Research Associate (PhD Candidate) - RF and Millimeter-Wave Integrated Circuits

You will develop and experimentally validate integrated RF/mmWave circuits for coherent W-band communication and synchronization systems.

Responsibilities include:

Translating system-level communication and synchronization requirements into RF/mmWave circuit specifications and architectures

Designing, simulating, laying out and verifying active and passive IC building blocks, including amplifiers, mixers, oscillators, LO distribution and W-band front ends

Performing EM design of interconnects, passive structures and package interfaces, and characterizing fabricated ICs

Investigating phase noise, hardware delays, group-delay variations, mismatches and temperature drift, and assessing their impact on coherent operation

Integrating circuits with antennas, packaging and measurement hardware and experimentally validating synchronization and calibration methods

The doctoral-level research will address how two independent W-band nodes can establish and maintain a common time and phase reference despite impairments arising from oscillators, circuits, packaging and signal propagation.

The work will combine IC design, calibration and system-level error analysis, with the objective of demonstrating sub-picosecond synchronization and highly stable phase transfer between independent nodes.

School of Engineering and Environment FHNW, Institute for Sensors and Electronics

Flexibility, self-determination, creativity, interdisciplinarity - our mission

The position is associated with a new research activity in W-band integrated circuits and coherent communication systems and is intended to develop into a doctoral research project in collaboration with a university partner.

This project is part of an international collaboration and therefore requires the ability to report findings clearly and precisely to various stakeholders, as well as the willingness and openness to work in an international and interdisciplinary environment.

The FHNW is part of a diverse society: it benefits from the resulting opportunities and acknowledges its responsibilities. In doing so, it goes a step further - the adoption of unconventional paths calls for creativity, openness and courage.

• MSc or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Microelectronics or related field

• Experience in analog/RF integrated-circuit design and with Cadence Virtuoso or comparable EDA tools

• Solid understanding of gain, noise, linearity, stability and impedance matching

• Experience with IC layout, EM simulation and high-frequency measurements

• Experience with SiGe BiCMOS, HBT or RF FD-SOI technologies is an advantage

• Independent yet team-oriented working style, strong problem-solving skills and good English communication

• Ability to report findings clearly and precisely to various stakeholders, as well as willingness and openness to work in an international and interdisciplinary environment