Research Associate in Goal-oriented Semantic Networking

Job id: 160825 . Salary: £46,189 per annum, including London Weighting Allowance .

Posted: 19 October 2026 . Closing date: 02 November 2026 .

Business unit: Natural, Mathematical & Engineering Sci . Department: Engineering .

Contact details: Prof. Yansha Deng . yansha.deng@kcl.ac.uk

Location: Strand Campus . Category: Research .

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About us

King’s College London is a globally renowned university ranked among the top 40 institutions worldwide in the QS World University Rankings 2025. The Centre for Telecommunication Research (CTR) at the Faculty of Natural, Mathematical & Engineering Sciences (NMES) has a long history of performing world-class research in wireless communication research.

• CTR was established in 1994, as one of the first centre of excellence for telecom in the UK.

• CTR has made extensive research contribution and portfolio in 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G and 6G mobile communications, networking, and applications.

• Scientific contribution as well as standard, innovation and proof-of-concept.

• Active collaboration with national and international industry.

• Some of the first-in-the-world concept 5G/6G demonstrations.

Applications are invited for one position as Research Associate in Goal-oriented Semantic Networking.

The role will be part of a 6G TITAN Hub, “Platform Driving the Ultimate Connectivity (TITAN)”, led by University of Cambridge.

You will be a conscientious, innovative scientist who has successfully completed a PhD (or equivalent) in Telecoms, computer science and engineering, including electrical/electronic engineering or similar. Experience in designing goal-oriented semantic system and network is preferred.

At King’s, you will join a research-leading and multi-disciplinary team, including Prof. Yansha Deng, and Professor Marco Di Renzo. You will be based at the Centre for Telecommunications Research (CTR) at the Department of Engineering. The successful candidate will also be expected to collaborate with the project partners and members of the research group.

This is a full time post (35 hours per week), and you will be offered  a fixed term contract until 30th September 2028

Research staff at King’s are entitled to at least 10 days per year (pro-rata) for professional development. This entitlement, from the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers , applies to Postdocs, Research Assistants, Research and Teaching Technicians, Teaching Fellows and AEP equivalent up to and including grade 7. Visit the Centre for Research Staff Development for more information.

About you

The roles will involve carrying out research in Goal-oriented Semantic Networking, with the objective of developing goal-oriented dynamic semantic networking orchestration across sensing, computation, communication, and control via simulations and prototypes. The successful candidate will be able to develop skills in the exciting and emerging field of 6G goal-oriented semantic networking.

The role may involve irregular hours, with intense periods of activity leading up to deadlines such as publications or deliverable milestones.

The key challenges on which the applicant will focus can be briefly defined as the following:

• Work closely with the Principal Investigators (PIs) to ensure that the aims and objectives of the project are achieved in a timely and effective way.

• Write papers for publication in journals and for presentation at conferences, seminars and other research meetings.

• Participate in relevant events within the institution or externally, in order to build contacts to facilitate the exchange of information and advance thinking.

• Support events, conferences and workshops run by the project to develop the project outputs and research agenda.

• Contribute to the development of further research proposals.

To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:

Essential criteria

Education/qualification and training

• BSc in Telecoms, Computer Science, Electronic Engineering or related area.

• PhD awarded in relevant topics of Telecoms, Computer Science, Electronic Engineering or related area (or near completion).

Please note that this is a PhD level role but candidates who have submitted their thesis and are awaiting the award of their PhDs will be considered. Should the successful candidate be awaiting the award of their PhD, the appointment will be made at Grade 5, spinal point 30 with the title of Research Assistant until confirmation of the award of the PhD has been received. Upon confirmation of the award of the PhD, the job title will become Research Associate, and the salary will increase to Grade 6, spine point 32.

Experience

• Ability to demonstrate a record of peer-reviewed high-quality journal publications.

• Publications demonstrating his/her experience in goal-oriented semantic communications.

• Experience in goal-oriented communication for robotics.

Personal characteristics/other requirements

• Ability to attend regular meetings with project partners, and work collaboratively and independently.

• Good interpersonal / team working skills.

Desirable criteria

• Knowledge of wireless robotic system.

• Prototyping experience in open-air interface and Soft-defined Radio.

• Experience in goal-oriented semantic communications for image and video.

Downloading a copy of our Job Description

Full details of the role and the skills, knowledge and experience required can be found in the Job Description document, provided at the bottom of the page. This document will provide information of what criteria will be assessed at each stage of the recruitment process.