Our team and mission

The Radio Frequency Payloads & Technology Division (TEC-EF) is responsible for RF payloads, instruments and technologies for space and ground applications, including all equipment having a Radio Frequency space/ground interface and its associated Laboratories. The division supports the definition, specification and development/ procurement of laboratories either for ESA projects and technology programmes or external customers.

Within the TEC-EF Division, the RF Payload Engineering and Digital equipment Section responsibilities encompasses payloads and instruments with Radio Frequency interface for telecommunication, remote sensing and navigation exploiting different technologies (e.g. analogue, digital, optical) including design and performance analysis tools and testing and digital functions.

Additionally, the section covers the research, design, development and testing of Radio Frequency Digital equipment for telecommunication/navigation payloads and RF/microwave and millimetre wave remote sensing instruments, as well as Payload Signal and Data Processing techniques.

You are encouraged to visit the ESA website: http://www.esa.int

Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship

You will have the opportunity to contribute in one of the following disciplines, depending on your background and interests:

• Machine Learning techniques for RF Payloads and Instruments: Evaluation of Machine learning techniques for future RF payloads and instruments, with a focus on on-board processing for Earth observation missions. Possible applications include intelligent data compression, cognitive radars, adaptive beamforming and steering, anomaly detection including radio frequency interference identification and instrument performance prediction, raw SAR data information extraction and image formation, and others. Concepts in the frame of Satellite Communication missions like cognitive radio or intelligent regenerative processors could also be investigated. You will study Machine Learning techniques and hardware accelerators for one or more applications relevant to RF payloads and microwave instruments. You will target the implementation of a use-case based on a relevant dataset.

• Efficient signal processing algorithms and architectures for Telecommunication Payloads: Considering contemporary processor architectures, data converters, programmable logic, and accelerators, you will develop Digital Signal Processing (DSP) algorithms for the processing of the communication spectrum. This includes tasks such as channelisation, data routing, beamforming, and functions to support modem operations. You will research and implement DSP solutions to enhance processing efficiency per watt at speeds associated with high- throughput satcom missions. You will also carry-out hands-on work in the lab for this activity.

• Advanced Remote Sensing Instruments: Design, modelling, analysis and performance assessment of future earth observation remote sensing instruments. These instruments include wide-swath Synthetic Aperture Radars, wide- swath Radar Altimeters and/or Scatterometers. The trainee will assess novel instrument architectures and establish performance trade-offs.

Technical competencies

Behavioural competencies

Result Orientation

Operational Efficiency

Fostering Cooperation

Relationship Management

Continuous Improvement

Forward Thinking

Education

You should have just completed or be in the final year of your master’ s degree in Telecommunications/Electronic/Microwave/Computer Science Engineering.

Additional requirements

You should have good interpersonal and communication skills and should be able to work in a multicultural environment, both independently and as part of a team.

Specific competence in one of the following disciplines shall be considered an asset:

• Analog and digital signal processing and/or radio frequency and digital sub-systems.
• On-board processing
• Machine Learning and AI
• Knowledge and/or experience in computer programming (e.g. Matlab).

The working languages of the Agency are English and French. A good knowledge of one of these is required. Knowledge of another Member State language would be an asset.

During the interview motivation and overall professional perspective/career goals will also be explored.