PhD position in Sustainable Networking

The Networked Systems Group is a research group in the Department of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering (D-ITET) at ETH Zürich led by Prof. Laurent Vanbever. Our group is developing a team led by Dr. Romain Jacob, focusing on sustainable networking.

Today’s Internet, and more generally communication networks, are responsible for a large and quickly increasing share of the world’s carbon footprint. The current trend of ever-increasing capacity deployment and bandwidth demand is incompatible with the emission reduction targets that we must collectively achieve.

Our research aims to identify and address the energy and carbon inefficiency of modern computer networks. Projects in this area are inherently multidisciplinary as energy consumption is affected by everything, from the bit transmissions at the physical layer to the market incentives for network deployment and pricing.

Our approach to sustainable networking is primarily applied and operational: we aim to improve the sustainability of the Internet today, rather than in theory. We are interested in and considering all ideas that can contribute to that objective.

As a new group member, you are supposed to contribute to our research activities and gradually build your own independent research profile according to your interests. You are expected to work towards a doctoral degree and participate in our teaching activities.

We are looking for a new member with a strong networking and/or systems background and a Master’s degree in computer science, electrical engineering, or a related field. Ideally, we are looking for someone with previous experiences, knowledge and/or strong interests about:

• Network management/operations
• Hardware design
• Routing protocols
• Modern networking stacks
• Knowledge or prior experience in sustainability-related topics is a plus, but not required.

Besides, you should also be able to think critically, have strong English communication skills (oral and written), and enjoy collaboration. Our group aims to increase diversity in scientific positions; as such, we encourage all qualified candidates to apply, regardless of gender, or origin. Only your skills and motivation matter.

• Your career with impact: Become part of ETH Zurich, which not only supports your professional development, but also actively contributes to positive change in society.
• We are actively committed to a sustainable and climate-neutral university.
• You can expect numerous benefits, such as public transport season tickets and car sharing, a wide range of sports offered by the ASVZ, childcare and attractive pension benefits.