Post Summary
Novel optical access and metro networks are critical to meeting the ever-increasing capacity demands driven by 6G and beyond. However, in this rapidly changing landscape, flexibility becomes paramount. Especially, the integration of fire sensing into today’s telecommunications network promises to deliver a global and ubiquitous sensing network. Making use of novel network designs pivoting around flexible components and open architectures, fibre sensing technologies can be used to improve network resilience, fault detection, and provide novel services such as multiple types of environmental monitoring. However, to fully harness these capabilities, networks also require intelligent control planes capable of autonomous and dynamic provisioning of fibre sensing technologies across the network.
We are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Researcher to explore intelligent, AI-enabled control planes and data processing for fibre sensing in optical networks. The work will focus on the development of methods for analysing fibre sensing signatures as well as methods to incorporate sensing across telecommunications networks to deliver the performance level required by the multiple sensing applications.
The applicants should have a solid theoretical background on machine learning, optical networks and fibre sensing applications, and willing to engage in testbed-oriented research. The work will be carried out in the new OpenIreland research infrastructure, a large-scale testbed for experimentation in optical, wireless and cloud technologies.
The position will be based in the School of Computer Science and Statistics, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland, and in the ADAPT centre. The researcher will have the opportunity to build their research portfolio within a range of projects.
The position will be under the direction of Prof. Marco Ruffini.
• Conduct a specified programme of research under the supervision and direction of the Principal Investigator • Engage in the dissemination of the results of the research in which they are engaged, as directed by, with the support of and under the supervision of the Principal Investigator. (Actively publish research findings in high impact journals and at key conferences as part of the research group effort to disseminate research outputs). • Engage in the wider research and scholarly activities of the research group, School or University • Interact closely with postgraduate research students associated with the same research group and possibly have an agreed role in supporting these students in their day-to-day research in conjunction with an academic supervisor. • Take leadership and contribute to generation of papers, reports and other funding proposals. • Carry out administrative work to support the program of research where required, including regular funding agency reports and internal reports etc. • Carry out additional duties as may reasonably be required within the general scope and level of the post. • Contribute to the financial management of a research project. • Support collaboration with industry in areas relevant to the research group • Liaise with different TCD units such as research project administration team and Finance in aspects related to the research activities performed. • Engage in appropriate training and professional development opportunities as required by the Principal Investigator, School or University, in order to develop research skills and competencies. • Gain experience and contribute to grant writing with the support of and under the supervision of the Principal Investigator • Acquire generic and transferable skills (including project management, business skills and • postgraduate mentoring/supervision). • Contribute to broader outreach and engagement activities such as organising technical meetings, outreach to schools and other interested parties etc.
Funding Information The post is primarily funded by the Enterprise Ireland but may involve funding from other sources based on the successful candidate’s interests.
Person Specification The appointable candidate will hold a PhD, preferably in a Computer Science or Electronic Engineering or related discipline (preferably with a few months of postdoctoral experience).
Qualifications PhD or equivalent experience. The post is applicable to both new or experienced PhD holders, and salary will be commensurate with experience and achievement. The successful candidate will join a team of highly skilled and innovative researchers in next generation optical and wireless networks
Knowledge & Experience (Essential & Desirable) • Working knowledge of machine learning theory and algorithms. • Experience in application of AI models to fibre sensing data • Knowledge of optical networking and transmission. • Optical network laboratory experience, including control plane, transmission • Optical laboratory experience and data collection, ideally in fibre-sensing related applications. • Use of Software Defined Networking or Open optical systems. • Working knowledge of python programming language and Linux operating system. • Excellent written and oral communication skills • The ability to work well in a group. • The ability to collaborate internationally. • Strong self-motivation and willing to learn attitude.
Skills & Competencies • Excellent experimental skills working with machine learning applied to experimental data from optical networking testbeds and fibre sensing systems. • Evidence of accomplishment in research and development in the area of control planes for optical communications and fibre sensing. • A capability of working within a project team to achieve group-oriented results, in parallel to individual productivity and top-quality publications. • Good communication, organisation and interpersonal skills. • A commitment to gaining practical experience working on a research project.
Application Procedure Applicants should submit a full Curriculum Vitae to include the names and contact details of 2 referees (including email addresses), to: Marco Ruffini Email Address: [email protected]
Deadline noon 20th February 2026
Please download full job spec for further information
