PhD Positions Available under the MSCA INSIGHT Doctoral Network | EURAXESS

Are you interested in pursuing a fully funded PhD in Europe and contributing to research in optical communications, photonics, artificial intelligence and advanced sensing technologies?

Applications are now open for 15 fully funded Doctoral Candidate positions under INSIGHT, a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Network funded by the European Union's Horizon Europe programme.

The INSIGHT network brings together academic institutions and industry partners across Europe to train researchers in Optical Integrated Sensing and Communication (O-ISAC). The programme aims to develop technologies that allow optical fibre networks to support high-speed data transmission and environmental sensing simultaneously.

Researchers from around the world, including India, are welcome to apply, provided they meet the eligibility requirements.

About the INSIGHT Doctoral Network

INSIGHT is a 36-month international and intersectoral doctoral training programme that combines research in optical communications, distributed fibre sensing, photonic integration, digital signal processing, machine learning and network optimisation.

Each selected doctoral candidate will work on an individual research project while participating in a coordinated European training network.

The programme offers opportunities to collaborate with academic and industrial researchers, undertake international secondments, attend scientific conferences and develop skills in research communication, innovation, entrepreneurship and intellectual property.

Available PhD Positions

The 15 doctoral positions are distributed across nine recruiting organisations in seven European countries.

Research Areas

The available projects cover several research topics, including:

• Optical communications and fibre sensing: Developing systems that combine high-capacity data transmission with distributed sensing.
• Photonic integration and frequency combs: Investigating advanced optical technologies for communication and sensing networks.
• Artificial intelligence and machine learning: Applying computational methods to optical signal reconstruction, anomaly detection and network optimisation.
• Environmental and infrastructure monitoring: Developing sensing technologies for structural health, temperature changes and environmental conditions.
• Advanced signal processing: Improving sensing sensitivity, noise tolerance and communication performance.

Applicants can explore the individual project descriptions, research objectives and host-specific requirements through the official recruitment portal.

Funding and Benefits

Successful candidates will receive a full-time employment contract for 36 months, subject to the applicable national laws and institutional regulations.

The programme provides:

• A gross salary determined according to MSCA funding rules, with amounts varying by recruiting country and institution.
• Potential family allowance for eligible researchers.
• Social-security coverage and paid leave in accordance with local regulations.
• Access to research facilities, specialised doctoral training and international research networks.
• Opportunities for secondments with academic and industrial partners.
• Relocation and immigration support where available.

Specific salary information is provided for each position on the recruitment portal. Published gross amounts are subject to applicable taxes and social-security deductions.

Eligibility Criteria

The INSIGHT Doctoral Network welcomes applicants of all nationalities, including researchers from India.

To be eligible, candidates must meet the following requirements.

Academic qualifications: Applicants must hold a master's degree or equivalent qualification that provides access to doctoral education before employment and enrolment. Relevant disciplines include physics, photonics, optics, electrical and communication engineering, computer science, data science, applied mathematics and related fields.

Doctoral status: Applicants must not hold a doctoral degree at the date of recruitment.

MSCA mobility rule: Candidates must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work or studies) in the country of the recruiting organisation for more than 12 months during the 36 months immediately before recruitment, subject to the applicable MSCA rules and exceptions.

Language requirements: Applicants must demonstrate sufficient spoken and written English to undertake doctoral research and scientific communication. Language certification is required only where specified by the degree-awarding institution.

Candidates must also be willing to relocate to the recruiting institution and participate in international secondments and network training activities.

Application Process

Interested candidates may apply for up to three doctoral positions, ranked in order of preference.

Applications must be submitted in English through the official INSIGHT recruitment portal.

Required Documents

1. Completed online application form.
2. Curriculum vitae detailing academic qualifications and relevant research or technical experience.
3. Motivation statement addressing the selected research project or projects.
4. Bachelor's and master's degree certificates and academic transcripts.
5. Completed MSCA mobility chronology and doctoral-status declaration.

Selection Procedure

The selection process consists of two stages.

Stage 1 – Written Assessment

Applications will be evaluated according to:

Stage 2 – Interview

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a structured online interview and may be required to complete a short practical assessment.

Previous scientific publications are not mandatory. Career breaks and non-linear career paths will be considered during evaluation.

Important Dates

Applications Open

1 November 2026

Application Deadline

15 February 2027

Expected Start

April 2027

Programme Duration

36 months

Deadline: 23:59 CET (Madrid time). The vacancy also lists 2 November 2026 as an offer starting date, while the recruitment information specifies April 2027 as the expected start date.

How to Apply

Researchers interested in the INSIGHT Doctoral Network are encouraged to review the available projects, confirm their eligibility and submit their applications before the deadline.

Official Application Portal: INSIGHT Doctoral Network Recruitment

For researchers in India and worldwide, the INSIGHT programme offers an opportunity to pursue doctoral research in Europe while gaining international academic and industrial experience.