Doctoral Studentship: Radar at Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

About the job: 

• The CSIR has a vacancy for a Doctoral Studentship: Radar in the Radar and Electronic Warfare Impact Area, within the Defence and Security Cluster.  The incumbent will be responsible for undertaking original research and development in the field of Radar focussing on the topics that include advanced Radar image and signal processing, modelling and simulation, artificial intelligence in Radar, Radar system and application RD&I.  This position is based in Pretoria.

Research Areas: 

• Advanced Radar Imaging (e.g. bi-static / multi-static imaging, drone/UAV based radar imaging, improved information extraction, multi-band imaging)
• Radar Signal Processing (including application of AI / Machine Learning to Radar signal processing)
• Object Classification using Radar
• Radar Cross Section Modelling
• Radar based Remote Sensing Applications in the Defence and Security Domain
• Radar System Improvements (e.g. adaptive beamforming, multi-input multi-output, waveform design)
• Novel Security and Defence Applications (e.g. spaceborne, border surveillance, asset protection)

Key Responsibilities:

• Prepare a research proposal to be approved by both the CSIR and the university;
• Write a literature overview of the current state-of-the-art relevant to your research topic;
• Perform original research to solve the open research problem(s) as identified in your proposal;
• Produce sufficient quantity and quality of peer-reviewed publications based on the Doctoral research topic;
• Compile a high-quality Doctoral thesis;
• Successful defending of your Doctoral research work; and
• Contribute to extra project / student activities that may be outside the scope of the Doctoral research as per the needs of the CSIR Research Group. The amount of such work shall be limited to 20% of the total time. (E.g. working on an aspect of a CSIR Radar project, involvement in CSIR student pipeline / outreach projects).

Qualifications, Skills, and Experience:

• A Master's degree (or at least evidence of having completed the requirements for a Master's degree) in electronic/computer engineering, computer science, applied mathematics, or related fields;
• Register for a doctoral qualification, aligned with the field of Radar, at a South African University (to be agreed upon with the CSIR co-supervisor);
• All international qualifications require an evaluation report/certificate issued by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA);
• Must have a strong background in electronic engineering, signal processing and/or image processing, and ideally have done postgraduate work at Master's or Honour's level in Radar systems;
• Knowledge of machine learning and/or artificial intelligence would be beneficial;
• Working knowledge of related programming languages such as Matlab, Python, R, Java, C#, C++, and the Linux operating system, and others applicable;
• Experience in software and/or hardware development for experimentation and/or computer simulation with a hands-on approach is required;
• Good understanding of the scientific method: design of experiments, running experiments, critical analysis of results, and dissemination of knowledge;
• Good communication skills in English (verbal and written) is required;
• A good peer-reviewed publication record will be advantageous; and
• Ability to work efficiently with others in a diverse team is required.