Postdoctoral Research Associate - Bistatic and Multi-Static MM-Wave CRR RCS Measurement Systems

General Summary of Position:

The successful applicant will conduct analytical and experimental research as well as system development in compact radar range (CRR) radar cross section (RCS) measurement systems with an emphasis on bistatic and multi-static measurement systems and techniques. The successful applicant will also collaborate with STL senior staff, write detailed technical reports for STL’s DoD sponsor, as well as publish results in scholarly journals and/or relevant recognized conferences in the United States (US). The successful applicant may also be assigned other relevant duties in support of STL’s DoD contract regarding RCS measurement systems and techniques by STL’s Director/PI.

The initial appointment will be for December 1, 2025 through December 1, 2026, assuming additional funding is available by May 16, 2026, with a possibility of renewal for a second year based on productivity and performance and the availability of funding.

1. Conduct analytical and experimental research and system development/construction under the supervision of the Principal Investigator (PI) and any other STL research staff as assigned by STL’s PI. This specifically involves:

• Research and provide a summary report of the state-of-the-art in bistatic and multi- static compact range, or related, radar cross section measurement capabilities within the first 2 months of employment as per the available open literature.
• Using available funding and in-house electronic components: design, model, construct and characterize a prototype mm-wave bistatic and/or multi-static compact range RCS measurement system.
• Fully document the design, modeling, construction and characterization of the prototype compact range measurement system.
• Measure targets of interest in the prototype compact range once operational.

2. Reports for sponsor and writing for publication.

• The successful candidate will be expected to write detailed technical reports on their design, characterization and development efforts for STL’s DoD sponsor.
• The successful candidate will be expected to publish results in scholarly journals and/or conferences.
• Due to the uncertainty regarding the time required to obtain a security clearance, a single conference publication would be deemed acceptable if obtaining a security clearance requires 6 months duration or longer. Otherwise, at least 2 scholarly and/or conference publications would be expected within the 12-month period.

3. Update PI via meetings related to development efforts.

• Conduct a weekly group meeting between STL’s Director/PI and other STL staff as assigned by Director/PI.

Promote the University’s commitment to customer service by:

• Build effective partnerships with co-workers throughout the University by freely sharing appropriate information and providing assistance when needed.
• Ensuring optimum service to all internal and external partners in response to all requests for service and
• information.
• Maintaining an environment that is welcoming to persons of all backgrounds, nationalities, and roles.

1. Performs other related duties as assigned by STL’s Director/PI.

This role may involve occasional travel 2-4 weeks per year in support of STL’s DoD contract and/or to attend and present results at relevant conferences in the United States.

 Minimum Qualifications (Required):  

Education:

• PhD (or equivalent) in electrical engineering, physics, engineering physics, or related field within the last 2 years or soon to be completed

Experience:

• At least 2 years’ experience in the design, modeling and/or application of mm-wave or RF/microwave electromagnetic scattering measurement systems and/or techniques. (If PhD research is directly in this area, then those years of PhD research are deemed relevant.)

Skills:

• Ability to work as a team player.
• Strong technical report writing and communication skills.
• Background in experimental techniques for electromagnetic
• scattering and/or antenna measurements.
• Demonstrated understanding of applied electromagnetics through
• coursework and/or research.

Additional Considerations:

• At least one authored publication related to electromagnetic scattering measurements/phenomenology.
• Ability to work independently, with limited direction, as well as within a team environment.
• Background in Microwave circuit and/or system-level design, construction, and characterization techniques.
• Strong background in signal processing techniques and related technologies (e.g. DSP, ADCs, FPGAs).
• Familiarity with computer programming for motion control, positioning systems & data acquisition.
• Must be a U.S. citizen capable