Scientific Assistant in Antenna Array Design and Testing

Scientific Assistant in Antenna Array Design and Testing

The Integrated Devices, Electronics, and Systems (IDEAS) Group is a world leading research group on next-generation wireless technologies for applications such as 6G, satellite communication (SATCOM), and electromagnetic sensing. Our research is funded by multiple EU, ESA, and Swiss programs and projects, and contributes directly to European digital sovereignty.

Antennas are indispensable components of all wireless systems, as they serve as the transducers between circuits and wave propagation and convert signals between the electronic and electromagnetic domains. Moreover, most advanced wireless systems rely on array-based operations, such as phased arrays or MIMO arrays, where thousands of antennas need to work in synchrony with hundreds of integrated circuit (IC) chips, facing many more design challenges than single-element antennas.

Testing these high-performance antennas and antenna arrays also requires knowledge on automated test setup and high-end electronic measurement facilities.

We are seeking a research assistant to join our IDEAS team and contribute to the design, implementation, and testing of various high-performance antennas and antenna arrays. The anticipated start date is Monday, 17 August 2026.

Next-generation wireless communication and sensing systems heavily depend on the co-design and cooperation between electronics and antenna arrays. These highly sophisticated systems exhibit challenges not only during the antenna array designs but also in their operations and performance, such as array system calibration, beam management, and null steering.

The IDEAS Group has multiple on-going wireless projects on 6G, satellite communication (SATCOM), and electromagnetic sensing/imaging applications. We also have several developed and experimentally verified antenna and antenna array solutions for these systems. While these existing technologies serve as the baseline know-how, new antenna designs are needed to address new challenges.

This position is intended for a candidate who can design, implement, and refine high-performance antennas and antenna arrays for the integration into cutting-edge wireless systems. The work will support real-world applications and help advance next-generation communication, computation, and sensing systems. The successful candidate will develop antenna and antenna array PCB boards, package wireless IC chips with antenna boards, set up antenna measurement environments, and perform automated antenna array testing.

• Design, implement, and refine antenna and antenna array designs in commercial PCB technologies
• Design, implement, and refine antenna array PCB boards to realize operational systems in cooperation with wireless ICs. PCB traces for RF signal feeding/combining/dividing, DC supply/biasing/ground lines, and digital programming should be included in the designs.
• Develop test control PCBs for antenna array PCBs
• Set up measurement environments and support automated testing of antenna arrays with wireless ICs
• Lead the execution and analysis of antenna and antenna array test campaigns to validate performance under various operating conditions
• Document and investigate test anomalies
• Prepare formal test reports for internal reviews and project deliverables
• Develop and maintain automated test frameworks to improve repeatability, traceability, and testing efficiency

• Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics, Microelectronics, or a related field
• Prior experience in applied electromagnetics and antenna designs
• Prior experience in printed-circuit board (PCB) design
• Experience in microwave engineering and advanced electromagnetics is a plus
• Electronics testing experience using Keysight and R&S equipment is a plus
• Experience working in fast-paced research environments
• Highly organized, dependable, and able to manage multiple tasks efficiently
• Motivated to contribute to a collaborative and interdisciplinary research environment, with a strong commitment to technical excellence
• High professional integrity, maturity, and a constructive working style
• Excellent communication skills in English, the IDEAS team's working language

• A 1-year contract at the IDEAS Lab at an 80-100% workload; renewal is possible depending on performance and funding availability
• A stimulating, collaborative environment in a world-leading multidisciplinary electronics research team at ETH Zurich
• The opportunity to support ongoing research projects in next-generation communication and sensing technologies for the digital revolution
• Hands-on experience in advanced antenna and array design, development, integration, and testing
• Membership in a motivated, supportive, and collaborative team
• The opportunity to learn from experienced researchers and technical experts while contributing to high-impact research projects and European digital sovereignty

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