Research Fellow - Microwave and electronic engineering

This post is part of an EPSRC funded project in the Communication and Sensing research group at Birmingham, addressing different aspects of antenna and metamaterial technologies, materials properties, fabrication procedures and systems integration. This project aims to develop new paradigms of RF/Microwave multi-layer tunable metamaterials that will enable the development of novel multi-functional antennas for applications such as IoT wireless sensors and air/automotive vehicles.

The role's purpose is to create and contribute to the creation of knowledge by undertaking a specified range of activities within the EPSRC funded “MULTIMET” project. The postholder will work within the MULTIMET research grant to develop mathematical analysis models for simulating complex metamaterials/metasurfaces for antenna applications. They will develop new designs or modify existing designs of antennas and periodic surfaces/metasurfaces and set up a Microwave / mm-wave measurement system and perform antenna testing. They will also analyse and interpret research findings and results.

The overall aim of this cutting edge project is to lay the fundamental scientific foundations and develop new metamaterials-based antenna technologies for future communication and sensing systems from RF to lower millimetre-wave bands. This will require undertaking theoretical and applied research, involving experimental studies, simulation and modelling. The research aims to determine suitable antenna designs and material technologies for a range of operating bands within the RF/Microwave spectrum, based on cost effective fabrication processes, which will lead to prototype demonstrators and testing in representative communication systems.

The Research Fellow will work closely with another part-time Research Fellow at Birmingham focusing on micro-fabrication processes that will allow the implementation of some of the antennas. In addition, the post also requires close liaison with prestigious industrial partners for integration of the research results and prototypes with existing state of the art antenna technologies.

Person Specification

• First degree in electronic engineering or physical scienceand a higher degree relevant to the research area, or equivalent qualifications
• Have, or expect soon to obtain, a PhD degree in electronic engineering or physical sciences
• Previous experience of conducting research in mathematical models for analysis of metamaterials, antenna design, microwave engineering and computational electromagnetics is highly desirable.
• A mixture of theoretical, experimental and computational skills, as well as mm-wave related expertise is highly desirable.
• Demonstrable high level analytical capability
• Demonstrable ability to communicate complex information clearly
• Evidenced fluency in relevant models, techniques or methods and ability to contribute to developing new ones
• Demonstrable ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively
• Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/ administration processes

Additional Information

For further information please contact Dr Alexandros Feresidis (a.feresidis@bham.ac.uk). 

Please note, this vacancy is externally research funded; the maximum salary available is £33,199 per year.