PhD Candidate in RF and Antenna Design for GNSS Reflectometry from Small Satellites Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Norway

NTNU Norwegian University of Science and Technology is recruiting a PhD Candidate in RF/antenna design for GNSS reflectometry from small satellites at the Department of Electronic Systems in Trondheim, Norway. The position is part of the NTNU SmallSat Lab and focuses on developing passive radio payload concepts for small satellites in low Earth orbit.

The research project explores how reflected signals from global navigation satellite systems (GNSS-R) can be used for maritime situational awareness, including the detection of objects at sea such as ships. The same payload concept may also be adapted for detecting GNSS jamming and spoofing events. The work combines antenna arrays, RF architecture, software-defined radios, digital signal processing, beamforming, on-board/edge processing, and field experiments.

The successful candidate will contribute to the design and feasibility assessment of a GNSS-R payload for small satellites, including literature review, simulations, data analysis from similar missions and project partners, planning and execution of experiments, and development of signal processing methods for object detection and interference detection. The project connects space technology, remote sensing, and radio engineering in an applied research environment with collaboration across the Small Satellite Lab.

This is a PhD position with an employment period of 3 years for the doctoral work, plus up to 12 months of career-promoting work to be agreed at the start. The position is externally funded by the Norwegian Research Council (project no. 358547). The salary is normally NOK 550,800 per year before standard deductions. Admission to NTNU’s PhD programme in Electronics and Telecommunication is required within three months of employment.

Applicants should hold a relevant master’s degree in electronics, RF systems, remote sensing/radar, signal processing, aerospace or a closely related field, with a strong academic record. English proficiency is required, and NTNU also notes desirable knowledge in space systems, RF system design, EM/antenna design, SDR, CAD, microwave simulation, and programming (C, Matlab, Python). Experience from satellite projects and an interest in scientific publication, dissemination, and teamwork will strengthen the application.

Application deadline: 11 September 2026. Applications must be submitted electronically via Jobbnorge and include transcripts and diplomas, CV, thesis copy or summary, motivation letter, relevant publications, certificates if applicable, and three referees. Candidates with education from abroad should include documentation of scope and quality of their degrees and any diploma supplements or HK-dir statements.