Research Associate in RF Design and Prototyping of Microwave Analog Computing

Chilling Competition; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 51,000 - 59,000; Full time

Job summary

Imperial College London seeks a postdoctoral Research Associate to advance RF design, modelling and prototyping for Microwave Linear Analog Computing (MiLAC). The role is based at South Kensington Campus, funded to 30 September 2028, with possible extension, and involves hands-on design and evaluation of reconfigurable microwave networks.

Applicants should hold a PhD in RF design or related fields, with a strong publication record and experience in microwave devices, networks, and metasurfaces.

Qualifications

• PhD (or near completion) in RF design, modelling and prototyping of radio systems.
• Strong publication record in relevant fields.
• Experience with reconfigurable RF/microwave devices and networks.

Responsibilities

• Design and prototype Microwave Linear Analog Computer (MiLAC).
• Assess MiLAC feasibility for next-generation wireless networks.
• Explain approaches to design and fabricate reconfigurable microwave networks for analog computation.

Skills

RF design

Microwave networks

Prototyping

Education

PhD in RF design or related field

Job description

Location: South Kensington Campus

Contract type: Full-time, Fixed-Term for up to 30 September 2028

Job Summary

The post is funded by UKRI TITAN phase II to conduct original research in RF design, modeling, and prototyping of microwave analog computing. The successful candidate will design and prototype Microwave Linear Analog Computer (MiLAC) using non-reconfigurable and reconfigurable microwave networks, identify the full potential benefits of MiLAC for next generation wireless networks, and assess the feasibility of MiLAC.

This full-time, in-person postdoctoral position is based at Imperial College’s South Kensington Campus in London, UK, and is funded till 30 September 2028 with possibility to extend till 31 Mar 2030 (after passing project mid-term review).

In your application, clearly explain your expertise and your approach to design and fabricate reconfigurable microwave network to enable MiLAC and perform matrix inversion in the analog domain

Essential requirements

• Research Associate: Hold a PhD (or be very near completion, or equivalent) in RF design, modelling, and prototyping of radio systems, reconfigurable intelligent surfaces, and/or metasurfaces, reconfigurable microwave networks, microwave computing, and a significant publication track record.
• Candidates who have not yet been officially awarded their PhD will be appointed as Research Assistant.

Experience

• Practical experience within a research environment and / or publication in relevant and refereed journals
• Practical experience in a broad range of techniques including:
  • Microwave circuit theory
  • Antenna design/measurement
  • RF system prototyping/experimentation
  • Reconfigurable RF and microwave devices and microwave networks
  • Reconfigurable intelligent surfaces and/or metasurfaces and/or microwave computing
• Experience presenting and publishing scientific and/or technical research
• Practical experience within a research environment and / or publication in relevant and refereed journals

Further Information

Please note that job descriptions cannot be exhaustive, and the post-holder may be required to undertake other duties, which are broadly in line with the above key responsibilities.

For any specific queries regarding the post please contact Prof Bruno Clerckx ([e-mail])

The College believes that the use of animals in research is vital to improve human and animal health and welfare. Animals may only be used in research programmes where their use is shown to be necessary for developing new treatments and making medical advances. Imperial is committed to ensuring that, in cases where this research is deemed essential, all animals in the College’s care are treated with full respect, and that all staff involved with this work show due consideration at every level.

Animal research | Research | Imperial College London

We are committed to equality of opportunity, to eliminating discrimination and to creating an inclusive working environment for all. We therefore encourage candidates to apply irrespective of age, disability, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion and belief, gender reassignment, sex, or sexual orientation. We are an Athena SWAN Silver Award winner, a Disability Confident Leader and a Stonewall Diversity Champion.

Closing date: 15/11/2026

£50,733 to £59,484 per annum