Description
Postdoctoral Fellow / Research Associate — Test and Measurement (OTA Testbed, Antenna Measurement, Instrumentation)
The Emerging Radio Systems Group (EmRG) at the University of Waterloo, in partnership with C-COM Satellite Systems Inc., are launching a collaborative research and development project on adaptive anti-jamming beamforming for Ka-band Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite communication (SATCOM) terminals operating in contested environments.
Position Summary
This position leads the design, build, calibration, and operation of the over-the-air Ka-band testbed and the antenna and RF measurement methods used throughout the program. The role spans RF instrumentation and jammer emulation, near-field/far-field and OTA antenna measurement, array calibration, real-time interference detection, and automated, metric-driven measurement campaigns.
Key Responsibilities
- Build, calibrate, and operate the OTA testbed.
- Plan and execute near-field/far-field and OTA measurements of Ka-band phased-array panels in the anechoic chamber and on the testbed.
- Develop automated measurement and data-acquisition pipelines (e.g., SCPI instrument control) and implement representative testing scenarios.
- Define and compute quantitative metrics.
- Produce testbed documentation, schematics, datasets with uncertainty analysis, and training material.
Required Qualifications
- PhD (for the Postdoctoral Fellow level), or an MASc/PhD or a B.Eng. with strong relevant experience (for the Research Associate), in RF/communications or antenna engineering or a related field.
- Hands-on RF test and measurement experience: signal generators and analyzers, up/down-conversion, SSPAs, and mmWave/Ka-band RF chains, including calibration.
- Antenna and phased-array measurement experience, including near-field/far-field scanners, anechoic-chamber testing, and vector network analyzers.
- Laboratory automation with Python, MATLAB, or LabVIEW (e.g., SCPI instrument control) and strong systems-integration skills.
Preferred / Asset Qualifications
- Experience with SATCOM link testing, channel emulators, and OTA testbeds.
- Software-defined radio (SDR) experience.
- Familiarity with calibration of phased-array and beamforming hardware and with measurement-uncertainty analysis and calibration standards.
Terms and Conditions
| Position type | Full-time, one-year term (renewable, contingent on performance and continued funding) |
| Anticipated start | September 2026 (an earlier start is possible) |
| Location | University of Waterloo (Waterloo, ON); C-COM Satellite Systems Inc. (Waterloo, ON) may also be considered |
| Level | Postdoctoral Fellow, Research Associate (1.0 FTE) |
| Compensation | Commensurate with qualifications and experience |
How to Apply
Please submit (i) a cover letter describing your fit for the role, (ii) a detailed CV, and (iii) the names and contact information of two to three references to joinemrg@gmail.com Please quote the position title in the subject line. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
