Description
Postdoctoral Fellow / Research Associate — DSP Algorithms (Adaptive Beamforming and Anti-Jamming)
The Emerging Radio Systems Group (EmRG) at the University of Waterloo, in partnership with C-COM Satellite Systems Inc., are launching a research and development project on adaptive anti-jamming beamforming for Ka-band Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite communication (SATCOM) terminals operating in contested environments. The project will also design, build, and operate an instrumented over-the-air (OTA) Ka-band testbed to evaluate potential digital signal processing algorithms for adaptive beamforming and nulling based anti-jamming approaches.
Position Summary
This position develops and experimentally evaluates the adaptive digital signal-processing algorithms.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and validate adaptive beamforming and nulling algorithms on Ka-band phased arrays.
- Develop and validate blind search-based anti-jamming algorithms on Ka-band phased arrays.
- Develop and validate subspace direction-of-arrival estimation algorithms using a sensing array and drive real-time null placement on the communication beamformer.
- Evaluate resilient air-interface techniques combined with spatial mitigation.
Required Qualifications
- PhD (for the Postdoctoral Fellow level), or an MASc/PhD or a B.Eng. with strong relevant experience in statistical/array signal processing, wireless communications, or a related field.
- Strong background in adaptive arrays, direction-of-arrival estimation, and/or interference mitigation and anti-jamming.
- Proficiency in MATLAB and/or Python for algorithm development and analysis.
- Working knowledge of SATCOM/LEO links and resilient waveforms (spread spectrum, adaptive modulation and coding, frequency hopping).
Preferred / Asset Qualifications
- Experience with CRPA/GNSS anti-jam, MIMO, or phased-array communications.
- Familiarity with over-the-air experimental validation and hardware-in-the-loop testing.
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.
