Post-doctoral fellow in Nonlinear optical Fiber Communication - 12 months contract

Who we are ?

Télécom Paris, part of the Institut Mines-Télécom (IMT) and a founding member of the Institut Polytechnique de Paris, is one of France's top engineering schools. The mission of the school is to educate, imagine, and design digital technologies for a society that respects people and their environment.

We are seeking Postdoctoral Fellows in nonlinear optical fiber communication. You will join the Optical Communications Group (GTO) in the Communications and Electronics Department. The GTO is home to the research programs of nine faculty members and a state-of-the-art laboratory. The group conducts research broadly in photonics, particularly, on high-speed fiber-optic transmission, quantum photonics technologies, photonic devices for communications, optical networks, and fiber sensors.

SCIENTIFIC CONTEXT

Optical fiber forms the backbone of the communication systems. The exponential increase in data traffic is putting an escalating pressure on fiber-optic networks. Optical fiber is a nonlinear medium because its properties change with the signal intensity. It is well known that the fiber nonlinearity limits the achievable information rates of the conventional transmission methods in optical communication. The problem of efficient communication over optical fiber channels is open, because the channels are governed by complex models that go beyond the standard models in communications.

The objective of this research project is to establish the information-theoretic limits in optical fiber, and to develop communication algorithms that approach these limits. The project uses neural networks to design receivers for the nonlinear optical fiber channel. The project is funded by an ERC Starting Grant from the European Research Council (ERC).

Your main tasks will be to :

• Conduct and communicate research in nonlinear optical fiber communication

• Contribute to the supervision of students, teaching, and project reports for the European Commission

• Contribute to the reputation of Télécom Paris and the Institut Polytechnique de Paris

We are seeking candidates with background in one or more of the following areas: information theory, digital communication, signal processing, applied mathematics (particularly, nonlinear dispersive partial differential equations), neural networks, optical fiber communication, or photonics. Applicants with a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Physics, or related fields are especially encouraged to apply.

Two postdoctoral fellows will be recruited at Télécom Paris, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, Palaiseau, France. The positions may commence immediately, subject to administrative processing. Each appointment is for one year, with the possibility of extension for another year upon a positive performance review. The researchers will be supervised by Mansoor Yousefi.

Applications should include a cover letter, a detailed CV including the publication list, and contact information of two referees.

Why join us?
You'll be working in a fast-growing, pleasant, green and accessible environment (especially for people with disabilities) just 20 km from Paris (RER B and C suburban train lines, close to major roads, shared shuttle departing from Porte d'Orléans). You will benefit from :

• 49 days annual leave (CA + RTT)

• flexible working hours (depending on department activity)

• telecommuting 1 to 3 days/week possible

• 75% public transport pass reimbursement

• Proximity to numerous sports facilities, concierge service, underground parking, in-house catering, etc.

• Staff association at school and ministry level

• Good to know: our social security contributions are lower than in the private sector

Other information :
Application deadline: January 30, 2026
Job type : 12 months fixed-term contract,
Job description here

2 positions available

Scientific contact person: Mansoor Yousefi (yousefi@telecom-paris.fr)

Administrative contact person: Hamidou YAYA KONE (hamidou.kone@telecom-paris.fr)

Our recruitment is based on skills, without distinction of origin, age, gender identity, or sexual orientation, and all our positions are open to individuals with disabilities.