The Faculty of Electrical Engineering at the University of Sarajevo (UNSA) invites applications for a fully funded PhD position within the Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Network (MSCA DN) QUESTING 101227218.
The candidate will be part of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action project ‘QUESTING’, a groundbreaking Doctoral Network initiative aimed at revolutionizing the field of Quantum Technology by addressing critical gaps in interdisciplinary education and training. This program will cultivate a new generation of "Q-System Innovators," equipping doctoral candidates with expertise in quantum networks, hybrid classical-quantum systems, and interoperable cultural co-design. By integrating mathematics, physics, computing, and communications engineering with sociocultural and ethical perspectives, QUESTING pioneers an innovative approach to building scalable, robust, and adaptive quantum systems.
The program's holistic methodology spans from theoretical advancements to real-world applications, including secure quantum communication, distributed resource management, and sustainable network topologies. Through its unique blend of participatory research, co-design processes, and industry-academic collaboration, QUESTING ensures alignment with global challenges, including cybersecurity, digital transformation, and equitable access to emerging technologies. This initiative is instrumental in advancing the European Union's Quantum Technologies Flagship and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, fostering innovation-driven growth while preparing Europe to lead responsibly in the quantum revolution.
For this QUESTING PhD position at the University of Sarajevo, we are seeking a researcher to investigate the Design of QKD encryptors for emerging networking technologies.
Objectives:
(a) Exploring and defining the optimal network topology for satellite QKD networks: Node placement N, relay configurations R, and link efficiency will be analyzed to maximize coverage and minimize latency. Practical deployment scenarios will incorporate insights from APs such as Airbus, TIM, SURF, and LOGI.
(b) Proposing a comprehensive QoS model: Metrics such as key generation rate, end-to-end latency, and packet loss rate will be quantified. Collaboration with APs will ensure the model aligns with real-world constraints.
(c) Extending the QKD network simulation model: A novel QoS routing and signaling protocol will be incorporated, optimizing routing paths based on proposed QoS metrics. APs will be involved in iterative design discussions to evaluate implementation feasibility.
(d) Validating and verifying results: Analytical frameworks, empirical data, and simulations will be used to evaluate performance. Engagement with APs will address deployment challenges and opportunities at continental, intercontinental, and global scales.
The PhD student will spend 4 months at Trinity College Dublin (Ireland), hosted by Prof Dan Kilper and Prof Nicola Marchetti, to research network modeling and analytical verification of defined QoS models.
The student will also spend 3 months at AIRBUS Defence and Space GmbH (Germany), hosted by Dr. Alberto Comin, to address resource constraints and performance limitations.
Skills/Qualifications
Applicants must hold Master's degree in Electronic / Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics, or a related discipline with excellent academic performance. We are looking for highly motivated candidates who are intrigued by scientific discovery, diligent, pay attention to detail (taking pride in their work), and are overall good team players.
Specific Requirements
Essential
Highly proficient English/Bosnian language skills
Strong programming skills (e.g., C++)
Strong experience with networking simulation tools (e.g., NS-3, OMNET++)
Strong mathematical and analytical skills
Excellent background in communication networks and/or quantum physics
Demonstrable research interests within communication engineering and quantum networks
Excellent organisational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to meet deadlines
Ability to think logically, create solutions, and make informed decisions
Ability to work independently and as part of a team
Excellent written and verbal communication, including presentation skills
Desirable
A strong commitment to their own continuous professional development
Experience working as a research assistant in a top lab
Experience working with qualitative and/or quantitative data
While candidates may not possess all the skills above, we still welcome applications from individuals with complementary skills. For many of the techniques above, candidates will be expertly trained by existing members in our labs and through collaborators. It is the key that an individual is open to such training and can grasp concepts quickly.
Languages
ENGLISH
Indicative monthly (gross) MSCA contributions:
Living allowance: approximately €2401 per month (gross)
Mobility allowance: approximately €710 per month
Family allowance (if applicable): approximately €495 per month
These figures are based on the Horizon Europe MSCA DN Work Programme.
In addition to MSCA financial support, as an employee of UNSA, you will receive:
Full social and employment benefits in accordance with the Bosnia and Herzegovina labour law
Health and pension coverage
Support for professional development (workshops, training, conferences)
Access to research facilities, computing resources, and library services
Support for international collaborations and secondments within MCSA-DN QUESTING
The PhD academic fees will be paid by UNSA.
Work Environment
The University of Sarajevo is Bosnia and Herzegovina’s leading academic institution, offering:
A vibrant international research community
Access to academic and industrial partners across Europe
A multidisciplinary training environment within MCSA-DN QUESTING
Participation in courses and workshops tailored to doctoral researchers
Sarajevo is a dynamic European capital with a rich cultural heritage and a growing innovation ecosystem, offering an excellent living environment for international researchers.
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible under MSCA mobility rules, candidates MUST NOT HAVE resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies) in Bosnia and Herzegovina for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the recruitment date.
Candidates MUST NOT HOLD a doctoral degree at the time of recruitment.
Univerzitet u Sarajevu (UNSA) is the largest higher education institution in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), with over 1,300 academic staff members and 30 full-member institutions. It provides a balanced range of academic and professional training and research across the social, medical, natural, and technical sciences, the humanities, and the arts. UNSA has extensive experience in international projects and has participated in the EU’s FP programmes since FP5, with its researchers particularly active in the COST Programme (>70 participations). UNSA’s Research Service Office is part of the BiH national H2020 NCP Network and supports its researchers in participating in H2020/Horizon Europe. Sarajevo is a dynamic European capital with a rich cultural heritage and a growing innovation ecosystem, offering an excellent living environment for international researchers.
Among the most recent projects are NATO SPS G5894 QUANTUM5 (https://www.quantum5.eu/) and H2020 OPENQKD project (https://openqkd.eu/), which deal with the applicability of quantum technology. Professor Miralem Mehic has worked at several Universities and research institutes across Europe, including the Austrian Institute of Technology, AGH University of Science and Technology Krakow, and Alpen-Adria-Universität Klagenfurt. He has authored and co-authored over 50 research articles in peer-reviewed journals and scientific conferences. His research interests focus on security and routing, especially security services, network management, cryptanalysis, intrusion detection, routing protocols, quality of service, steganography, and quantum cryptography. His group developed a unique QKD networking simulation module in NS-3 (www.qkdnetsim.info).
Website for additional job details
https://www.tk.etf.unsa.ba/laboratories/optical-and-quantum-communicatio...…
