Mobile networks, as a key component of digital connectivity and computing infrastructures, play a crucial role in modern life. With the growing urgency of sustainable design and operation of digital infrastructures, this PhD project will design and develop resource management schemes that enhance the sustainability and efficiency of next-generation mobile networks. The research will focus on optimising the use of network and compute resources in software-defined and virtualised environments, supporting the evolution toward a flexible edge-cloud continuum. The successful candidate will investigate intelligent orchestration and control strategies to enable sustainable mobile networks considering virtual network functions, telco-edge infrastructures, and emerging AI-driven user applications.
Key research directions include:
- Modeling and profiling of emerging AI-based workloads and data-intensive applications in mobile networks.
- Sustainable and energy-aware orchestration of softwarized network functions.
- Dynamic resource allocation and optimization across distributed cloud–edge infrastructures.
- Performance analysis in simulators and experimentation in a testbed.
The candidate will be working in the DACS research group under the supervision of dr. Suzan Bayhan and prof.dr.ir. Geert Heijenk. Moreover, the PhD candidate will be collaborating with other researchers and external partners.
Information and application
Are you interested in this position? Please send your application via the 'Apply now' button below before November 15, 2025 and include:
- A full CV including your publications, awards, and working experience. Your CV should demonstrate the scope of your work and education and indicate a good fit with the stated requirements for the position.
- A motivation letter (max 1 page) emphasising your specific interest and motivation to apply for a PhD position in our group, please indicate also when you can start the position at the earliest.
- An academic transcript of BSc and MSc education, including grades.
- A short (max 1-page) description of your MSc thesis/final project along with a link to the full thesis document.
- References (contact information) of two scientific staff members (one of whom should be the supervisor of your BSc or MSc thesis/final project) who are willing to provide a recommendation letter at our request.
For more information regarding this position, you are welcome to contact Suzan Bayhan (suzan.bayhan@utwente.nl).
Tentative first interview date: November-December 2025.
The 1st (online) meeting serves as an introduction, where we introduce ourselves to you and you to us. You may be asked to give a short presentation. This will be further explained in the invitation.
Tentative 2nd interview date: December 2025. In the second interview, we will further discuss the job content, your skills, and your talents.
Screening is part of the selection procedure.
About the organisation
The faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) uses mathematics, electronics and computer technology to contribute to the development of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). With ICT present in almost every device and product we use nowadays, we embrace our role as contributors to a broad range of societal activities and as pioneers of tomorrow's digital society. As part of a tech university that aims to shape society, individuals and connections, our faculty works together intensively with industrial partners and researchers in the Netherlands and abroad, and conducts extensive research for external commissioning parties and funders. Our research has a high profile both in the Netherlands and internationally. It has been accommodated in three multidisciplinary UT research institutes: Mesa+ Institute, TechMed Centre and Digital Society Institute.
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