Job opportunities
Senior Researcher in positioning with LEO-PNT satellites
The Institute of Space Studies of Catalonia (IEEC) was established in February 1996 as a private non-profit foundation (NPO) to promote R&D in the space field in Catalonia. The IEEC is a research institute that studies all areas of knowledge and technologies applied to the space sector and space sciences, including astrophysics, cosmology, planetary science, Earth observation, navigation and space engineering. Its mission is to push the frontiers of space research from the scientific and technological fields for the maximum benefit of society. It should also be noted that the Foundation is attached to the Generalitat de Catalunya (Catalan Government) and forms part of its institutional public sector due to the fact that the Generalitat has a majority involvement in the entity.
Introduction
The object of this call is the selection process of a candidate to occupy a position of Researcher attached to the Catalan Space Sector Area of the Institut d'Estudis Espacials de Catalunya.
The New Space represents a new use of space, a new technology, a new set of services and, therefore, a new economy based on the democratization of space and on a more dynamic and agile space industry and innovation procedures. The New Space offers opportunities for the use and exploitation of space platforms for a wide variety of applications, such as scientific research, space technology development and qualification, Earth observation and telecommunications (such as machine to machine, 5G and Internet of things), and GNSS positioning systems.
The IEEC and the Government of Catalonia promotes New Space by defining and executing the New Space Strategy of Catalonia to strengthen the space ecosystem by launching nanosatellite missions, research and innovation programs and high addeed-value services based on space technologies.
Description of position
- Jobs to be covered: 2.
- Professional group: III Scientist Staff
- Professional category: Senior postdoc .
- Working hours: 37'5 hours/week
- Workplace location: School of Engineering, UAB Bellaterra Campus
Functions
The research group on Signal Processing for communications and Navigation (SPCOMNAV), a member of the IEEC through the Universitat Autònoma de BArcelona (UAB), is one of the main academic research groups in satellite and terrestrial positioning systems in Europe. In its more than 15 years of activity, the group has participated in more than 50 research projects contributing to the design of the Galileo system and receivers, developing new cloud IoT positioning solutions, making fundamental contributions to 5G positioning and currently, defining future positioning systems based on LEO-PNT satellites. The group is regularly present in the most important journals and conferences in its field, has strong links with the main industrial actors and European institutions, and welcomes visiting researchers from all over the world interested in the group's activities.
The SPCOMNAV group is looking for talented and capable researchers to join the group and contribute to the development of state-of-the-art signal processing algorithms for LEO-PNT positioning, within the framework of Catalonia's NewSpace strategy . The specific research to be carried out covers a wide range of possible topics such as signal design and user receivers for future ultra-low power positioning oriented LEO-PNT constellations, but also there is the possibility to contribute to the security and protection of receivers of global positioning satellite signals (GNSS) and LEO-PNT, the development of interference detection and spoofing techniques, or the combination of LEO-PNT, GNSS and 5G for resilient positioning in hostile environments, such as urban canyons.
We are looking for profiles with a strong motivation for research and proven experience in the field. Proportional responsibilities will be assigned based on the candidate's profile.
The selected person, depending on their profile and experience, will be responsible for the following functions:
- As the main objective, the design of signals for LEO-PNT systems and evaluation of their benefits.
- Develop digital signal processing algorithms with Matlab .
- Contribute to the current state of the art in LEO-PNT and GNSS positioning systems.
- Perform software-level simulations to evaluate the performance of the developed algorithms under controlled working conditions.
- Perform tests with software- defined radio (SDR) devices to validate the performance of the developed algorithms with real signals and working conditions.
- Write reports, documentation and publication of results.
- Take on the technical management of tasks, work packages or even entire projects.
Participation requirements and selection criteria
The following criteria will be assessed during the selection process:
- Trainning:
- PhD in Telecommunications/Electrical Engineering.
The following aspects will be considered desirable merits:
During the selection process, the following merits will be assessed:
- Demonstrable experience and solid knowledge in the field of signal processing.
- Be familiar with signals, receivers and operating principles of positioning systems.
- Knowledge of GNSS, OFDM signals, radar systems.
- Good programming skills in Matlab . Knowledge of Python , C or C++ is a plus, although not mandatory.
- Motivation, enthusiasm and pro-activity to carry out innovative research and face new challenges.
- Experience in participating in projects of the European Space Agency, the European Commission or the European Union Agency for the Space Program (EUSPA).
- Experience in technical project management
- Fluent English both written and spoken.
In the evaluation of the candidate's experience, the following will be taken into account: the role or position occupied, the budget of the projects, the degree of complexity of the work carried out and the consortia involved. Likewise, the link with the space sector and the level of internationalization will be taken into account.
Contact and deadline
Interested persons who meet the established requirements can send a letter of motivation, together with the personal curriculum in PDF format, signed as certification, which contains a brief description of the tasks carried out in the positions previously held, to the address of email: RecursosHumans@ieec.cat indicating the reference "Surnames and first names - OF_IEEC_92_2023 ” in the subject of the mail.
The reception of candidatures will end on the 12 June 2023.
Requests that do not meet the requirements, that are not included in the foreseen cases or that are not processed in accordance with the established procedure will not be taken into account.
The reception of applications ends on
Selection procedure
Initially, a verification of the requirements of participation and study of the curriculum will be carried out to assess aspects related to the job to be covered. Next, a first selection of candidates will be made based on the curriculum contributed.
The shortlisted candidates will be called to a personal interview and/or a test to expand the detailed information in the curriculum and assessed aspects related to professional competences.
Interested persons must have the originals of the certificates accrediting the training and work experience mentioned in the curriculum and must submit them if required.