Prospective students and researchers

General Recruitment Procedure

All students, scholars and researchers must be admitted to or registered at the University of Waterloo before beginning work with the Emerging Radio Systems Group (EmRG).

The group gives priority to candidates with a strong interest in, and aptitude for, both the theory and the practical implementation of advanced circuits for wireless communication.

Admission to Waterloo is a separate process from joining the group. For questions about admission, visit the undergraduate or graduate admissions websites. For questions about joining the group, email Dr. Slim Boumaiza:

  1. Put “EmRG applicant: position” in the subject line, replacing position with the category you are applying for (for example, undergraduate, MASc or PhD).
  2. Include a brief statement, of 100 words at most, on why you want to pursue research or research training with EmRG.
  3. Read the expectations for your category:
    1. undergraduate applicants
    2. graduate applicants
    3. postdoctoral applicants
    4. visiting scholars (coming soon)

The group aims to answer every email within a reasonable time but, because of the volume it receives, cannot guarantee a reply.

Undergraduate Applicants

Expectations

EmRG usually appoints undergraduate students in the fourth (final) year of study, when they have the theoretical foundation and laboratory experience to contribute to research.

Students may be appointed as volunteers — for example, for a capstone project, or to shadow and assist a member of the group — or to a paid position if they are eligible for one or more of the following programs:

Appointments are usually for a single four-month term and may be renewed.

To join the group as an undergraduate student, email Dr. Slim Boumaiza with:

  1. your current résumé
  2. your most recent transcript (official or unofficial)
  3. a summary of past co-op evaluations, if any
  4. which of the programs above you are eligible for

Apply well before your intended start term: several of these programs have deadlines set by the organization that runs them.

Graduate Applicants

Expectations

To join EmRG, graduate students must first be admitted to an MASc or PhD program in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) at Waterloo. An MASc in the group typically takes two years and a PhD four. Funding may be available through graduate research studentships, assistantships and awards.

The ECE department sets its own admission requirements and deadlines. Candidates applying specifically to work with the group may also be asked for further material, such as research papers or a thesis, or for an interview; this selection is separate from university admission.

Postdoctoral Applicants

Expectations

EmRG usually hires postdoctoral fellows on an initial one-year contract, which may be extended. Positions are funded by sponsors and industrial partners, so each fellow works toward the goals of a specific research project.

A postdoctoral fellowship differs substantially from a graduate studentship. Postdoctoral fellows should be willing and able to:

  • propose, pursue and carry out research plans with minimal supervision
  • show a high degree of professionalism and accountability in their research
  • work with graduate students and guide or support their research as needed

Postdoctoral positions are advertised on the Opportunities page, with instructions for applying. Applications are considered only while a call is open.