Will Whittow

Loughborough University’s Wolfson School of Mechanical Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate in RF System Development. This position is part of a European Space Agency funded project, in collaboration with industrial partner GMV, focusing on the development of controlled radiation pattern antennas for Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) services and vehicle to satellite communications. The successful candidate will work on state-of-the-art active antenna systems, including dual circularly polarised antennas, and will engage directly with ESA scientists and industry partners. The role requires extensive experience in active antenna design, RF frontend system design, developing planar antennas, RF electronics, PCB design, simulations, fabrication, and measurements. Candidates should be skilled in conducting literature reviews, validating designs through simulations, measuring antennas in anechoic chambers, conducting real-life experiments, presenting results to industrial partners, and writing research papers. The position is full-time, fixed-term for 15 months, with a salary starting from £35,608 (grade 6), and offers a comprehensive benefits package including generous holiday allowance, pension schemes, flexible working, and health and wellbeing support. Loughborough University is a Real Living Wage Employer and supports diversity and inclusion in its hiring practices. Applicants should hold a PhD in electrical engineering, RF engineering, or a closely related field, and be available to join as soon as possible. Visa sponsorship may be available for eligible candidates. The application deadline is 15 December 2025, with interviews to follow shortly after. For informal queries, contact Dr Aakash Bansal at [email protected]. Apply online via the university’s recruitment portal. This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research in RF system development and antenna engineering, with direct impact on vehicle to satellite communications and PNT services.