Research Fellow in Multi-Function Radio Frequency FPGA Sensor Systems Research Full-time

Research Fellow in Multi-Function Radio Frequency FPGA Sensor Systems Research

The Radar Group within the Electronic and Electrical Engineering Department at UCL has a strong focus on practical applications of Radio Frequency (RF) sensing. Our research aims to advance the performance of RF sensors in increasingly challenging operational environments. This work spans active radar, passive radar, and electronic support measures (ESM) systems, which were traditionally developed as separate technologies but can now, due to advances in digital processing and system integration, be deployed jointly on common hardware platforms.

This convergence opens up a new and growing research domain focused on the optimal utilisation of advanced RF sensors that are capable of performing multiple roles, either sequentially or in parallel. The UCL Radar Group hosts one of the few demonstrator systems (ARESTOR) worldwide capable of such advanced, adaptive control, providing a unique opportunity to experimentally validate novel concepts through field trials.

As ARESTOR is a multi-function system it is able to operate as a passive radar, active radar, communication node and spectrum surveillance tool. FPGA development on the system of each of these modes will be an objective in order to deliver novel research focused on exploiting these various sensor modes jointly.

As an experimentally focused group, we design, plan, and deliver outdoor deployments of RF sensors against relevant targets, with the aim of demonstrating the real-world benefits of flexible, multi-function RF systems and the step change in capability they can provide.

About the Role

This post will contribute to the delivery of a collaborative research project between UCL and Leonardo UK. Leonardo UK is a leading aerospace engineering company that develops innovative RF sensor systems across a wide range of platforms. The role will focus on the implementation of multiple RF sensing modes on FPGA-based hardware.

The post holder will work in close partnership with industry to design and implement these sensing modes, develop core processing blocks within the FPGA, and evaluate system performance in a laboratory environment, followed by validation through field trials. The research outputs from this work are expected to be published in world leading conference and journal transactions.

The role sits within an active research group and will involve mentoring and supporting other researchers across a range of on-going projects.

The post is available for 24 months in the first instance. Further funding to support the post may be available.

This role will require UK security clearances and you should have resided in the UK for the past 5 years and be willing to undertake background checks as part of this process.

About You

Candidates should have a PhD (or about to submit) in Electronic Engineering, Physics or a closely related field. They should have a track record of research in Radio Frequency systems, digital systems, Digital Signal Processing or devices or a closely related field. Applicants should have an in-depth understanding of the principles of RF sensor systems, their implementations and data analysis methodologies. Practical experience of deploying IP cores on FPGA systems is essential.

A track record of publications in leading journals / conferences is desirable, as well as practical experience of signal processing from RF systems to achieve given objectives.

If the successful candidate has not yet been awarded their PhD, appointment will be made as a Research Assistant (Grade 6B). Payment at Grade 7 will be backdated to the date of final submission of the PhD thesis including corrections, once the PhD has been awarded. Research Assistant (Grade 6B): point 25-28. Salary range £39,148 to £41,833 (inc. London Allowance of £5,197 pa).

What We Offer

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits some of which are below:

• 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days)
• Additional 5 days' annual leave purchase scheme
• Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
• Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
• Immigration loan
• Relocation scheme for certain posts
• On-Site nursery
• On-site gym
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
• Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service
• Discounted medical insurance

Our Commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

As London's Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world's talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong.

We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL's workforce. These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women.

Our department holds an Athena SWAN Silver award, in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender equality.