Laurent Schmalen

Laurent Schmalen is a full professor at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), co-directing the Communications Engineering Laboratory (CEL). He holds a Dipl.-Ing. and Dr.-Ing. in Electrical Engineering from RWTH Aachen University (2005 and 2011). Previously, he worked at Alcatel-Lucent Bell Labs (2011–2019) and led the Coding for Optical Communications department at Nokia Bell Labs (2016–2019). His research focuses on channel coding, machine learning, optical communications, and high-speed data transmission.

Education and Professional Experience:

• 1999: Abitur at Lycée Classique Diekirch (Luxembourg)
• 2005: Diploma in Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, RWTH Aachen University
• 2011: PhD (summa cum laude) in Electrical Engineering, RWTH Aachen University
• 2011–2019: Research roles at Bell Labs
• 2014–2019: Visiting Lecturer at University of Stuttgart
• 2019–present: Full Professor at KIT

Research Interests:

His work spans channel coding (e.g., LDPC codes), machine learning for communications, modulation formats, and optical transmission systems. Key areas include non-linear channel analysis, probabilistic constellation shaping, and FEC optimization for fiber optics.

Awards and Recognition:

• IEEE Fellow (2023)
• ERC Consolidator Grant (2023)
• Best Paper Awards in IEEE journals (2016, 2018)
• E-Plus Prize for Doctoral Thesis (2011)

Editorial and Leadership Roles:

• Associate Editor, IEEE Transactions on Communications
• TPC Co-Chair, International Symposium on Topics in Coding (ISTC 2025)
• General Co-Chair, ITG Conference on Systems, Communications, and Coding (2025)

Labs and Teams:

He co-leads the Communications Engineering Lab (CEL) at KIT, focusing on cutting-edge research in optical communications and machine learning applications.