Research technician

Royal Military Academy, Belgium; Brussel Hoofdstad; Sur place; EUR 35 000 - 52 000; Plein temps

Avantages offerts par ce poste

Bilingualism allowance

End-of-year bonus

Hospitalization insurance

Bike allowance / public transport

Campus facilities access

Flexible working hours

Teleworking option

Résumé du poste

Royal Military Academy invites a full-time research technician in telecommunications, RF systems and applied electronics to support multiple projects. You will help prepare and maintain RF labs, run measurements, and assist in integrating radio systems with measurement equipment.

Strong collaboration with researchers and PhD candidates is expected. Ideal candidates hold a bachelor in electronics or related field and bring experience with RF testing, SDR platforms, SATCOM gear, and scripting for

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in Electronics, Telecommunications, Electromechanics or equivalent.
• Professional or senior profiles preferred, but young graduates encouraged to apply.
• Experience with RF lab work and measurement automation is essential.
• Ability to read technical datasheets and schematics is required.

Responsabilités

• Prepare, install and maintain RF/lab setups including SDR platforms and SATCOM gear.
• Conduct laboratory measurements and field trials as part of research projects.
• Technically integrate radio systems and measurement equipment in labs.
• Manage equipment inventory, calibration, and safety procedures.
• Assist in procurement purchases and support demonstrations for stakeholders.
• Collaborate with researchers and external partners on experimental setups.

Connaissances

RF measurement

RF systems knowledge

Antenna knowledge

Laboratory work

Reading datasheets

Software Defined Radio

SATCOM equipment

Opto-electronics equipment

Measurement automation scripting

Field measurements

Formation

Bachelor in Electronics/Telecommunications/Electromechanics

Outils

Spectrum analyzers

Signal generators

Network analyzers

SDR platforms

SATCOM equipment

Opto-electronics equipment

Description du poste

CONTEXT

In the framework of research projects in satellite communications (project DAP 26-02 ASTRA), wearable adaptive antenna design (project DAP 26-09 WARCOM) and directed infrared countermeasures (project DAP 26-01 ALCAAT), we are looking for a full-time research technician in telecommunications, RF systems and applied (opto)electronics with a Bachelor degree in electronics, telecommunications, electromechanics or equivalent technical field.

The Royal Military Academy is fully recognized as a university, fulfilling the same criteria as civilian universities. The RMA is also conducting scientific research at university level for projects funded by the Belgian Defense department or external sources.

We value diversity and equal opportunities. Whether you are a man, a woman or X, or come from any background, we firmly believe that diversity enriches our community, and we encourage all qualified candidates to apply.

PROJECT

You work within the department of Communication Information Systems and Sensors (CISS) of the Faculty Polytechnics of the RMA. You conduct technical research support activities on multiple research projects entitled ‘Advanced SATCOM L1/L2 Threat and Resilience Assessment (ASTRA)’, Wearable Adaptive Antenna-Radio Systems for Reliable Tactical Communications (WARCOM)’ and ‘Adaptive Laser Countermeasures Against Advanced IR-guided Threats’ (ALCAAT).

ASTRA aims at identifying vulnerabilities in modern satellite communication systems at physical and data link layer level and assessing their resilience through the design and implementation of passive and active RF attacks in a controlled laboratory environment.

WARCOM focuses on the design, fabrication, integration and evaluation of adaptive wearable antenna systems for tactical communications, ensuring compatibility with current and future tactical radios. The project includes electromagnetic simulations, laboratory RF measurements and field testing under realistic operational conditions.

ALCAAT aims to develop adaptive laser-based countermeasures that react quickly to modern infrared (IR) threats. It will evaluate how atmospheric conditions affect their effectiveness against imaging seekers through laboratory and field trials. The goal is to advance the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) from 3 to 5 by transitioning from controlled environments to outdoor testing.

Within these projects, you support researchers and PhD candidates by preparing and maintaining experimental setups, managing laboratory infrastructure, and assisting in measurement campaigns and integration activities.

MAIN TASKS

• Preparation, installation and maintenance of RF, Telecommunications, and (opto-)electronics laboratory setups including Software Defined Radio platforms, SATCOM terminals, antennas, spectrum analyzers and related equipment.
• Support in the execution of laboratory measurements and field trials.
• Technical integration of radio systems, embedded platforms and measurement equipment.
• Management of equipment inventory, calibration follow-up and safety procedures.
• Preparation and follow up of purchases of technical and test equipment in accordance with procurement procedures.
• Occasional support during demonstrations and interactions with Defense stakeholders and industrial partners.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Degree(s) required: (Professional) Bachelor’s degree in Electronics, Telecommunications, Electromechanics or equivalent technical field.

This position is open for experienced profiles (ideally 3 years of experience minimum) or senior profiles (ideally 8 years of experience minimum).

However, young graduates are also encouraged to apply.

“MUST HAVE” skills

• Practical experience with RF measurement equipment such as spectrum analyzers, signal generators or network analyzers
• Basic knowledge of radio frequency systems and antennas
• Experience in laboratory work and technical integration of electronic systems
• Ability to read technical datasheets and schematics
• Experience with Software Defined Radio platforms
• Experience with SATCOM equipment
• Experience with opto-electronics equipment
• Knowledge of basic scripting or programming for measurement automation
• Experience with field measurements or outdoor test campaigns

Personal skills

• You think in an innovative and creative way.
• You communicate technical information in a clear, concise and precise manner.
• You are involved and result oriented.
• You are honest, loyal toward the institution and respect confidentiality.
• You behave in a respectful way toward the others, their ideas and opinions as well as toward procedures and instructions.
• You commit yourself in your job by giving the best of your aptitudes in striving toward the highest quality standards and persevere when needed.

Other skills

• The applicant shall have good knowledge of English.
• Minimum knowledge of French or Dutch is an added value for collaboration with peers.

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

• The technician may be exposed to classified information and will therefore have to obtain the required security clearance. The candidate must consent to the background check required to obtain this clearance, which will be executed by Belgian Defence.
• Only applicants with a nationality of a country that is both part of NATO and the EU will be eligible.
• Working for the Patrimony requires living in Belgium for the duration of the study.

Application deadline: 2nd of September 2026.

The interviews will take place at the Royal Military Academy, Hobbemastraat 8, 1000 Brussels. If needed, on-line interviews can be organized. The date and time of the interview will be communicated to the preselected candidates.

CONTRACT

• Probable date of recruitment: From 1 September 2026, in consultation with the applicant.
• Status: Full-time employment based on an open-ended contract with the Patrimony of the Royal Military Academy (you will not be a civil servant).
• Please note that your contract will be open-ended, but the financing of the contract will be tied to the funding projects, which is guaranteed until 30 April 2030. There is a high chance for the projects to be prolonged after this initial period, depending on the availability of new funding.
• Wage scale: wage scale B1 (holder of a professional bachelor’s degree or equivalent with valuable / relevant seniority. A salary simulation can be done here: Simulateur de salaire. RMA applies a merit-based research career track, allowing researchers to advance in wage scale based upon annual evaluations.
• Holiday pay.

EXTRA LEGAL BENEFITS

• Possibility to benefit from a bilingualism allowance (Dutch/French) following a SELOR test;
• End-of-year bonus;
• Free DKV hospitalization insurance. Possibility of additional affiliation for one or more persons living under the same roof: spouse, child(ren) (50% of the price per additional member);
• Bike allowance / Free public transport (home-work commute);
• Free access to campus sports facilities outside working hours;
• On-campus restaurant and cafeteria with democratic prices (discount on the daily menu);
• Flexible working hours within the 38-hour week;
• Teleworking possible with allowance (2 days / week max);
• Holidays:
• 29 days holiday / year from the 1st year of contract (then from 45 years: +1 day holiday every 5 years)
• 1 week OFF every year between Christmas and New year’s Eve (independent of the annual balance of holidays).
• Advantages and interesting offers thanks to the Benefits@work card (discounts, vouchers...).
• Entitlement to services offered by the ‘Office Central d'Action Sociale et Culturelle de la Défense’ (OCASC): among others holiday centres, discount on travel organised by the tour operator...;
• Possibility to benefit from the nursery funded by Belgian Defence (subject to availability).

WORKPLACE

Royal Military Academy, Avenue de la Renaissance 30, 1000 Brussels. Occasional travels in Belgium and abroad for field trials, demonstrations or scientific events may be required.