The European Project 'InnoStar' focusses on the development of millimetre-wave technologies and methodologies for future wireless communications (6G) and radar sensing applications. We offer several 4-year fully funded PhD positions. The InnoStar consortium consists of leading R&D laboratories from universities, industries, and technology institutes located in The Netherlands, Sweden, Canada and Germany. Research:

The project InnoStar will close the research and development gap on millimetre-wave (mmWave) technology and methodologies for operating at >100 GHz up to 300 GHz - much higher than today's state-of-the-art - and for sophisticated, high-performance applications at lower frequencies. By advancing fundamental technologies in semiconductors, antennas and system design, InnoStar will enable numerous critical next-generation applications in wireless communication (e.g., 5G/6G), automotive safety (e.g., autonomous driving, radar sensors), medical devices (e.g., wearable sensors, implanted devices), to support a sustainable society and the EU's industrial leadership. InnoStar will target innovations in new types of antennas, IC modules and systems to overcome today's limitations at frequencies >100 GHz and high-performance applications at lower frequencies. InnoStar has assembled a highly sophisticated project consortium with partners from Canada, Germany, Netherlands, and Sweden, including world leaders in mmWave technology, NXP, Infineon, Ericsson, to achieve this goal.  Through the proposed demonstrations and innovations, InnoStar will enable each partner to improve their subject matter expertise and reach sustainable market growth. This will promote and enhance Europe's global leadership and sovereignty in large technology markets.

Description PhD position mm-wave Integrated Antenna Metrology

Since frequency ranges in most technological applications are significantly below 100 GHz, the present test and measurement setups cannot deal with the extensive challenges in the requested future high-frequency bands. A key part of measuring antennas in the millimeter wave range is to connect them via an RF-connector to a measurement system like a vector network analyzer. For the moment there is no suitable solution, without affecting the behavior of the antenna. Therefore, and moreover due to an increasing integration level, it is proposed to perform more tests Over-the-Air (OtA) on both system and component level. At this moment there are no best practices or standards that can be consulted to identify and reduce the currently unknown measurement uncertainties. Therefore, with the current state-of-the-art measurement techniques and metrology science, it is impossible to determine the performance characteristics of the new components operating at 100+ GHz in the same reliable fashion as available at lower frequencies. This will be your challenge in this project. Concrete sub-tasks are:

• Measurement techniques for angular-dependent OtA measurements in a miniaturized anechoic chamber.
• Measurement techniques for isotropic OtA measurements in a miniaturized reverberation chamber.
• Uncertainty aspects of the measurements.

• Applicants should have, or expect to receive, a Master of Science degree or equivalent in a relevant electrical engineering or applied physics discipline and should not have more than four years of research experience.
• In addition, selection is also based on the performance of the candidates in other works (e.g. thesis and advanced level courses), as well as through interviews and assignments.
• Besides good subject knowledge, emphasis will be on creative thinking, motivation, ability to cooperate, initiative to work independently and personal suitability for research training.
• Previous experience in the area of antennas and microwave engineering are required.
• Experience in metrology, and proficiency in using scientific and engineering software packages such as Matlab, ADS, CST etc. are advantageous. 
• Fluent in spoken and written English.

• A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university with the possibility to present your work at international conferences.
• A full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate evaluation (go/no-go) after nine months.
• To develop your teaching skills, you will spend 10% of your employment on teaching tasks.
• To support you during your PhD and to prepare you for the rest of your career, you will make a Training and Supervision plan and you will have free access to a personal development program for PhD students (PROOF program).
• A gross monthly salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labor Agreement for Dutch Universities.
• Additionally, an annual holiday allowance of 8% of the yearly salary, plus a year-end allowance of 8.3% of the annual salary.
• Should you come from abroad and comply with certain conditions, you can make use of the so-called '30% facility', which permits you not to pay tax on 30% of your salary.
• A broad package of fringe benefits, including an excellent technical infrastructure, moving expenses, and savings schemes.
• Family-friendly initiatives are in place, such as an international spouse program, and excellent on-campus children day care and sports facilities.