Ph.D position in Electrical Engineering for radar technology in plastic recycling

University of Navarra Finance Society; Donostia/San Sebastián; Presencial; EUR 25.000 - 35.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

The University of Navarra is seeking a research candidate for a PhD focused on plastic recycling using radar technology. This fully funded position offers a competitive salary and the opportunity to work with international collaborators, including MIT. Ideal candidates should have a relevant master's degree and expertise in Software Defined Radio, RF electronics, and signal processing.

Servicios

Fully funded PhD position

Competitive salary aligned with market standards

23 days holiday + Christmas holiday

Flexible work schedule

Formación

• Master's degree in Telecommunications or Electrical Engineering required.
• Fluent English, knowledge of Spanish is a plus.
• Experience in RF electronics and Software Defined Radio programming.

Responsabilidades

• Develop Chipless Wireless Sensors for plastic recycling using radar technology.
• Collaborate with MIT on international research projects.
• Publish and present findings at leading peer-reviewed journals.

Conocimientos

Software Defined Radio

Python

Signal Processing

Machine Learning

Educación

Master's degree in Telecommunications Engineering

MSc in Engineering

Herramientas

C++

Matlab

FPGA programming

Electromagnetic Simulation

Descripción del empleo

Tecnun - Escuela de Ingeniería-Universidad de Navarra

Tecnun-Escuela de Ingeniería, perteneciente a la Universidad de Navarra, se propone contribuir a la formación profesional, científica y humana de los futuros ingenieros. Desde su creación, en la primavera de 1961, mantiene un equilibrio entre la docencia, la investigación y el servicio a la sociedad, haciendo que estas actividades se complementen entre sí.

Actualmente dispone de dos campus: la sede más antigua, ubicada en el campus universitario del Bº de Ibaeta, está integrada por los edificios de laboratorios, el edificio docente y de representación concluido en 1989, y un edificio multiuso, levantado en 1996. La otra sede se encuentra en el Parque Tecnológico de Miramón e integra las aulas y laboratorios de investigación de las áreas de Electricidad, Electrónica y Comunicaciones.

Descripción de la oferta

Tecnun – University of Navarra invites applications for a research

position based in San Sebastián (Spain). We are seeking a candidate

with a background in Telecommunication, Electrical, or Electronic

Engineering, interested in pursuing a PhD focused on plastic recycling

through the use of radar technology in Software Defined Radios (SDRs).

The project will involve technologies such as RF hardware design, signal

processing, and the use of backscattering principles from passive

chipless tags. The position includes collaboration with the Massachusetts

Institute of Technology (MIT), offering a unique opportunity for

international research engagement.

Wireless INstruments | Grupos de investigación - Universidad de Navarra

What You Will Do

We are seeking a research-oriented candidate with expertise in Software Defined Radio (SDR) programming, particularly using Python and GNU Radio. The ideal applicant will also have experience in RF electronics (e.g., amplifiers, antennas, pulse generators), FPGA programming, and signal processing techniques such as STFT and CWT. Familiarity with machine learning is a plus. The selected candidate will work within a collaborative team environment, with support provided by other members. This position focuses on the development of Chipless Wireless Sensors—passive tags without electronics—whose backscattered signals, characterized by low signal-to-noise ratios, are analyzed using radar systems. A key application of this technology is in the discrimination of plastics for recycling. An example of the system can be found in this video here.

What We Do For You

We offer a fully funded PhD position for full-time research at the University of Navarra, within a highly international, renowned, and supportive working environment. The position includes a competitive salary aligned with market standards. As a PhD researcher, you will be expected to publish and present your findings at leading peer-reviewed journals as part of your doctoral training. You will also have the opportunity to participate in advanced training courses. Research projects within our group are collaborative by nature, involving team members from diverse specialties. Therefore, strong teamwork, proficiency in English, and effective communication skills—including presenting and reporting—are essential for successful collaboration.

We offer a work schedule with 23 days + Christmas holiday (24 Dec–2 Jan) and with a Winter work schedule, which includes 7.75 hours per day (Flexible entry: check-in between 8:00 and 9:30, check-out from 4:15 pm) and during the months of middle June, July and August a workday with 5,5 hours a day.

Requisitos

What We’re Looking For (The Ideal Candidate)

• You need to hold a relevant master’s degree in Telecommunications Engineering/Electrical Engineering. MSc in Engineering. "Ingeniero de Telecomunicación, Electrónico con Máster en ingeniería" (Date of degree preferably: 2020 or later )
• Your English is fluent, both speaking and writing.
• Knowledge of the Spanish language can be a plus
• In the technical side, the candidate should have certain experience with
• Antenna simulation and design
• RF Electronics
• Microprocessor/FPGA programming
• Software Defined Radio programming
• Signal Processing
• Machine Learning
• The following software knowledge is required: Electromagnetic Simulation (e.g CST), Matlab, C++, Python, FPGA programming
• Other considerations to take into account: Software Defined Radio, Signal Processing, Radar Technology, Machine Learning Algorithms
  

Interested?

We will be happy to receive your application if you meet the requirements we need.

We appreciate that Applications contain all the information as required:

• Cover letter describing your motivation as a thesis candidate.
• Updated CV
• Transcript of records including the number of exams per subject and the average mark of the degree.
  
  

The expected start date before summer 2025.

More information at: Wireless INstruments | Grupos de investigación - Universidad de Navarra