项目介绍

2025年3月14日

Job description

Modern ground surveillance radars (GSRs) operate under severely challenging and ever-changing conditions. This class of radar is often required to detect, track, and classify targets on land, in the air, at sea, as well as urban environments.

To make things more challenging, the targets of interest might be of a very wide variety: near and far, slow and fast, very small like a drone and very large like a ship, and some may be highly manoeuvrable. Clutter conditions may also vary significantly from location to location to location and mask small and slow-targets.

To address the scenarios outlined above, modern ground surveillance radars offer great flexibility in generating different waveforms and in switching among them according to the requirements and the evolving situation in the fields.

But with many possibilities come also many challenges! The goal of this project is therefore to A) design novel waveforms for ground surveillance radars to satisfy multiple competing requirements and navigate the performance trade-offs of complex operational scenarios; B) develop techniques for waveform adaptation based on suitable optimizations and approaches inspired by machine learning within the framework of cognitive radar; and C) verify the developed approaches with suitable simulations and experimental demonstrations. Specifically, this cognitive aspect of waveform adaptation will enable the radar to adapt its parameters and processing to changes in target, clutter and interference properties.

The intended scientific breakthrough is to formulate, implement and validate a novel approach for radar sensing waveforms which benefit from modern digital signal processing technology to generate and modify waveforms on the fly.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct in-depth research on sensing waveforms in ground surveillance radar, staying abreast of the latest advancements and breakthroughs in the field.
• Develop a comprehensive simulator of ground-based radar and with its help study and compare performances of different sensing waveforms.
• Design new sensing waveforms to satisfy project requirements, as well as algorithms for radar waveform adaptation.
• Verify theoretical results experimentally by using suitable demonstrators.
• Contribute to the scientific community knowledge through high-quality publications.
• Collaborate with industry partner Thales Germany, academic institutions, and research organizations to stay connected with the latest developments and foster collaborative opportunities.
• Prepare and defend the Ph.D. thesis, which summarizes the results of your research.

Microwave Sensing, Signals, and Systems (MS3)

The Microwave Sensing, Signals and Systems (MS3) group is part of the Department of Microelectronics, within the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, and Computer Science (EEMCS). MS3 specializes in research and education at the cutting edge of microwave systems, focusing on both fundamental and applied research. Leveraging electromagnetics as a core foundation, MS3’s work spans applications in safety, environmental monitoring, automotive radar and healthcare technologies. As part of MS3, you’ll collaborate within a multidisciplinary team of researchers, including high regarded Professors in microwave and radar technology. MS3 Research Facilities include Europe-leading laboratories with sophisticated radar setups like the PARSAX and MESEWI systems, and state-of-the-art equipment for indoor and outdoor sensing experiments. This robust infrastructure enables students and researchers to pioneer solutions for real-world challenges in radar and microwave sensing.

Beyond technical training, MS3 encourages a collaborative research environment, promoting innovation in radar applications while fostering development through access to conferences and professional networking opportunities.

Job requirements

• MSc degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field
• Strong background in signal processing and its application to radar systems. Knowledge in the area of radar signal processing such as detection and/or classification is appreciated.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python or MATLAB.
• Knowledge of waveform design techniques used in radar or digital communication systems is highly appreciated.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Effective communication and collaboration skills.

Not a requirement, but due to the cooperative work with project partners of this project, EU/NATO passport can be beneficial.

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 of 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. 

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science. 

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 € 2901 per month in the first year to € 3707 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.  

Will you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job? TU Delft is committed to make your move as smooth as possible! The HR unit, Coming to Delft Service, offers information on their website to help you prepare your relocation. In addition, Coming to Delft Service organises events to help you settle in the Netherlands, and expand your (social) network in Delft. A Dual Career Programme is available, to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands.  

Additional information
If you would like more information about this vacancy or the selection procedure, please contact Dr. Francesco Fioranelli, via f.fioranelli@tudelft.nl.

Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 13 Apr 2025 via the application button and upload the following documents:

• A cover letter in which you describe your personal motivation and specific qualifications for this position (max 1 page).
• CV.
• Abstract of your MSc thesis.
• Copies or complete references of two journal/conference publications (if applicable).
• Contact information for up to 2 referees.

You can address your application to Dr. Francesco Fioranelli.

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. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements. 

Please note:

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post. 
• A pre-employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.
• For the final candidates, a knowledge security check will be part of the application procedure. For more information on this check, please consult Chapter 8 of the National Knowledge Security Guidelines. We carry out this check on the basis of legitimate interest.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.