Research Fellow - Millimetre-wave and THz Metamaterials and Antennas - Electronic, Electrical and Systems Engineering - 97818 - Grade 7

Position Details

College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, School of Electronic, Electrical and Systems Engineering

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK 

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £30,942 to £40,322 with potential progression once in post to £42,792

Grade 7

Full Time

Fixed term contract for up to 2 years

Closing date –  9th August 2021

Job Summary

Applications are invited for a research position in the Department of Electronic, Electrical and Systems Engineering at the University of Birmingham, to undertake research in the area of design and microfabrication of millimetre-wave and Terahertz (THz) metamaterials / metasurfaces and antennas. This post is part of an EPSRC funded project addressing different aspects of antenna and metamaterial technologies, materials properties, fabrication procedures and systems integration. The post holder will create and contribute to the creation of knowledge by undertaking activities within the specific research project, analysing and interpreting research findings and results, contributing to generating funding and contributing to licensing or spin out deals with demonstrated commercial success and public understanding of the discipline. 
The overall aim of this cutting edge project is to lay the fundamental scientific foundations and develop new metamaterials and antenna technologies for future communication and satellite systems from lower millimetre-wave to low THz bands (up to 1 THz). This will require undertaking theoretical and applied research, involving microfabrication, experimental studies, simulation and modelling. The research aims to determine suitable design and material technologies for developing mm-wave/THz devices in a range of operating bands within the mm-wave and low THz spectrum, based on cost effective fabrication processes, which will lead to prototype demonstrators and testing in representative satellite systems. 

The Research Fellow will have the opportunity to work closely with another Research Fellow at Loughborough University, within the specialism of focusing on metamaterials characterisation and design. In addition, the post requires close liaison with prestigious industrial partners for integration of the research results and prototypes with existing state of the art antenna technologies.

The project will take place in the Communication and Sensing research group at Birmingham, where the underlying science, the new technologies and the applications of metamaterials at RF/Microwave and low-THz bands are an increasingly important part of the research strategy, and is strongly backed by UK, EU and industrial funding. The involvement of major international companies further highlights the importance of the research and the potential impact that can be generated by cooperative work on fundamental research questions. A mixture of theoretical, experimental and computational skills, as well as mm-wave/THz/optical related expertise will place an applicant in a particularly strong position.

Main Duties

•    Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research, with assistance of a mentor if required
•    Contribute to writing bids for research funding
•    Analyse and interpret data
•    Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding
•    Disseminate research findings for publication, research seminars etc
•    Supervise students on research related work and provide guidance to PhD students where appropriate to the discipline
•    Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods 
•    Undertake management/administration arising from research
•    Contribute to Departmental/School research-related activities and research-related administration
•    Contribute to enterprise, business development and/or public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University, often under supervision of a project leader
•    Collect research data; this may be through a variety of research methods, such as scientific experimentation, literature reviews, and research interviews 
•    Present research outputs, including drafting academic publications or parts thereof, for example at seminars and as posters 
•    Provide guidance, as required, to support staff and any students who may be assisting with the research 
•    Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines

Person Specification

•    Hold, or be close to completion of, a PhD in electronic engineering or physical sciences 
•    First degree in electronic engineering or physical sciences or equivalent qualifications
•    Proven experience of conducting research in the microfabrication and design of mm-wave, THz and IR/optical metamaterials/ metasurfaces, antenna design, microwave engineering and computational electromagnetics techniques. 
•    Theoretical, experimental and computational skills, as well as mm-wave/THz/optical related expertise 
•    High level analytical capability
•    Ability to communicate complex information clearly
•    Fluency in relevant microfabrication techniques for mm-wave/THz metamaterials antennas and ability to contribute to developing new ones
•    Fluency in models, techniques or methods for analysis of metamaterials and antennas and ability to contribute to developing new ones
•    Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively 
•    Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/ administration processes
•    Contribute to the planning and organising of the research programme and/or specific research project
•    Co-ordinate own work with others to avoid conflict or duplication of effort

Informal enquiries to Prof. Alexandros Feresidis, [email protected]

Valuing excellence, sustaining investment 

We value diversity and inclusion at the University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community and are open to discussions around all forms of flexible working.