The Department of Electronic Systems has a vacancy for a Postdoctoral Fellowship In “Backscatter wireless communication and wireless power transfer for brain implants” 

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We are looking for dedicated employees to join us.

You will find more information about working at NTNU and the application process here.

About the position

The B-CRATOS FET Open project aims to merge novel wireless communication, neuroscience, bionics, artificial intelligence and sensing to create for the first time a battery-free high-speed wireless in-body communication platform for Brain-Machine-Body connectivity. Groundbreaking technological components such as wireless two-way microwave intra-body and battery-free RF backscatter communication, wireless powering technology, bio-inspired sensing, dexterous biomechatronic extremity will be codesigned and a proof-of-concept, revolutionary untethered brain-machine interface will be created.

This technology will have a profound impact in the fields of neuroprosthetics (restoration of missing biological functions such as vision, audition, movement, sensation, cognition through the bypassing damaged circuits), brain-Computer Interfaces (brain plasticity through machine learning, gaming, virtual reality), and electroceuticals (modulation of organ function through neural circuits instead of pharmaceuticals), gaming (immersion), and virtual reality.

B-CRATOS will overcome the main challenges relating to power consumption, batteries, and data transmission bandwidth through breakthrough battery-free bidirectional wireless communication technology.

Postdoc: Backscatter wireless communication and wireless power transfer for brain implants

The postdoc project is to design and demonstrate backscatter technology for wireless communication for high-speed, battery-free brain implants having two-way communications and two-way stimulation/record performance and provide sufficient wireless power to record and stimulate the brain.

You will report to Head of Department

Duties of the position

• The postdoc candidate is responsible of developing a design, prototype and experimental validation of the backscatter system in collaboration with the B-CRATOS project team. 
• It is expected that the candidate is responsible for reporting the relevant research results to the project consortium, attending the project meetings, completing the postdoc tasks, deliverables, and milestones according to the postdoc research plan, and publishing the results in the peer-reviewed scientific journals and conferences

Required selection criteria

A postdoctoral research fellowships is a qualification position in which the main objective is qualification for work in academic positions. You must have completed a Norwegian doctoral degree in electrical engineering or corresponding foreign doctoral degree recognized as equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree is required.

If, for any reason, you have taken a career break or have had an atypical career and wish to disclose this in your application, the selection committee will take this into account, recognizing that the quantity of your research may be reduced as a result.

The qualification requirement is that you have completed a PhD (or equivalent degree) with a strong academic background and publication track record in electrical engineering with emphasis on antennas design and simulation, antennas for implant devices for communication and wireless power transfer application, wireless communication system design and simulation, RFID techniques, electronic circuit design and simulations. Good knowledge in PCB design, manufacturing, integration, assemblies is also the requirements. Also, knowledge in microcontroller programming, RFID chipsets, MATLAB, and C++ are considered as an advantage. Further, the applicant is willing to learn new topics like miniaturized implantable antennas and novel communication techniques based on backscattering.

The postdoc will be working with a PhD student to progress the engineering works of the project, in addition, to investigate the challenges related to antennas, wave propagation and simulations in CST MWS or HFSS.

The appointment is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants and national guidelines for appointment as PhD, post doctor and research assistant.

Preferred selection criteria

Applicants who do not master a Scandinavian language must provide evidence of good written and spoken English language skills. The following tests can be used as documentation: TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE), or Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE). Minimum scores are:

• TOEFL: 600 (paper-based test), 92 (Internet-based test)
• IELTS: 6.5, with no section lower than 5.5 (only Academic IELTS test accepted)
• CAE/CPE: grade B or A.

Personal characteristics

• Self motivated, independent and team player.
• Honest and trustable.
• Social and pleasant to work with.

We offer

• exciting and stimulating tasks in a strong international academic environment
• an open and inclusive work environment with dedicated colleagues
• favourable terms in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• employee benefits

Salary and conditions

Postdoctoral candidates are placed in code 1352, and are normally remunerated at gross from NOK 545 300 per annum before tax, depending on qualifications and seniority. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

The period of employment is 2 years with a possibility for an extension

The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants, and the acts relating to Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. Candidates who by assessment of the application and attachment are seen to conflict with the criteria in the latter law will be prohibited from recruitment to NTNU. After the appointment you must assume that there may be changes in the area of work.

The position is subject to external funding (ta stilling til om stillinger skal være betinget av ekstern finansiering).

It is a prerequisite you can be present at and accessible to the institution daily.

About the application

The application and supporting documentation to be used as the basis for the assessment must be in English.

Publications and other scientific work must follow the application. Please note that applications are only evaluated based on the information available on the application deadline. You should ensure that your application shows clearly how your skills and experience meet the criteria which are set out above. 

The application must include:

• CV, certificates and diplomas (BSc and MSc degree transcripts).
• Research plan or project proposal (max 3 pages).
• Academic works - published or unpublished - that you would like to be considered in the assessment (up to 15 works).
• Name and address of three referees.

Joint works will be considered. If it is difficult to identify your contribution to joint works, you must attach a brief description of your participation.

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal suitability.

NTNU is committed to following evaluation criteria for research quality according to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment - DORA.

General information

Working at NTNU

A good work environment is characterized by diversity. We encourage qualified candidates to apply, regardless of their gender, functional capacity or cultural background.

The city of Trondheim is a modern European city with a rich cultural scene. Trondheim is the innovation capital of Norway with a population of 200,000. The Norwegian welfare state, including healthcare, schools, kindergartens and overall equality, is probably the best of its kind in the world. Professional subsidized day-care for children is easily available. Furthermore, Trondheim offers great opportunities for education (including international schools) and possibilities to enjoy nature, culture and family life and has low crime rates and clean air quality.

As an employee at NTNU, you must at all times adhere to the changes that the development in the subject entails and the organizational changes that are adopted.

Information Act (Offentleglova), your name, age, position and municipality may be made public even if you have requested not to have your name entered on the list of applicants.

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Professor Ilangko Balasingham, email: Ilangko.balasingham@ntnu.no;  Dr. Ali Khaleghi, email: Ali Khaleghi ali.khaleghi@ntnu.no  

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Signe Johanne Talukder, email: signe.talukder@ntnu.no.

Please submit your application electronically via jobbnorge.no with your CV, diplomas and certificates. Applications submitted elsewhere will not be considered. Diploma Supplement is required to attach for European Master Diplomas outside Norway. Chinese applicants are required to provide confirmation of Master Diploma from China Credentials Verification (CHSI).

If you are invited for interview you must include certified copies of transcripts and reference letters. Please refer to the application number 2021/16434 when applying.

Application deadline: 15.05.2021

NTNU - knowledge for a better world

The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) creates knowledge for a better world and solutions that can change everyday life.

Department of Electronic Systems

The digitalization of Norway is impossible without electronic systems. We are Norway’s leading academic environment in this field, and contribute with our expertise in areas ranging from nanoelectronics, phototonics, signal processing, radio technology and acoustics to satellite technology and autonomous systems. Knowledge of electronic systems is also vital for addressing important challenges in transport, energy, the environment, and health. The Department of Electronic Systems is one of seven departments in the Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering .

Deadline 15th May 2021
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Temporary
Place of service Campus Gløshaugen