Postdoc on Plant sensing using RF

Position

(Post-doctoral) Researcher

Department(s)

Electrical Engineering

Reference number

V36.5637

So far the wireless communications have been very much mobile phone centric. The next wave in wireless technology will be about sensing the environment. There are many straightforward applications in the automotive industry, medical domain, material inspection and material characterization. One appealing application is sensing the health status of the plants. The information about plant health status contributes a lot to improve overall efficiency in agriculture, which is of vital importance to ensure food availability in the coming decades. The mission of the 4TU Plantenna project is to develop vegetation-integrated, energy harvesting, autonomous sensors that measure in-plant and environmental parameters at high resolution and low cost. Sensor information will be used to develop methods for early detection of plant-stress and environmental strain. This in-turn will enable optimizing water and nutrient application schemes for climate smart agriculture, improve drought protection and support decision making for environmental protection and climate resilience.

The existing systems for sensing plant health status are providing excellent performance, but are bulky and expensive, making them inconvenient for massive deployment. We at Eindhoven University of Technology strongly believe in miniaturization and cost reduction as well as in massive deployment while providing sufficient performance and user friendliness. Our ultimate vision is to have thousands of autonomous, flexible RF sensor attached around the stem of a plant or on a plant leaf. Next to sensing functionality, they should be able to collect, store and transfer data wirelessly.

We have made the first steps in this direction by introducing the concept of a small form-factor low-power RF sensor and we are currently busy proving the concept. The goal of this postdoctoral project is to complete the proof of concept by designing the RF sensor and detector as well as performing series of experiments with plants including interpretation of the results. The project is multidisciplinary: it requires knowledge from the fields of electronics (analog integrated circuits), electromagnetics (resonating structures designed on PCB), biology (interaction with the plants) and measurement techniques.

We find the project very interesting and exciting. We are searching for a person with a background in electrical engineering but with an eagerness to extend his or her knowledge in biology. Due to the interdisciplinary nature, there will be a lot of learning opportunities during the project. Clear and straightforward communication, efficient use of information and pro-activeness are key elements for project success.

• PhD Degree in Electrical Engineering
• Background in analog integrated circuits and electromagnetics
• Experience in using Cadence, Spectre, ADS/Momentum, Matlab, CST
• Highly motivated person, eager to discover and explain new phenomena
• Passion for improving performance of analog integrated circuits and passive structures operating at high frequencies
• Fast learner, autonomous and creative, highly motivated, persistent and dedicated
• Good communication skills and willing to work with different people
• Fluent in English, both spoken and written

Professional environment - IC Design Group

The research area of the group is advanced purely-analog and mixed-signal IC design (RF/IF/LF), applied to frontends, especially for wireless RF transceivers and sensors. In this context, frontends are defined as the functional blocks that process and translate analog signals (communication signals, sensor signals) to digital signals (bits), and vice versa, see the figure below. This includes on the one hand system, concept and algorithm level design, and on the other hand circuit block design (antenna-matched low-noise amplifiers, sensor amplifiers, power amplifiers; oscillators, mixers, modulators, detectors; data converters). At all these levels, we strive to implement smartness (autonomous calibration, adaptivity, error correction, reconfiguration, etc.). As regards performance, we focus on improvements in speed (up to THz), power-efficiency, and ultra-low-power. As regards the application domains, our current focus is on communication systems,  sensor systems, and medical systems. As regards technology, we focus on advanced deep-submicron processing (CMOS, BICMOS), emerging technologies (organic electronics, metal oxides), and THz technology.

• A full-time (40 hours) agreement for 1 year. We are exploring the possibility to provide funding for 2nd year as well.
• Opportunities for additional education, deepening and broadening. Working at TU/e means working in an environment where development and vitality is stimulated.
• You will have free access to high-quality training programs on general skills, didactics and topics related to research and valorization.
• A gross monthly salary and benefits in accordance with the Collective Labor Agreement for Dutch Universities.
• Additionally, an annual holiday allowance of 8% of the yearly salary, plus a year-end allowance of 8.3% of the annual salary.
• A broad package of fringe benefits (including an excellent technical infrastructure, moving expenses, and savings schemes).
• Family-friendly initiatives are in place, such as an international spouse program, and excellent on-campus children day care and sports facilities.

More information

Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like more additional information and detailed project information? Please contact Sander Bronckers (l.a.bronckers[at]tue.nl) and Vojkan Vidojkovic (v.vidojkovic[at]tue.nl)

For information about terms of employment, click here or contact HRServices.Flux[at]tue.nl.

Please visit www.tue.nl/jobs to find out more about working at TU/e!

Application

We invite you to submit a complete application by using the 'apply now'-button on this page.
The application should include a:

• a brief cover letter motivating your interest and suitability for the position
• a detailed curriculum vitae including research experience and any previous publications
• transcripts of academic records indicating courses taken (including grades)
• half-page summary of your MSc thesis
• contact details of two relevant references (email, phone number)

We look forward to your application and will screen your application as soon as possible. The vacancy will remain open until the position is filled.

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