I always look for students who want to pursue Ph.D. degree in electronic engineering and telecommunications at the Australian National University (ANU), Canberra, ACT, Australia. If you are highly self-motivated with a solid background in communications and/or signal processing, as well as a strong grounding in mathematical skills, please send me an email (nan.yang@anu.edu.au) entitled "PhD Student Application" together with your CV and academic transcripts. Please kindly note that I may not respond to your email if no CV and academic transcripts are provided.
Please kindly check out my research interests and recent publications before contacting me.
The information of scholarships provided by ANU can be found via this page.
You will work collaboratively across ANU and Teledynamics to participate in an industry-engaged project, where Optus Satellite and Space Systems is heavily involved, on space communications and work within a research and development team that consists of both world-class scientists and industrial professionals.
Specifically, you will be required to develop new wireless communication schemes and signal processing algorithms, with a relative degree of independence, for improving the quality of space communication systems (e.g. satellite communications). Also, you will be required to implement and test the performance of existing and newly developed signal processing algorithms using software programming (e.g. using C++, MATLAB, Simulink, and Python) and hardware programming (e.g. VHDL for FPGA configuration).
Furthermore, you will be required to publish innovative results in peer-reviewed journals and conferences (e.g. top IEEE journals and conferences). The anticipated outcomes produced by you will have great potential to be applied in real-world space communication scenarios for emergency services, maritime safety, and satellite security.
Full time only.
Australian citizenship or permanent resident.
A Master or Bachelor degree with First-Class Honours (completed or close to completion) or equivalent qualification in a relevant discipline area (e.g. telecommunications, electronic engineering, and electrical engineering).
A record of independent research as evidenced by good-quality research outputs, relative to opportunity.
Fundamental knowledge and demonstrated ability to conduct research in wireless communications and/or signal processing.
An ability and willingness to contribute to the education activities in the ANU School of Engineering.
Excellent communication skills and a demonstrated ability to interact effectively and foster respectful and productive working relationships with colleagues, team/group members, and collaborators.
A demonstrated good level of understanding of the diversity, belonging, inclusiveness, and equity principles and a commitment to apply these principles in a university context.
If you are interested, please email me with the subject line “PhD Student Application for Space Communications” and include the following:
Your CV
Your up-to-date academic transcripts
A cover letter addressing the Required Attributes, Skills, and Experience mentioned above
Please note that I may not respond to emails that do not include all three required documents.
The Australian National University (ANU) is a world-leading institution, consistently ranked among the top 50 universities globally. In the 2025 QS World University Rankings, ANU holds an impressive 30th position worldwide. Located in Canberra, Australia's capital city, ANU offers a vibrant research environment at the heart of the nation's intellectual and policy landscape.
ANU provides competitive PhD scholarships to outstanding domestic and international candidates. The main scholarship rounds are:
April (Domestic & International)
August (International)
October (Domestic)
In addition to these university-wide scholarships, individual academic staff may have additional research funding to support extra PhD scholarships that can be offered at any time throughout the year.
AUD $38,154 per annum (tax-free), full funding for 3–4 years (typical PhD duration at ANU), no mandatory coursework (a common feature of Australian PhD programs), optional teaching assistant opportunities (with additional payment), and generous travel grants for conferences and overseas university visits.
At ANU, you will have access to world-class facilities, a thriving research community, and exceptional support for career development. If you are looking for an internationally well recognised PhD program in a dynamic and well-funded environment, ANU is the place to be.