PhD Position Digitally Modulated Radar

Your research will be geared to next-generation automotive radar. In your research project, you will collaborate with leading players in radar systems and signal processing.

Job description

We seek a motivated PhD student to work on a 4-year NXP funded project called DIMORA (Digitally Modulated Radar). The goal of this project is to organize automotive radar sensing similar to mobile communications and, in particular, apply digital modulation (DM) in sensing waveforms. There are four research areas defined related to DM, each of these areas will give rise to a PhD project.

In this particular PhD project we are going investigate digital modulation of radar waveforms to achieve separability of transmitted waveforms keeping large dynamic range of radar system and good resolution in range and Doppler domains. We shall suggest, investigate and experimentally verify new type of sensing waveforms for automotive radars which are robust against (self-) interference, can be used in large scale MIMO systems and in bi-static radar systems.

During this PhD, you will work in the Microwave Sensing Signals and Systems (MS3) research group at the Department of Microelectronics of TU Delft. Being one of a few European radar groups in academia, this group has extensive research facilities and excellent track record on the full pipeline of microwave and radar sensing, from hardware development to signal processing and automatic object classification. Your direct working environment will include a large pool of PhD students of MS3 (see radar.tudelft.nl). You will also interact with the partner organizations that are part of the consortium of this project, all leading players in radar systems and related signal processing in the Dutch landscape and beyond. Moreover, in the same project three another PhD vacancies are open, for realization of efficient receiver for DM signals, theoretical bounds of DM waveform performance in sensing, and on time-varying arrays.

Your main responsibilities will be to:

• Formulate mathematical model for sensing performance of DM waveforms in MIMO radar. Using the mathematical model design digital modulation scheme which is compatible with the constant envelope transmitters
• Optimized the digital modulation for minimal self-interference in MIMO systems with high number of transmitters.
• Experimentally validate waveforms design using numerical simulations and in-situ observations using unique software-defined radar facilities of MS3.
• Collaborate with another PhD students within the same project to exchange knowledge, perform joint experiments and make sure all project objectives are met.
• Participate in knowledge utilization activities and dissemination of research findings, also including project partners.

Requirements

To be considered for this PhD position you should have:

• A Master's degree in electrical/electronic engineering, computer science, physics, mathematics or other related fields.
• Knowledge and interest in radar signal processing, preferably but not necessarily on classification techniques and distributed radar systems.
• Knowledge or at least some interest in machine learning, preferably techniques for management/adaptation of systems.
• Programming experience in MATLAB/Python or C/C++, preferably in relation to radar signal processing.
• A curiosity-driven mindset, the ability to learn new things and a passion for (doing) research. Evidences of innovative thinking and ability to generate new knowledge is an advantage.
• An open-minded personality for cooperation with colleagues and co-supervision of students.
• Willingness to help out with education related tasks (e.g., teaching assistance).
• Good English language and communication skills (written and oral) in order to closely cooperate with colleagues and students as well as write project documents.

Due to the envisaged cooperation with project partners, European (EU)/NATO nationality is an advantage.

Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis.

Conditions of employment

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2770 per month in the first year to € 3539 in the fourth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

For international applicants, TU Delft has the Coming to Delft Service. This service provides information for new international employees to help you prepare the relocation and to settle in the Netherlands. The Coming to Delft Service offers a Dual Career Programme for partners and they organise events to expand your (social) network.

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

Faculty Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science

The Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) brings together three scientific disciplines. Combined, they reinforce each other and are the driving force behind the technology we all use in our daily lives. Technology such as the electricity grid, which our faculty is helping to make completely sustainable and future-proof. At the same time, we are developing the chips and sensors of the future, whilst also setting the foundations for the software technologies to run on this new generation of equipment – which of course includes AI. Meanwhile we are pushing the limits of applied mathematics, for example mapping out disease processes using single cell data, and using mathematics to simulate gigantic ash plumes after a volcanic eruption. In other words: there is plenty of room at the faculty for ground-breaking research. We educate innovative engineers and have excellent labs and facilities that underline our strong international position. In total, more than 1000 employees and 4,000 students work and study in this innovative environment.