CONTEXT
This project is part of the MimPG project funded by INNOVIRIS (Brussels Region). The goal is to limit the network growth to meet carbon reduction targets. The usage might need to be limited at peak times to reduce the growth. The question is, therefore, what type of traffic should be prioritized for minimal impact on the users. The political side of the question will be addressed with panels of citizens. The applicant will work on monitoring and policy enforcement network functions that guarantee the privacy of the network users to both inform a regulatory body and create policies that cannot harm minorities by design.
ORGANISATION/COMPANY
Université catholique de Louvain
Institute of Information and Communication Technologies, Electronics and Applied Mathematics (ICTEAM)
RESEARCH FIELD
Networking, Systems, NFV, Privacy
MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
The candidate must have obtained a Master’s degree in computer science before the start date.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
October 1st, 2024
LOCATION
Louvain-La-Neuve, Belgium
TYPE OF CONTRACT
PhD funded for 3 years. A typical PhD in Belgium is 4 years. Hence, the applicant will apply for supplementary funds with the help of the PI.
JOB STATUS
Full-time
HOURS PER WEEK
38
OFFER DESCRIPTION
The applicant will join the ENSG.
The objective of this project is to study opportunities for post-growth metropolitan internet access as a means to reduce the environmental impact of digital technologies. Inspired by Kate Raworth’s Doughnut Economics, post-growth industries strive to operate between the socio-economic floor corresponding to the satisfaction of the basic needs of all actors (individuals’ fundamental rights and social cohesion but also economic viability) and the ecological ceiling provided by planetary boundaries that restrict, e.g., greenhouse-gas emissions and the availability of raw materials.
ENSG is the leader of WP2, which comprises the integration of privacy-preserving techniques with a monitoring system (based on Retina). The monitor will allow for the observation of traffic, guaranteeing the privacy of the users. It will be the technical arm of WP1’s study, including the citizens of Brussels. For instance, a regulatory body might ask, “What is taking most of the Internet bandwidth?” with guarantees on the output of the program. When carbon engagement dictates limitations on bandwidth, a policy system will prioritize traffic according to WP1’s decisions, enforcing no rules harm minorities.
SKILLS/QUALIFICATION
- Successful student
- Good in the Operating System, computer systems/architecture and networking courses
- Knowledge of programming in Rust is a plus, else comfortable with low level languages like C
- Autonomy, research-minded
SUBMISSION
Please send to tom.barbette@uclouvain.be:
(a) Curriculum vitae;
(b) Motivation letter;
(c) Transcript of grades for freshly graduated/graduating students
We will get back to you, the selection process includes in general a first informal meeting via Teams, and then an in-person interview (if possible).
REQUIRED LANGUAGES
ENGLISH: at least B1
French is not required but is a plus
Other positions
See the range of possibilities at the Efficiency of Networked Systems Group