TechArena Ph.D Student Contest 2025 IC Design Benelux

Topic: Architectures and circuit design for Analog, RF, mmWave integrated circuit design for low power applications, IoT and wideband communication system, EDA, AI

Contest Rules

CANDIDATES

The contest is open for PhD students, recently (<2y) graduated Ph.D.’s and Post-docs affiliated to universities and R&D institutes in the Benelux.

SCHEDULE

27 Oct 2025: Online Submission Deadline

20 Nov 2025: Decision on the shortlist of finalists. Invitation sent out to shortlisted candidates on the deadline to submit onsite presentation papers.

Mid Dec 2025: onsite (in Leuven) presentation by the finalists on the submitted papers, followed by award ceremony.

SUBMISSIONS 

1. General

The subject of the paper should focus on State-of-the-Art IC design topics in the following domains (not limiting):

“Analog, data converter (ADC/DAC), PLL, sensor, RF and mmWave integrated circuit design for low power applications, IoT and wideband communication systems.”

The submissions should consist of a recently published conference or journal paper or a research reports summary (8 pages maximum). Joint-participation of equally valued contributors is allowed. In such case potential award would be granted to the team. Every participant can only submit 1 publication. Co-authorship of a different submission is allowed. Also, please note that previously submitted paper cannot be resubmitted.

All submissions should be complete, written in English and submitted via the application button below, respecting the given schedule.

The following personal details of the candidate should be included: 

-Name and surname;

-Phone number and/or email address of the candidate;

-Education level of the candidate;

The submitted content should be original and should not violate, plagiarize, or infringe the rights of third parties including copyright, trade mark, trade secrets, and privacy, publicity, personal or proprietary rights.

Huawei reserves the right to cancel the event due to unforeseen reasons in which case we will do everything we reasonably can to let you know.

2. PowerPoint presentation

The selected finalists will be required to give a PowerPoint presentation on their submitted work at the on-site award ceremony in view of the selection of the winner and the final ranking, as set out below. This PowerPoint presentation should be limited to a duration of 20 minutes.

SELECTION

1. General: The evaluation will be done by Huawei experts across Europe.
2. Published papers / Research reports

To select the shortlist of finalists, the Huawei experts will evaluate the submissions on the basis of the following criteria:

-Quality and thoroughness of the research;

-Innovation and creativity of the solutions and ideas presented;

-Feasibility and commercial potential of the solutions, ideas; and

-Overall quality, clarity and conciseness of the submissions.

Presentation

The selected finalists will be required to give a PowerPoint presentation about their submitted work at the online award ceremony. Huawei experts will evaluate these oral presentations and the written submission and select the winners. In addition to the criteria listed in section b, following criteria will also be taken into account for the final ranking:

-Structure and content of the presentation;

-Clarity of the presentation;

-Originality and creativity;

-Overall quality of the presentation.

AWARD: All finalists will receive attractive prizes

Intellectual property rights and warranties

When making a submission, each candidate warrants to be the original author of that submission. For the avoidance of doubt it is explicitly understood that the mere participation in this contest will not result in any transfer of intellectual property rights.

When making a submission, each candidate furthermore warrants not to violate, plagiarize, or infringe the rights of third parties including copyright, trade mark, trade secrets, and privacy, publicity, personal or proprietary rights.

Finally, for the avoidance of doubt it is explicitly understood that candidates should not disclose any confidential information pertaining to their research and/or submissions.

DATA PRIVACY

Huawei Technologies Research & Development Belgium NV and its affiliates around the world clearly understand how important privacy is for you and respect your privacy. Please carefully read the Privacy Statement before submitting your personal data to Huawei.

EXCLUSION

Huawei will have the right to immediately exclude any candidate from the contest at any given time and/or claim the return or refund of awards that would already have been granted, if Huawei shows to have valid reasons to believe the concerned candidate engaged in unlawful behavior in connection with the contest, including but not limited to the violation, plagiarism, or infringement of the rights of third parties including copyright, trade mark, trade secrets, and privacy, publicity, personal or proprietary rights.

DISCLAIMER

Huawei Technologies R&D is using the CVWarehouse online platform to collect the contest submissions. Submitting your participation to the contest will not be treated as a formal job application.  If you are interested to join our leading R&D team, please review the specific links corresponding to the job openings.

ORGANIZER OF THE CONTEST

The contest is organized by the following Huawei company (“Huawei”):

Huawei Technologies Research & Development Belgium NV

Philipssite 5, 3001 Leuven, België

CBE n°: 0827.031.106

CONTACT email address in case of technical submission issues or questions: leuven.techarena@huawei.com