Opportunities

Opportunities overview

The Emerging Radio Systems Group (EmRG) is currently seeking qualified Postdoctoral Fellows (PDFs) or Research Associates for multiple projects. The responsibilities of a postdoctoral fellowship are substantially different from those of graduate studentship. PDFs should be willing and able to:

  • propose, pursue, and carry out research plans with minimal supervision
  • publish and present research outcomes in journals, conferences or reports for industry partners, with minimal supervision
  • exhibit a high degree of professionalism and accountability with regards to research work and deadlines
  • engage and collaborate with graduate students and industry partners and support their research efforts, as needed

Specific position descriptions and requirements are listed for each of the projects below:

Instructions for applying can be found at the bottom of this page.

Information for Postdocs

Visit the University of Waterloo Postdoctoral Office webpage to learn about additional benefits available to Waterloo postdocs.

Postdoctoral positions

Radio-frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) design (now hiring)

EmRG offers a unique opportunity for a highly motivated postdoctoral fellow to join our team. We offer a unique opportunity to conduct cutting-edge research in radio-frequency integrated circuits (RFICs) for next-generation wireless and satellite communication systems. Our group fosters a stimulating environment that combines fundamental research with practical applications, and we collaborate with leading researchers and industry partners. 

Position description 

This one-year, competitively funded position (with potential for renewal) focuses on the design and development of high-performance RFICs for advanced communication applications. You will be involved in all stages of the design cycle, from theoretical exploration to prototype testing and validation. 

Key Responsibilities 

  • Design, simulate, and characterize microwave and millimetre-wave RFICs, including power amplifiers (PAs), low-noise amplifiers (LNAs), front-end modules, and electronically tunable circuits for advanced beamforming transceivers. 

  • Utilize state-of-the-art semiconductor technologies and design tools to develop innovative RFIC solutions. 

  • Conduct laboratory measurements using advanced equipment like probe stations, network analyzers, and vector signal generators/analyzers. 

  • Collaborate effectively with group members, faculty, and industry partners. 

  • Contribute to the preparation of research publications and presentations. 

Qualifications 

  • Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering or a closely related field.  

  • Strong background in RFIC design principles, including circuit analysis, transistor modelling, and layout techniques.  

  • Proficiency with industry-standard circuit simulation and design tools (e.g., Cadence, ADS).  

  • In-depth understanding of radio frequency communication concepts, with a focus on millimetre-wave frequencies.  

  • Experience with RF test equipment and characterization methodologies (a plus).  

Antenna systems design (now hiring)

EmRG offers a unique opportunity for a highly motivated postdoctoral fellow (or experienced research associate) to join our team. We collaborate with government and industry leaders to tackle cutting-edge research in satellite and 5G/6G communication systems. We provide a stimulating environment that combines practical experience with theoretical training. 

Position description 

This one-year, competitively funded position (with potential for renewal) will focus on antenna systems design. We seek a candidate with a strong theoretical background in applied electromagnetics and antenna design, along with experience in simulating, fabricating, testing, and validating antenna prototypes.  

Key responsibilities 

  • Electro-thermal co-design of antenna elements, passive/active arrays using advanced PCB, 3D printing and material technologies 

  • Near/far-field characterization using passive and active antenna measurement techniques 

  • Calibration methods for antenna arrays 

Qualifications 

  • PhD in Electrical Engineering (postdoctoral) or MASc with relevant experience (research associate) with a strong focus on antenna system design and microwave engineering  

  • Proven knowledge of applied electromagnetics and best practices in antenna design  

  • Expertise in antenna, circuit, and system simulation/design tools (e.g., HFSS, ADS, MATLAB)  

  • Understanding of radiocommunication challenges at microwave/millimetre-wave frequencies and their hardware implications  

  • Experience with antenna testing and microwave test equipment (VNAs, VSAs/VSGs) a plus  

  • Project management experience (leading meetings, managing deadlines, collaborating with internal/external partners) a plus 

Millimetre-wave and sub-THz test and measurement techniques (now hiring)

EmRG is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Fellow to join a research group focused on developing novel test and measurement techniques for millimetre-wave (mmWave) and sub-THz devices, circuits and systems. 

Position description 

This one-year, competitively funded position (with potential for renewal) will focus on the development of cutting-edge testing and measurement techniques for millimetre-wave and sub-THz devices, circuits and systems. The successful candidate will work on the development of calibration techniques for high-frequency measurements and measurement methodologies for characterizing non-linear behaviour, noise performance, and material properties at mmWave and sub-THz frequencies. 

Qualifications 

  • Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering with a strong background in electromagnetics, high-frequency measurement techniques, and microwave/RF engineering.  

  • Proven experience in developing, calibrating, and operating test equipment for mmWave or sub-THz measurements.  

  • Expertise in vector network analyzers, signal generators/analyzers, and other microwave measurement instruments.  

  • Strong programming skills (e.g., MATLAB) for data acquisition, analysis, and automation.  

  • Collaborate effectively with group members, faculty, and industry partners. 

  • Contribute to the preparation of research publications and presentations. 

RF and antenna design for Ka-band SATCOM phased arrays (now hiring)

A postdoctoral fellow or research associate position on a collaborative research and development project with C-COM Satellite Systems Inc., on adaptive anti-jamming beamforming for Ka-band low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communication (SATCOM) terminals operating in contested environments.

Position description

This position leads the RF and antenna design work for the program, with a primary focus on the Ka-band digital sensing array and on supporting the integration of the communication aperture with the anti-jamming subsystem. The successful candidate will take designs from electromagnetic concept through prototype fabrication, characterization and integrated testbed validation.

Key responsibilities

  • Design, simulate, fabricate and test a Ka-band sensing array to be integrated alongside the communication aperture.

  • Carry out full-wave electromagnetic design and optimization of antenna elements, arrays and feed and transition structures, addressing element spacing, mutual coupling, embedded element patterns and scan performance at Ka band.

  • Design and integrate the supporting RF front end — matching networks, up- and down-conversion interfaces, and receiver dynamic-range considerations — for the sensing array and its interface to the digital beamformer.

Qualifications

  • A PhD in antennas, RF and microwave engineering, or electromagnetics for the postdoctoral fellow level; an MASc or PhD, or a BEng with strong relevant experience, for the research associate level.

  • Demonstrated antenna and array design experience, from full-wave electromagnetic design (HFSS, CST or FEKO) through prototyping and measurement.

  • Experience designing RF front-end and passive structures, with attention to mutual coupling, matching and transitions.

  • Proficiency with MATLAB or Python for design analysis, and familiarity with PCB and array layout and fabrication workflows.

Assets

  • Ka-band or millimetre-wave phased-array design experience.

  • Experience with multilayer or PCB packaging, or integration of millimetre-wave arrays, and with manufacturability.

  • Familiarity with SATCOM terminals, CRPA and sensing-array concepts, and beamforming hardware.

Terms

  • Full time, one-year term, renewable subject to performance and continued funding.

  • Anticipated start September 2026; an earlier start is possible.

  • University of Waterloo (Waterloo, Ontario); C-COM Satellite Systems Inc. (Waterloo, Ontario) may also be considered.

  • Postdoctoral fellow or research associate, 1.0 FTE. Compensation commensurate with qualifications and experience.

DSP algorithms for adaptive beamforming and anti-jamming (now hiring)

A postdoctoral fellow or research associate position on a collaborative research and development project with C-COM Satellite Systems Inc., on adaptive anti-jamming beamforming for Ka-band low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communication (SATCOM) terminals operating in contested environments.

Position description

This position develops and experimentally evaluates the adaptive digital signal processing algorithms, and works alongside the over-the-air Ka-band testbed built for the program.

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.

Qualifications

  • A PhD for the postdoctoral fellow level; an MASc or PhD, or a BEng with strong relevant experience, in statistical and array signal processing, wireless communications or a related field.

  • A strong background in adaptive arrays, direction-of-arrival estimation, or interference mitigation and anti-jamming.

  • Proficiency in MATLAB or Python for algorithm development and analysis.

  • Working knowledge of SATCOM and LEO links and resilient waveforms — spread spectrum, adaptive modulation and coding, and frequency hopping.

Assets

  • Experience with CRPA and GNSS anti-jam, MIMO, or phased-array communications.

  • Familiarity with over-the-air experimental validation and hardware-in-the-loop testing.

Terms

  • Full time, one-year term, renewable subject to performance and continued funding.

  • Anticipated start September 2026; an earlier start is possible.

  • University of Waterloo (Waterloo, Ontario); C-COM Satellite Systems Inc. (Waterloo, Ontario) may also be considered.

  • Postdoctoral fellow or research associate, 1.0 FTE. Compensation commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Ka-band over-the-air testbed and measurement (now hiring)

A postdoctoral fellow or research associate position on a collaborative research and development project with C-COM Satellite Systems Inc., on adaptive anti-jamming beamforming for Ka-band low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communication (SATCOM) terminals operating in contested environments.

Position description

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 over-the-air antenna measurement, array calibration, real-time interference detection, and automated, metric-driven measurement campaigns.

Key responsibilities

  • Build, calibrate and operate the over-the-air testbed.

  • Plan and execute near-field, far-field and over-the-air measurements of Ka-band phased-array panels in the anechoic chamber and on the testbed.

  • Develop automated measurement and data-acquisition pipelines, such as SCPI instrument control, and implement representative testing scenarios.

  • Define and compute quantitative performance metrics.

  • Produce testbed documentation, schematics, datasets with uncertainty analysis, and training material.

Qualifications

  • A PhD for the postdoctoral fellow level; an MASc or PhD, or a BEng with strong relevant experience, in RF and communications, antenna engineering or a related field.

  • Hands-on RF test and measurement experience: signal generators and analyzers, up- and down-conversion, solid-state power amplifiers, and millimetre-wave and Ka-band RF chains, including calibration.

  • Antenna and phased-array measurement experience, including near-field and far-field scanners, anechoic-chamber testing, and vector network analyzers.

  • Laboratory automation with Python, MATLAB or LabVIEW — for example SCPI instrument control — and strong systems-integration skills.

Assets

  • Experience with SATCOM link testing, channel emulators and over-the-air testbeds.

  • Software-defined radio experience.

  • Familiarity with calibration of phased-array and beamforming hardware, and with measurement-uncertainty analysis and calibration standards.

Terms

  • Full time, one-year term, renewable subject to performance and continued funding.

  • Anticipated start September 2026; an earlier start is possible.

  • University of Waterloo (Waterloo, Ontario); C-COM Satellite Systems Inc. (Waterloo, Ontario) may also be considered.

  • Postdoctoral fellow or research associate, 1.0 FTE. Compensation commensurate with qualifications and experience.

How to apply

The University of Waterloo respects, appreciates and encourages diversity. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals.

Interested candidates should email a complete application package to joinemrg@gmail.com, consisting of the following:

  • include the area of research in the subject line of your email
  • a cover letter stating your research interests and experience, and relating them to the research project described above.
  • a curriculum vitae, with three academic or professional references
  • an electronic copy of your most significant research publication (thesis, journal or conference publication)

Please ensure all items are attached to the email in .docx or .pdf format, and include the position title in the subject line. We will respond to eligible candidates within a reasonable time frame. The call for applications will remain until the position is filled.