About this opportunity:
Energy efficiency is a defining key performance indicator (KPI) for 6G. The radio access network (RAN) is a major part of a mobile network operator's (MNO's) energy use, and much of that energy is spent even at low traffic because the network is dimensioned for peak load. Many of the decisions that keep hardware active are taken at Layer 3 (L3) - the control plane - through radio resource control (RRC) connection states, admission control, and mobility. Today these mechanisms are mostly rule-based and tuned for performance, leaving energy-saving potential on the table. As 6G becomes AI-native, data-driven L3 control that jointly optimizes quality of service (QoS) and energy is a promising but challenging direction.
What you will do:
- Reduce network energy consumption through smarter L3 control while respecting QoS guarantees, and quantify the energy-performance trade-off.
- Model how L3 decisions (RRC states, cell activation/sleep, admission control) map to network energy consumption using a system-level simulator.
- Implement a rule-based baseline aligned with 3GPP standards and design energy-aware policies, including a reinforcement-learning policy that coordinates cell sleep with RRC.
- Evaluate across load levels and produce energy-performance trade-off curves (e.g., watts per bit vs. latency, throughput, and SLA violations).
- Conclude with recommendations for energy-aware 6G L3 design and a presentation of results.
The skills you bring:
- Master's student in electrical engineering, computer science, or similar
- Programming experience in Python (and/or C++, Rust)
- Basic machine learning and/or reinforcement learning
- Interest in 3GPP protocol layers (RRC/L3)
- Strong teamwork skills; ideal for two students with a split focus:
- One leaning toward protocols/systems
- One leaning toward ML
Why join Ericsson?
At Ericsson, you'll have an outstanding opportunity. The chance to use your skills and imagination to push the boundaries of what's possible. To build solutions never seen before to some of the world's toughest problems. You'll be challenged, but you won't be alone. You'll be joining a team of diverse innovators, all driven to go beyond the status quo to craft what comes next.
What happens once you apply?
Click Here to find all you need to know about what our typical hiring process looks like.Encouraging a diverse and inclusive organization is core to our values at Ericsson, that's why we champion it in everything we do. We truly believe that by collaborating with people with different experiences we drive innovation, which is essential for our future growth. We encourage people from all backgrounds to apply and realize their full potential as part of our Ericsson team. Ericsson is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. learn more.
Primary country and city: Sweden (SE) || Linköping
Req ID: 791412
Skills Required
- Currently pursuing a master's degree in electrical engineering, computer science, or a similar field
- Programming experience in Python, C++, or Rust
- Basic machine learning or reinforcement learning knowledge
- Interest in 3GPP protocol layers, particularly RRC and Layer 3 control
- Strong teamwork skills
What the Team is Saying
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Ericsson Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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Healthcare Strength — U.S. job postings describe multiple medical plan options (including PPO and HSA‑eligible HDHP) plus dental and vision, aligning with a comprehensive medical suite. Corporate materials also emphasize wellbeing resources and EAP support.
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Retirement Support — Company communications and U.S. materials reference market‑competitive retirement benefits, including a 401(k) with automatic employer contributions and additional matching. Investor and benefits materials signal a structured approach to total rewards that includes long‑term savings programs.
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Parental & Family Support — U.S. and EWS guides and postings highlight paid maternity and parental/adoption leave at full pay, alongside structured short‑term disability at full pay for defined weeks by tenure. These programs are positioned as part of a family‑friendly, work‑life‑balance offering.
Ericsson Insights
What We Do
Ericsson builds the digital connectivity the world relies on. Our technology underpins the mobile networks, platforms, and systems that billions of people, businesses, and societies depend on every day. We are a global leader in communications technology, delivering mobile network infrastructure, cloud software, and wireless connectivity solutions for service providers and enterprises worldwide. Our networks support connectivity across 180+ countries, helping power everyday communication as well as critical digital services at global scale. Connectivity has evolved far beyond consumer mobile use. Today, nearly 80% of the world’s population accesses the internet via mobile networks, and Ericsson is helping shape what comes next. We are advancing 5G and 5G Advanced, developing network APIs that open connectivity to the global developer ecosystem, and applying automation and AI to make networks more intelligent, efficient, and resilient. Ericsson was the first company to launch live 5G networks on five continents, and our 5G platform is now commercially live in 150+ networks across 60+ countries. We also support more than 36,000 enterprise customers, enabling secure, high-performance connectivity for industries such as manufacturing, aviation, logistics, utilities, and public safety, where reliability and performance are mission critical. Innovation is central to how we work. Ericsson has approximately 28,000 employees in research and development, backed by one of the strongest intellectual property portfolios in the industry with 60,000+ granted patents. Our engineers, researchers, and technologists work across 100+ global R&D sites, helping define how networks evolve and how digital infrastructure is built for the long term. As the world moves toward a mobile-first, AI-powered, and cloud-driven future, connectivity becomes the foundation for digital transformation across every industry. Ericsson is building that foundation, shaping the future of digital connectivity through technology that operates at global scale and supports real-world impact, today and for what comes next.
Why Work With Us
Ericsson is a place for people who want to work on technology that powers everyday life. You’ll contribute to large-scale systems used every day, tackle complex challenges in live environments, and keep developing your skills and career in your own vision.
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Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.
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