Postdoctoral Researcher: Event-Driven GNSS Receivers for Ultra-Low-Power Positioning (Fixed-term) Universitat Oberta de Catalunya in Spain

Postdoctoral Researcher: Event-Driven GNSS Receivers for Ultra-Low-Power Positioning at the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC), Barcelona, Spain.

This fixed-term, full-time postdoctoral position sits within UOC-TECH and the Wireless Networks (WiNe) research group. The project explores a new approach to GNSS receiver design: instead of conventional continuous high-rate sampling, it investigates event-driven GNSS processing based on sparse, information-bearing events. The goal is to reduce computation, data movement, and energy consumption while preserving the synchronization and positioning performance needed for practical navigation.

The research is highly interdisciplinary and combines GNSS and satellite navigation, statistical signal processing, estimation theory, RF and receiver design, event-based sensing, neuromorphic computing, analog and mixed-signal processing, and embedded low-power systems. The successful candidate may work on mathematical modelling of sparse GNSS representations, acquisition and tracking algorithms, asynchronous inference, robust PVT estimation, and mappings of new methods onto SDR, analog/mixed-signal, or other low-power hardware platforms.

The team aims to produce new signal-processing methods, experimental receiver prototypes, comparative benchmarks against conventional architectures, and publications in leading international conferences and journals. Open-source software, datasets, or other research artefacts may also be produced where appropriate.

The post is especially suitable for researchers who like moving between theory and experiments and who want to contribute to a potentially new class of ultra-low-power GNSS receivers. Prior GNSS experience is helpful but not required if you have strong expertise in signal processing, estimation, communications, sensing, embedded systems, or related areas.

Eligibility highlights: PhD or equivalent in a related engineering or mathematical field; strong research experience in signal processing/estimation/wireless/RF or low-power sensing; strong programming skills; desirable SDR, embedded, FPGA, or prototyping experience; and oral/written Catalan and Spanish plus English at B2 level or higher.

Deadline: 3 November 2026 at 23:59 (Europe/Madrid). Start date: 1 January 2027 (or agreed after recruitment).

How to apply: register in the UOC candidate portal, then submit a CV, academic records, and motivation letter. The letter should explain your background, relevant experience, fit with the technical requirements, and interest in the project.