Researcher with a Master’s Degree – Advanced Radar Solutions for UAV Detection

Offer Description

Note: This is a free translation of the original announcement written in Portuguese, provided only for convenience of non-Portuguese speakers. Only the Portuguese version has official value.

By order issued by the Director General of the Telecommunications Institute on October 19, 2026, it was approved to open an international call to select 1 researcher with a master’s degree in the scientific the scope of the approved project CISGUARD with Nr. 21022, under the scope of a term contract, with a termination date undetermined, overseen by the Portuguese Labour Code, in view of the execution of the following tasks:

• Radar Technology Assessment: Investigate and evaluate radar architectures and technologies suitable for detecting small UAVs and drones.
• Modeling and Simulation: Develop simulation models of radar systems, considering realistic propagation scenarios, electromagnetic reflections, interference, and clutter.
• Advanced Signal Processing: Implement signal processing techniques for drone detection, localization, and tracking, including Doppler and micro-Doppler analysis.
• Artificial Intelligence Integration: Investigate machine learning algorithms for target classification and discrimination between drones, birds, and other moving objects.
• Experimental Prototyping: Develop and integrate experimental radar prototypes using radiofrequency hardware and digital signal processing platforms.
• Measurement and Validation: Conduct experimental measurement campaigns to evaluate detection range, probability of detection, false alarm rates, and localization accuracy.
• Scientific Dissemination: Prepare technical documentation and contribute to scientific publications in international conferences and journals.

About the position

Development and implementation of advanced radar solutions for the detection, identification, localization, and tracking of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs/drones). The work will focus on researching radar technologies, specifically FMCW systems, MIMO radars, and digital signal processing techniques, with the aim of detecting small drones, even in complex environments with high levels of interference. The goal is to develop innovative solutions that combine radio frequency technologies, signal processing, and artificial intelligence algorithms, contributing to surveillance and monitoring systems for low-altitude airspace.

The approximate duration of the contract will be 24 months, depending on the completion of the tasks identified above, and this period is not necessarily linked to the duration of the specific project.

Applicable Legislation

Labour Code, approved by Law no. 7/2009, of 12 February, in its current reading.

Workplace

The workplace shall be at Instituto de Telecomunicações, Polo de Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro.

Formalisation of applications

1. Applications are formalised by sending a Motivation Letter, addressed to the Board of Instituto de Telecomunicações, including this announcement identification, full name, parents’ names, ID card, or Citizen Card number and date, or civil identification number, taxpayer ID number, date and place of birth, marital status, occupation, residence and contact address, including email address and telephone.
2. Applications shall include all supported documents encompassed by section 6 and 7 for tender admission, namely:
   • Copy of certificate or diploma*;
   • Curriculum vitae.

* The administrative verification of the recognition of the degrees obtained abroad will be fulfilled for the purpose of contracting, in case of approval of the candidatures. Further information at https://www.dges.gov.pt/en/pagina/degree-and-diploma-recognition

Where to apply

Website: https://www.it.pt/

Requirements

• Research Field: Engineering » Other
• Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent

Specific Requirements

Any national, foreign and stateless candidate(s) holding a master’s degree in electronics Engineering, Telecommunications Engineering, Physics Engineering or similar scientific area, and a suitable scientific and professional curriculum may submit an application. In case the degree has been awarded by a foreign higher education institution, the degree must comply with the provisions of Decree-Law no. 341/2007 of 12th of October, and all formalities established therein must be fulfilled, by the selected candidate, until the date of signature of the contract.

Additional Information

Benefits

Basic monthly salary: the basic monthly salary corresponds to level 21 of the TRU (€ 1,762.31).

Instituto de Telecomunicações informs that it offers a wide range of social benefits to its employees, aiming to promote well-being, quality of life, and support in professional performance. More information will be provided during the onboarding process or can be obtained from the Human Resources department.

Eligibility criteria

Candidates must have knowledge of radiofrequency systems, antennas, electromagnetic propagation, and digital signal processing. Experience or strong interest in radar technologies, particularly FMCW, Doppler radar, and MIMO systems. Programming skills in MATLAB, Python, or equivalent environments. Knowledge of artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques applied to signal processing (considered an advantage). Strong analytical skills, autonomy, initiative, and ability to work in a multidisciplinary research team. Good technical communication skills and proficiency in English.

Selection process

The evaluation of the scientific and curricular career has two components, namely:

i) The assessment of the curriculum vitae and other documentation presented. This component of the evaluation is expressed on a numeric scale from 0 to 20, considering:

• The candidate’s experience in the subjects related to this contest;
• The depth of the candidate’s knowledge in the subjects, as well as oral and writing expression capability in order to communicate them.

ii) Candidates with a classification of 14 or higher in the previous component will be invited to an interview. In this interview they should make a personal presentation of their capability towards the position and their expectations regarding the presented opportunity. The evaluation of the presentation is expressed in a scale of 0 to 20 and should take into account the scientific knowledge and the capacity of communication demonstrated by the candidate, as well as the answers to the questions placed by the members of the evaluation panel.

Each panel member score is obtained attributing a weighing factor of 25% to the classification given to the relevance of academic qualifications and educational background to the proposed research activities, a weighing factor of 40% to the classification given to the evaluation of the knowledge of radar technologies, RF systems, digital signal processing, and antenna systems, and a weighing factor of 35% to the classification given to the evaluation of research and development experience, like previous participation in research projects, experimental prototyping, scientific publications, or related technical activities.

The final classification of each candidate is obtained by the sum of the scores of the panel members divided by the number of the members of the panel. In the event of a tie, the chairperson of the panel will have the casting vote.

The jury reserves the right not to select any of the admitted candidates.

The selection panel shall be Prof. Dr. Nuno Carvalho (President), Prof. Dr. Pedro Pinho and Prof. Dr. Daniel Albuquerque, and by Prof. Ricardo Figueiredo as substitute member.

The list of admitted and excluded candidates and the final ranking list will be sent to all candidates by email.

Additional comments

Candidates shall submit their application files and supporting documentation, in a digital form, in the IT portal, https://www.it.pt/Positions/OtherContractPosition/8421.

This competition is open from October 20, 2026, to November 17, 2026.

Please refer to the original announcement.

Website for additional job details: https://www.it.pt/Positions/OtherContractPosition/8421

Work Location(s)

• Number of offers available: 1
• Company/Institute: Instituto de Telecomunicações - Polo Aveiro
• Country: Portugal
• State/Province: Aveiro
• City: Aveiro
• Postal Code: 3810-193
• Street: Campus Universitário de Santiago

Contact

• State/Province: Aveiro
• City: Aveiro
• Website: https://it.pt/
• Street: Campus Universitário
• Postal Code: 3810-193
• E-Mail: giiartioli@av.it.pt