, biology, and medicine researchers.
- Conduct numerical simulations, statistical modeling, and optimization for molecular communication protocols.
- Publish research findings in top-tier journals and present at international conferences.
- Collaborate with international research partners and participate in research stays abroad.
Requirements
Degree required: Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Computational Biology, or a related field
Degree offered: PhD
Language: English; proficiency sufficient for academic research and collaboration
Instruction: English
- Strong background in communication theory or related engineering disciplines
- Experience with statistical modeling, numerical simulation, or optimization techniques
- Hands-on laboratory skills for experimental hardware design
- Familiarity with interdisciplinary research methodologies
- Proficiency in programming (e.g., Python, MATLAB) for simulation and analysis
- Open to all nationalities
- No residency restrictions
- No age limits specified
- No prior experience caps
Funding & terms
How to apply
Deadline: 2026-12-01 (Europe/Berlin)
Submit a single PDF file containing a motivation letter (max. 1 page), curriculum vitae (max. 2 pages), and copies of graduation certificates and transcripts of records via email. Applications will be reviewed until the positions are filled.
- Motivation letter
- Curriculum Vitae
- Graduation certificates
- Transcript of records
Contact
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