Research Fellow in THz Communications

About us

The Photonics Group of the UCL Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering wishes to appoint a Research Fellow to work in the field of THz wireless communications as part of the Hub in All-Spectrum Connectivity (HASC), a growing consortium of UK universities led by Professor Dominic O’Brien of University of Oxford.

Understanding how best to use established and emerging frequency bands across the wireless and wired spectrum from RF to optical frequencies is a key challenge for future communications systems. HASC brings together a network of researchers and institutions with world-leading capabilities and facilities to answer this question and deliver innovation in the use and exploitation of future wired and wireless spectrum.

About the role

The UCL Photonics Group is contributing world-leading expertise and experimental facilities in photonically enabled THz communications (i.e. wireless communications at carrier frequencies between 100 GHz and 10 THz) to HASC. The postholder will carry out experiments and computer modelling into these areas in support of the wider HASC goals, focusing particularly on the spectral range from 110 – 330 GHz.

This will involve extending the existing experimental testbed for THz communications to provide new functionality, such as multiple transmitters and receivers, enabling studies of bi-directional links, MIMO, networking, interference, and multi-user scenarios. Experiments will also be carried out to measure THz wireless channel characteristics and to characterise at THz frequencies the reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RISs) being developed by other HASC partners.

One of the major ambitions of HASC is to develop a comprehensive modelling capability spanning all frequencies from RF to optical. The post holder will provide inputs to this activity on photonically enabled THz communications, including component characteristics (including high-speed photodiode frequency response, THz source radiation patterns), link budget calculations, and digital signal processing techniques, etc., helping to develop accurate models for THz communications.

The post is available until 30th April 2026 in the first instance. Further funding to support the post may be available.

About you

Candidates should have a PhD (or about to submit) in Photonics, Electronic / Electrical Engineering or a closely related field (e.g. Physics, Computer Science). They should have a track record of high-level research in photonics and/or physical layer wireless communication systems, and an in-depth understanding of the principles of wireless and/or optical communication systems. Experience of using optical and high-speed RF test equipment (oscilloscopes, optical and electrical spectrum analysers, RF synthesisers, etc.) is essential, as well as experience of programming (e.g. MATLAB, Python) and/or relevant technical software packages (e.g. CST Studio, COMSOL).

Practical experience of RF, THz or optical communication systems is desirable.

Application details:

• To apply for the role, click the 'Apply’ button
• Applications close on 24th June at 23:59
• A job description and person specification can be accessed at the application link, as well as contact details for queries about the post

What we offer

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits.

Visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/rewards-and-benefits to find out more

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

We particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL’s workforce. These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women.

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