TU Delft’s Microwave Sensing, Signals and Systems (MS3) Group and ViaSat Antennas System SA (Lausanne, Switzerland) combine forces in the prestigious Future Network Services (FNS) flagship project to develop innovative Ka-band multibeam phased array antenna technologies for satellite multi-orbit communication terminals, enabling high data rates and seamless connectivity at low cost, balanced analog-digital complexity and reduced power consumption.

We offer a Ph.D. position on assessing the link budget and power consumption performance trade-offs in the state-of-the-art analog, digital and hybrid beamforming solutions. In the scope of the Ph.D. project, we also aim to perform feasibility studies by developing and testing various integrated-circuit (IC) design options and antenna array topologies towards an optimized system performance!

Responsibilities

• Conduct in-depth research on multibeam front-ends, active phased arrays, and Satcom systems, staying abreast of the latest advancements and breakthroughs in the field.
• Develop a parametrized system model for active multibeam phased arrays to characterize the link budget and power consumption to identify optimal configurations for different use cases.
• Characterize, test and develop mixed signal solutions/architectures including feasibility studies for ICs and antennas.
• Conduct theoretical studies and simulations, verify by experiments.
• Contribute to the scientific community knowledge through high-quality publications.
• Collaborate with industry partners, academic institutions, and research organizations to stay connected with the latest developments and foster collaborative opportunities.
• Prepare and defend the Ph.D. thesis, which summarizes the results of the research.

You will be employed by the Faculty of Electrical Engineering of the Technical University of Delft, which will provide scientific supervision together with the partners at ViaSat. Research stays at Viasat premises in Lausanne, Switzerland will be encouraged.

• MSc degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related field.
• Strong background in electronic circuits and antennas. Background in signal processing and wireless networks is appreciated.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python or MATLAB.
• Experience with simulation tools and software for electromagnetic and circuit analysis.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.

Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements.

Fixed-term contract: 4 years (1.5+2.5).

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2770 per month in the first year to € 3539 in the fourth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. 

For international applicants, TU Delft has the Coming to Delft Service. This service provides information for new international employees to help you prepare the relocation and to settle in the Netherlands. The Coming to Delft Service offers a Dual Career Programme for partners and they organise events to expand your (social) network.

Delft University of Technology

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

Faculty Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science

The Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) brings together three scientific disciplines. Combined, they reinforce each other and are the driving force behind the technology we all use in our daily lives. Technology such as the electricity grid, which our faculty is helping to make completely sustainable and future-proof. At the same time, we are developing the chips and sensors of the future, whilst also setting the foundations for the software technologies to run on this new generation of equipment – which of course includes AI. Meanwhile we are pushing the limits of applied mathematics, for example mapping out disease processes using single cell data, and using mathematics to simulate gigantic ash plumes after a volcanic eruption. In other words: there is plenty of room at the faculty for ground-breaking research. We educate innovative engineers and have excellent labs and facilities that underline our strong international position. In total, more than 1000 employees and 4,000 students work and study in this innovative environment.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science.