Doctoral Researcher: backscatter-based wireless positioning

At Aalto University, science and art meet technology and economics. We build a sustainable future by achieving breakthroughs in our key areas and at their intersections. At the same time, we inspire the changemakers of the future and create solutions to the world's great challenges. Our university community includes 16,000 students, 446 professors, and over 5,000 employees, representing a total of over 120 nationalities. Our campus is located in Espoo, Otaniemi. Diversity is part of us, and we work continuously to ensure the diversity and non-discrimination of our community. Therefore, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to join our community.

Would you like to develop new wireless positioning methods for challenging situations where there is no direct line-of-sight, and validate them through practical radio experiments?

We are looking for a doctoral researcher for research on backscatter-based wireless positioning for the Department of Information and Communications Engineering at Aalto University.

The position is related to the Backscatter Assisted Non-line-of-sight Positioning (BANLOS) project funded by the Academy of Finland. In the project, we investigate how backscatter communication can be utilized and developed to support wireless positioning in situations where there is no direct line-of-sight or it is unreliable.

As a doctoral researcher, you will work towards a doctoral degree and participate in research that lies at the interface of wireless positioning, backscatter communication, statistical signal processing, and software radio experiments. Depending on your background and interests, your research may focus on theoretical modeling and algorithms, experimental implementation, or a combination of these.

Your tasks and research Your main goal is to develop and experimentally validate methods in which backscatter-based radio measurements are utilized to improve positioning in challenging propagation conditions. More specific research questions will be clarified together with your supervisors as the doctoral work progresses.

Your work may include, for example, the following tasks:

• development of signal models, algorithms, and performance analyses for backscatter-based positioning in situations where there is no direct line-of-sight
• application of detection and estimation theory to questions related to, for example, observability, identifiability, positioning accuracy, and robustness
• design and implementation of software radio prototypes and measurement experiments
• evaluation of proposed methods using simulations, laboratory experiments, and suitable measurement data
• publication of research results in high-level international scientific journals and conferences, as well as presenting results to the scientific community
• completion of doctoral studies and development of the research skills required for a doctoral degree
• participation to a limited extent in the department's teaching and other academic duties

The emphasis between theoretical and experimental research can be adapted based on your background as well as the scientific direction of the project.

Your research environment and supervision You will join the research group of Professor Riku Jäntti in the Department of Information and Communications Engineering at Aalto University as part of the BANLOS project.

The research environment combines expertise in wireless communication, radio positioning, statistical signal processing, and experimental radio systems. You will collaborate with researchers and students at Aalto University as well as the project's broader national and international research network.

You will receive regular scientific guidance as well as support for developing your skills as an independent researcher. As the doctoral work progresses, you will also be encouraged to develop your own research ideas, build scientific networks, and initiate new collaboration patterns.

What we expect from you We are looking for a motivated, curious, and collaborative person who enjoys solving challenging technical problems and wants to develop into an independent researcher.

We expect from you:

• a suitable master's degree or equivalent degree, for example, in electrical engineering, telecommunications engineering, signal processing, computer science, applied mathematics, or a related field
• a strong foundation in wireless communication, statistical signal processing, estimation theory, or another related field
• good mathematical and analytical skills
• programming skills suitable for numerical simulation, signal processing, or experimental research
• good oral and written English language skills
• motivation and readiness for doctoral studies and long-term research work

The master's degree must be completed by the start of the employment.

We particularly value experience or interest in one or more of the following areas:

• detection and estimation theory
• wireless positioning and localization
• backscatter or wireless communication
• statistical signal processing
• software radio and experimental wireless systems
• Python, MATLAB, C/C++, GNU Radio, or similar research tools

Previous experience in all these areas is not required. We welcome applicants whose strengths are either in theoretical or experimental research, as long as they are motivated to develop the complementary skills required for the project.

Previous publication experience is not required. In the selection process, we particularly emphasize the applicant's research potential, academic background, analytical and problem-solving skills, motivation for the research topic, and readiness to conduct doctoral research.

Doctoral studies at Aalto University The position is intended for a researcher who is pursuing a doctoral degree in the Aalto University Doctoral Programme in Electrical Engineering.

The selected person must meet the eligibility and selection criteria of the Doctoral Programme in Electrical Engineering. If you do not yet have the right to doctoral studies at Aalto University, you will apply for the right to study after being selected for the position.

More information about the doctoral programme, eligibility requirements, and applying for doctoral training can be found on the Aalto University website: Doctoral Programme in Electrical Engineering.

What we offer At Aalto University you get:

• a fully funded doctoral researcher position and the opportunity to work towards a doctoral degree
• a research topic where fundamental questions of statistical estimation combine with practical wireless systems and experiments
• an international research environment with strong expertise in wireless communication, positioning, and signal processing
• close scientific guidance as well as the opportunity to gradually develop independence as a researcher
• access to computing, software radio, radio prototyping, and measurement resources for both theoretical and experimental research
• support for scientific publication, participation in international conferences, research visits, professional development, and building your future research career
• occupational healthcare and other personnel benefits offered by Aalto University

The position follows the employment practices for doctoral researchers in the School of Electrical Engineering. The first employment contract is for two years, and the position includes a six-month probationary period. After a successful mid-term evaluation, the employment is intended to be extended for another two years, making the total duration four years.

The salary is determined according to the Finnish university salary system. The starting salary for a doctoral researcher is 3,143 euros per month (gross), and the salary develops along with the progress of the doctoral work and studies.

The desired start date is as soon as possible, but the exact start date can be agreed upon with the selected person.

The main place of work is the Aalto University Otaniemi campus in Espoo. The work is performed in Finland. Flexible working arrangements are possible in accordance with Aalto University's practices.

Interested? Apply to us! If you want to join us, submit your application in English through the Aalto University electronic recruitment system using the "Apply now" link no later than 18.10.2026, at 23:59 Finnish time. Applications sent by email will not be accepted. We encourage applying early, as we read applications as they arrive and may invite suitable candidates for an interview while the application period is still ongoing.

All materials must be submitted as a PDF file, a maximum of five (5) files, each no larger than 5MB. The application material must include:

• A motivation letter, in which you describe your interest in the position, your background relevant to the position, and your motivation for the doctoral research in the BANLOS project
• A curriculum vitae, which includes the contact information of at least two recommenders
• Copies of transcripts and degree certificates for bachelor's and master's degrees

You may also include a list of publications or other relevant research outputs if you have them, but previous publications are not required.

We encourage you to describe in your motivation letter how your background relates to one or more of the project's research areas. We do not expect applicants to have prior expertise in all areas of the project.

Please note that Aalto University employees must apply for the position through the internal Workday system under "Internal Jobs" using their current Workday credentials, not through the external open jobs webpage. If you are an Aalto University student or visitor, apply for the position with your personal email address instead of an aalto.fi address via the Aalto University open jobs page.

More information For more information about the research topic and the doctoral researcher position, contact Professor Riku Jäntti, riku.jantti@aalto.fi. For questions regarding the recruitment process, you can contact the HR Advisor at hr-elec@aalto.fi.

Information about the Department of Information and Communications Engineering The Department of Information and Communications Engineering at Aalto University conducts impactful research and provides high-level teaching in the fields of telecommunications engineering, signal processing, computer networks, and related digital technologies. Our international community combines strong theoretical research with experimental research and close interdisciplinary collaboration.