Senior Research Engineer –Digital Signal Processing for Radio Astronomy Applications

We seek a permanent Senior Research Engineer position in the field of real-time hardware embedded Digital Signal Processing (DSP) for radio astroomy applications. You will fulfill a key role in the delivery of digital receiver systems to the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), to radio telescopes at Onsala Space Observatory, Sweden and potentially to other radio astronomy projects around the world. The SKA telescope being built in South Africa consists of sensors that collectively sample 8 Tbit/s of raw data. The Digital systems that capture this data have extreme specifications on timing accuracy and robustness in the face of human generated interfering signals; specifications which are necessary to detect extremely weak signals from the edge of the observable universe. Delivering on these specifications is expected to provide an exciting state-of-the-art challenge for you as an expert in Digital Signal processing/Digital Electronics.

About the Position 
You will initially work on two core tasks, each taking approximately half of your time. First you will provide expert technical support to the ongoing project for Sweden to deliver Digital Samplers to the SKA telescope currently being built in South Africa. The final production design and delivery of these samplers is being led by Swedish industry delivering to the SKA Observatory; with local in-country support being given by Chalmers University of Technology/ Chalmers Industriteknik. You will be required to rapidly develop a complete understanding of the current digitizer design and act as technical contact between the industry partner and the SKA project, potentially also contributing solutions to any technical problems that arise. Aiding the Swedish industrial delivery oversight team in project management is also an aspect of this support function. Secondly you will act as the Swedish lead in an international project to design the next generation of even more interference robust Digital Receiver system for the SKA. In addition to the above two main initial tasks you are expected to be increasingly involved in other DSP projects supporting the radio telescopes at Onsala Space observatory, and around the world; for instance in the areas of radio interference mitigation and digital sideband seperation. This final aspect of the work is expected to increase as the SKA digitizer delivery project progresses. You are expected to be proactive in keeping abreast with technical developments in DSP within radio astronomy, developi a local and international network of contacts, and work with astronomers in generating DSP solutions to radio astronomy requirements.

Contract terms
Permanent employment

Your qualifications
The position requires as a minimum an Engineering or other Degree at Swedish Master's level incorporating education in Digital Signal Processing/Digital Electronics. A PhD or other advanced degree involving development in the above areas is a strong merit. Several years (i.e. of order >5 years) practical experience in applying Digital Signal Processing solutions to the real-time processing of wide bandwidth sensor data is a requirement. Experience implementing FPGA firmware within real-time data processing systems is essential. Merits for the position include experience with Digital Signal processing as specifically applied to Radio Astronomy and project management experience in delivering robust state-of-the-art real-time data processing systems to customers. A requirement for the position is to work independently for periods but also to work effectively within local and international project groups. A strong merit of the position is the ability to foster new relationships with Digital Signal Processing experts locally at Chalmers, within Sweden and internationally and work with astronomers in developing new projects incorporating DSP solutions. High proficiency in spoken and written English and willingness to travel internationally to meetings is a requirement. It is meritorious to have a record of working for equality and diversity within the workplace. 
 

Further Detail and Application Procedure

Further position details can be found and  applications can be submitted via the link below.