Senior Wireless Systems Researcher

Drive innovation in the design, analysis, and prototyping of next-generation wireless communication & sensing systems.  

Imec Netherlands has established a world-leading track record on the design of novel sensors for human health applications and ultra-low-power IoT devices in general. For instance, our teams continue to develop innovations in implantable therapeutics, medical/wearable devices, environmental monitoring, accurate localization, and many other fields. At our HQ in Leuven, Belgium we are world-renowned for pioneering new process technologies in collaboration with industrial foundries and with the broader semiconductor ecosystem. Imec’s research tracks enable unique opportunities for end-to-end innovations. 

The team at imec Netherlands develops innovative solutions for both the Life Science and Medical Device domain, as well as large-scale, heterogeneous sensor networks that connect billions of devices within the Internet of Things (IoT). We have built various ultra-low-power (ULP) radio ICs, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth-LE, and a UWB 6-10 GHz radio tuned towards precise ranging and localization. Additionally, we are advancing a wide range of neuro-inspired architectures, efficiently implementing them in ICs across multiple computational domains, such as spiking neural networks, online and on-chip learning, sparse coding, and dynamic control. Our novel technologies will enable a wide range of smart IoT applications. Furthermore, we deliver our designs to customers, secure patents for the different inventions, and share our findings through publications in renowned conferences and journals, including ISSCC, ICC, WCNC, ICASSP, PIMRC.   

What you will do

In the role of a Senior Wireless Systems Researcher, you will lead the development of cutting-edge technologies, including advanced physical layer techniques, wireless protocols, and system-level optimization for emerging applications. You will play a key role in shaping imec’s strategic direction while engaging in pioneering research and advanced prototyping initiatives. 

Your primary responsibility is to lead and contribute to advanced research projects in wireless systems, as well as collaborate with RF/analog, digital HW, SW designers and architects to implement, verify, validate and bring up our System on Chip (SoC). Besides, you will contribute to the definition of new R&D topics in collaboration with experts from various domains. 

Your responsibilities as a Senior Wireless Systems Researcher include:  

• Lead cutting-edge research in wireless systems and develop groundbreaking architectures, protocols and algorithms. 
• Actively shape imec’s strategic roadmap while staying aligned with the latest academic and industry advancements. 
• Architect and design (novel) algorithms and solutions for wireless signal processing, including synchronization, compensation of non-idealities, calibration, error estimation, and correction, e.g., for localization, vital signs and gesture detection, and angle-of-arrival estimation purposes. 
• Develop system-level models and simulations to assess performance and feasibility. 
• Collaborate with hardware and software teams to prototype and validate concepts. 
• Publish research findings in top-tier journals and conferences. 
• Strategically contribute to imec’s innovation portfolio by converting breakthrough insights into high-impact patent filings. 
• Engage with academic and industrial partners to foster innovation and technology transfer. 
• Mentor junior researchers and contribute to strategic planning of research directions. 
• Stay up to date with relevant trends and research in industry and wireless standardization.  

What we do for you

By joining imec on the High Tech Campus in Eindhoven, you will be part of a team of disruptive innovators and thinkers. Imec is pushing the state-of-the-art in the design of ultra-low-power circuits and algorithms to raise the performance and intelligence of sensors, and with the researchers and engineers from our wireless systems group, you will create the next generation platforms for wireless sensing. You will experience a dynamic and stimulating environment working with experts across the technology stack from antennas, mixed-signal integrated circuits, embedded software and advanced algorithms.   
  
Imec Netherlands, as an employer of choice, offers you an attractive compensation and benefits package including a 100% employer-paid pension plan and flexible working hours. Furthermore, imec-NL offers a wide range of training possibilities. For international candidates, we provide support in the relocation process.  At imec, we foster a culture of continuous learning and development through the imec Academy, expert-led training, and dedicated coaching and mentoring for emerging talent. 

Who you are

 Required Qualifications:

• Ph.D. degree in electrical engineering, communications engineering, or related field. 
• 5+ years of industrial experience in wireless systems research and development. 
• Strong knowledge of communication theory, filter design and signal processing related algorithms design (such as timing/frequency recovery, signal estimation and detection, automatic gain control, channel estimation, equalization, coding theory, beamforming, etc.). 
• Proficient in Python and MATLAB with practical experience in system-level modeling. 
• Experience in simulation and modeling with a focus on research and a drive to bring them alive in real hardware. 
• Proven track record of publications and patents. 
• Knowledge in RF transceiver architectures and trade-offs for wireless communication, localization, and radar applications. 
• Excellent collaborative, interpersonal, and leadership skills. 
• Hands-on and exploratory attitude, which means taking initiative, thinking pro-actively, having a flexible approach, and solving problems daily are attributes that define yourself. 
• Agile-minded researcher and passionate about new technologies and interested in innovating, discovering and exploring new paths and opportunities.  
• Your communication, scientific writing and presentation skills in English are excellent. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Hands-on experience in hardware bring-up and testing. 
• Knowledge in wireless protocols such as 6G, Bluetooth, UWB, and Wi-Fi. 
• Knowledge of modem verification: verification plan definition, methodologies, execution and tracking. 
• Experience with AI/machine learning techniques applied to wireless systems. 
• Proficient in C, SystemC, and High-Level Synthesis (HLS) methodologies. 
• Knowledge of embedded systems and hardware software co-design. 
• Participation in collaborative research projects. 

Interested

Are you interested in this position, and do you want to learn more about it? Then you can connect with Mayuri Nalawade, Talent Acquisition Specialist. You can reach Mayuri by email at Mayuri.Nalawade.ext@imec.nl. If you wish to apply, then please submit your full resume and a cover letter. Click on ‘apply’ to submit your application.