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 PhD project is to develop Novel technologies for miniaturized passive components and sub-systems with tuning capabilities. Specifically, the ESR must perform the following functions:
1) Investigate the potential use of planar and hybrid technologies (such as Substrate Integrated Waveguide) for implementing passive components (e.g. miniaturized filters and multiplexers).
2) Development of novel concepts for miniaturized passive components (i.e. filters and multiplexers) with tuning capabilities.
3) Practical employment of electronic components (e.g. varactors and MEMS) for the practical implementation of miniaturized tuneable and reconfigurable components (filters and multiplexers).
(Contact the supervisor for more details)
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:
• Applicants should have a good undergraduate degree or a postgraduate Master’s degree (or equivalent) in electronic or electrical engineering or a physical sciences subject as well as highly proficient English language skills. 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