Research Technologist in Satellite Communications

Role Title: Research Technologist in Satellite Communication Systems

Grade and Salary: Grade 7, £38,448 - £48,337 per annum

FTE and working pattern: Full-time (35hrs per week) Fixed Term (17 Months)

Reward and Benefits : 33 days annual leave, plus 9 buildings closed days for all full time staff. Use our total rewards calculator:   https://www.hw.ac.uk/about/work/total-rewards-calculator.htm   to see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University.

Purpose of Role

A post-doctoral position is available as part of an UKSA project aiming to develop compact user terminal antennas for satellite communication systems. The post will be held within the Microwave and Antenna Engineering Group at Heriot-Watt University and will involve the development of wireless and satellite communication setups and demonstrators featuring entire RF front-ends as well as digital baseband. The selected candidate will work with other group as well as external industrial partners to plan, design, and implement a satellite ground terminal as well as run test campaigns using this facility.

We are seeking candidates with a record that will demonstrate their capability to effectively deliver the required research activities.

You will have a strong academic track record with knowledge and experience in the area of radio communications, RF and embedded systems, as well as signal processing algorithms. You will be competent in microwave and embedded system development and testing. You will also be experienced in satellite communications hardware and tracking antennas. You will also be prepared to work on interfacing radio, digital and mechanical equipment to integrate fully functional satellite receivers.

The project will involve regular progress meetings with researchers, industrial customers as well as suppliers. You will be an effective communicator capable of hosting meetings. There is a number of milestones, and you will be expected to have excellent project management skills in delivering those. You will be responsible for the preparation of reports, minutes of meeting and other deliverable items required for the project. You will also be expected to author high quality publications and present your results in scientific and industrial audiences.

This opportunity therefore relates to high quality, self-motivated individuals with the ability to work and actively participate in developing advanced research in electromagnetics, microwave and antenna engineering and expanding the teaching knowledge base within the School’s Electrical, Electronic & Computer Engineering disciplines.

For an informal discussion regarding this position, please contact Professor George Goussetis. Tel: 0131 451 3055, Email: [email protected]

For more information, please visit:

https://microwaves.site.hw.ac.uk/

Key Duties and Responsibilities

- To review, design, implement and test the microwave and optical modules and integrate them for satellite ground station.
- To undertake research into the analysis of physical-layer wireless communication system including novel antenna arrays, beamforming networks, as well as digital baseband algorithms for waveform generation.
- To compile written reports and articles suitable for publication and contract fulfillment on the techniques, designs developed and results obtained.
- Present regular progress reports on research to members of the research group or to external audiences to disseminate and publicise research findings.
- Attend national and international meetings as required by the project.
- Write up results of own work and contribute to the production of research reports, publications and funding proposals.
- Read academic papers, journals, textbooks, attend specified training courses in order to keep abreast of developments.
- Carry out any other duties designated by line manager and which fall within the general ambit of the post.

Please note that this job description is not exhaustive, and the role holder may be required to undertake other relevant duties commensurate with the grading of the post. Activities may be subject to amendment over time as the role develops and/or priorities and requirements evolve.

Person Specification

These are the criteria on which the short-listing and recruitment selection will be made.

Essential

- PhD Degree or equivalent in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Physics or subject relevant to research activity.
- Good understanding of satellite communications and satellite user terminal technology.
- Practical experience of applying the specialist skills and techniques required (including on programming) for satellite communication systems.
- Experience in writing high quality academic papers and/or technical notes and reports.
- Effective communication, report preparation, time management to meet deadlines.
- Flexibility to travel for meetings
- Must be prepared to work as part of a team.
- Ability to contribute to method improvement where required.

Desirable

- Experience with implementation of end to end wireless communication links.
- A minimum of one years’ relevant experience / track record of satellite communication systems.
- Experience of collaborative research or working in a team.

How to Apply

Please submit via the Heriot-Watt on-line recruitment system (1) Cover letter describing your interest and suitability for the post; (2) Full CV

Applications can be submitted until 23:55 on Tuesday 20th October 2026.

Please note that we are aiming for a quick turnaround for this position, so interviews will be conducted on Thursday 22nd October 2026.

We may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. We therefore encourage you to submit your application promptly.

About Heriot-Watt University

At Heriot Watt we are passionate about our values and look to them to connect our people globally and to help us collaborate and celebrate our success through working together. Our research programmes can deliver real world impact which is achieved through the diversity of our international community and the recognition of creative talent that connects our global team.

Our flourishing community will give you the freedom to challenge and to bring your enterprising mind and to help our partners with solutions that can be applied now and in the future. Join us and Heriot Watt will provide you with a platform to thrive and work in a way that also helps you live your life in balance with well-being and inclusiveness at the heart of our global community.

Heriot-Watt University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities. Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all.

Heriot-Watt University values diversity across our University community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from underrepresented groups. For more information, please see our website https://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/services/equality-diversity.htm and also our award-winning work in Disability Inclusive Science Careers https://disc.hw.ac.uk/ .

We welcome and will consider flexible working patterns e.g. part-time working and job share options.