PhD candidate for Deployment and Control of a Distributed Telescope as a Formation of Nanosatellites

SnT is a leading international research and innovation centre in secure, reliable and trustworthy ICT systems and services. We play an instrumental role in Luxembourg by fueling innovation through research partnerships with industry, boosting R&D investments leading to economic growth, and attracting highly qualified talent.

The SnT Automation & Robotics Research Group is a strong and motivated research team led by Prof. Holger Voos. The group focuses on situational awareness and advanced control in the automation of complex systems such as autonomous vehicles and robots or space systems, see https://www.uni.lu/snt-en/research-groups/ARG/

The SnT Automation & Robotics Research Group is seeking to hire a highly motivated PhD candidate within the Horizon Europe – Marie-Skłodowska-Curie – Doctoral Network GNSS-R SATELLITE EARTH OBSERVATION (GLITTER).

GNSS-R is a technique to carry out Earth observation based on reflections on the ground (or sea, or ice) of signals originating from GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) signals. The proposed project consists of educating a new generation of experts, at doctoral level, able to bring a qualitative leap to this technology. The scientific and technological goal consists of developing such systems based on a synchronized constellation of Cubesats. An important advantage of this arrangement is the very low cost of cubesats and the possibility to increase resolution based on beamforming from the satellites. Ground truth, as well as some of the methods, will originate from near-field radar technology. This will require further research on all segments of GNSS-R technology and beyond: launching and adjustment of cubesat formations, RF synchronization, interferometry between moving platforms, calibration of RF front-ends, ground testing making use of drones, cubesat systems, on-board processing, data transfer and analysis, translation into ground truth and into predictions important for climate change studies and for optimal territory management. The project may also benefit to other technologies making use of interferometry, such as radioastronomy and phased array based communications. It is also expected to assist industry segments making use of GNSS signals, such as precision agriculture, forestry and sea and land management.

We’re looking for people driven by excellence, excited about innovation, and looking to make a difference. If this sounds like you, you’ve come to the right place!

GLITTER offers a rich inter-sector training program, with private and academic partners, recognized in all segments of satellite-based Earth observation at microwaves. The program has been designed taking into consideration the “triple i” aspects: international, inter-sectoral, and inter-disciplinary, thanks to the different competences brought by each partner of the network as well as lecturer outside of the consortium with complementary competences. Each Doctoral Candidate (DC) will benefit from an individual and customized training program, established in a personal career development plan that offers a combination of research specific and transferable skills. A network-wide training will be offered by the consortium during the whole project life cycle through 4 training schools and 3 workshops.

This PhD project aims at the development of an improved distributed control of such formations of small satellites, also using a combination of solar and aerodynamic forces for propellant-less control. This will be ideal to deploy, maintain and reconfigure cost-efficiently a large formation of small satellites but requires the detailed modelling of the satellite dynamics, including the effects of aerodynamic forces (caused by the residual atmosphere in LEO) and the solar radiation pressure. After an analysis of optimal formation geometries for Earth observation, suitable orbital guidance and attitude control approaches will be developed and tested, using advanced simulation tools as well as formation flight experiments on a smaller scale with drones. These flight tests will also provide a better understanding of the level of control needed to achieve satisfactory beamforming.

The successful candidate will work under the main supervision of Prof. Holger Voos and will be required to perform the following tasks:

• Carry out the aforementioned research with collaborators at the SnT and members of the large European GLITTER consortium
• Participate in the training program of the GLITTER project
• spent a research stay (6 months) at the Université Catholique de Louvain (UCL), to work with Prof. C. Craeye on RF synchronization between satellites and the impact on formation control
• Disseminate your findings at renowned international conferences and workshops and in journal papers
• Provide assistance in organizational matters related to GLITTER

• Solid experience / knowledge in the following areas:
• Mathematical and Control Engineering, especially related to spacecraft guidance,
  navigation and control
• Modeling and simulation of spacecraft dynamics
• Spacecraft formations/swarms
• Control of drones and flight experiments as well as knowledge in GNSS would be an asset
• Outstanding academic records
• Teamworking experience, e.g. via student projects, competitions or similar
• International experience is desirable, e.g., via a study abroad, internships, Erasmus, double-degree

Qualification: The candidate should possess an MSc degree or equivalent in Control / Aerospace / Electrical Engineering, or related fields in Engineering or Computer Engineering

Programming Skills: Experience with MATLAB/Simulink and Python, programming skills in C/C++ are an asset

Language Skills: Fluent written and verbal communication skills in English are required

Eligibility criteria for HEU Marie-Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Networks:

• Researchers must be doctoral candidates (no doctoral degree at the date of recruitment)
• The candidate must not have resided or carried out her/his main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Luxembourg for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to her/his recruitment. (Compulsory national service, short stays such as holidays, and time spent as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention are not considered)

• A stimulating learning environment. Here post-docs and professors outnumber PhD students. That translates into access and close collaborations with some of the brightest ICT researchers, giving you solid guidance
• Exciting infrastructures and unique labs. At SnT’s two campuses, our researchers can take a walk on the moon at the LunaLab, build a nanosatellite, or help make autonomous vehicles even better
• The right place for IMPACT. SnT researchers engage in demand-driven projects. Through our Partnership Programme, we work on projects with more than 55 industry partners
• Multiple funding sources for your ideas. The University supports researchers to acquire funding from national, European and private sources
• Competitive salary package. The University offers a 12 month-salary package, over six weeks of paid time off, meal vouchers and health insurance
• Be part of a multicultural family. At SnT we have more than 60 nationalities. Throughout the year, we organise team-building events, networking activities and more
• Boost your career. Students can take advantage of several opportunities for growth and career development, from free language classes to career resources and extracurricular activities

But wait, there’s more!

• Complete picture of the perks we offer
• Discover our Partnership Programme

Applications, written in English should be submitted online and include:

• Curriculum Vitae, including:
• Contact address
• For each degree received or currently enrolled in, provide the degree, institution name, institution city and country, and date (or expected date) of graduation.
• List of publications (authors, title, journal/conference name and date of publication). Provide a link in case of open access
• portfolio of skills and projects
• Name, affiliation and contact details of three referees
• Transcript of all modules and results from university-level courses taken
• Cover letter with motivations and topics of particular interest to you (approx. 1 page)

All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply.

Early application is highly encouraged, as the applications will be processed upon reception. Please apply formally through the HR system. Applications by email will not be considered.

The University of Luxembourg embraces inclusion and diversity as key values. We are fully committed to removing any discriminatory barrier related to gender, and not only, in recruitment and career progression of our staff.

General information:

• Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract 36 Month (extendable up to 48 months if required)
• Work Hours: Full Time 40.0 Hours per Week
• Location: Kirchberg
• Employee and student status
• Job Reference: UOL06365

University of Luxembourg is an international research university with a distinctly multilingual and interdisciplinary character. The University was founded in 2003 and counts more than 6,700 students and more than 2,000 employees from around the world. The University’s faculties and interdisciplinary centres focus on research in the areas of Computer Science and ICT Security, Materials Science, European and International Law, Finance and Financial Innovation, Education, Contemporary and Digital History. In addition, the University focuses on cross-disciplinary research in the areas of Data Modelling and Simulation as well as Health and System Biomedicine. Times Higher Education ranks the University of Luxembourg #3 worldwide for its “international outlook,” #20 in the Young University Ranking 2021 and among the top 250 universities worldwide.

For further information, please contact Holger Voos at: holger.voos@uni.lu