Research Fellow in Antennas and Propagation

This review provides an in-depth look at the Research Fellow in Antennas and Propagation opportunity, focusing on the SELECT-3DAM project at the Institute for Communication Systems (ICS) and its world-leading 5G/6G Innovation Centre (5G/6GIC). This role offers a compelling pathway for researchers passionate about shaping the future of wireless communication.

Unlocking a Revolutionary Wireless Concept: SELECT-3DAM Project

The core of this opportunity lies within the ambitious three-year Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) funded project, SELECT-3DAM. This project builds upon groundbreaking research in Linear Angular Momentum Multiplexing (LAMM) and seeks to advance it into the innovative realm of 3D Angular Momentum Multiplexing (3DAMM). The ultimate goal is to develop a spectrally efficient, low-cost, and energy-efficient communication solution for trains, specifically designed to provide reliable gigabit connectivity even within tunnel environments.

For candidates eager to contribute to cutting-edge wireless architectures with the potential to revolutionize spectral efficiency, this project presents an exceptional platform. You will be instrumental in the scientific underpinnings, antenna synthesis, and physical layer radio aspects that will enable the practical implementation of 3DAMM. The prospect of designing and constructing a concept demonstrator is a significant advantage, offering tangible project ownership and demonstrable impact.

Advantages for Aspiring Researchers:

• Pioneering Research: Be at the forefront of developing and investigating a truly innovative wireless transmission architecture (3DAMM) that promises to significantly enhance spectral efficiency.
• Impactful Application: Contribute to a project with a clear, real-world application: providing robust connectivity for trains in challenging environments, directly addressing a critical industry need.
• Collaborative Environment: Work alongside another dedicated researcher focused on the radio system aspects, fostering a dynamic and synergistic research team.
• World-Class Facilities: Leverage the resources of the ICS, Europe's largest academic research institute in ICT, with access to state-of-the-art labs, computing facilities, and best-in-class large-scale testbeds.
• Established Innovation Hub: Become part of the 5G/6GIC, a globally recognized centre with a strong track record of collaboration with leading academic institutions and industrial partners, driving both 5G+ and 6G research.
• Career Advancement: This role provides a significant opportunity to deepen your expertise in antennas and propagation, enhance your publication record in high-impact journals, and contribute to a project with substantial future potential.

Key Considerations for Your Career Path:

• Required Expertise: A strong foundation in simulating microstrip or waveguide antennas using commercial software (e.g., CST Microwave Studio) is essential. Familiarity with array antennas and MIMO systems will be highly valued.
• Practical Skills: Hands-on experience in fabricating antenna prototypes and conducting RF test and measurement using equipment like a Vector Network Analyzer is a significant advantage.
• Publication Track Record: Demonstrating the ability to produce high-quality journal publications in antennas and propagation is crucial for success in this research-intensive role.
• Desirable Skills: While not mandatory, experience with Orbital Angular Momentum (OAM) for wireless communication, programming Software Defined Radios (e.g., ADALM-PLUTO), anechoic chamber measurements, and participation in propagation measurement campaigns would further strengthen your candidacy.
• Long-Term Vision: This 3-year fixed-term contract offers a focused period of intensive research. Candidates should consider how this experience aligns with their long-term career aspirations in academic research or industry R&D.

This Research Fellow position offers a remarkable opportunity to contribute to a transformative technology within a supportive and leading research environment. By focusing on the advancement of 3DAMM, you will be actively shaping the future of wireless communications, making this a highly rewarding prospect for ambitious and skilled researchers.