Prof Miguel Laso
No more applications being accepted
Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)
About the Project
Space is key asset for Europe. Europe’s citizens enjoy the benefits, from jobs and economic growth, to public services, efficient communications and security. To respond to global challenges, Europe must continue to have a prominent role in space at a time when other world powers are rapidly developing their space capabilities. Since satellite payload RF components and systems are essential for delivering mission objectives and supporting ground equipment and telecommunication systems, new technologies and techniques are required to respond to emerging satellite applications and technology challenges.
This position is part of a large Marie Skłodowska-Curie Innovative Training Network - TESLA (https://cordis.europa.eu/project/rcn/217924_en.html) consisting of 8 academic and 11 industrial nodes in 8 European countries (UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Austria, Sweden & Finland). It will create a vibrant, multidisciplinary training-through-research environment uniquely equipped to develop the Advanced Technologies for future European Satellite Applications. The TESLA ITN will hire 15 Early Stage Researchers, who will pursue PhD in collaborating with senior staff in academic and industrial sectors to conduct top-notch research into new and enabling technologies for satellite flexible payloads, big constellation systems and Internet of Space, satellite high-speed communications and remote sensing, as well as large satellite platforms.
The main objective of this Ph. D. Thesis is to develop new design techniques for passive components and subsystems for satellite applications, especially suitable for additive manufacturing fabrication in one single piece. The new design techniques will be based on Inverse Scattering synthesis and coupled-mode theory, and will produce passive components with smooth profile. The smooth profiles, implemented in rectangular waveguide technology, will be exploited to increase the power handling capability of the components, producing at the same time devices especially suitable for fabrication using metal additive manufacturing technologies such as SLM/DMLS. High-power, as well as SEY measurements, will be carried out to demonstrate the power handling capabilities of the components. Additionally, the Inverse Scattering synthesis techniques will be also employed to implement high-performance passive components in microstrip technology. These high-performance components will be based on the use of carefully-designed smooth-profiled ceramic substrates, obtained by additive manufacturing.
Expected results of this PhD are several prototypes of passive components for satellite applications that will be manufactured using metal additive manufacturing (for rectangular waveguide technology) and ceramic additive manufacturing (for microstrip technology). High-power characterizations will be carried out. The prototypes will fulfil advanced electrical specifications for satellite communications.
The role is based at UPNA with secondments to other project partners in the EU. During the course of the PhD, the following short stays abroad are tentatively planned: TESAT Spacecom GmbH, Germany (around 2 months), Valencia Space Consortium/European Space Agency, Spain (around 1 month), University of Limoges, France (3 months). The student will also attend workshops and summer schools organized by other partners.
The appointment is full time (100% FTE) for 36 months with an expected start day of 1st July, 2019 or as mutually agreed upon by both parties.
Essential Criteria:
• Selections among the applicants will be performed based on their qualifications, and prior proven research and innovation experience in scientific and technical fields relevant to the topic of this PhD. In particular, applicants should have a good postgraduate Master’s degree on a telecommunications-related subject. Previous proven experience with RF/microwave engineering and, in particular, microwave filters, will be an important asset for this position. The applicant should have highly proficient English language skills. A basic command of Spanish will be also valuable to join MCG. The ability to thing logically, create solutions and make informed decisions is essential as are excellent organizational skills and the ability to travel and work across Europe.
• There are no restrictions on the nationality, but researchers must be early-stage researchers (ESR), i.e. at the time of recruitment, be in the first four years (full-time equivalent research experience) of their research careers and have not been awarded a doctoral degree.
• Researchers must comply with the mobility rule - Researchers may not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of their host organisation for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before the reference date: the recruitment. Compulsory national service and/or short stays such as holidays are not taken into account.
Desirable criteria (contact the supervisor for details)
• Flexible approach to work and responsibilities
• Energy and enthusiasm for the project
• Experience in RF/microwave engineering
More info at https://lnkd.in/dgkJx6h
Funding Notes
Salary: The successful candidates will receive an attractive salary in accordance with the MSCA regulations for Early Stage Researchers http://ec.europa.eu/research/mariecurieactions. The PhD funding is for 36 months.
References
I. Arnedo, M. Chudzik, J. M. Percaz, I. Arregui, F. Teberio, D. Benito, T. Lopetegi, and Miguel A. G. Laso, “Synthesis of One Dimensional Electromagnetic Bandgap Structures with Fully Controlled Parameters”, IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, vol. 65, no. 9, pp. 3123- 3134, September 2017.
I. Arnedo, I. Arregui, A. Lujambio, M. Chudzik, M. A. G. Laso, and T. Lopetegi, “Synthesis of microwave filters by inverse scattering using a closed-form expression valid for rational frequency responses,” IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, vol. 60, no. 5, pp. 1244–1257, May 2012.
I. Arnedo, I. Arregui, M. Chudzik, F. Teberio, A. Lujambio, D. Benito, T. Lopetegi, and M. A. G. Laso, “Direct and Exact Synthesis: Controlling the Microwaves by Means of Synthesized Passive Components with Smooth Profiles,” IEEE Microwave Magazine, vol. 16, no. 4, pp. 114-128, May 2015.
J. Hester, E. Nguyen, J. Tice, V. Radisic, “A Novel 3D-Printing-Enabled “Roller Coaster” Transmission Line”, 2017 IEEE International Symposium on Antennas and Propagation, San Diego, CA, 2017, pp. 2639-2640.