Call 30-2025-1 Predoctoral Research Position within the CTTC Predoc Program

Who are we looking for ?

The Space and Resilient Communications and Systems Research Unit (website RU: https://www.cttc.cat/space-and-resilient-communications-and-networks-srcom/) is looking for a PhD candidate.

We are looking for a highly motivated, enthusiastic, empathic person, with passion for research and desire to learn, aiming at significantly improving her or his scientific career in a stimulating environment and within a dynamic and internationally recognized research group.

The research activity will focus on the use of smart antennas in satellite communications both for the terminals and space segment with a special emphasis on the application of machine learning techniques.

What do we offer? :

• We offer a 3-year predoctoral contract in the framework of the CTTC PhD program. Renewal for the second and third year is contingent upon positive thesis progress evaluation.
• Annual gross salary according to EPIF (RD 103/2019) and CTTC salary tables applicable to predoctoral researchers (R1 category). Plus, coverage of PhD program enrollment and thesis defense fees.
• Full-time contract: 7,5 h/day. Flexibility 37.5 h/week according to CTTC working time policy
• Thesis Allowance: Access to a total allowance of 3,500 € over the 3 years for direct thesis expenses (e.g., congress registration, training, publication fees).
• Expected professional category: R1. According to CTTC internal regulations and applicable salary tables. The professional category is based on the qualifications and experience of the applicant according with CTTC professional categories procedure (https://www.cttc.cat/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/CTTC-Professional-categories.pdf). This functional category (R1) is assigned according to CTTC’s internal professional categories procedure and does not lead to or guarantee an indefinite contract (permanent position) at CTTC.
• Prospect start date: as soon as possible after the call is closed, but no later than six months after the formal job offer.
• PhD enrollment in a Catalan university is mandatory
• Continuous training, access to lab facilities, state of the art infrastructure and polyvalent working spaces, participation in scientific events and R&D projects, complementary skills development.
• We have great benefits for employees:
  • Paid time off: vacation (33 working days per year), holidays, sick and parental leave and more
  • Up to 3 days of Telework per week (2 fixed + 1 upon request subject to departmental approval). Other requests may be studied to accommodate special needs
  • Flexible working hours for work-life balance

Qualifications and Experience

• We are looking for an enthusiastic, energetic person, with ability and motivation to conduct high-quality research, aiming at significantly improving his or her career perspectives in both public and private sectors. The successful applicant should have the competencies of R1 category.
• Required qualification/Eligibility:
• Master degree obtained at European Higher Education Area (EHEA) or, alternatively, the admission in a doctoral program of a Catalan university.
• Candidates must not hold a PhD title.

• Selection criteria. Applications will be evaluated according to the following criteria:
• Criterion 1. Academic and/or scientific and technical career of the candidate (up to 50 points)
  • Subcriterion 1.a) Scientific and technical contributions (up to 45 points)
    • The candidate’s academic record and other curricular merits will be assessed, as well as the suitability to the tasks to be performed based on the candidate’s training and professional experience.
  • Subcriterion 1.b) Mobility and internationalization (up to 5 points)
    • The relevance and impact of the candidate’s stays at national and international centers and/or in the industrial sector on his/her research career will be assessed, taking into account the prestige of the host institution and the activities carried out during the stay.
• Criterion 2. Suitability of the candidate and potential for research impact (up to 50 points)

The candidate’s suitability for the CTTC Predoc Program and the planned research activities will be assessed based on the relevance of their prior training, experience, and the technical competencies listed below. The overall fit and motivation of the candidate will also be taken into consideration.

The technical skills/experience that will be considered are:

• • Knowledge of satellite communications systems (20 points).
  • Programming skills in MATLAB and Python (10 points)
  • Knowledge of multi-antenna systems (10 points).
  • Oral and written English communication skills (10 points).

Even if you do not meet all the technical skills, we encourage you to apply.

The candidates’ past performance but also future potential will be considered as criteria for selecting researchers.

The selection process is aligned to the Open, Transparent, and Merit-based Recruitment (OTM-R) principles and the CTTC HRS4R Action Plan.

How to apply?

All applications must include:

1. A complete CV.
2. Transcripts of the BSc and MSc degrees.
3. Copy of the BSc and MSc degree diploma.
4. Cover letter stating the motivation and suitability of the candidate.
5. One Letter of Recommendation (from a researcher of professor) is highly recommended to strengthen the application.

For candidates with studies completed outside Spain:

• The candidate must also submit an official declaration of equivalences of the average academic score, according to the current dispositions of the Spanish Ministry of Education:

https://universidades.sede.gob.es/pagina/index/directorio/Equivalencia_notas_medias/

https://sede.educacion.gob.es/sede/login/inicio.jjsp?idConvocatoria=818

The application documents must be submitted in pdf format through this online application.

*ONLY APPLICATIONS VIA WEB WILL BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION.*

CVs and any other information gathered during this process will be handled confidentially

Who are we?

• The Center Tecnològic de Telecomunicaciones de Catalunya (CTTC) is a non-profit public sector research institution dedicated to fundamental and applied research activities, focused mainly on technologies related to the physical, data link and network layers of communication systems and Geomatics.
• CTTC received the “HR Excellence in Research” award in 2015 from the European Commission and successfully passed into the Award Renewal phase in 2023. This is a recognition of the Institute’s commitment to develop a Human Resources Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R), designed to bring the practices and procedures in line with the principles of the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers (Charter and Code). Our institution’s comprehensive analysis and HRS4R action plan meet all the requirements of progress and quality of our HR policies. CTTC promotes itself as a provider of a stimulating and favourable work environment for researchers.
• The CTTC is located in the beautiful Mediterranean Technological Park of Castelldefels, a science park that houses the Polytechnic University of Catalonia, research institutions, innovative companies and startups. The PMT-UPC is located 10 minutes’ walk from the beach and the city center of Castelldefels, also close to childcare centers, public schools and the best international schools. It can be reached by car, train (RENFE) and various bus lines.
• We have 2 buildings on campus, with state-of-the-art facilities, comfortable work spaces, meeting rooms, and multipurpose spaces, as well as social spaces.
• The institute has a multicultural environment with more than 130 members (scientific, technical and administrative staff) from all over the world.

CTTC offers and promotes a diverse and inclusive environment and welcomes applicants regardless of age, disability, gender, national origin, race, religion, or sexual orientation.

The CTTC seeks to increase the presence of women in those areas where they are underrepresented and therefore explicitly encourages them to stand as candidates.

It is also committed to increasing the number of people with disabilities in its workforce and therefore encourages their applications.