Enter the fascinating world of the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e. V.; DLR) and help shape the future through research and innovation! We offer an exciting and inspiring working environment driven by the expertise and curiosity of our 11,000 employees from 100 nations and our unique infrastructure. Together, we develop sustainable technologies and thus contribute to finding solutions to global challenges. Would you like to join us in addressing this major future challenge? Then this is your place!

Vacancy-ID:  4270 
Place of work:  Oberpfaffenhofen 
Starting date:  as soon as possible 
Career level:  Graduates; Experienced professionals 
Type of employment:  Full-time; Part time 
Duration of contract:  3 years 
Remuneration:  Remuneration is in accordance with the Collective Agreement for the Public Sector – Federal Government (TVöD-Bund)

The Institute of Communications and Navigation, with sites in Oberpfaffenhofen and Neustrelitz, is dedicated to mission-oriented research in selected areas of communications and navigation. These are embedded in the DLR programmes on space, aviation, transport and security.

What to expect

By coordinating motion, sensing, and communication, swarms can perform efficient area coverage, resilient navigation, and collaborative exploration, while maintaining reliable network connectivity. The research carried out within this position will contribute to the foundations of next-generation autonomous and cyber-physical systems, advancing the state of the art in integrated communication, navigation, and sensing specifically for swarms. The resulting methods and algorithms will enable new capabilities for mobile robotic swarms in safety-critical and security-related environments.

Your Tasks

• Design and analysis of multi-sensor array signal processing algo-rithms for joint communication, localization, navigation, and sensing in networks of mobile robots
• Development of MIMO-based signal processing techniques tailored to swarm robotics scenarios
• Investigation of Smart Radio Environments (SREs) and Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS) to enhance connectivity, positioning accuracy, and environmental awareness for robotic swarms
• Development of robust and fail-safe algorithms to improve the reliability of swarm exploration methods 
• Independent conception, preparation, and professional execution of experiments in demanding outdoor environments with flying and moving platforms

Your Profile

• Completed scientific university degree (master’s/diploma) in engineering (e.g. telecommunications engineering, electrical engineering etc.) or other courses of study relevant to the position with a minimum grade of “good”
• Doctorate in electronics, telecommunications, and information technology or another scientific/technical course of study relevant to the institute
• Experience in research on smart radio environments (SREs) and the physical layer (PHY layer) of modern wireless communication systems
• Good knowledge of the use of machine learning and deep learning for the modeling and analysis of communication systems
• Excellent programming skills, e.g. in Python, C/C++, MATLAB
• Fluent written and spoken English

Remuneration depends on qualifications and job assignment up to pay grad 13 TVöD.

We offer
DLR stands for diversity, appreciation and equality for all people. We promote independent work and the individual development of our employees both personally and professionally. To this end, we offer numerous training and development opportunities. Equal opportunities are of particular importance to us, which is why we want to increase the proportion of women in science and management in particular. Applicants with severe disabilities will be given preference if they are qualified.

We offer
DLR stands for diversity, appreciation and equality for all people. We promote independent work and the individual development of our employees both personally and professionally. To this end, we offer numerous training and development opportunities. Equal opportunities are of particular importance to us, which is why we want to increase the proportion of women in science and management in particular. Applicants with severe disabilities will be given preference if they are qualified.

We look forward to getting to know you!

If you have any questions about this position (Vacancy-ID 4270) please contact:

Dr. Christian Gentner 
Tel.: +49 8153 28 2890